Victoria and Constance head home a few weeks later. There are a handful of tearful farewells, and Olive and Connie swear to become penpals, and write each other frequently.
Once all the farewells are done, Ruby hands over Celestin, stricken with guilt. She tries, internally, to convince herself that this is for the best, but she can't help resenting herself for abandoning her son, illegitimate or not.
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Across the Atlantic, Celestin seems to be settling into his new home well. Constance has some doubts about her new baby brother, but she knows better than to ask her mother too many questions.
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How is Peru? Does the heat suit you? Dear Aunt Victoria is ever so nervous that you'll be kidnapped or murdered or something of the sort. She insists that anyone south of America is entirely barbaric - nonsense, I think, but it has begun to make me nervous. Please tell me everything, and send me a photograph if you can!
All is as well as ever in New York. I've settled in wonderfully, and I am pleased to say that the city suits me very well. I met with Julian at a little restaurant recently, and he told me some fantastic news: He has met someone! And not another pretty blonde boy, but a proper woman. (Thank God!)
He said she was very beautiful. I have insisted he bring her to dinner with the Dardens soon, to which he emphatically agreed. I must go now to help Aunt Victoria set up, but I shall continue this letter after I return, and let you know what I think of her.
I have learned a great deal at dinner tonight. Her name is Magdalena Dupree, she is indeed very lovely, and just about everyone seemed to like her except for me. I am not entirely prone to liking people, however, so I shall blame it on myself, and not her. Little "cousin" Celestin especially seemed to take a shine to her, and would not stop chattering away throughout all of dinner. It was a mercy when Aunt Victoria sent him up to bed.
Magdalena said she was a musician, and Julian added that they had met while she was performing at a restaurant near Columbia. I have my doubts about that (I suspect she is a different sort of performer) but I thought it sensible to refrain from sharing them for the moment.
Regardless, the evening was a success, and it was such a pleasure to see dear Jules growing up a bit. He's even crafted himself a horrid little mustache! I shall have to try and secure a photograph, it's abominable. I hope you're well, and please do write me again soon!
Your loving sister,
Olivia
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Victoria arrives in St. Aude a few months later, joined by her daughter Constance. Olive is especially taken with her mysterious American aunt, who dressed in artistic clothes and spoke of such refined things as gallery openings and yachts. Her cousin, too, seemed to entrance her, and the girls quickly became close friends. Privately, Olive began to mull over a plan to get her mother to allow her to journey across the Atlantic, and stay with her aunt - at least for a while.
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