Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“What use will it do? She gets more brazen the older she gets. I remember when she climbed that tree. It was a scandal! Her petticoats were exposed. Her ankles and knees,” Prudie shuddered. “All for what?”

“She rescued a cat. She has a good heart.” Caroline explained. “You’ll agree with that.”

Prudie pursed her lips together. “She’s very flighty Caro. Capricious. You should get her married soon. Settle her. She’ll run wild and ruin your chance for a good match.”

“I can’t force her to marry Prudie. But I do agree that once she falls in love and marries, she’ll settle into the life. And I would rather she marry for love,” Caroline said. “Not be forced into something.”

“Forced? The way she flirts?! Your father may have to force the boy. As for love? Hmph! Whatever that is.” Prudence rolled her eyes and patted the side of her hat which had several flowers and two feathers in it.

Caroline sighed inwardly. Prudence Finch had been her good friend since they were children. She had never been a pretty girl and when she had received a marriage proposal, most people in their circle had thought her father’s wealth had been the main attraction.

Caroline had been requested to be the maid of honor and she had been thrilled to accept. Caroline’s wheat colored hair and hazel eyes created a striking package, and the sky-blue dress she had chosen for the wedding suited her perfectly.

Unfortunately, the wedding never happened. The groom jilted Prudence at the altar, and now five years later, Prudence was sinking into spinsterhood with a bitter, unhappy expression permanently pasted on her face.

Caroline place a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I’ll speak to her. And you’re right. She’s flighty. Please don’t take anything she says to heart. I know she doesn’t mean it.”

Prudence stood up and her boney hands looked long and skeletal. “Dearest Caro. You two are so different. Sometimes it amazes me that you are sisters.”

Caroline accepted the kiss on her check and walked her friend out to the foyer and then the front door. Once Prudie was gone, she closed her eyes and took the stairs to the second floor and didn’t even bother to knock as she entered her sister’s room.

“Irene.” She said coming into the young woman’s room.

Her sister was perched on the small window seat that overlooked the tree-lined street. She turned only briefly to acknowledge Caroline and then turned back. Several carriages were passing by and couples were walking along the street.

“That footman next door is too handsome by far,” Irene said smiling. “And our neighbor two doors down, his youngest son is striking.”

Caroline crossed her arms. “Irene.”

Irene turned. She was a pretty girl with brown eyes and dark hair. She lacked her sister’s intelligence and beauty but had a kind heart.

“Yes Caro?” Irene asked.

“That was unnecessary and cruel the way you spoke to Prudence. She may not have beauty or be very smart but she deserves our compassion.”

“Does she?” Irene scoffed. “I suppose you think she deserves compassion because she’s your friend,” Irene asked.

“Of course.”

“And I suppose it never crossed your mind that she’s exceedingly jealous of you. You may be her friend but I doubt she’s yours.” Irene declared.

Caroline rolled her eyes. “What are you talking about? How is she jealous of me?”

Irene ignored her question and instead said, “But of course, if my friend looked like a stage actress and could speak French and Italian, I would hate her too.”

Caroline blushed. “You’re a nonsensical child.”

Irene gave her a strange look. “It’s true. You may not value such things but you have them all the same.”

“It isn’t that I don’t value beauty, such as it is,” Caroline admitted. “Beauty for us is very fleeting. I do value intelligence which is why I cultivate mine, and I value good manners.”

Irene snorted. “Good manners! I made one truthful comment about Prudie and suddenly I’m a skelpie-limmer!”

Caroline smiled. “No. You are not a badly-behaved child but you should be more delicate. You know the broken engagement hurt her greatly.”

“He was lucky,” Irene said.

“Irene. Stop. If you keep saying mean spirited things, I’ll start thinking Prudie is right. You need to be married.”