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Later in the evening, Tillie reluctantly made her way to the dining room, following Elinora, Graham, and Jamie. Anna, Camille, Penelope Meade, and her daughter, Madelina—Lina as everyone called her—were already seated around the long dining table, the room lively with their conversation.
“Well just look at all of you!” Penelope said when they entered. Penelope, Camille’s best friend since childhood, had spent much of her youth at Kellandale, and the Woltons, O’Conors, and Meades all considered each other family.
“Aunt Penelope!” Jamie called out to her when he saw her.
“Hello, my love! It’s been far too long,” she replied, familiarity and warmness ringing in her voice as she spoke. Her long black hair was in twists and adorned with Adraian rivulons, tiny glass beads which made an enchanting tinkling sound when she turned to greet them. She reached out a hand to take Tillie’s into hers.
“Hello, Auntie Pen, we’ve missed you,” Tillie said brightly, clasping her hand and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I hear Uncle Everett is with father at the new community school.”
“Yes, he is. And hello to you,” she said warmly to Elinora and Graham as they moved closer to embrace her. “Come, join us,” Penelope said, offering Tillie the open seat on the other side of Lina.
Tillie did as she asked, and the others also took their seats—Elinora next to Tillie on her other side, and Graham and Jamie across the table. Anna, Penelope, and Camille returned to their conversation as everyone got settled.
Lina was seated next to her mother. She was her spitting image, sharing her round features and delicate frame. She wore a lavender evening dress, beautiful against the dark brown tone of her skin, and the intricate beadwork sewed into the dress’s neckline glimmered elegantly in the candlelight.
When she’d heard Tillie enter the room, she had glanced up briefly at her with searching eyes, hoping they would be able to get past the argument they’d had the previous visit. But Tillie was busy talking and hadn’t noticed this at all; in turn, Lina had misread this lack of reciprocation as avoidance. Annoyed, and sure that Tillie had purposely ignored her, Lina decided right in the moment that perhaps mending their friendship wouldn’t be worth it after all; she had plenty enough to stay busy and knew she would be content keeping to herself while staying at Kellandale.
As Tillie took her seat, Lina turned her back toward her.
“Good evening, Lina,” Tillie said once she was seated.
Lina turned around suddenly. “Hello, Ottilie,” she said guardedly.
To Tillie, the coolness in Lina’s voice was proof enough of her firm belief that Lina really did hate her and that there was no way they would be able to resolve their quarrel. She furrowed her brow.
Elinora closed her eyes and shook her head, wishing to be anywhere else but near the two of them—a duo of equally stubborn friends unwilling to admit perhaps they both might be suffering from erroneous assumptions.
“Hello, Lina, how have you been? It really has been a while, it’s nice to see you again,” Graham said. He grinned warmly, hoping the tension between her and Tillie would pass quickly.
“Hello, Gray. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you,” Lina said, brightening a little, allowing her broad, friendly smile to shine through.
“Good evening, Lina,” Jamie said, smiling and waving.
“Hello, Jamie,” she replied, then leaned forward to talk to Elinora. “I’ve been wanting to show you this, Nora. How do you like my necklace?” she asked unexpectedly. She held it in her hand with admiration and care.
Elinora glanced over at the large translucent blue, sparkling gem. “It’s really beautiful, Lina, and it’s lovely with your dress. What kind of stone is that?” she asked.
She smiled. “It’s a cobalt oumolira stone from Adrai and is very old. My grandmother gave it to me. I’m told it’s worth—well, I’m not really supposed to say.”
“Is that so. Well, I’m not really a fan of expensive jewelry,” Tillie countered tartly. “Sparkly things don’t do much—they’re not worth anything really, are they? They’re just that—things. I’d much rather put on a pair of trousers and boots and enjoy the outdoors than staying inside and ogling over trinkets.”
Elinora looked at Tillie and glared.
