CHAPTER 5

Glancing at the small china clock decorated with butterflies and flowers on the fireplace mantle in his daughter's bedroom, Aaron tried to reason;

"Amie...baby, do you know it's after ten o'clock at night? Princess, if Mommy knew I was keeping you up this late..."

Before he could finish his statement, Amie sat up a bit to shake her head and argue;

"She wouldn't be mad, Daddy. Sides, I'm not sleepy and there's no school tomorrow and you said you weren't gonna go back to work at the mill till Mommy was all better."

Amie, looping her arms around her father's neck, leaned her head against his shoulder before looking up at him, her eyes wide with pleading as she implored;

"Please, Daddy. I really wanna hear the rest of your story; I just don't think I can sleep if I don't. I'd be wonderin all night what happened."

Offering her father a winsome smile, Amie bribed;

"You wouldn't want me to stay awake all night wonderin, now would ya, Daddy?"

Lifting an eyebrow, Aaron's face held an expression that was halfway between amusement and amazement at his daughter's tenacity. Not to mention her tactics that bore a striking resemblance to some of the stories he'd been told of how his wife had gotten her way as a child with her older brothers. Knowing it was better for him to quit while he was ahead, Aaron laughed as he surrendered;

"Alright, Princess, I'll tell you more."

Shifting a bit and allowing Amie to make herself as comfortable as possible, Aaron inhaled and exhaled deeply before pondering;

"Now, let me see, where was I at?"

Shifting her head to look up at her father, Amie reminded;

"I know, Daddy! Your Uncle Beau and Aunt Rissa had just told you about how your grandfather didn't want them or your Mommy to get married, but that he was real happy when you were born and how we was gonna let them get married after all."

Bending his head, Aaron brushed a kiss over the top of his daughter's forehead as he praised;

"You're right, baby girl, that's just where I left off. You know, you're already as smart as your Mommy and me put together. So, let me pick a good place to pick it up."

October 1843

Aaron sat on the settee, one eyebrow lifted in disbelief, as he watched his Aunt Rissa twirl and sway back and forth to the melodic notes Tessa was coaxing from the keys of the piano in the parlor. Sighing as he shook his head, Aaron tried once more to convince her;

"Aunt Rissa, please don't think that I don't appreciate this...I promise I do. But I just don't see how learning how to do all this fancy dancing you're trying to teach me is gonna help me."

Stopping mid-whirl, Clarissa placed her hands on her hips and stared at her nephew in disbelief as she reminded him;

"Aaron, you're thirteen years old and you're no longer a little boy...you're a young man; no...you're a young GENTLEMAN, and all young gentlemen should know how to dance."

Seeing the cynicism written in the expression on his face, Clarissa tilted her head to the side a bit as she crossed her arms over her middle to demand;

"Aaron George Stempel, do you mean to tell me that in the more than two years that you have lived with us here in New Orleans now, and the parties and cotillions that you've seen your Uncle Beau and I attend, not to mention the parties we've held, that you still don't think you need to learn how to dance? What about the affairs that will be coming up between your school and the girls' school? Wouldn't you like to be able to ask a pretty young girl to dance?"

The look on her face turning to a slightly conspiratorial one, Clarissa pointed out shyly;

"Aaron, you might not think it now, but someday you may well want to hold a pretty young lady in your arms, and dancing would be an excellent excuse to do so. And you never know, there have been a lot of people who've fallen in love that way. "

Finding humor in her argument, Aaron laughed before shaking his head;

"If knowing how to dance is what it's going to take for me to fall in love with a girl, and have her fall in love with me, then I'm pretty sure I'm gonna end up dying a bachelor."

Getting up from his place on the settee, Aaron approached his aunt to place his hands on her shoulders before smiling indulgently as he bent, forced to do so given the height he'd acquired in the last few months, to place a kiss on her cheek as he conceded;

"But, since learning how to dance is part of being a gentleman, and you feel it's so important..."

Reaching to take her hand before placing his other against her waist, he suggested;

"Why don't we start from the top and you can teach me all you know and all you think I need to know."

An hour and a half later, more than satisfied with his progress, Clarissa held her hand up to beg;

"Aaron, I think that's enough for one day."

Using her handkerchief to fan herself as she motioned for Tessa to stop playing, Clarissa offered;

"Thank you, Tessa, for playing for us."

Taking that as her dismissal, Tessa rose from the piano bench to return to her domain in the kitchen. Placing her hand on her nephew's shoulder, Clarissa praised;

"I do believe that you've been holding out on your old aunt, Aaron. Even though it's your first lesson, you're an excellent dancer; you'll be impressing the girls in no time."

Aaron, huffed a bit as he shook his head;

"No offense, Aunt Rissa, but if I ever do find a girl to fall in love with, I'd rather her be impressed with my intelligence and my character than something as superficial as whether or not I'm a good dancer. But, I can understand why it's an important skill to have and I promise to work hard and do my best to learn."

