What did I miss?

[Emilia McIntyre]

[Open to any lee-fyre]

Emilia McIntyre wanted to bash Oberon’s head in with a candelabra. If she was a hair more upset, she probably would have gone to the unseelie camp and done it. But hearing he’d been injured during the mystic attack appeased her. For now.

Had she known Rosemary and Aoife were at the attack, she would have taken great lengths to ensure they weren’t there. But unfortunately she hadn’t. The fact they were unharmed was a great relief, and for a brief moment Emilia wondered if this was the right thing to do. If she should be giving funds to the Unseelie leader in hopes he’d use the money for good. Like hanging Allaric with his own intestines…

But the fact of the matter was, Oberon was getting things done. And she liked a man of action, and one that kept his word. She’d just have to be careful for next time. Ensuring her children were out of harm's way. Especially Remy. That boy was going to give her an ulcer if he wasn’t careful… But, Eoghann had promised her he’d be looked after, and she trusted her nephew to do just that.

Emilia decided to take a visit to Lasairdubh estate. She’d been unable to attend the dinner her sister had put on a few nights previous, and while everyone was still at home, she decided to come calling, to see with her own eyes the Lee Fyre’s were all well. Besides, they didn’t think they weren’t going to see Auntie Em while they were all at home did they? Emilia loved her sister's family just as much as her own, save for the unfaithful husband. But it would be good for her, ease her nerves a bit to focus on the lives of everyone else in Lasairdubh. Not to mention, it’d been too long since she’d stuck her nose into a nephew's business to see what sort of secrets he was hiding from the family...Or even a niece.

She stepped down from the carriage and smoothed her hands over skirts before she walked the all too familiar path to the entrance. A servant having run off ahead to announce her presence.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

It truly was wonderful to have a house full of family and laughter once again. Catriona had lost count of the weeks and months that had passed since she had last had so many of her children and their cousins under her roof… if only the circumstances of their reunion had been different. The Lee Frye matriarch would have much preferred to have called them all here in celebration rather than conflict, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t about to look this gift horse in the mouth. Her chickens had all come back to the coop and Catriona was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

A few days had passed since that dinner, and most of the Lee-Fryes had opted to stay awhile. Even Aoife, the daughter Catriona had worried would never quite come back to her, was beginning to seem a little more like herself: talking with her brothers and no longer keeping to herself and her room… that being said, Catriona Lee Frye couldn’t quite shake the feeling that her daughter was avoiding her. At dinner, she seemed to take a seat closer to the fireplace; she was missing more afternoon teas than she was attending; and even though the younger woman was spending less and less time in her room, she didn’t seem to be spending any more time with her mother. All this could mean only one thing: Aoife Lee Frye had a secret, one she didn’t want to spill.

Naturally, Catriona had every intention of finding out just what it was.

Her scheming would have to wait, however, as a servant came in to announce the arrival of her little sister: Emilia McIntyre . Catriona didn’t have to call for tea to be prepared: no sooner had their footman delivered his message to the acting head of the household, he hurried downstairs to the kitchens. Emilia had visited Lasairdubh often, and the household was well practiced in this particular routine. By the time Catriona had greeted her sister and the two of them had walked to the reception room- the one that had the best view of the lake, as usual- tea would be laid and waiting for them.

There was the gentle rustle of velvet upon velvet as Catriona practically glided towards the entrance of the castle Lee Fryes had always called home. As soon as Emilia crossed the threshold, her big sister would pull her, if permitted, into a warm embrace and begin walking leisurely towards their waiting tea and pastries.

If Emilia followed, Catriona would make pleasant conversation: asking about her journey and how things were at home, complimenting the behaviour of her nieces and nephews at dinner the other night, and even stop to remark the weather. These pleasantries would continue until they entered the reception room, and Catriona turned to close the door behind them. It wasn’t locked, so any one of the Lee Fryes, Devanys, or McIntyres could easily join them should they wish.

”So,” Cat began, adjusting her skirts as she settled into her preferred chair. ”I was beginning to believe, dear sister, you had forgotten where I lived- it has been so long.” Though her words might have been chiding, the warm smile on Catriona’s face betrayed her true feelings: she was glad to see her sister. Not only was she interested in Emilia’s thoughts on the recent Unseelie attack- the older woman could do with borrowing that little gift her sister was blessed with.

[Emilia McIntyre]

Yes, Cat’s scheming would have to wait. But only for a few minutes, and then it could pick up right where it left off when another, equally scheming woman could join in on the fun. Emilia really did enjoy a good scheme, and good secret.

