Chapter 3

Victor and Emily

As time passed in the Van Dort house, Emily and Victor grew to be the greatest of friends. Or, as Nell Van Dort called them, partners in crime.

It was often that the pair of them found themselves in the throws of mischief. Nothing too serious, of course. Just enough to get them in trouble.

At one of Mrs. Van Dort's fancy parties, which she threw at least once a month, Victor and Emily were taking turns playing the piano for the guests in the ballroom. Each of them had their own style when it came to music. Victor played pieces that were graceful and light, whereas Emily played based on emotion and with intense passion, and the guests would dance whatever best accommodated to each pianist.

It was then that Emily, who was often the instigator of these practical jokes, suggested to Victor that they both play at the same time. A sort of duet, if you will.

When the guests saw that both of them were seated at the piano, they were hesitant to decide what sort of dance should take place. Unsure of who was going to play, they waited to see who would strike the first key.

When the saw Emily begin to play, they danced in the style of the Polka. However, Victor's playing started up, so the guests ceased the Polka and began a Waltz. Emily and Victor would switch every few notes, causing the guests to grow frustrated. Then, the pair of them began to play at the same time.

One would think that doing such a thing would be displeasing to the ear, but Emily and Victor manged to do it in a way that was exactly the opposite. In fact, it was quite beautiful!

When they had finished, many of the guests applauded them, completely in awe at what the pair of them had accomplished. Mrs. Van Dort on the other hand, was furious. Once the party was over, she gave them a stern talking to about the embarrassment they had caused her.

Victor and Emily didn't just play practical jokes or practice piano together, though. Often, they would take walks around town or in the park. Sometimes they would talk to each other about their likes and dislikes and what plans they had for their future selves. Other times, they were simply content being in one another's company without a word being spoken between them.

Victor was also a great source of comfort for Emily. There were times when she would reminisce about her old life and she would tell him about her father. Sometimes, this caused her to cry, for she missed her father more than she could bear.

Victor would simply sit with her and hold her hand until her tears stopped. Occasionally, he'd embrace her, but it was rare as he was still fairly shy when it came to displays of affection, platonic or otherwise.

Then they day came when Emily had to return the favor.

In the 18 months she had lived with the Van Dorts, she had never seen Victor cry. That was until the day they found Scraps' lifeless body in front of the fireplace.

The dog had passed in his sleep. His last moments were happy and warm, Emily was sure.

Oh, but poor, sweet Victor was heartbroken. The dog had been his closest friend throughout most of his boyhood. In fact, he was his only friend up until Emily's arrival.

Emily did her best to comfort Victor. She did what he did when comforting her. She sat with him and held his hand. She even rested her head upon his shoulder while she waited for him to calm.

"You must think me foolish," Victor said after his tears were dried. "He was only a dog, after all."

Emily turned to look at him, shaking her head and gripping his hand tighter. "Scraps was more than just a dog, Victor." She smiled and brought her free hand up to cup his cheek. "He was an angel. An angel sent to make sure the world's kindest man had a friend."

He gave a whisper of a smile before saying, "No, Emily. You're my angel." Then he did something that shocked Emily. He leaned forward and placed the softest of kisses upon her forehead. It was brief. Barely a brush of his lips, but it was enough for heat to pool in the apples' of her cheeks.

In that moment, Emily Merrimack was certain of only one thing: she was completely, hopelessly, and ardently in love with Victor Van Dort.

So different were these feelings she felt for Victor from those she had felt for Henry. With Victor, it felt like she was floating and that anything was possible. With Henry, she always felt like she had to choose between happiness and love, as if they did not coincide with one another. Since falling for Victor, she realized that what she felt for Henry was not love at all, but a facade. Rather, she was in love with the idea of being in love.

Of course, Emily did not tell Victor that she loved him. She was too afraid that he would not feel the same, and her already fragile heart could not take such a rejection.

So, she continued on as she had been. She played the part of a friend, which sounded a lot easier than what it actually was.

Victor made being just his friend difficult for Emily. Since calling her his angel, his declarations of admiration became surprisingly more frequent. Emily also could not help but notice the secret smiles he sent her way, or the way he stared at her when he thought she wasn't looking. Perhaps she could trick him into revealing his feelings to her.

That plan went out the window, when Nell Van Dort relayed some terrible news to the pair of them.

The Everglots were bankrupt. A tragic thing to happen to anyone. Luckily, or unluckily in Emily's case, they had a young daughter named Victoria.

In order to prevent the Everglots from being sent to the poor house, Victoria needed to marry rich. Unfortunately, the Van Dorts and the Everglots made an arrangement that Victor and Victoria would be married in a month's time.

It had been just over two years since Emily had lost her father and moved in with the Van Dorts. Her heart had broken then. And just when she thought it had finally healed, she recieved news such as this.

When she had gotten over the initial shock, she excused herself and went up to her room. Once she was certain that the door was locked, she flung herself upon her bed and wept.

Was she not allowed to be happy? Was it possible that this was the world's way of punishing her for ever falling for Lord Henry Hurst's charms and getting her father killed in the process?

Maybe it would have been better if Henry had killed her instead.

Stop that! She thought to herself. You will get through this. After he is married, you'll hardly see him anymore.

That comment, meant to soothe, only broke her heart further...