Hearing the grandfather clock in the foyer chime the hour, Aaron excused himself;

"Aunt Rissa, if we're finished with our dancing lesson, would you please excuse me so I can go study for my exam tomorrow?"

Nodding, Clarissa suggested;

"Of course you can. It's a little while until supper, so I'll have Charles bring you a snack to enjoy while you're studying."

Hearing the opening and closing of the front door after she'd heard Aaron's bedroom door shut, Clarissa, already knowing who had entered, greeted as her brother walked into the parlor;

"Hello, Beau; how did your meeting go?"

Removing his hat and coat, Beau nodded as he returned;

"Quite profitable actually, Rissa. That railroad investment that George told us about...the one he invested in? Well, according to our bookkeeper our investment just netted us a three to one return in profits."

Impressed with her brother's financial prowess, Clarissa exclaimed;

"That's wonderful, Beau! And this would be the exact reason why I'm more than content to let you handle our financial holdings"

Rising from her chair, Clarissa tugged on the bell pull and waited for Charles to appear. Entering the room, the family retainer inquired;

"Yes, Miss Clarissa?"

Motioning toward the upstairs and her brother, she requested;

"Charles, would you be so good as to ask Tessa to fix Mister Beau and me some tea and a few of those little cakes she made? Oh, and please ask her to put some on a plate for Aaron with a little milk, he's in his room studying for his exam tomorrow."

Nodding, Charles agreed;

"Of course, Miss Clarissa."

Watching as Charles left the room, Beau chuckled a bit as he observed;

"Despite their slightly antagonistic beginnings, I do believe that Charles has become rather fond, and even proud, of Aaron for his tenacity where his education is concerned."

Nodding, Clarissa agreed before filling her brother in on their nephew's first dance lesson. When she'd finished her narration, Beau couldn't help but laugh as he offered his own prophecy for Aaron's future;

"Mark my words, sister dear; as much as that nephew of ours protests where girls are concerned, and as determined as he is to make something of himself, he may well avoid the fairer sex for a while; but he won't be able to do that forever. No, I think that what will end up being Aaron's fate will be that he'll spend a great deal of time focusing on business and being successful. But then, when he least expects it, some young lady will come along and take him completely by surprise; I just hope he's intelligent enough to realize it when it happens and hold on to her and not let her go."

Shaking his head, Beau laughed even harder as he joked;

"And it would serve him right if he was dancing with her when it hits him."

Nodding as Charles returned with a tray and motioning towards the coffee table, Clarissa began preparing her and Beau's tea to their liking before remarking;

"Well, not that I don't share that same theory, brother, but since he has a ways to go before he gets to that point, I suggest we just help him focus on the here and now."

Taking his cup as well as grabbing a small tea cake, Beau nodded;

"I agree, Rissa. And, that being the case, I chanced to come across Mr. Donat this afternoon and he was telling me that Aaron's first social is coming up. He feels that, at thirteen and given his maturity, he's more than ready to attend such an affair."

Lifting her shoulders a bit, Clarissa shared her feelings on the matter;

"Well, he certainly will be able to dance...if he wants to. But, Beau, you know as well as I do that, more than likely, he'll spend the evening sitting in a chair against the wall."

Lifting his cup to his lips, Beau took a sip of his tea before nodding;

"I know, Rissa, and I said as much to Mr. Donat. But, as he reminded me, this is part of Aaron's educational experience, especially when it comes to learning the art of socializing. He has to begin somewhere and I think it should be now to learn how to interact in a social situation. Plus, considering that there will be other young people there in a similar predicament, wouldn't it be better for him to ease his way into the waters than to be tossed into the deep end?"

Taking her brother's words into account, Clarissa finally nodded;

"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose this would be the best way to introduce him into society as opposed to doing so at some of the functions we attend. Heaven knows that will happen soon enough in another year or so."

Relieved that he was able to convince his sister of the necessity of encouraging Aaron to attend the school social, Beau sighed in relief as he made a mental note to take his nephew to see about a new suit for the occasion. However, considering how quickly the boy was growing, already taller than his aunt and only missing Beau's height by less than one or two inches, he knew Aaron could use some new clothes anyway.

Watching his classmates as they moved across the make-shift dance floor, Aaron heaved a heavy sigh, wondering how much longer he'd have to remain at the social before he could make his excuses and leave. He knew that attending functions such as this was something that would be expected of him from time to time. However, despite having seen some of the social events his aunt and uncle had held at home, given this was his first social for people his age, he'd not been quite sure what to expect. Deciding that he'd fulfilled his social obligation, Aaron got up from his chair...just as Mr. Donat approached to clap his hand on his shoulder before inquiring;

"How are you enjoying the social so far, Aaron?"

Noticing his glance towards the door, the headmaster tilted his head slightly in suspicion as he asked;

"You weren't planning on leaving already...were you? Why, it's just the shank of the evening, my boy."