Emilia took to the steps like she’d done a thousand times before and the smile that appeared on her face was genuine as she took in her older sister. “Kitty,” She said warmly in greeting. Accepting the warm hug. She tried to remember the last time she had been at her sister’s home. The time escaped her, indicating it had been too long. But, that could easily be amended.

She followed Catriona to their usual spot, providing the necessary pleasantries, but it wasn’t the formal pleasantries Emilia wanted to discuss, and she was rather in a hurry to get behind a closed door and away from the prying eyes, and over attuned ears of servants. Or little Lee Frye’s for that matter.

“So,” Emilia parroted her sister as she sat down in the opposite chair. Crossing her ankles and tucking them off to the side while she smoothed a hand over the emerald green fabric of her dress. Blonde brows rose slightly on her forehead as she considered her sister. There was a small huff of laughter, “On the contrary, dear I’ve had quite my hands full with guest Lucas brought home with him from Tresteria. She’s been quite an interesting house guest, and I do think we’ll all be a bit saddened when she leaves us in a few weeks.” Emilia noted. Theodora deGrey was certainly an entertaining old woman, and Emilia hoped that she had the same amount of energy and spunk as she did when she reached her age. Heaves that would be the day….

“It has been a long time though, you’re right about that.” She added as she started to make her tea just how she liked it. “I was quite saddened to have missed the family dinner, I’d have liked to see everyone.” She said. Her tone was genuine. When their children were younger it was far easier to keep everyone in one place with family visits, but as they got older it had become harder and harder to wrangle them all together as the little chicks had flown the nest. Now it was like herding cats to get everyone in one place again.

“Have you been enjoying having everyone home? Lucas mentioned dinner had been quite loud and eventful with everyone.” She asked curiously. She could imagine that Cat was. What mother wouldn’t? Emilia had certainly felt a void that had been left with Lucas had gone to Tresteria for his trip, and it hadn’t left until he’d safely returned. Emilia only had four children, something she was thankful for every day, but Cat had four more than her, and she was sure Cat felt that same void, if not more when her children were gone.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

As much as Catriona trusted those who worked for her, she wasn’t over-confident (or naive) enough to think that tongues wouldn’t wag should something interesting be overheard. Though some of the staff knew they served a family of mystics, several of them were mystics themselves- though Cat was not one to welcome strays with open arms into her trust, she was no stranger to welcoming the odd runaway mystic into her staff. Lasairdubh would always be a place of safety for those who needed it. The walls were high and strong and the lake offered protection from most sides, and should the king ever set his sights upon it- Catriona was confident that they could at least give him enough trouble to make it not worth the while.

”Ah yes, Lucas mentioned your Tresterian guest at dinner-” Cat said, tone light and conversational as she dismissed the guards at the door- a silly insistence of Robert’s while he was away. ”- A shame you had to miss the dinner on her account though. I would have suggested you bring her along but, of course, it was a family matter.” Even though Tresteria didn’t quite have the same hatred towards mystic, towards their kind, it wasn’t proper to drag an outsider into the concerns of their family. No matter how interesting a house guest they may be.

”Your absence was noted my dear, though I must say your children represented you wonderfully- I wish I could convince my boys to behave half as well. Ciaran was very nearly late, Aoife barely said two words, and Eoghann was picking at the grapes before dinner even started.” She sighed, massaging her temples. At a family dinner, it wasn’t a huge concern- but if they had been guests at another household, Cat would have been mortified. ”But anyway, most of them are still here- they know better than to slink off so soon when I haven’t seen them in months. I’m sure they’d love to see you now you’re here.” The woman laughed at that, she certainly would have been displeased had her children begun to disappear so quickly following dinner. ”Lee- well Sinead I suppose, judging by the look on his face when they arrived- brought the boys along.” Stirring a small spoonful of honey into her tea, Cat hummed contentedly, she really would take any opportunity to brag about her grandsons: even to her own sister. ”I am enjoying having them all home, even the girls… poor things, they so rarely have the chance to leave Wormwood Park on account of their father.” There really was much to worry about these days, she missed those early days when they were all children… when happy shrieks of laughter would ring out across Lasairdubh as they chased each other through the halls. It was different now, they were all grown now- with their own problems and worries Catriona couldn’t protect them from, no matter how much she tried. ”But enough about that, how have you been dear one?”

Settling back into her seat, Catriona allowed those dark eyes of hers to really take in her little sister- in some ways she certainly envied the woman, her children had all been much more sensible, not running off into the military and into harm's way. She also envied her sister’s magic somewhat: there were many times Catriona would have loved to be able to check in on her children, to see if they were okay or to see what they were up to. But mostly, like the rest of her family, Catriona worried over Emilia McIntyre .

