Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3970180" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-fifty-one, “The West Family”, Tuesday, June 20th, 9:00 A.M. On Tuesday morning Ruby is laying comfortable wrapped around George when she feels a gentle shaking. She cracks an eye open to find her new lover with a slightly nervous look on his face. “Ruby,” he whispers, “Wake up. We have to get up, someone else is awake.” “Is that all?” Ruby whispers back, before she yawns and closes her eyes again and snuggles her nose into his neck. “So what? They probably know already.” But George continues to shake her until she finally does wake up. They untangle themselves and sit up on the couch, looking over the remains of what was a clean parlor. “They’ll definitely know if they come in here,” she laughs. Their clothes are strewn everywhere, cushions thrown around and furniture moved out of their customary spots. Ruby is not looking at the room though, she is looking at George, who looks even better to her in the bright light of day then the soft caress of the night. “Come on,” George insists again, and rises from the couch, pulling Ruby with him. “What,” she says innocently, “I was just admiring the new… decoration.” George smiles but gives her a scolding look at the same time. She laughs at him and kisses his cheek before they pull on whatever clothing they can find to cover up. They quickly and sloppily rearrange the furniture, finding one of Ruby’s stockings stuck in the cushions of chair and George’s shirt under the entrance table. George listens at the door, judging when the time is right not to be seen before the two of them exit the parlor and with Ruby’s giggles accompanying them they hurry up the stairs. Before they part for their separate rooms George grabs Ruby for another kiss. “Let’s go back to the beach. I enjoyed myself there and I believe you did too. That way we’ll be alone all day and I can have you all to myself.” “Good idea,” Ruby replies. She hurries off to her room to prepare for the day. Knowing she’ll probably spend the day in her under garments again it doesn’t take her long to prepare. By the time she comes downstairs Al has a basket made up for them to take for breakfast and lunch along with the blanket. William drives them out to the park, and again checks for other guests. No one else is there, being a Tuesday during a work week. George and Ruby spend the day relaxing and enjoying each other. They are growing more and more comfortable with each other and it shows in their body language, the way they speak to and gaze at each other. George does a fabulous job of keeping Ruby distracted and she doesn’t even think about the upcoming dinner with her parents as the day goes by. They eat, swim, nap and this time even take a small hike through the woods. The sun gets high in the sky then begins it's descent again before George tells Ruby they need to leave and prepare. Ruby drags her heels helping to pack up and walk back to where they meet up with William. She's quiet all the way home, nervously switching between biting her lip and tugging on her hair. She doesn't talk about dinner at all. They return home in short order. Once inside Ruby walks back to her room like a little kid in trouble. She stands in front of her now stocked closet, suddenly not liking any of her choices. Nothing seems appropriate, too revealing, not revealing enough, too bright, too... whatever. In frustration she leaves her room and goes to George's. She knocks on his door, "George, are you in there?" He opens the door. She sees that he has attired himself in one of his better suit, this one of a slightly older style that had been popular among the upper crust in the early-to-mid-1870's. He has shiny new cufflinks on the shirt sleeves and a bow tie. He asks, "Well, how do I look?" Ruby looks up him and down critically. She steps towards him and straightens his tie before she smiles. "You look gorgeous baby." She steps away and sits on his bed. "I'm... uh, I'm not sure this dinner is a good idea." He replies, "Neither am I, but I would prefer to have this encounter here on my home territory rather than some other place where we might meet by chance." Ruby pushes some hair behind her ear. "I just... what if... Oh!" She slaps her hand on the bed. "I'm really nervous. I can't even pick out an outfit." He replies, "Dress conservatively for this meeting, there is no reason to antagonize them before we even begin to speak." "I know. I'm just...," she twists her ruby ring around her finger, "Nervous. Scared. I know, it's silly." She hangs her head, watching her own toe scrap across the floor. He states, "Ruby, you're here in my home now, that isn't going to change. They can't force you to leave