Chapter III.

*Ms Tamara*

Walking down the familiar dirt road, with the sun bright and still high up in the sky, her house came into view. Having moved from their older house into a newer, bigger one only three years ago - due to the increase in their father's payments - allowed for them to have a lot of things they failed to own prior to moving into their new home.

A slight smile formed on her lips with the decline of steps it took to get back home. Entering the front yard, her eyes landed on their swing, hung by the big tree that stood in the middle of the garden.

Following the pavement, it led her to the front door of the big house that she called her home. Opening the door and entering, she was awaited by the maid of the house.

"Ms Tamara! Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your journey?".

"It was uneventful, to say the least, Ms Hope.". Tamara went on to take off her coat only for Ms Hope to take it from her and hang it up on a hanger. All while their maid did such, Tamara took a moment to iron down her dress.

And then, running was heard from above.

Looking toward the steps, that was when Tamara saw her sisters as they all rushed and embraced her. All but her eldest sister, Abigail.

Having run off with a wealthy suitor behind the back of her family, she got married almost a year ago. It was a huge scandal for the Clarke household. But, as if by some miracle, the scandal didn't spread beyond a few outsiders.

Although, with the changing of the world, there was a sense of doubt that such news would come as big of societal misconduct as it once was. Nonetheless, their father Noah and mother Ann-Marie needed some time for such news to settle within them.

"How was it?" Eileen inquired, pulling Tamara out of her trance. Almost immediately, she knew what it was Eileen wanted to hear.

So, with her smile broadening - and although that in itself gave Eileen the answer she wanted to know, Tamara proceeded on giving her a verbal response. "Mr Tippe, the publisher, said he liked the idea. He accepted the manuscript.". And it was here that Tamara was cut off by the squeal of happiness from her sisters.

With the cheering, simultaneously, Eileen wrapped her arms around Tamara. With the rest of the sisters following Eileen's lead. "I told you we'd make it, didn't I?" she proceeded to whisper to Tamara.

To which she replied with a nod against Eileen.

And then, with all the sisters breaking away from their embrace, Tamara looked at Eileen as she looked at Tamara. "Now it's your turn to tell me how it's going for you, Eileen...".

Knowing what Tamara implied, she rolled her eyes at her sister. "I am still looking...".

"You mean, your father and I are still observing for the right man for you, Eileen..." her mother appeared, as if out of thin air and corrected Eileen before continuing her way toward the kitchen.

From observing the happiness of the girls, Ms Hope interrupted such cheer for a mere moment. "Girls, now that I have you all here, food will be ready in a few minutes. It might be a good idea for everyone to take their seats in the kitchen...". And with her saying as much, Ms Hope followed the way of Ann-Marie, heading to the kitchen.

And the ladies followed what they were told.

Each woman sat behind the broad table, their mother was to be seated across from Gertrude, while there were another two empty seats across from both Ruth and Agath.

Their mother set up the table with the help of Ms Hope. Having all the piping hot food on the table, that was when Ann-Marie took her seat beside Eileen. But her attention was quickly turned to Ms Hope, who she noticed stepping away from the table. "Ms Hope!".

The maid turned, facing Ann-Marie. "Please do join us for dinner. The table is not full without your presence.".

To her words, a small, sheepish smile formed across Ms Hope's lips. "Ms Ann-Marie, you are far too kind.".

To which Ann-Marie replied with a genuine, heartwarming smile.

Then, standing up, that was when Ann-Marie managed to catch a glimpse of their hard-working gardener. "I shall return in a minute or so. I'm just going to see if Mr Flowers would also like to join us too.".

And with that, Ms Hope offered, "Ms Ann-Marie, I can go instead of you.".

But with a kind decline, gestured by the shaking of her hand, she replied, "That won't be necessary, Ms Hope. Please do have a seat with the girls.". After finishing her sentence, she looked toward Tamara with another smile forming on her lips. "And I must hear about what happened at the publishers when I get back.". With that, Ann-Marie headed off toward the backdoor that led into the back garden.