Noticing the hint of guilt on the young man's face, and understanding part of the reason for his haste in wanting to leave, Mr. Donat, noticing one of the young ladies from the nearby girls' school, motioned towards an opposite corner;

"You know, Aaron, Miss Robillard from the girls' school was explaining to me how the young lady sitting over there is in a similar situation to your own. She's the same age as you and she was sent here to live with her grandmother so she could go to school...just like you."

Nodding towards the girl, Mr. Donat suggested;

"It certainly couldn't hurt to introduce yourself to her...perhaps ask her to dance. Besides, it would certainly be a shame not to put all of that hard work your aunt put into teaching you how to dance to good use...don't you think?"

Aaron recognized the expression the girl wore, thanks to the memories he held from two years prior of feeling out of place and a little alone when he'd first arrived to attend school in New Orleans. However, two years later, thanks to his hard work, his friendship with Danial Benoit, who was now a student at the university, the respect he'd earned from his fellow students, and the love his aunt and uncle had doted on him, Aaron found that he had a place he felt he belonged and that he could call home...something he hadn't truly felt in quite some time. Meeting Mr. Donat's imploring look with his own look of empathy and determination, Aaron nodded as he admitted;

"I guess it would make Aunt Rissa happy to find out I actually danced with a girl...she did work hard teaching me."

Although he'd come to learn in the two years since the boy had been a student at his school that Aaron was a remarkable young man full of surprises, the headmaster was still hard-pressed not to, from time to time, find himself amazed by his actions. Watching as he made his way across the room to where the young lady was seated, Mr. Donat shook his head before chuckling as he observed aloud;

"One thing for certain where that boy's concerned; he may turn out to be a lot of things, but predictable will never be one of them."

Despite the trepidation he felt, given this was the first time he'd ever asked a girl to dance, to anyone watching he appeared the picture of confidence as he approached the shy brunette. Stopping in front of her chair, Aaron cleared his throat nervously, and once she looked up at him, her pale blue eyes showing her skepticism, he allowed a, although slight, genuine smile to lift the edges of his mouth before inviting;

"I know this might sound strange, but...well, I saw you sitting here,"

Pointing to the chair he had just vacated, Aaron continued;

"Like I was sitting over there. And...well, my aunt spent a lot of time teaching me how to dance and I'd sure hate to disappoint her by telling her that I didn't ask anybody to dance. And I thought that, maybe, we could do each other a favor by dancing with each other; that way, we can tell our folks that we at least danced with somebody so they won't fuss at us."

Folding her hands in her lap, she lowered her head a bit before reminding him;

"I think you have a good idea, but isn't it bad manners for us to dance with strangers?"

Chagrined a little that he'd forgotten such an important detail, Aaron could feel the red creeping up his neck as he extended his hand to offer;

"I'd like to introduce myself, I'm Aaron Stempel."

Giggling a bit, she accepted his hand before returning;

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Stempel, I'm Edith Harper."

Rising from her chair, she motioned towards where their classmates were moving in time to the music to concede;

"You know, considering my grandma made me practice dancing with my dumb old cousin, I'm sure she'd be upset if I didn't dance at least once. So, if you're willing to do me a favor, then the least I can do is make sure your aunt doesn't fuss at you."

Although it took a few moments for them to work through the awkwardness of taking each other's hands, by the time the next song began, the two had joined the rest of the students in attendance on the dance floor. Much to both of their surprise, the pair found that they were enjoying the dancing and conversation they shared between them. Aaron told her about having been born in Seattle in the northwestern territory of Washington and how he was working towards getting the best education possible. And Edith told about her home in Natchez, Mississippi, something Aaron could tell she held fondly in her heart, especially when she'd finished and sighed heavily before adding;

"Of course, now that my parents are dead, my home is here in New Orleans with my grandmother. But, maybe someday, I'll go home to Natchez...when I have a say in where I go and what I do."

While he was slightly shocked that she'd made such a bold statement, Aaron found himself laughing a little as he pointed out;

"Well, once we've grown up, we'll be able to do anything we want because we're adults."

Shaking her head, sending the meticulously arranged ringlets swinging back and forth, Edith corrected;

"No, YOU'LL be able to do what YOU want to because you'll be a man. It's a lot different for women. We end up being told who we can be friends with, where we can go, what we can do, and who we can marry...whether it's what we want or not. When you're grown up you can do exactly as you please without worrying if you'll get a 'bad' reputation. But if I were to try and do even half of the things you'll get to do, just because I'm female, I'd be looked down on and shunned."

Giving her words serious consideration, Aaron realized that she was right in her assessment of the differences between men and women, something he'd never considered before. Slowly, he nodded before conceding;

"You're right! I never thought about it before, but it really is unfair."

Sighing heavily, Aaron shrugged;

"But it's always been like that, so what can you do?"

Hearing his question and just as the music stopped, Edith stepped back, increasing the distance between them, her blue eyes turning cold as she huffed in frustration;

"NOTHING! At least not as long as men continue to be as pig-headed and as stubborn as they are."