Lina blinked and hesitated for a moment, but then she composed herself. “Speaking of trousers and boots, I noticed you were wearing some earlier today when you went out into the forest. You should have trousers on for an adventure like that, though I’ve been told the forest is off limits; perhaps I heard wrong,” she said loud enough that their mothers overheard this.
Tillie, Elinora, Graham, and Jamie froze.
Anna stopped talking to Camille and Penelope and quickly turned to Tillie. “Is this true?” she asked in a strained, angry voice, looking across the table back and forth at her and Elinora.
“That I was wearing trousers? Yes, it is,” Tillie replied cheekily.
Anna furrowed her brows. “The trousers don’t bother me, Ottilie Wolton; what upsets me is that I am hearing that you went into the forest. I don’t like hearing this.”
Camille quickly intervened. “Graham, James...Penelope has already reminded Lina about staying out of the woods. Your Uncle James and I also forbid you from walking into the deep forest. You may only walk in the gardens and along the edge of the lawn where Elinora and Tillie are permitted to walk Henry—which is where we assumed you were.”
Anna eyed her daughters sternly.
Tillie braced herself to be scolded further, but Lina continued. “I tried to stop them, but I think Tillie might have been avoiding me.” She shrugged.
“Well, thank you for letting me know, Lina,” Anna replied. She turned back to her daughters. “You shouldn’t be surprised that I am rather upset about this. Your father would be beside himself if he knew. You are never to do that again, are we clear? Otherwise, someone else will be taking Henry for his walks.”
Tillie groaned.
Lina glanced sideways at Tillie. She had meant for only Tillie to hear her comment and was surprised, even sorry, just how strong of a reaction her comment elicited from Tillie’s mother. She tried changing the subject. “I met Henry in the library just a bit ago, I like him very much, and I think he likes me,” she said with a genuine smile.
At this Tillie set her glass of water down loudly.
Lina turned her head away from her, revealing a ring of glimmering beaded hairpins that fastened her dark, tight curls into a high bun.
Everyone sat in the awkward silence that followed, but thankfully, Albert and Simon entered the dining room, breaking it. They each carried a large, covered silver tray loaded with supper. Albert set his tray in the center of the table and Simon followed suit before they removed the lids simultaneously.
“Look at that. Cora and Jeppe must be two of the finest chefs in the world,” Penelope remarked.
“Indeed. To the chefs, and also to you,” Camille said, raising her glass to Albert and Simon, grateful for the diversion. The others did the same.
Dinner began and Lina and Tillie settled into a silent truce. Then came dessert.
Anna sensed the mood had calmed somewhat, and grasping at straws, tried to try to make peace. “I’m hoping the two of you can sort things out,” she said to Tillie and Lina. “Why don’t you all head to the music room? Perhaps you can entertain on the piano, Elinora? It will give everyone a chance to talk.”
Elinora winced.
Tillie stared at her mother in disbelief.
“I think that is a wonderful idea,” Penelope encouraged.
“Sounds lovely, but I must return to my room,” Lina replied. “I have to write a letter to my friend Belladonna. Bella lives in a stunning manor house. They even have electricity now. And I hear they will soon have an automobile.”
“Is that so,” Tillie replied.
“Her parents are having a grand party, and I need to figure out if any one of my gowns will be appropriate or if I should have a new one made. I know that sort of thing is a bit grown up for you, Tillie. Maybe you’ll be interested when you’re more mature. Oh wait, you’re my age.”
Tillie stood up abruptly. “Why don’t you just go write your letter to your new best friend Belladonna then, and you can discuss your fancy dresses and her grand party without bothering me!”
“Tillie,” Anna said.
“Madelina,” Penelope said at the same time.
Elinora rose from her seat and put her hand on Tillie’s shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lina, it’s nice to see you again,” she said diplomatically. She stretched and yawned, pretending to be tired. “I think it’s time to head to my room. I’m a bit tired from all the activity today. You must be too, Tillie. May we be excused, Mother?”