here and even if they try just remember that the Police Commissioner is my friend not theirs." It's George's voice more than his words that calm Ruby. She takes a large breath in and stands. "Thanks George. I just needed to be reassured and pull myself together." She gives him a quick hug and heads back to her room. She chooses a new satin emerald colored gown. By itself it is a gown that Ruby feels comfortable in, with a low square neckline and tight bodice. But it came with a small matching jacket that covered up anything offensive. She fixes her makeup and adds some perfume before calling for Al, who helps her coax her hair into an elaborate and elegant up-do. Adding a new bracelet to her ensemble she gazes at her reflection in the mirror. She pauses as she briefly touches her heart earrings for luck but quickly banishes any thoughts but the confident ones she was going to be needing. She smoothes the gown and steps towards the door. "How do I look Alvina?" Al replies, "You look fine. You will do well tonight, just trust in yourself. You are a grown woman who makes her own decisions, you are no longer an infant under their control." Ruby takes a deep breath in. "I don't know if we ever get over our parents and mine were particularly...well, never mind." She puts a forces a smile to her face. "Thank you for your help, it was sweet of you." She nods to Al then heads down stairs. The clock is almost upon the hour of the West's impending arrival. Alvina makes sure that all of the place setting are there. A carriage comes up the driveway. William goes to the door to greet the visitors and George stands beside Ruby and states, "Have strength my darling." Ruby grasps George's hand tightly in hers and takes another deep breath. She turns just her head to face him and says, "I really do love you George. I think I always have. Even in my toughest times I had faith you would always be my friend and be here when I needed you." Her smile turns genuine. "And here you are." The house manager William opens the door and admits in William and Alma West. Ruby squeezes George's hand again as the imposing figures of William and Alma West enter the house. One could easily tell where Ruby gets her height from looking at both her parents. Her father, dressed in fancy yet conservative ensemble is tall, fit and dark haired. His face is slightly worn by time with some gray starting to pepper his hair, yet it only serves to make him look more distinctive. His green eyes mirror Ruby's and in them she detects a hint of surprise as he looks her over for the first time in five years. Her mother on the other hand is the same height as Ruby, slender, still young looking and beautiful, with not a wrinkle on her face. Her dark brown hair is twisted and turned into an elaborate up style. Her clothes are the utmost in fashion, everything on her looks expensive. Dripping in jewelry the only thing colder than the diamond around her neck are her ice blue eyes, eyes that are now boring right into Ruby's soul. She returns her parent's stares with a friendly gaze of her own. "Daddy, Mother," she addresses them as she curtsies. "How nice to see you." "Nice to see you as well," her mother states. Another person enters the room behind Alma West who Ruby immediately recognizes as Miss. Agatha Hellbourne, a dour spinster who was Ruby's least-loved nannies. Accompanying the woman is a young boy of perhaps three years of age. He has curly sandy-colored hair, a square-shaped face and jaw, and deep blue eyes. Ruby is slightly confused as to the boy's identity when Alma West says, "Constance Grace, I would like you to meet your brother, Benjamin William West. Benjamin, this is your sister Constance." Ruby's hand releases its grip and falls away from George. Her first thought, as she stands speechless, is Why didn't he tell me? It is quite a few minutes before Ruby can speak or even move. Finally as she stares at the young boy she says, "I have a brother?" but it's more of a statement than a question. She looks at him with some doubt, after all, her parents were old now for children.