Turning on her heel, Edith stalked off, leaving a puzzled Aaron standing in the middle of the floor...wondering what he'd said wrong. Finding his own irritation rising at her behavior, especially when he couldn't understand why she'd become so angry in the first place and following after her, Aaron sank into the chair next to her before offering;

"Would you like some punch?"

Her arms crossed over her middle, Edith shook her head;

"No, I wouldn't like any punch."

Realizing that she'd spoken much too harshly to her companion, especially given the puzzled look he wore, Edith, relenting a bit, apologized;

"I'm sorry if I seemed rude, Aaron. But please understand something; you're working hard to get the best education you possibly can. And, when you've achieved that, you can go out into the world to do whatever you'd like to do. But do you know the reason my grandmother wants me to get a good education? According to her, it will ensure that, whoever my husband is, I'll be an asset as his wife. Do you see the difference? You get to use your education to pursue your dreams...mine will only be used to make sure I'm a credit to whoever my grandmother decides I should spend my life with instead of pursuing MY dreams."

Lowering his head a little, Aaron realized just how much he had to be thankful for. More importantly, and for the first time, he also realized the difference between the expectations made of males and females; something that would stay with him as he grew into manhood. Showing a rare side of his personality, Aaron reached out to place his hand on her arm as he offered;

"Edith, I'm sorry; not because I did anything to apologize for, but because I don't think it's fair that someone who obviously wants to do so much with what they're learning won't have the chance just because you happened to be born a girl instead of a boy. But, maybe by the time you've finished your education things might change a little...at least enough to let you pursue the dreams YOU want to pursue."

Touched beyond words, the young girl looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before leaning in closer towards him to press her lips against his cheek, something that found him blushing with a combination of embarrassment, surprise, and an emotion that he couldn't quite put his finger on. But, if he had to put a name to it, he would say it was a cross between being flattered and pleasure; flattered that she had wanted to kiss him and pleasure that she did. Holding his hand over the place where her lips had touched his cheek, Aaron, a bit flustered, demanded;

"Why did you do that?"

Tilting her head to the side a bit, as if studying him more closely, Edith returned;

"Do what...kiss you?"

At his nod, she lifted her shoulders casually;

"I don't know, I guess because I wanted to thank you for what you said...for understanding how I feel."

Her mouth curling in a slight smile of amusement, Edith asked;

"Aaron, haven't you ever been kissed by a girl before?"

Slowly, Aaron shook his head, confiding;

"No, I guess tonight's full of firsts for me; first dance AND first kiss."

Her expression reflecting the trepidation she felt, Edith tried to reason;

"You know that my kissing you on the cheek, it's not really a kiss, kiss...I mean not like a real kiss? But I wanted to thank you for being so nice, and for really trying to understand how I felt."

Giving the matter some thought, Edith suggested;

"I've got an idea if you're up for it."

Hiking one eyebrow in worried suspicion, Aaron asked in concern;

"Uh...that would really depend on what your idea is, I suppose."

Laughing, Edith placed her hand on his arm before shaking her head and reassuring him;

"Don't worry, it's nothing all that troubling. It's just that...well, you and I both take our educations seriously; but, for whatever reason, the adults in our lives seem to think we need to attend these foolish social gatherings as part of a well-rounded learning experience. So, I was just thinking; what if we should make a pact...right here and right now. I say that when we have to go to these things unless we actually meet someone we'd like to get to know better, why don't we stick together? That way, it keeps our guardians off our backs and, I'd like to think, at any rate, we have a friend that we can enjoy spending time with. What do you think?"

His mouth pursed in a thin line of consideration, Aaron took a moment to consider her suggestion before a broad grin curved his lips as he stuck his hand out to take hers before pumping it enthusiastically as he nodded;

"YOU GOT A DEAL!"

Once he and Edith had come to their agreement, Aaron realized that the evening passed much faster than he thought it would, something he attributed to the fact that he had made a friend he could relate to...even if it was a female friend. When he entered the house, after the social had ended, his aunt and uncle were waiting in the parlor, eager to hear all about their nephew's first social. Although he'd told them about dancing with her, Aaron kept the agreement he and Edith made to himself; not because he thought there was anything wrong with it, but because he felt as if it was something that wasn't meant to be shared with anyone else...something special that was meant to be kept between just he and Edith. Finally, after he'd enjoyed a late supper with them and divulged enough details to satisfy, especially, his aunt, Aaron begged;

"Could I be excused? I'm a little tired and I'd like to go to bed...if it's alright."

Leaning her head to the side a little in expectation, Clarissa accepted her nephew's kiss on the cheek before bidding;

"Good night, Aaron. I'm glad that you enjoyed your first social."

Turning, he nodded to his uncle;

"Good night, Uncle Beau, thank you for everything."

Watching as their nephew made his way upstairs, Beau chuckled a bit as he remarked to his sister;

"You know something, Rissa? I have the feeling that more happened to Aaron tonight than what he told us."

Lifting her wine glass as Tessa offered up the bottle from the sideboard, Clarissa lifted one eyebrow in question;

"And just what makes you say that, Beau? He seemed to be happy enough, and he said he had a good time."