[Emilia McIntyre]

It certainly was a family matter, and not one Emilia wanted to drag a foreigner into. Especially when she didn’t know how she’d react to being in a home full mystics. Thea struck her as being the sort to not care, but still…They needed to be careful.

A warm smile spread across her face hearing how well behaved her children had been. She’d always prided herself on their manners, though Remy sometimes forgot his. Her methods had been...not necessarily barbaric...but her children certainly knew what would happen if they didn’t behave themselves.

She chuckled lightly at hearing about her sisters children and the acts they’d pulled during dinner. Had she been there, it might have gotten under her own skin, but it also wasn’t her place. She was merely the Aunt, her sister could discipline her boys however she saw fit. She sipped her tea while Cat continued to talk about how the dinner went, nodding along. She smiled over the rim of the tea cup at the mention of seeing her nephews and maybe her niece.

“I do hope so, It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to any of them.” Except Eoghann of course… Yes, that particular nephew she saw quite frequently, or at least was in contact with. Involving business that her dear big sister did not need to worry her little head about. As much as Em might have wanted Cat to join her in the Unseelie, she knew their methods were not to her sisters taste.

“We’ll have to see if we can’t get one or two to come out of the woodwork before I leave, now hmmm?” She said with a slight mischievous smile and raise of her brows before she took another sip and set her tea down. The smile never left her face as she leaned back in the chair, listening about her sisters grandchildren. That small pang of jealousy she always felt came forward, as she didn’t have any of her own yet. She supposed she was going to have to revolt or riot if neither Lucas or Remy married, even Rosie. Em was ready for the pitter patter of little feet again and the joys of being a grandmother. Now if only her children could get the memo…

As the conversation turned to her, Emilia pursed her lips as her mouth formed a hard line. How was she other than scrambling to keep her family's reputation in good standing after Rosemary’s little stunt with the Captain? If Cat didn’t already know about it, she was sure to be in for quite a story. That is, if Emilia didn’t go on a murder spree first… Of all her children, Rosemary was the last one she’d ever expect to get caught up with a scandal.

Emilia leaned forward again, a look of contemplation on her face, trying to think about what to say to her sister. On one hand, Cat would be a good sounding board, on the other, it was rather personal business even if Cat was her sister. Despite the rather tension filled relationship Emilia had with her oldest daughter, she still wanted to honor Rosemary’s privacy.

“Busy,” She said slowly. A slight curl of her lips. She knew Cat was smart enough to pick up that there was something up with her. Her brown eyes flickered up from the tea to her sister as she let out a small sigh. There was no avoiding it. Catriona would learn about it eventually and she preferred her to hear it from her and not some servant. “Rosemary has been involved in a scandal.” She said with a sigh, leaning back in her chair. Losing some of the elegant poise she had before she scowled. “With a Captain of the guard. Worse, he’s a commoner." She said with disdain. If it was one thing Emilia McIntrye would be adamant about, it was that her children only married the best. Reputation was everything.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

Catriona had been a handful in her youth, fire had run in her veins long before she took the Lee Frye name- and it only stood to reason that her own children would be the same. Besides, Catriona felt at home in the chaos they could (and often did) cause. The castle seemed so desolate without them, as though the very life had been sucked from its stones each and every time one of her children flew the nest. So long as her children did nothing to threaten the family name, put themselves in danger, or embarrassed her in front of non-family members: they could cause as much chaos as they would like within these walls. Still, it was quite a stark comparison to see how polite her sister’s children could be. Lucas might have had a certain reputation, but he carried it well. Rosemary was quickly growing into a fine young woman, even if she was a little too soft spoken for Catriona’s liking. And Lavender, well, Catriona hadn’t seen Lavender in some time- but she remembered her as a credit to her mother.

”I’m sure you’ll have the chance to catch up whilst you’re here Emilia. You will be staying, of course?” Though it was posed as a question, Catriona was not about to accept ‘no’ or any variant thereof as an answer. The two had a lot of catching up to do after all, and that would be easier to do in person rather than through carefully worded letters or messages relayed through one of their children. Not only that, but Catriona had so missed her little sister: the two were very much cut from the same cloth. They had their tastes for secrets, their ways of liking things just so, and of course- their predilection to put family above all else. Where they differed was in their methods.

