Chapter 6 Family return

Her aunt was nothing if not punctual. She arrived exactly a fortnight from the arrival of her letter. The house was all a buzz as soon as s they got word she was approach.

“Go get Olivia and Finely.” Alexander told a maid.

Alexander’s excitement was palpable. As the two children stood by his side.

Brielle entered with the most beautiful smile from ear to ear. “Mon petit Freire, I have missed you so much.” Embracing each other so tightly. Both stepping apart and taking a good look at each other.

Smiling she turned and looked at the two children before her. “Well hello there jeune maitre Finely.” With a bow and a flourish of her hand. Finely loved the attention as it was usually Olivia that got the attention. Only it was negative attention. He thought to himself.

“Madame Beaumont, welcome home. It is my pleasure to finally meet you.” In a return bow. He smiled big and brightly attempting the flourish of the hand as well.

“Madame Olivia, I am excited for us to get to know each other. You both were your mother’s world. She would want you to become every bit of the lady you can be.“ She said with a wink. This statement tugged at her heart strings.

As they made their way into the main hall they chatted and enjoy Mrs. McGills wonderful meal. Olivia thought about what Brielle said about her mother wanting her to become the lady her mother knew she was.

Her heart went back to the day her mother sat her down and they had the birds and the bees talk.

Janet look at her daughter with an intense look. “ Olivia I have seen how ye carry on so about Johnathan Campbell. You are too young to be worried about him. He is a good bit older than you. I think we need to talk.”

“I am going to marry him one day. Is he just the handsomest boy around.” She said blinking her little blue eyes at her mother all excited.

“One day ye will get married and become the Lady of your home. Ye will also bare children for your husband. In a few years your courses will start. You will bleed every month. When you lay with a man before your course starts you can get pregnant. “

“Olivia what do you enjoy the most? Do you dance, sing, or paint ?” Brielle asked trying to get to know her. Olivia stared at her in confusion for a moment because it brought her mind back to the here and now.

Scotland was a more harsher lifestyle than France she imagined. Her aunt Brielle lived here when she was younger. She should understand.

“I really don’t do any of that. I love the horses and being outside. I can climb quickly.” Brielle laughed at the last bit. Shaking her head.

“Well we probably can accommodate riding part and maybe add some of the other things to your abilities. Would you like to take some lessons ?” Brielle asked hopefully while waiting for a response.

Olivia thought about it for a few minutes. Her little for head wrinkled up in thought. She was going with her aunt no matter if she wanted to or not. The whole reason she was going was because she had been so out of control. She knew her father loved her and her mother would be so upset with her past behavior. Her recklessness almost killed her. She had a lot of time to reflect on her situation the last few days. So she answered honestly.

Looking at her father with tears in her eyes “ I Promise I will try everything and learn as much as possible. From this moment on I will put away my childish ways. I will return the accomplished women you want me to be.” Running into her father’s arms “ I love you daddy!”

“Well I didn’t expect that. We will depart in two days.” Brielle smiled. Not realizing what had happened over the last few days. She would talk to her brother later tonight their ship would be setting sail from Edinburg in the late evening.

“Take what is important to you. You won’t need a lot of clothes. Pack only what you need for the trip. We will get you new clothes when we get to Paris.” She told Olivia.

Nervousness flitted across Olivia’s face. Finely was excited about the adventure Olivia was going on. “Sis don’t be afraid now. You have never been afraid of anything. Write to me of everything you are doing and I will do the same. You will be back before you know it.” He kissed his sister on the cheek.

The next day Olivia made it a point to go find Johnathan.

He was in the paddock on his family property a few miles from her home. “ Have you been avoiding me?” She said a little hurt. She had not seen him since the barn incident with the boys.

He turned around not expecting to see her. “Olivia. No I have just been busy. Why are you looking for me?”

“First I wanted to say thank you for saving me .” She said shyly.

Well what was this. Had Olivia learned a lesson by all that has happened. “I couldn’t allow you to run off and get yourself killed. You are welcome. When do you leave for France?” He eyed her.

“ We leave tomorrow morning for Edinburg. I am also sorry for being so immature. When I leave I will be putting aside my childish ways as well. I will become a proper lady. I just wanted to say good bye. “ with her down cast eyes of expectance she turned and left.

He watched her leave “Good bye Olivia. “ he felt a twinge of sadness at her leaving.

The next day he needed to see her before she left. He watched from the stables as they prepared to leave. She came out hugged everyone and said her goodbyes and got in the carriage beside her aunt. As they left something drew her eyes to barn and she saw him watching.

Good bye is what their eyes said and he waved. She smiled faintly at seeing him. He watched as they disappeared into the distance.