Shaking his head as Tessa approached with the bottle, Beau answered;

"Yes, and I believe he did, Rissa. But didn't you happen to notice that he seemed to have a slightly different look about him...almost as if he'd discovered something tonight that changed his life?"

Giving her brother's words some serious consideration, Clarissa finally nodded as she agreed;

"You're right! He did seem a little...different, but not in a bad way."

Worry etching her features, she begged;

"Should we be worried, Beau?"

Rising from his chair, Beau shook his head as he tried assuring his sister;

"No, Rissa, I don't think so. I think that this is all a part of him growing up. I think we need to realize and understand that, as he gets older and matures, our nephew is going to change...it's a natural part of life. Some of those changes we'll like and some we won't, but we need to make sure that we're as supportive as possible and that he knows that, no matter what, we love him."

Nodding as she took a sip of her wine, Clarissa couldn't help but feel a little sad at the thought that, in the two years he'd lived with them, there had already been a lot of changes and growth in Aaron. Although she knew his growing up was an inevitable thing, she couldn't help but feel mournful at the thought that it had seemed to happen, almost, overnight. The part that seemed to vex her the most was the thought that, even though it had happened before her very eyes, she seemed to have, somehow, missed realizing it...until now.

June 1846

Aaron stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room, studying his reflection as he admired the new suit his aunt and uncle had insisted he have for his upcoming graduation. While he'd always made certain to present a neat and well-groomed appearance, especially in the almost five years he'd lived with his mother's brother and sister, Aaron had begun taking more than just a passing interest in his appearance. Although he wouldn't consider himself vain, he did, as his Uncle Beau had taught him, make certain he looked every part the gentleman. Hearing a slight sound from the doorway, Aaron turned to find his uncle leaning negligently against the door frame, his arms folded over each other as he studied the image his nephew made. Beau couldn't believe that, in just five short years, the little boy that had shown up on their doorstep with his father was now an, almost, grown man. Indeed, it wasn't for the fact that he was his nephew, and he knew that the boy was only sixteen, Beau would have taken Aaron to be a fully grown man, especially considering the height he'd managed to acquire in his time with them. It hardly seemed possible to him, but the young boy who wondered if he'd ever catch up to his classmates, now towered over most of them, even those who he once had to look up to was now forced to look up to him. Noticing the strange expression on his nephew's face, Beau shook his head as he tried explaining;

"There's nothing wrong, Aaron. It's just that...well, when I first set eyes on you about five years ago, I remember this rather gangly little boy. And now here you are about to graduate from school and there's no trace of that little boy who was putting up such a brave front that first day in the strong young man I see in front of me now."

Shaking his head, Beau laughed;

"I can remember you having to look up to me. And now, I have to look up to you."

Closing the distance between where he stood and the doorway where his uncle stood, Aaron placed his hand on the man's shoulder as he shook his head before vowing;

"I've got news for you, Uncle Beau; no matter how tall I may get, I'll ALWAYS look up to you."

Deciding to give free rein to his emotions Aaron pointed out;

"Do you have any idea just what you and Aunt Rissa did for me? Uncle Beau, I know that Papa arranged for you to be financially compensated for letting me live here. But, I also know that you've gone above and beyond, and never asked for the first bit of it to be paid back. Mind you, that was aside from the things that you can't put a value on, such as the time and effort that you and Aunt Rissa have taken with me to teach me how to be a proper gentleman, the dancing, the manners, and etiquette. And that's not even counting the love and support you've given me. I'll tell you a secret; when Papa knocked on the door that day, I didn't know what to expect...I thought you might just tolerate me. But, thanks to you and Aunt Rissa, I found a home where I felt I belonged; not just that, but you've never made me feel out of place or less than."

His dark eyes conveying his sincerity and the expression he wore confirming his heartfelt gratitude, Aaron gave his uncle a fierce hug before offering;

"I'll never be able to thank you enough, Uncle Beau."

Returning the embrace, Beau cleared his throat to hide just how touched he was before deciding that, if his nephew could lower his emotional defenses, he could let his guard down for a moment to admit;

"You're more than welcome, Aaron, but we owe you just as many thanks. You have no idea how thrilled we were to get your father's letter. I'll tell you a secret; your aunt was so worried that you'd prefer boarding at the school, that she ran around here like a whirling dervish determined to make certain everything was just right so that you wouldn't be tempted to live at the school. She even told me that she was planning on bribing you with cake for breakfast every morning if it came down to it."

Laughing, Aaron nodded;

"That sounds about right for Aunt Rissa."

Finding himself a little uncomfortable with his display of emotion, Aaron motioned towards the clothes he had laid out on the bed before pointing out;

"I guess I better get out of my graduation suit so I can get ready for the school social. Since this is my last social, I sure don't want to be late for it."