…she steps towards the boy and kneels before him. In a sweet and friendly voice she greets him, "Hello Benjamin, it's nice to meet you." I a shy, almost quiet manner the boy says "Hello Constance, it is a pleasure to meet you." George calls William over and says, "We will need extra place settings at the table, I had expected only Mr. and Mrs. West." Miss Hellbourne interjects "Only a place for Master Benjamin, I have already dined Mr. Eastman." Ruby, still entranced with the boy says to him, "May I hug you William? After all, you are my brother and I have missed out on years of hugging you." The boy neither says yes or no nor appears rather resistant. Miss. Hellbourne states, "There is no reason for the need of any physical contact." "Of course Nannie Hellbourne." Ruby stands and looks the woman defiantly in the eyes before she scoops the boy into her arms and hugs him tightly. She whispers in his ear, "Don't listen to her, this is what people who care about each other do." She places him back on the floor. "I wasn't asking you," she says to the old woman. She looks to her parents. "So, I see you've been busy." He father ignores Ruby's comment and approaches George instead, shaking his hand and says, "Thank you sir for taking care of things with the police and for bringing our daughter back to Rochester." Eastman replies, "Sir, her arrival here was as much a surprise to me as it was to you, not that I am objecting. While the men are exchanging cordialities Alma West approaches Ruby and states, "Constance, you have become quite the young lady. Mr. Eastman showed us the photograph that he had taken out in that western silver town but it hardly does you justice. I am surprised though that you still haven't realized that dying your hair would be better for your prospects." "Thank you for the compliment mother." Suddenly Ruby laughs. "I have no shortage of prospects. And no shortage of men who enjoy my hair color rather than loathe it." Like you, she thinks. "Although I've been busy and not very worried about my prospects." Alma replies, "Yes, George seemed to indicate that you had some sort of relationship going with the owners of one of the silver mines in that town and that you had also made some of your own investments in real estate." Ruby states, "Yes, actually, I am a part own of a Saloon where I am the star attraction," she says proudly. "I sing there. I also own part of another saloon and part of a silver trust. And now," she smiles at George, "I also own the lake and surrounding land. I don't think I'm doing too badly, although George may not agree. He thinks I should come home and sing here instead." George says, "We can discuss serious things such as that after the meal. Why don't we go and eat, I believe that Alvina has prepared a special meal for us." Ruby took notice of George's tone. He hadn't mentioned anything about serious talk after dinner. She was trying her best to keep the knot in her stomach from growing any larger. "Good idea, let's enjoy dinner, shall we?" Ruby makes her way into the dining room and waits to be told where to sit. They sit down with George Eastman and William West on opposite ends of the long table. The other three have place settings on the long side of the table, with Ruby closer to George. Alma is on the opposite side of Ruby, equidistant between both men on the ends and sets up Benjamin across from Ruby between Alma and George. Miss. Hellbourne stands along the wall behind Benjamin and steps forward to help him with his meal. A multi-course meal is served that would equal that of the finest Manhattan restaurants. The table conversation is dominated by the two men, with William asking a lengthy series of questions of George Eastman about his business and George responding with long detailed answers. Ruby sits, mostly quiet and minds her manners during dinner. She was suddenly concerned about this after dinner serious conversation and also the boy sitting across from her. Can he really be my brother? If he is, can I leave him to my parents to torment him too like they did to me? He's three, still a baby, he should be running and playing and... no physical contact? I always hated Miss Hellspawn... She banishes the thoughts from her mind. At least things seemed okay so far. Ruby says, "George, this meal has been excellent. We must remember to thank Alvina for her hard work." The Wests also give praises for the meal. Alvina comes in and clears the meal for the table. She then brings out a tray with the desserts, strawberry shortcake-a-la-mode. Benjamin's eyes light up when he sees it, the first time this evening that he appears animated. Miss. Hellbourne steps forward and says "None for Master Benjamin, it is already after 8:00 P.M. and if he eats any of that now he won't get any sleep tonight." "Oh come on, it's a special night, let him have some dessert. It's not every day you get to meet your older sister after all." She winks at the small boy. The boy looks up at Alma West and pleads "Please mother, this is a special night. I've heard about Constance for years now and I finally get to meet her." Alma relents "Oh, alright." William West lets out a huff. She says, "Good, then we can all enjoy dessert. It would have been terrible to miss strawberry shortcake, it's one of my favorites and how could I have eaten it if my baby brother couldn't." Turning back to the boy she asks, "So Ben, what's your