Chapter Nine
Olivia hummed to herself as she adjusted the large vase on the dining room table. She had spent the morning cutting and arranging flowers throughout the house as a surprise for Cal and had planned a special dinner for him. He was due home any time and she wanted everything to be perfect.
Marietta came into the room at that time and smiled in appreciation. "Glory be ma'am, Mr. Hockley should be right pleased when he sees this."
"I hope so, Marietta." She gave the room one more cursory glance. Satisfied with the results, she then turned to herself. "I have to go get myself ready before he arrives," she said as she headed for the door. She wanted time to make herself as beautiful as possible for her husband.
"I nearly forgot why I came in here, ma'am," Marietta said stopping her. "Your sister is here and waiting for you in the parlor."
"My sister?" she said in surprise. What was Emma doing here? Giving Marietta a look of puzzlement she quickly made her way from the dining room to the parlor. When she opened the door Emma turned to her. It was quite clear she had been crying and was very upset.
"Emma, what in the world?" she rushed over to her. Emma burst into more tears as Olivia enveloped her in her arms. "What is it? Why are you crying? What's happened?" Olivia asked as she soothed her.
"It's Mother," Emma cried out her answer in a muffled voice. "I can't stand it any longer."
"Stand what? What's happened?" she asked.
"She's impossible, that's what!" Emma stomped her foot and pulled back. "She's ruining my life."
Olivia took her by the hands and led her over to the sofa. "Okay, let's sit down and you tell me what has you so upset. What has Mother done?"
Emma swiped an agitated hand at her tears and took a deep breath. "I don't know where to start."
"Then start at the beginning," Olivia suggested.
"It," she sniffed. "It started last summer, but no one knew except for me. I met someone… a boy. He's so sweet, Liv. His name is Joshua."
Olivia smiled. So, her sister was growing up after all. She supposed it was about time, she was sixteen now and had grown into a lovely young woman. She also knew how their mother could be and she could only guess at what had Emma so upset.
"He's smart and handsome too," Emma continued. "He's much more mature than any of the boys Mother is always trying to push on me, but he's… he's not of our social standing. He works in the stables tending to the horses. But Liv, I don't care about any of that. I love him just the way he is."
Olivia was starting to see a picture form. She knew how fiercely Constance Barlow held dear her society position and the mere thought of anything or anyone tarnishing that image was completely unimaginable. She squeezed Emma's hand, smiled sympathetically and tried to reassure her nonetheless. "I'm sure it's not as bad as you think."
"It's worse than bad! Mother is sending me away. She's sending me to Europe to a boarding school. I don't want to go, Liv! I can't!" She cried and covered her face with her hands.
Olivia was shocked that her mother would go such extremes because of Emma's infatuation with a boy. There had to be more to it, but her sister was in pain and she wanted to help her. She gathered Emma into her arms and comforted her. "I'm sure Mother was just upset when she said that. We'll work it out, you'll see."
"She won't listen," she shook her head. "She's adamant about it. What am I going to do?"
It was at that time that the door to the parlor opened and Cal came in. The smile on his face faded when he saw the scene before him. He looked from Olivia to Emma as he stepped into the room. "Have I interrupted something?"
Emma turned from him, embarrassed at being caught crying. Olivia patted her arm and whispered for her to go wash her face and to compose herself. Emma nodded and brushed past Cal on her way out. When the door shut, Olivia stood and came over to him.
"I'm sorry, darling. She's very upset. I wasn't expecting her tonight but I hope you don't mind."
"I had hoped to have you all to myself but I suppose I can wait," he answered with a small smile. "What has her so upset?"
"Apparently she's been seeing this boy that my mother doesn't approve of and she's decided to send her a boarding school in Europe. As you can see, Emma is not very happy about it."
He strolled over to the bar and poured himself a drink. "I'm sure you're mother is doing what she feels is best for Emma. There's no reason for you to become involved in this."
"How can I not be involved? She's my sister and she's come to me for support." She came around to stand in front of him.
"Olivia," he sighed. "We have enough to worry about with our own children and our own lives. Now, let your parents handle your sister."
