Chapter One

Amy March descended from the carriage in the same way that she did everything: with elegance and poise. She took care not to let her skirt get caught in the wheel as she stepped gracefully to the ground. The footman handed down her smock and art box, and Amy thanked him in her frank American way. She couldn’t quite leave the last of her Concord flavor behind; the longer she stayed in Europe, the more she appreciated her simple and honest upbringing. It kept her grounded when those around her lost sight of what was truly important. At least, she liked to tell herself so.

Amy had been on the continent for a year now, travelling with her cousin Flo. They were currently in Nice, which Amy found she liked even better than Paris. Nice, with its wild gardens and romantic castle ruins, presented plenty of vistas for her artist’s eye.

She entered her lodgings and found her Aunt Carrol lying upon the stiff sedan in their apartment. “Aunt, are you unwell?”

“I am fine, dear. Just a little tired. How was your art lesson?”

“It went very well, thank you.”

“Oh, a letter came for you.” Her aunt waved vaguely in the direction of the table.

Amy moved immediately to find the precious missive, eager to see which of her dear people had written. A letter from any of her three sisters was always read with care, and every note from her mother or father was cherished. She saw that this one came from her family’s neighbor, Mr. Laurence, who was a close friend of the family, as was his grandson Laurie.

Amy excused herself and went directly to her room. Tossing her smock upon the chair, she flounced onto the bed, carefully broke the wax seal, and began to read.

According to the missive, Mr. Laurence had come to Europe and was now in London, where he had many friends. It was surprising that he had journeyed abroad; the gentleman was not overly fond of travel. Reading on, she stopped when she came across some unexpected news.

Theodore is in Europe with me. I expect him from Berlin any day. We came abroad so he might experience a little freedom after the hard work of university. And I hope his heart will be at ease here.

Mr. Laurence’s letter said nothing more about it, but Amy felt a pang of anxiety at these words. Why was Laurie’s heart not at ease at home?

An image of her sister Jo flashed into her mind. Was it possible he had proposed to her? Jo was in New York, so perhaps not. Amy read and reread the note but discerned no helpful information. Surely, her family would write to her if anything of significance had happened.

She took a slow, deliberate breath, folded the letter neatly, and tucked it in her dress pocket. She would write to Mr. Laurence and beg them both to visit. She must find the words to ask after Laurie in a way that would garner more information about the state of her friend’s heart. Sitting at the little writing desk in her room, Amy was about to begin her letter when the maid tapped on the open door and stepped in.

“Monsieur Vaughn has arrived, Mademoiselle.”

Amy stood at once. “I shall be just a moment, Evelyn.” She adjusted her skirts and smoothed the wrinkles in the fabric. A glance in the mirror assured her that her blonde hair remained perfectly coifed.

As she entered the parlor, she noted that her aunt was nowhere to be seen, having evidently excused herself.

Fred stood. “Amy March, you look lovely this morning.”

She gave a demure curtsey and asked him to sit.

“I thought we might go for a drive later.” He looked to her for approval.

“That sounds delightful. It is a fine day.”

Unbidden, an image of Laurie popped into her mind. She did hope he was enjoying his visit despite the state of his heart. But what troubled him?

“What are you thinking about so deeply? You appear worried.” Fred’s voice, ever polite, held a note of concern.

“Oh! Forgive me, Fred. I just had a letter from Mr. Laurence. You remember him, of course?”

“Indeed. I hope nothing is wrong?” His handsome brow furrowed.

“No, not at all. Mr. Laurence is perfectly well. He simply mentioned that he and Laurie have come to Europe.”

Fred’s jaw stiffened, but when he spoke, his tone was as cordial as ever. “Laurence has come to Europe? Well, I do hope he has a pleasant trip.”

“As do I, of course.” Amy felt a little awkward. Fred did not seem pleased by this turn in their conversation. She could not imagine why. He and Laurie had always been good friends.

“And do the Laurences plan to visit you here in Nice?”

“I hope so. I was about to write to Mr. Laurence and invite them when you arrived.”

“I see. Well, then, I shall leave you to it.” He stood and bowed. “Shall I call for you after luncheon so we may take that drive?”

“I look forward to it.” Amy gave him her best smile.

He returned it, although his seemed rather forced. “Then let us say two o’clock.” He took her hand and kissed it before leaving the room.

His abrupt change in manner puzzled her. Had she said something to upset him? She replayed the conversation in her mind, concluding that he must be preoccupied with something else. Surely there was nothing wrong with speaking of mutual friends.

Flo entered a few moments later. “Did I miss Mr. Vaughn?”

“I am afraid so.”

Her cousin walked to the writing table, absentmindedly picking up a pen and twirling it in her delicate fingers. “Well, he only looks at you anyway, so I daresay he did not notice my absence.”

Her infectious smile prompted Amy’s in response. That was the nice thing about Flo—she was such an amiable companion. You could laugh and joke with her, but she behaved like a proper lady when the occasion called for it.

“Shall we have lunch, Flo? I am so very hungry!”

“I do hope there is something good today. I will find Mama. You call for the feast!”

She strode from the room and left Amy, who once again pondered Fred’s strange behavior.

It was quite some time before Flo returned. At once, Amy could see that something was wrong.

“What is it, dear?”

Flo shook her head with an unconvincing smile. “Oh, nothing much. Mama has a headache and wishes to rest. She said she would take a tray in her room.” Aunt Carrol had been looking poorly all day.

Amy did not like when anyone she loved was ill. Her mind flashed to Beth. Was her sister doing well? Had the change in the weather negatively affected her? Though Amy had just sent a letter to her the day before, she resolved to write again that evening.

