Oh dear, oh dear, will Emily ever be able to forget Teddy? Grins

---

Emily sat down near the fireplace at Mrs. Adel's hotel and opened Dean's letter. She lay back in the rocking chair, basking in the warmth the fire provided. She missed New Moon dearly. At this very time, Cousin Jimmy would be bringing the cows home, Aunt Laura would be sewing torn gowns, and Aunt Elizabeth would be setting the table for dinner. Dean's letter consisted of more praises of beauties of Japan, his excitement at their upcoming wedding, and a paragraph relating a distant relation. I met the Olivers a few years ago. Distant relations of Aunt Nancy of Priest Pond. They were rather nice, quite far removed from the Priestliness of Priests. They know of our engagement and were quite eager to meet you the last time I saw them before I ventured off to Japan. A favor, I ask of you, Star. Call on them if you can. You will find Mr. Oliver a very soft-spoken man and his wife a veritable chatter-box. But their marriage lasts. They're polar opposites...a bit like us, but of course, you and I, Star, have very similar souls..."

----

Emily of course went directly to the Olivers' the next day, who were very friendly and just as Dean described. If they were surprised at her young age, they had the propriety to cover it up. Emily was further warmed when they invited her to a party later to be held that evening.

----

Dressed in the powdery blue gown she had worn only once before, Emily smiled at Mrs. Oliver's chatter, her eyes were drawn to a portrait on the wall of a beautiful young woman, blonde hair curling around her face. As she peered closer, she noted the purplish-black eyes staring back at her. Scrawled on the side was written "Frederick Kent." She stepped back.

"Like the painting Miss Starr?" Mrs. Oliver asked. "We have many more of Frederick Kent's collection. He's a very famous artist you know. His most recent painting, the Smiling Girl, is up for exhibition at Montreal's premier museum. In fact, he's supposed to be here this evening...always makes it a fact to attend our parties and such...my husband was one of his early buyers. Why, Miss Starr, you look as if you're going to faint! Gladys...Gladys...some water for Miss Starr,"

"No," Emily stood up dizzily from the chair. Fate had once again made her the fool. "No, I'll be fine," she repeated firmly.

"Nonsense," Mrs. Oliver pushed her down into the chair, and Emily, stunned, sank down. Compose yourself she told herself firmly. He is just your old school chum...remember Dean...forget it. But despair almost overwhelmed her. The very person she was trying to avoid was thrown into her path.

"Gladys! Some water! Oh Mr. Kent! Here you are! I was just talking about you to one of our guests...but she's not feeling so well, would you mind staying here while I fetch some water. Gladys doesn't seem anywhere to be found."

Don't look up, a wretched Emily cautioned herself. Don't look up.

She felt someone grasp her shoulder. "Miss? Don't worry. We'll try to get you better," and then a short silence..."Emily?"

She looked up to meet his stunned gaze. "Teddy," she said and smiled wanly. "How are you?"

"Emily! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at New Moon? I'm not dreaming am I?" Teddy's flurry of words almost irritated Emily...why did he care? But it was only because Teddy was surprised beyond belief. Here was Emily, where he least expected, and as a result, he was struggling. Cool, calm Frederick Kent had transformed back into Teddy within moments.

"I'm here in Montreal for a few days to shop for some things," Emily's voice retained dignity and was cool. How grateful she was for that steel reserve inherited from the Murrays. It was keeping her from doing anything she feared. Teddy drew back as if he had been slapped. He looked down at her left hand and noted the emerald still sparkling. He withdrew his touch.

Teddy was cool, calm Frederick Kent once more. But Mrs. Oliver who had returned from the kitchen, holding the glass of water, had witnessed Teddy's outburst and the subsequent exchange.

"Miss Starr," she exclaimed. "You sly creature! You didn't tell me you knew Mr. Kent," Miss Starr herself felt a bit hysterical about the word sly. How so did Mrs. Oliver sound like Aunt Ruth!

"Mr. Kent and I went to school together," Emily said, striving to remain calm and emotionless under the circumstances. "I beg pardon for not telling you earlier, Mrs. Oliver,"

"Oh well then," Mrs. Oliver continued. "I don't suppose you've heard Mr. Kent that our Miss Starr is engaged to one of my husband's friends, Mr. Dean Priest?"

The color rose in Teddy's face. "Yes, I know," he acknowledged curtly. "I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Priest as well,"

Mrs. Oliver ventured into further dangerous territory. "No doubt you'll be coming then. I've been hearing it's the thing this season at Blair Water," she smiled at them both. " Why don't you take Miss Starr into dinner, Mr. Kent? I know you both will want time to catch up, of course. Well, I'll take your leave then," and the good woman bustled off, avid on chatting with more guests.

Teddy extended his hand to Emily who took it reluctantly. But as soon as his hand closed around her's, she felt a glow inside, but ignored it resolutely.

"You look well," he said.

"So do you," Emily said honestly. He did, dressed impeccably in a dark suit and tie. His hair was a bit brushed back and his eyes...retained the coolness she set forth. The warmth in his eyes was gone.

-----

They said nothing else to each other until Mrs. Oliver called everyone in for the meal. Whispers of admiration followed Teddy and Emily as they went in.

The worst part happened when a fellow bystander, who had heard about Emily's engagement but did not know who Teddy nor Dean were, congratulated Teddy on his upcoming marriage to Emily. "Mr. Priest, you are a very lucky man. You and your fiancée make a fine couple," Emily blushed, horrified. Teddy merely nodded, not even contradicting the man on his misinformation.

They exchanged vague pleasantries. He made no reference to the Flavian incident or her upcoming marriage. He asked about her family, how she was healing after the accident, Daff, Ilse, and Perry. Nothing about Dean. She asked him about his paintings, where he had been and when he was coming back to Blair Water.

"I'll be back to the Tansy Patch in a week or so," he answered easily. "I have some work to finish up here, and I have to unveil my portrait at the Exhibition. I don't know what day that will be though,"

"I'll look forward to seeing it," Emily commented.

Teddy threw a sharp glance at her, almost fearful, Emily surmised. She did not understand why.

"Indeed," he said quietly

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