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We’d known the odds. They almost never admitted women. I suspected her exams and essays had been better than most of the men who’d applied. She belonged there. I hadn’t been sure the men who ran the college would agree. Apparently, they had.
Jasper excused himself, telling us he’d go down to the kitchen to tell Lizzie.
“Papa, you didn’t send them money?” Delphia asked. “Please tell me this isn’t because you donated a library.”
“You asked me to stay out of it, and I did,” Papa said.
“Oh, darling, I’m so proud of you.” Mama was on her feet by then and held out her arms for my sister. “But I’ll miss you terribly.”
“I’ll only be away for a few years,” Delphia said.
The truth of it all washed over me. Delphia, my best friend, was leaving me. What was I doing exactly? Should I have gone to school with Florence? The very idea gave me a pit in my stomach. I didn’t want to leave home. This is where I belonged. I’d be an old maid living with my parents for the rest of their lives. I sighed and tried not to cry.Be happy for her, I told myself.That’s my job as her big sister.
James appeared in the doorway. “Have I missed something?”
My stomach fluttered at the sight of him. A cut on his chin told me he’d nicked himself shaving. His hair was slicked back, but even pomade couldn’t keep that attractive curl from falling over his left eyebrow.
“I got into college, James.” Delphia thrust the letter at him. “Even though I’m a girl, I got in.”
“Well done, love.” James beamed at her. “They’re not going to know what hit them once you arrive.”
“I’m going to amaze them with my discipline and cleverness.” Delphia jutted out her chin. “Just watch me.”
“I have no doubts at all.” He looked over at me. “You’ll miss her, but she’ll be back.”
How had he known that’s what I was thinking? He often did. But what did it matter? He was leaving me, too.
“Of course, she will be,” I said, more stoutly than I felt. “But yes, I’ll miss my baby sister.”
Mama encouraged James to get breakfast and join us. For the next few minutes, while he filled his plate and one of the maids poured him a cup of coffee, we chatted about Delphia’s plans.
“Perhaps the three of us will take you out there.” Mama brushed away the dampness from the corners of her brown eyes. “To get you settled.”
“You could come to New York afterward,” James said. “We could see a show or two. Meet some literary folks for Addie?”
“What a wonderful idea,” Mama said. “Something to look forward to.”
“James, there’s a letter for you, too,” Papa said. “Jasper left it for you there.”
“Oh, yes, in the excitement, we almost forgot.” Mama gestured toward the side table where the letter sat waiting.
James had already set down his plate in the spot next to me but got up to grab the letter. His expression darkened when he looked at the address. “It’s from Lena.”
Lena. I swallowed the bile that rose to the back of my throat.
James sank into the chair, then lifted the letter from the envelope. I watched as his eyes roamed over the words. When he was finished, he folded the letter and pushed it away from his plate, as if it were something he didn’t want to eat.
“Is everything all right?” Mama asked. “It’s not bad news, I hope?”
He met her gaze. “No, it’s good news. It seems Lena and her father are on their way here. I mentioned your invitation, and I guess they took that as something more formal. They’ll be here in a few days.”
For the second time that morning, my stomach dropped. Lena was coming here. I would see with my own eyes the woman who had taken my James.
“She said to tell you how anxious she is to meet you and make a good impression.” His voice sounded as if someone had placed a brick against his throat. “Lena’s heard me talk about you all so much, she feels as if she knows you.”
“Excellent,” Papa said. “We’re delighted to meet the girl who has stolen your heart.”
“They know I think of you all as my second family,” James said. “Are you sure you have enough room for them?”