Noticing the slight hint of a secret smile lift the edges of Aaron's mouth, Beau couldn't help but consider, once more, his theory that there might possibly be some young lady who'd managed to capture his nephew's fancy. Although, just as that thought had entered his mind, so too had the realization that, considering just how close to the vest his nephew tended to play his cards, there was no telling just what secret Aaron might be hiding behind his mysterious grin. But, one thing that he had no doubts about; given just how serious his nephew was when it came to protecting the stone wall he'd built to contain his emotions, he had no doubts that when some winsome creature managed to tear that wall down, she'd find herself the recipient of a love and devotion so fierce they might both find themselves overwhelmed by its force. Focusing his attention on the present, Beau agreed;

"No, you certainly can't. I was planning on going to the Cotton Exchange for a few drinks with some of my friends this evening; if you'd like, I can drop you at the school."

Shrugging out of his suit coat, Aaron agreed;

"I'd appreciate that, Uncle Beau. I should be ready in a few minutes."

Pulling the door closed as he left the room, Beau headed downstairs to wait for his nephew to finish dressing. Noticing her in the sitting room working on her needlepoint, Beau reminded his sister;

"Rissa, I'm going to drop Aaron off at the school for his social before I head to the Cotton Exchange."

Setting her hoop aside for a moment, Clarissa excitedly asked;

"Did he try his suit on?"

Clapping her hands together excitedly at her brother's nod, she demanded;

"Did it fit him alright? I mean...how did he look in it?"

Placing his hand on her shoulder, Beau assured her;

"He looked very nice in it, Rissa."

Shaking his head, he confided;

"It's hard to believe that the man we see now, and that nervous boy that arrived on our doorstep five years ago are the same, but they are."

Hearing the sound of heavy footsteps on the staircase, Clarissa nodded as she added her observation;

"I feel the same way, Beau. But, we definitely have a lot to be proud of in how well he's turning out."

Noticing the subject of their discussion descending the staircase, Clarissa smiled proudly;

"He certainly will make some lucky girl a wonderful husband someday. He's kind, considerate, intelligent, hard-working, and he turned out to be a very handsome young man; attributes that any young lady with good sense would be grateful to find in a husband."

Beau, knowing how embarrassed their nephew would be if he had heard Clarissa's observation, waved his hand at his sister in a silencing gesture as Aaron stopped at the doorway;

"I'm ready whenever you are, Uncle Beau."

Casting a thoughtful smile at his aunt, Aaron greeted;

"Hi, Aunt Rissa. By the way, I tried my suit on like you asked me to and it fits just fine."

Rising from the settee, Clarissa approached her nephew to gush;

"My, but you certainly are a handsome young gentleman, Aaron. You be sure and enjoy yourself tonight, especially since this is your last social."

Despite her promise not to, Clarissa sighed a bit sadly before lamenting;

"I just can't believe that you're graduating already. It seems as if you just came to live with us yesterday, and here you are...about to go off to university."

Knowing that she viewed this event in his life as something of a bittersweet milestone, Aaron had done his best to keep her spirits as upbeat as possible, something that moved him to hug her before reminding;

"Now, we had a deal...remember? Even though I could have graduated last year, I took Mr. Donat up on his offer to study my first year's material through the school so I could stay here a little longer. Besides, you wouldn't want me to give up now that I'm so close...would you?"

The look he wore changing to one of pleading to match the softened tone in his voice as he begged;

"Please don't be sad about this, Aunt Rissa. Please don't make me feel guilty about keeping my promise to Mama...or trying to be a man that you, Uncle Beau, Papa, and Mama can be proud of."

Looking to her brother and seeing a similar expression on his face in the hopes she would collect herself, Clarissa inhaled deeply before letting a smile lift the edges of her lips. Nodding, she apologized;

"You're right, dear. I'm sorry, I was just being a selfish and foolish old aunt. But, I know that this is what Amelia would have wanted for you, and your uncle and I are very proud for you...and of you."

Dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief, Clarissa made a fluttering motion with her hand before prodding;

"Now, you two go on and you enjoy yourselves and I'll see you when you get home."

Knowing that it was best to get while the getting was good, Beau and Aaron hurried out the door where the carriage was waiting for them. After they were on their way, Aaron, his concern for his aunt highly evident in the expression he wore, turned to his uncle;

"Uncle Beau, Aunt Rissa will be alright... won't she?"

Sighing heavily, Beau nodded before explaining;

"Aaron, she'll be fine, I promise. We really are happy about what you've accomplished, but you have to understand something; your aunt, your mother, and I were very close to each other. Having you here with us these past few years has helped us feel as if we, in a way, still had Amie with us. I think she's just a bit worried that, when you leave, it will be like losing our sister again."

Seeing the hint of sorrow in the young man's eyes, Beau reached across the space to give his shoulder an encouraging pat as he promised;

"Don't worry, she's going to be just fine."

Aaron nodded as he took his uncle at his word, but not before recalling something in his statement. Pinning him with his eyes, Aaron asked:

"Uncle Beau, why did you call Mama 'Amie'?"