"But-" she started, but was interrupted when Cal held up his hand and shook his head.
"I don't want to hear anymore about this subject. You can't drop everything because your sister is having a small crisis. It sounds to me like your mother is doing the correct thing, especially if this young man is not up to our standards."
Olivia stared at him for a moment. "But Cal, she doesn't want to go, I don't want to her to go. I can't just stand by and let this happen."
"It's not your place to decide her fate, it's your parents," he loosened his tie as he spoke. "Now, I've heard enough about this. Let's go into dinner."
She didn't want to argue with him but she was hurt at his dismissal of her feelings. She had hoped things would change, however it seemed the more things changed the more they stayed the same. She decided to not push it further for the moment, but she was not finished discussing this. She wouldn't let her mother send her sister away, there had to be a way to fix the problem.
Cal held out his arm to her and escorted from the room. Emma met them on their way and blushed when she saw them.
"I'm sorry for barging in on you like this," she said. "I don't want to bother you, so do you mind if I go up and see my niece and nephew?"
"Aren't you hungry?" Olivia asked.
"No, I'm really not," Emma shook her head. "I'd rather go upstairs."
"If you'd rather," Cal nodded. "Oh, by the way, send Mrs. Ryan down when you get up there. I need to speak with her."
"Sure," Emma answered and turned to make her way up the staircase.
"Cal," Olivia said quietly as they continued to walk toward the dining room. "I have something to tell you about Mrs. Ryan. I…" she stopped and faced him. "I dismissed her today. She's gone."
The silence that followed was nearly deafening. Olivia could feel his body tense beneath the hand she had on his arm. He stopped momentarily and turned away from her.
"Cal," she softly said his name. "She was a horrid woman and I didn't like her being around our babies. Please try to understand why I took it upon myself to do this."
When he turned back to her his dark eyes sparkled with anger. "How dare you so blatantly go against me in this matter." He then gripped her arm and pulled her back to the parlor.
Olivia could feel the heat coming from his body as he opened the door and led her in. He had barely shut it when he whirled her around to face him. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"Yes," she answered without hesitation. "I did what I thought was best for our children. I told you how I felt about her."
Cal glared at her as if he couldn't believe she had the nerve to answer him. "I specifically told you to let the woman do her job and now I find you've taken it upon yourself to dismiss her."
"I'm sorry Cal, but I couldn't stand her one more day. The woman was unbearable," Olivia said in defense of herself.
He threw his head back and let out a deep breath. "Do you honestly believe I care about the woman's disposition? You have defiedme yet again with this act of impudence."
"No," she shook her head in denial reaching for him. "No Cal, that's not true."
"Mrs. Ryan will be reinstated by morning and I don't want to hear another word about this," he snapped and stepped away from her.
Olivia let out a small gasp. "You're bringing her back?" she breathed the question. "But, you can't…"
Cal turned around and stared scathingly at her. "I can't? I can't? Is that what you said?"
"I…" she whispered, but said nothing further as she watched him walk slowly around the leather sofa. The casualness of his movements belied his controlled anger. She should have known his reaction would be like this. She shouldn't have been so bold. She licked her dry lips as he came to stand back in front of her again. He stared down at her before running his finger down her cheek.
"Do not try to take advantage of our tryst last night, my dear," he drawled dangerously. "I may have enjoyed your company, but do not think I will be blinded by it. I am still in control here and you would be wise to remember that."
Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did he honestly believe that she would do that? If anything, it was her confidence of finally finding her place as his wife that prompted her actions. Why couldn't he see that?
A knock at the door interrupted them and then Emma came in. She seemed oblivious to the tension in the room. "The babies are so cute. They're getting so big, Liv. I just adore them."
Olivia forced a smile in spite of how she felt. "Thank you, Emma."
"Oh Cal, Mrs. Ryan isn't up there, only Angelina. She said Mrs. Ryan was gone." Emma said as she went to sit on the sofa.
"Yes," he answered. "I did remember she was going to be out tonight, but she'll back in the morning. Isn't that right, Olivia?" he looked pointedly at her as he spoke.