Flo was rather quiet during lunch. They sat in companionable silence, each enjoying their meal and lost in their thoughts.

“Should I postpone my outing with Fred?” Amy asked after a while.

“Of course not! It’s not like Mama was planning to go with you.”

“If you are sure you do not need me, I shall go.”

Shortly after, Amy retired to her room. She needed to choose the appropriate outfit for the afternoon and despised being rushed. The weather was pleasant though rather chilly. Amy smiled to herself, pleased at the opportunity to wear her new fur-lined cape. It was a beautiful shade of blue that brought out the color of her eyes.

It was comforting to have such lovely eyes, especially because she could do nothing about her horrible nose. For as long as she could remember, she had lamented its shape. Despite her many prayers and silly attempts to alter it, it remained unchanged, as did her feelings about it.

Fred was prompt, as usual, arriving almost exactly at two in the afternoon. He handed her up into the phaeton and Amy settled herself, making sure her hat was just so before Fred pulled himself up into the driver’s seat.

Though his comportment was as kind and polite as ever, there seemed to be an edginess about him. Amy decided to be extra charming and put him at ease. If that did not work, she would use her American frankness and simply ask what was bothering him. It was unlike Fred to be anything other than charming and friendly.

Placing a hand on his arm, she pointed out a picturesque little stand of trees as they drove by. “I would love to paint that!”

“Then we should make a point to return soon with your artist’s supplies.”

“We could make an afternoon of it.” Amy smiled warmly.

Fred nodded his approbation. “With a boxed lunch.”

“Exactly! How well you understand my likes and dislikes. It is very pleasant to have such a friend.”

At this, the last of Fred’s tension seemed to melt away. “I value your friendship, too.”

“I am glad of it.” Amy said with sincerity.

“How are your aunt and cousin? I missed seeing them this morning.”

She knew he was not asking merely out of politeness. It was one of the reasons Amy liked him so much; he genuinely cared. “Flo is quite well, but my aunt was feeling rather ill today, I am afraid.”

“Nothing serious, I hope?”

“I hope not. It is just a headache and fatigue. Yet…I tend to worry overmuch about people when they feel poorly. When I was a girl, my sister Beth had a very serious case of scarlet fever. You remember Beth, don’t you?”

“Of course! She was kind to my brother. He remembers her fondly.”

“That’s right! When you came to visit Laurie, your brother was nursing an injured leg.”

“He was very cross about missing out on all the fun!” Fred laughed at the memory. “But Beth took good care of him and was so gentle and quiet that he could not help but feel comforted.”

“Beth is such a dear, dear person. I miss her dreadfully.”

“I hope she is well.”

“I must admit, I am worried about her. She never fully recovered her strength after her illness. It seemed to leave a shadow.”

“The Beth I remember from my youth would not let that trouble her.”

“How well you recall her! You are exactly right. She speaks only of how lucky she is and all the pleasures and comforts of home whenever she writes to me, which is very often.”

“And how is your elder sister, Meg? Does she have time to write to you?”

“She is as faithful as she ever was. But oh! How I wish I were there to meet her sweet, darling children! Being abroad is wonderful, but I do miss those at home.”

“Of course.” Fred was silent for a moment, his cloudy look returning. But then he regained his equanimity and asked politely, “And Josephine? Is she well?”

Amy laughed at his use of her sister’s full name. “Jo detests being called Josephine! So you must promise to never do so in her hearing. I’m afraid she would scold you dreadfully.”

“I forget how free and independent young ladies from America are.” Fred smiled down at her.

“Jo is the most independent of us all. She never would learn to make calls properly, and her skirts were always full of rips from climbing trees. She is working as a tutor in New York, which is a fine job for her. She tutored me as a child.”

“Indeed? And how did you like that arrangement?”

“Not at all!” Amy laughed, recalling the silly fights she and Jo used to get into. “For I was sullen and Jo impatient. But she is a dear sister, and she writes to me with such faithfulness that it warms my heart.”

“I wish my sister was as diligent a correspondent. Ever since Grace married, she seems too busy to write to her elder brother.” Despite his words, Fred’s tone was indulgent. Amy knew how much he cared for his sister.

“I am sure she keeps house very well.” Amy said this with the air of someone who knew all about the matter, though in truth she had no personal experience.

“Oh, indeed.”

“My sister Meg shares her stories with me, you know. There is quite a lot to running a home.”

“I completely agree. It is something you would excel at, I believe.” He gave her a meaningful look, and Amy colored despite herself. They passed the next few minutes in silence.

“Amy, I must speak with you about something.”

His words left her breathless. Was he about to ask her to marry him? Surely not! It was too early in their courtship. And they were in a carriage!

She was just thinking about proposals due to her concern over Laurie and Jo. An image of her childhood friend flashed into her mind, but she firmly pushed it aside.

Fred continued, “I must return to England shortly. I am afraid I will not be able to spend Christmas here in Nice as I had planned.”

The sense of relief Amy felt was alarming. She gave herself a mental shake. Just because she was not ready for a proposal today hardly meant that she would not be when the time was right. “That is quite all right. I understand. I only hope that whatever calls you home is not of a serious nature.”

“You are goodness itself. It is nothing but business that cannot be put off.” They had arrived back at the chateau, and Fred pulled the horses to a stop. He leaped out and hurried over to hand her down.

“Thank you.” Amy’s smile was slightly timid. Her mind’s foolish discombobulation over proposals and friends old and new left her feeling shaken.

Fred kissed her hand and bid her farewell, promising to call as often as he could before his departure for England. Her Christmas would be a bit lonely. But she did have her cousin Flo and her Aunt and Uncle Carrol to keep her in good spirits.