Laughing as he recalled the fond memory, Beau recalled;

"I guess you didn't know. Well, when your mother was a little girl our parents would call her 'Amelia', but as she was learning to talk she had trouble saying it. So finally, one day, she informed us that she was too little to be called 'Amelia'...that she'd have to grow into her name. So, until she was a little bigger, we needed to call her 'Amie' instead."

Taking a moment to simply enjoy imagining his mother as a child voicing her decree, Aaron finally laughed at the image he'd conjured up before nodding;

"I could see Mama doing that."

Neither realizing that they'd arrived at the school until the carriage came to a halt, Beau's eyes widened in surprise before pointing out;

"I guess the old saying about how good company makes a trip go by faster is true."

Motioning toward the entryway, Beau bid his nephew;

"Enjoy yourself tonight, son. I'll swing by on my way home if you'd like, and if you're ready to go then we'll share a ride home. Fair enough?"

Offering his uncle a genuine smile filled with appreciation and affection, Aaron agreed;

"Yes, sir, more than fair."

Watching as his nephew disembarked from the carriage and hurried inside, Beau found himself sighing in contentment as he proudly declared quietly;

"Well, Amie, I think you'd be proud of your son...we certainly are."

Rapping on the roof of the carriage to signal he was ready to continue, Beau sat back, happy for everything Aaron had accomplished so far.

Aaron entered the assembly hall, eager to find the young lady he'd come to consider a close friend; Edith Harper. Ever since they'd met at their first social, the two had kept to their pact to keep company with each other at events such as these, becoming good friends in the process. Usually, Aaron could count on Edith to be a lively and even humorous companion. However, he could tell by her demeanor and the sadness he saw clouding her blue eyes, that was not going to prove the case tonight; it wasn't difficult to see that she seemed to be wrapped in a blanket of sadness, but for what reason, Aaron had no idea. While he'd always been respectful of her privacy and never tried to pry into her business, Aaron, seeing her looking so unhappy couldn't help but ask;

"Edith, it doesn't take a genius to tell that something's bothering you, and I know our deal, but I consider you a friend...and I hope you consider me one too. So please, what's the matter...maybe I can help."

Edith, her head lowered, sighed heavily;

"Not unless you're in the market for a wife and can meet my grandmother's price."

Seeing the shocked look he wore, Edith reached out to take Aaron's hand before strongly suggesting;

"Let's dance, I don't want any gossip."

Leading her to a far corner of the dance floor that offered the opportunity for private conversation, Aaron demanded;

"Alright, we're dancing and no one can really hear us. So what's going on, Edith?"

Aaron found he had to brace himself for the overwhelming sense of hopelessness and sadness that he saw in her expression. But, what he saw was nothing compared to what he heard as she bluntly announced;

"I'm getting married."

Coming to an abrupt stop on the dance floor, Aaron blurted in surprise;

"WHAT?!"

Noticing the curious looks of those closest to them, Aaron, trying to keep from creating a potentially embarrassing scene, took her hand and led her to the refreshment table. Pushing a cup of punch into her hands, he motioned towards the open french doors that led to the veranda. Once he was sure they had privacy, Aaron began his interrogation;

"Now what is all of this about, Edith? What do you mean you're getting married?"

Sighing heavily, her head lowered, she explained;

"My grandmother informed me yesterday that she was in the process of arranging my marriage contract, and that, once the details were ironed out, I'd be getting married before my seventeenth birthday."

Having spent the last three years sharing their goals and hopes with each other, Aaron knew that what her grandmother had told her was the last thing in the world she wanted. While there weren't any romantic inclinations on either of their parts, Aaron considered Edith a good friend, something he knew she reciprocated. And, given her usually calm and cool attitude, the fact she was so upset was a clear indication to Aaron as to just how trapped she was feeling. Any doubts he had to the contrary disappeared with her next words;

"I tried begging and pleading with her, but she informed me that, until I was eighteen years old, what she said was law."

Edith, shaking her head, laughed humorlessly;

"Can you believe that she told me I should be happy about the deal she made since my 'intended's father was giving her a small fortune for the privilege of marrying me? Oh, and since I don't come into legal possession of the property or assets my parents left me until I'm eighteen, my 'husband' will own half of it because she'll have me married off by that time."

Aaron, his frustration growing because of his desire to help, but his uncertainty as to just how to go about doing so, pressed;

"Who does she have in mind...if I can ask?"

He could see, as she lifted her head a bit, the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes as she stated, her tone holding an emotionless quality;

"Adrienne Baptiste."

His eyes growing wide with the shock he felt at the news, Aaron expressed his incredulousness;

"Does your grandmother have any idea what he's like...I mean just how depraved and cruel he is? Mind you that's aside from the fact he's almost twenty years old and STILL trying to graduate."

Dejectedly, Edith shook her head;

"I told her...she doesn't care. She said that, if I'm a good wife, he'll change. I even told her about how he was caught in the cloakroom during one of the socials last winter with a...lady of the evening. She said that just meant that I needed to be certain I did my 'wifely' duties by him to prevent him from resorting to such distractions after we're married."