favorite game to play?" "Mother and I play croquet with some of the servants," he replies. Ruby says, "Oh, that's... fun. Do you have a lot of friends?" He replies, "No Ma'am, I've occasionally gone to the Oxnards when their grandchildren were visiting. I am sure I will make friends in a few years when I go away to boarding school." Ruby's heart nearly breaks listening to this little boy who already had the life sucked out of him. "Ben, don't call me Ma'am. You can call me Ruby, that is the name I go by now, but if you don't want to call me that please call me Constance." Ruby looks to her parents. "I never understood why someone would have a child so they could send them away." William West exclaims "That is my decision to make young lady!" Sensing the greatly increased tension around the table George attempts to change the subject by asking William West about his business. He asks, "Mr. West, how is West and Burnham Industries doing these days?" Unfortunately that question appears to make matters worse when an increased amount of anger underlies West's response of "There is no more West and Burnham. Lucas Burnham and I parted company under unpleasant circumstances several years back. It is now just West Industries. Burnham has relocated to Washington D.C." Alma West interjects "Actually, Baltimore". That earns her an icy glare. Ruby is sorry to hear that. Lucas Burnham was one of the few people in New York that she actually liked. He and her father were contrasts in opposites, with his lighthearted and easygoing manner, but they made an effective team in business. Burnham's wife had died young before they had any children and without any other family to speak of he spent a considerable amount of time at the West household. She fondly thought of 'Uncle Luke' being around for birthdays and holidays. She pictures the man in her mind. His happy smile, his....his square jaw, his piercing blue eyes and his curly hair, white on the sideburns and back but sandy on top. She stares back across the table at her younger brother with a sudden sense of recognition, the spitting image of Lucas Burnham, and realizes at once that Alma West's young son is not her full but her half-brother. A tiny spark of jealously shoots up through Ruby with the realization, although it's soon put out with the second realization that her brother was not enjoying the benefit of a different father. It was her mother who she thought always ran things around their household. Ruby moves her gaze from the boy, to her mother, then to her father. She asks as innocently as she can muster, "What unpleasant circumstances was that? I thought Uncle Luke was fairly laid back." Alma West moves back slightly. William West's face turns beet red and he looks to Ruby and says, "Young Lady, your forfeited your right to be involved with family decisions when you abandoned us!" Ruby laughs but isn't really smiling. "Since when did you and mother ever include anyone in your decisions anyway? You only ever thought about yourselves. And just to be clear, I didn't abandon you, you pushed me away!" William West exclaims, "We did nothing of the kind. But we can talk about that later. Get your bags Constance, we're taking you home now!" William West has just exclaimed, “Get your bags Constance, we're taking you home now!" Ruby just blinks at her father. All along, everyone had told her that her parents had, no have no control over her. Yet instead she was still scared as she was of him as a child. She turns her gaze to George. Her voice firm she says, "No, I'm not going with you." George says in an equally firm voice, "She is remaining here." Alma West states, "She most certainly is not. That would not be proper." "Proper?" Ruby only briefly looks at the boy. "I don't think you should be telling ME what's proper!" Ruby stands from the table and raises her voice. "So they only reason you came here tonight is to try to drag me away from my life so you could look better in yours. I should have known you'd never change. Well, forget it, it's not going to happen!" William West stands and walks towards Ruby. Eastman stands as well. West grabs Ruby by the arm. "Owwww," she screams and tries to pull her arm away, "Let me go! I'm not a child anymore you can't force me to stay!" Alma West stands and says "Agatha, please bring Benjamin out to the carriage." The woman takes the boy by the hand and heads towards the door. Eastman walks around Ruby towards William West and states "Unhand her sir, we will discuss this like gentlemen." William West releases his daughter and replies to him "Gentlemen? If you were concerned about that you wouldn't have her in your household without a chaperone. Gentlemen care about their reputation."</blockquote>

Verification