After a few weeks without seeing Peter Amelia thought she would go mad if she didn't see him again. She sat at the window of her aunt's two story brick home at the edge of town.
Her room was a little plain. She had a simple quilt on the bed. It had been given to her by her grandmother. It rested on a fairly large feather bed. The room had a wood floor with some navy blue woven rugs, White lacy curtains hung on the windows. Another quilt rested on the window seat where she was now sitting.
The rain made a soft plop every time it hit the cold window. Her emerald green eyes stared at it intensely, watching each individual drop.
Her thoughts drifted to Peter and the last time she had saw him. It was in the park. It had started raining and they both kept dry under Peter's jacket. That's where they shared their first kiss. The first headlong rush causing the universe to stop for a couple of moments. She sighed.
She missed looking into his eyes. They were constantly in her mind. Like they were keeping watch over her. Protectively even. She smiled at the thought. She had adored those deep blue crystals since they had first looked into hers.
They also had a sense of sadness and longing in them. She could only wonder what was troubling him. Susan had told her that their father had gone missing-in-action. Amelia's older brothers, Charlie and Fergus, had gone to war. Fergus never came back. It must be that, she thought.
"Amsy!" Amelia's aunt called from the bottom of the stairs in her thick Scottish accent. Amelia instantly rose to her feet and walked towards the staircase.
"Yes, Aunt Maggie?" she asked.
"Ye've got a letter from your papa," Aunt Maggie replied handing her a cream color envelope.
Amelia nodded in thanks and carried it up to her room. There she gently opened it and took out the snow white paper.
Dearest Amelia,
How are you? Everything here's fine.
I have exciting news. I've found you a man. He's a rich one too. He's from Glasglow. He'll be joining us when we come down to visit. We'll be in around the fifteenth, See you then!
Love,
Papa
Amelia sat back shocked. Her eyes welled with tears. Her sister had been put in an arranged marriage and her husband was rich. It all started out well. Then he started to abuse her. Amelia couldn't live with that. She dropped the letter and stood up. She raced down the stairs, threw open the door, and ran out. Tears rolled down her face. She didn't even realize she was running right for town. She hadn't stopped till she ran into someone. And it was none other than Peter.
"Amelia," he said in surprise. "What's wrong?"
" Can we…talk inside?" she asked. Peter nodded and reopened the store.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She shook her head and cried more, putting her face in her hands. Peter grabbed a blanket off one of the shelves and draped it over her shoulders. He then sat down beside her and rubbed her back gently.
"Papa says he found the man he wants me to marry." she sobbed." And he has a tendency to pick men who are cruel and mean. But he doesn't care. The only thing that matters is that they are rich."
This hit Peter like a thousand arrows. He took her into his arms and held her. He didn't know what else to do or say. He let her tears fall against his shoulder until she calmed a little. He pulled out his peppermint scented handkerchief and handed it to her. She thankfully took it and dried her eyes.
"You must think it terribly rude of me for coming and spilling out my affairs," she said wiping her eyes.
"Not at all," he reassured her." It's quite all right."
"Do you want to talk to Susan?" he asked.
She nodded, wiping her eyes some more. He handed her his coat and grabbed and umbrella. He kept one arm around her the whole way there.
"Susan!" Peter called when they got in the house.
"Yes, Peter?" her voice indicated she was in the kitchen. She came into the main entry way. "Oh, dear, Amelia what's wrong?" she asked," Here come up to my room and tell me."
Amelia nodded. "Thank you ,Peter" she said handing him his coat and following Susan upstairs.
"You're welcome," he said.