“You may,” Anna replied with notable disappointment.
Tillie growled as they exited.
“I think I’ll head to my room for the night as well. Good evening then,” Jamie said, rising from his seat, also excusing himself. “Good night, Lina. I’m happy you’re here.” She looked up with surprise but smiled back when he said this.
“Good night, Gray,” Lina said to him when he stood up.
“Good night, Lina; it’s nice to see you and your mother again,” he replied before exiting the room.
Elinora and Tillie were already in the foyer, ready to head upstairs, when Graham and Jamie caught up with them.
“How do you like my necklace, Nora?” Tillie mocked.
“Tillie, come on,” Elinora said, stopping her.
“That was very uncomfortable,” Graham muttered.
“She’s insufferable,” Tillie replied.
“Do you have any idea how you sounded?” Elinora countered.
“All that bickering was exhausting,” Jamie added. “I’m going to go practice my viola now—but Tillie, I saw how Lina looked at you when we walked into the room. She didn’t look angry, but actually the opposite, like she wanted to talk to you. She’s staying here a while, too, and now that you are both arguing, she’ll be all by herself. Maybe you should just try to find out what’s wrong.”
“Are you serious? She doesn’t want to have anything to do with me, you saw for yourselves,” Tillie said defensively. “And what did I tell you—she did tell on me. And all of you, too.”
“True,” Graham replied.
Elinora nodded somberly. “I am a bit worried what might happen if she sees us going into the forest again.”
“I don’t know; I still think you should talk to her,” Jamie said again.
“We’ll see,” Tillie replied.
“How about if I talk to her?” he offered.
“What? No! I’ll figure it out. For now, I’m going to head to my room for the night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“All right Tillie,” he replied as she made her way upstairs.
“Why is she so angry with Lina?” Jamie asked Elinora quietly once Tillie was gone.
“I don’t know for sure. It’s been over a year since they’ve seen each other. Last time Lina was here, she had recently moved and made new friends. You know how Tillie and Lina have been best friends since forever...well, she would never admit this, but I think Tillie maybe felt like she had been left behind. I really don’t think that was Lina’s intention, but then they both got very defensive and they’ve been in this horrible argument ever since. And there’s no talking to either of them.”
“Well, I hope they can sort things out quickly,” Graham said.
“Me, too,” Jamie agreed.
“All right, I’m going to see if there’s a book about tiered Knaves in the library, I need to study before I play against Simon. See you in the morning,” Graham said, then retreated.
“Good night,” Elinora called to her cousins as she climbed the grand staircase and headed to her room.
A moment later Tillie entered. She closed the door behind her, pressing her back against it. “You do see what I mean, don’t you?”
Elinora waited for her to continue.
“No matter, though. I’m not going to let Lina stop me from going into the forest. I’ll just have to watch out better next time.”
Elinora pondered this. “You’re right. But Tillie, I also don’t think Jamie is wrong. You were as argumentative with her as she was with you. Don’t be so stubborn. Just ask her what’s the matter, why don’t you?” Elinora suggested.
Tillie paused, then growled. “As if—whatever have I done? And anyway, how about Mother? Won’t she and Father ever stop harping on about the forest? Why can’t they just go see how beautiful it really it is, once and for all?” she moaned.
“That will never happen—they’re too afraid of the forest, you know that,” Elinora replied.
Tillie snorted. “Ah, well, maybe you could learn something from that, then,” she said as she opened the door to head to her own room across the hall.
Elinora sighed. “Good night, Tillie. And please try to calm down a little.”
“Good night, Nora,” she sighed, closing the door. She glanced down the hall again, just in time to see Henry entering Lina’s room. She pursed her lips.
She knew Henry was kind and gentle and was above all the angry nonsense between herself and Lina. But still, she was aggravated thinking that he would want to spend any time with someone so unreasonable. She decided the next time she was with him she would let him know how unfair she thought Lina was being to her, which would certainly put an end to that.
Spring