Aaron well remembered the incident, especially since he'd been a witness to the rather 'amorous' exhibition his classmate had put on with the woman in question. A woman who was well known in the French quarter and old enough to be, even the oldest student's, mother. He could also remember Adrienne's anger when he'd refused to lie about what he'd seen. Even though he didn't volunteer any information, he'd also not lied when directly questioned about, something that the elder classmate had advised him would not be soon forgotten. Aaron found his thoughts returned to the present when Edith stood to wipe at her eyes before begging;

"I'm sorry, Aaron, I need to go to the powder room."

Watching as she hurried back into the assembly hall, Aaron sighed in frustration, trying to fathom some means of escape for his friend. He'd been so engrossed in his thoughts that he'd been a bit startled as he heard a familiar voice taunt;

"Annoying...isn't it? Having someone upset your plans?"

Aaron narrowed his eyes as he identified the owner of the voice;

"Baptiste! And just what plans are you talking about?"

Leaning against one of the veranda pillars, Adrienne nodded in the direction Edith had gone;

"I'm talking about your plans to court Miss Harper, Stempel. I mean, come on, three years of conversation at these boring socials, you can't tell me that you did that just because she's a brilliant conversationalist...or that intelligent."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Aaron demanded irritably;

"Then just why are you so interested in marrying her, Adrienne? Given your father's 'connections' you could choose any girl in the city; so why Edith?"

Lifting his shoulders carelessly, Adrienne chuckled;

"Well she is a very pretty young lady, she comes with a rather sizable dowry, oh, and did I mention that it knocks you down a peg or two for me to take her out from under your nose?"

Understanding his unspoken meaning, Aaron tried to reason;

"Look, Adrienne, if this is because of something between us, that's one thing, but you have no right making Edith a part of this...she's just a friend."

Laughing, Adrienne taunted;

"And now, you can think about that while you wonder what kind of husband I'll be towards her...can't you?"

Turning towards the french doors, Adrienne threw over his shoulder;

"I suggest you enjoy tonight, Stempel, especially since it's our last social. Oh, and because, after tonight, having you seen with MY future bride will be scandalous, and I simply cannot allow that."

Aaron, staring at him in disbelief, angrily demanded;

"Why are you doing this, Adrienne? If you're angry with me over something then you deal with me. Edith is innocent and she doesn't deserve to be part of whatever plan you've concocted to satisfy your warped sense of revenge."

Stopping, his back to him. Adrienne threw his head back and laughed heartily before turning to face his rival, his eyes filled with hatred and jealousy;

"And THAT, Mr. Stempel, is the point! You know, you really should have learned your place by this time...beneath mine. However, since you couldn't learn that lesson the easy way, I decided that the constant reminder of what YOUR stubbornness has brought that young lady to would be a just punishment. Have a good evening."

Watching as Adrienne left the veranda and made his way towards the exit, Aaron began wracking his brain for a plan to help Edith out of her predicament. His foe's statement regarding scandal reverberating through his brain, Aaron, deciding he only had one course of action left open to prevent the travesty Adrienne Baptiste was trying to subject Edith to, stalked back inside. Taking a moment to search the crowd, and noticing Edith's approach, Aaron quickly closed the distance between them. Stopping in front of her, he grabbed her by her upper arms and demanded in an authoritative voice;

"Edith, tell me truthfully, do you want to marry Adrienne Baptiste?"

Staring at him as if he'd just asked her if she'd like to swim across the Mississippi River in the moonlight, Edith declared hotly;

"I would rather go swimming with a nest of alligators while wearing a freshly slaughtered cow tied around my neck. Why would you even ask me such a foolish question?"

Taking a deep breath, Aaron pleaded;

"I know what you might think, but just trust me...alright?"

Despite the trepidation he saw in her eyes, he knew when she slowly nodded that she did, indeed trust his judgment, he just hoped that he was going about this the right way and that neither Edith nor her reputation, would suffer the consequences. Making certain that he had drawn the curiosity, and attention, of everyone present, Aaron spoke loudly;

"But Edith, I've made my mind up and I don't see why we should wait one more minute. I love you and I know what I want for mine, and your life."

With that, and amid the gasps of shock and disbelief, Aaron pulled her roughly to him and pressed his lips against hers, making certain to make the kiss last long enough to gain the attention of everyone present...including Mr. Donat. The next thing Aaron knew, he was being tapped on the shoulder as Mr. Donat ordered;

"I'd like to see you in my office, Mr. Stempel...NOW!"

Turning to Edith, the headmaster waved towards the girl school's headmistress as he offered solicitously;

"I apologize, Miss Harper, I can assure you that Mr. Stempel will be dealt with appropriately. Miss Robillard will see to having you escorted home, and again my humble apologies."

His head held down, more for effect than anything, Aaron led the way to the headmaster's office. He only hoped that he would be able to make Mr. Donat and his aunt and uncle understand the reasons behind his actions.