At the table, listening to what the mother of all the women told her, Ms Hope took her place on the other side of Eileen.

"Would you know where father is, Ms Hope?" inquired Gertrude. "He never misses dinners.".

To such a question, Ms Hope replied, "From what I've heard, sweetheart, your father is in town, finishing an errand or two.". And then, turning toward Tamara, she proceeded on asking, "You haven't happened to have seen your father in town today, Tamara, have you?".

But, to the disappointment of her sisters, she shook her head. "No, I haven't. Although, there was a big crowd on the streets today. I am not sure what that was all about.".

The conversation at the dining table was cut off by the entrance of Ms Ann-Marie with Mr Flowers following behind her. "The bathroom is to your left when you enter the hallway, Mr Flowers. Feel free to join us at the table after.".

And with that said, Ann-Marie reached and sat back in her seat. "While we are waiting for Mr Flowers, I must ask you, Tamara, how did everything go?".

"Well..." Tamara began. "The publisher said he liked the story and took the manuscript. He requested for my return next week to see if he had reviewed the manuscript by then.".

Ann-Marie couldn't hide her happiness. "That's delightful news, Tamara!!". And then, looking at Eileen, she sent her a smile just as big. "I am really proud of you.". Turning to the rest of her daughters, she repeated the sentence again, "I am proud of you, of all of you, girls. I am proud to call you all my girls...".

As a reply, each of the girls smiled back at their mother. Seconds passed before Mr Flowers joined everyone in the dining room, taking his seat beside Ms Hope.

"Well, Bon Appetit everyone!" Ann-Marie added, her words acting like permission given for the food to be consumed.

It was some time into the dinner when a knock interrupted them all.

Hoping it might be her husband, Ann-Marie voiced, "It could be Noah...".

But before she had any time to react, Ms Hope was already on her feet. "I've got it, Ms Ann-Marie.".

It was moments later that Ms Hope returned to the dining room. "It's not Mr Clarke. But yet a letter addressed to the girls.".

To such words, Eileen furrowed her brows. "A letter? For us all??". Taking a hold of the envelope the maid handed her, she looked at the writing. Almost immediately, her face changed. "I think it's from Abigail!".

Her sisters gasped before they hurdled in a group around Eileen.

"How do you know it's from Abigail tho?" asked Agath.

To that, Eileen replied, "The writing looks like hers.". With that, she proceeded on opening the letter, pulling out a folded page.

Unfolding it, her assumption about it being from Abigail was proven correct. The letter was signed off by her.

Only after clearing her throat did she begin to read aloud the contents of the letter.

To my beloved sisters,

Hello, my beloved Agath, Eileen, Tamara, Gertrude and Ruth. How is life treating you all? I hope well, otherwise, something will have to be done to change that. I am well, so you mustn't worry about me. And I must apologise for my lack of presence in the household, but I do want to change that. In all honesty, I wasn't prepared to face Mama and Papa until recently. But me yapping on about this was not the reason for this letter.

I am writing to you so I can inform you all of your invitation to a ball. Organised and hosted by my husband and me, a fortnight from today. The 26th of this month, to be more precise. And by all means, if any of you can't make it, no hard feelings will be felt for such actions. Nothing can beat the fact that I've abandoned my own family, the shame I've brought upon the Clarke name. But as much as my actions hurt both my family and me, I don't regret what I did. Because I am truly in love and I am ready to confront our parents with such a fact... And there I go, against my own word.

Before I finish and sign off this letter, I'd love for you, my beloved sisters, to send Mama and Papa my sincere greetings. And for you, I want you all to know. Eileen, Agath, Tamara, Ruth and Gertrude. Your older sister loves you so, so much. More than words can express. I'll be very, very eager to see you all.

Much, much love and kisses from your loving sister,

Abigail.