Love Begins In Winter

"Thank you." He said simply. He was a very quiet man.

Emma sighed, "You are so dreary."

&^&

He inclined his head slightly, "Very true,"

"I am sorry." He muttered, "I have a lot on my mind."

*&*

Sophia smiled, "Though he knows I am not a dumb girl. You're charms won't work on me, Mr. MacAvoy."

"You play so well." He complimented her. Emma smiled.

"Thanks. I love the piano. Mother often has me play for possible suitors. It's stupid. Who would possibly pick their future wife from a song?" Emma shrugged.

*&*
"A challenge!!" He said delightedly.

"You'd be surprised." He chuckled.

*&*

"Oh I've awakened a monster." She teased.

Emma smirked, "I suppose YOU would be one of those? Well, you wouldn't want me for a wife."

*&*

James laughed, "Aye."

"Oh I don't know about that." He smiled.

*&*

She smirked and stole a few sips from his scotch. "Good luck with that."

"I have a lot of unladylike moments. And I don't plan to change myself." She informed.

*&*

James grinned, "Just try and resist me."

"Means you have spark!" He smiled.

*&*

She drank more scotch then he took it away, "Enough for you miss!"

Emma nodded, "Something like that."

&^&

She rolled her eyes, "I can drink more than a man."

"I'd like to get to know you." Matthew laughed.


*&*

"I highly doubt that." James laughed.

Emma looked at him, "Does this mean you'll be here for a while?"

&^&

"Okay okay. I can hold my own though." She laughed.

"Until at least early April." He smiled, "That was the plan at least."

*&*

James laughed and cheersed his glass to her, "You are a fun girl."

Sophia smirked, "You're rather entertaining yourself."

Emma stood up abruptly, "I'm going to bed." She walked toward him, kissed his cheek and walked off. He watched her with a silent smile. She was odd. But he liked her.

7^&

James smirked, "You have NO idea."

"Bedtime I think." Sophia smiled and stood up.

"Bed..sounds excellent." James teased.

"Alone!" She laughed.

"You won't be alone. Emma will be with you." He pointed out, "And I am envious."

Sophia laughed as they approached the door to the room she shared with her sister, "Good night, James." She kissed his cheek.

Hours later, he could still the burn of her lips to his skin.

Emma and Sophia woke up at the same time and smiled to each other.

"Did you go straight to bed?" Sophia asked Emma.

Emma giggled, "No. I saw Matthew outside. So I ventured out. Then I took him to the kitchen. You?"

"I spent some time with James after Thomas retired. He seems out to charm me." Sophia laughed.

Emma smiled, "Perhaps we'll both be married and gone soon." Emma hated this house.

"Perhaps. I am not sure that James would make a very good husband." Sophia said.

Emma looked around for a dress, a red one, and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"I think he likes to play games with women." Sophia said.

"Huh..." She muttered, "Well, we all know that you're not going to put up with that."