She lowered her eyes away from him and crossed her arms. She realized she had no choice but to comply with his wishes if she wanted the peace between them to remain. There was no other way. "Yes, that's right," she said turning to him stiffly. "She'll be returning in the morning."
Cal gave her a self-satisfied smile of triumph and slid his arm around her waist. "Well then, now that that's settled, I'm starving. Are you joining me?"
"No," she shook her head. "I'll stay with Emma and eat later."
"As you wish," he bowed his head and turned to leave. Another knock on the door had them all turning to it. Their butler, Henderson came in and informed them that Constance and Charles were there and it wasn't hard to figure out why.
Emma stood quickly to her feet and looked at Olivia. "Oh no! It's Mother and Father!" she cried, tears forming in her eyes. "Liv, you have to stop Mother from sending me away. Please, please talk to her. Please don't let her do it!"
"Emma," Olivia said in comforting voice. "Don't worry, everything will be okay."
The door opened and Constance stalked in with her husband in tow behind her. From the expression on her face Olivia knew this wasn't going to be easy. She walked straight over to Emma drew herself up.
"Young lady, I have been worried sick about you. I can't believe you would just run away without any word. You are to never do anything like this again, is that clear?"
Emma's demeanor wavered for a moment but she stood strong in front of her mother. "I wouldn't have run away if you weren't trying to ruin my life."
Constance sighed heavily. "I have had enough of this behavior from you, Emma. We will discuss this matter at home."
Emma stared pleadingly at Olivia, who stepped forward to stand by her sister.
"Mother, Emma is very upset right now. I'm sure if we talk about this we can work something out."
Constance crossed her arms as she addressed Olivia. "Your sister was wrong in coming here to you. Your father and I will handle this in the way we feel best."
"I couldn't agree more," Cal said. "This is a matter for you and Charles to settle among yourselves."
Olivia glared at him for a moment before turning back to her mother. "I don't feel that sending Emma away will accomplish anything. It will only make her resent you even more."
"I will not stand here and discuss this any longer." Constance held up her hand. "Your sister is not going to see that boy again. She will not bring shame and disgrace upon our good name by keeping company with that… that… stable hand."
"You don't even know him!" Emma cried. "He loves me and I love him and nothing you say or do will keep it from being that way."
"I have heard enough." Constance said stonily. "You are leaving for London this weekend. It's already been arranged."
"No!" Emma shook her head. "I won't go! Olivia, please don't let her do this!"
Olivia heart went out to her sister and wished that things could be different. Before she could answer Cal came up to stand behind her. He lowered his head until his mouth was next to her ear. "This is becoming rather tiresome. You are not to interfere with this any further, Olivia. I want this to come to an end now."
She turned sharply to look at him. She was shocked and appalled at what he said. Did he expect for her to turn her back on her sister when she needed her? But, it was quite obvious he did mean it. She looked back at Emma and saw the look of despair on her beautiful features. She was torn over what to do.
"Do not disobey me on this," he whispered and tightened his grip on her waist.
Olivia closed her eyes as the heaviness of the situation fell on her. As much as she wanted to help her sister, she couldn't come against Cal. She already knew what that would mean for her and she just could not do it. She cleared her throat and moved forward to take Emma by the hands.
"You," she paused and licked her lips. "You should go with Mother, Em. It's for the best. I know you can't see that now, but one day you will."
The look of betrayal on Emma's face was more than Olivia could bear. A small tear slid down Emma's cheek as she swallowed hard. She stepped away from her and then without a word she turned and ran out of the room.
Constance took a deep breath and came over to Olivia. "Thank you for that, darling. She will see that it's for the best." She kissed her cheek, gave her a brief hug and turned toward the door. "Come along, Charles."
Charles, who had said nothing the entire time, came over to Olivia and kissed her as well. "She'll be fine, Olivia. She's young and she needs time to be away from here."
As Olivia watched her parents leave she had never felt so horrible in her life. Before she could stop herself, she broke into tears and covered her face. She cried for Emma and she cried for herself.
"It is for the best," Cal said. "Dry your tears, darling. We still haven't had dinner."
And with that Cal left the room, leaving Olivia alone once again.