She knew that look. The way her sister’s lips formed a thin, hard line. Catriona settled comfortably in her chair, took a slow sip of her tea, and gave her sister the silence and space to begin. Dark eyes watched Emilia as she spoke, regarding the way her sister’s gaze flicked from the teacup in her hands and back to Catriona. She watched as her younger sister spilled what had been playing on her mind, a rumour which had reached even Lasairdubh (albeit without any real details). ”I had heard.” Cat began slowly, leaning forward to set down her cup. This was a delicate matter, and she knew to tread lightly here. ”Though I didn’t realise the rumours were true,” Continuing, Cat gracefully folded her hands upon her lap. A sigh fell from her lips, not at the words her sister had spoken, her disdain for the common people, but rather at the situation itself. Her niece had been unlucky enough in affairs of the heart already- and now this, this could very well ruin her chance for a potential match that Emilia would approve of. ”Does she harbour affection for this Captain?” She asked, gently probing for more information.

[Emilia McIntyre]

“Of course,” There was a sly smile to Emilia’s face as her sister asked if she was staying. It had been to long since the two had spent really any time together, and their children had gone far too long without their mother or aunt sticking their nose where it didn’t belong, or...where it needed to be. It was far easier to catch up with Cat in person then it was via letter, and there were some things you just didn’t put in a letter incase it fell into the wrong hands. So, yes. She was staying.

The cause for Rosemary’s little scandal was beginning to make Emilia’s blood boil again at the mere thought of the little weasel, and she wanted nothing more but to wipe the floor with Magnus Bournemouth. If they weren’t in their current times, Emilia might have outed him for what he was, but Emilia knew doing that would turn it into a game of he said she said, and her poor Rosie would be under an even more scrutinizing eye. No, he would be dealt with in a more quieter, deadly manner. She was going to make him suffer for even daring to think about touching her daughter in such a way again.

Emilia had to pull herself out of her dark thoughts, and she brought her eyes up to look at her sister. Nodding slowly to confirm the rumors. “They are, unfortunately.” She spoke. Bringing hand up while she leaned back in her chair to lightly rest her chin on. She glanced at Cat curiously as she asked if Rosie had any affection for the Captain, and it was something she didn’t know the answer to. “I don’t honestly know, I’m afraid. I’ve spoken with Rosemary of course on the matter.” She was quick to explain, before she took a deep breath and studied her sister. Contemplating how to tell her. Ultimately she decided the more people Rosemary had in her court the better, and there was none other like Catriona Lee Frye to back you.

“He was protecting her, as she says. A trap they’d set to catch a one, Magnus Bournemouth.” Cat would know about the Rosie’s previous engagement to the Marquis son, and how upset Emilia had been when her husband ended it. Though now that she knew the reason why...she’d wished he’d ended sooner.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

”Good. I’ll be sure to have your usual rooms prepared.” Catriona said, her tone wry as she levelled those brown eyes at her younger sister. She knew, however, that the rooms would already be ready long before the women even finished their first cup of tea- it was an unspoken rule in the household that if a family member rode up that driveway: they would probably, if the lady of the house had her way (which she often did), be staying at least one night. So fresh sheets were laid, the bedpan warmed, and the dust shook from the curtains no sooner than the guest had first crossed the threshold into Lasairdubh.

Catriona watched the blonde woman, giving her the space and silence to speak- to tell her as much as she was willing. It had taken the Lee Frye matriarch years to learn that sometimes all it took were a few seconds of quiet, a few moments of calm, and secrets would come spilling out. People would often say more than they intended, if only given the chance to speak. Her sister though, Emilia, carried a little more respect from the older woman- Catriona wasn’t giving the other woman the space to speak to trick her, but rather to let her catch her older sister up on Rosemary’s recent scandal without interruption. ”And I assume their trap was not sprung?” Cat asked once her sister had concluded her narrative. ”They may have done more harm than good…”

Withdrawing to her thoughts, Catriona wondered why her niece had not come to her, or to Emilia. She was not by any means insulted by her niece’s choice, merely curious… the two older women were much more adept at laying traps and stirring whispers that some guardsman- whoever he had been. ”If there is no attachment on her part, we should be able to sweep this under the rug easily enough.” The woman spoke matter of factly- as though she had already figured out how to solve this whole mess and preserve Rosemary’s reputation. ”But why, I wonder, were they laying a trap for that boy- I thought the engagement had ended some time ago?”

Again, her attention fell to the teacup in her hand. Ah children. It seemed as though they had been put on this earth to bring both joy and stress in equal measure. Failed engagements, keeping secrets, slinking away at first light- it was a wonder Catriona’s nerves hadn’t frayed beyond repair at this point. But her sister was here now, and together she was sure the two women could solve any issue that arose when it came to their broods.

[Emilia McIntyre]

Emilia pursed her lips. Her mouth pulled into a puckered tight line. She did not like not having an answer for her sister to that question. She had no clue if the trap was sprung or what was to come of it. How Magnus would react. Rosie had said it was to protect her, and Emilia was quickly coming to the belief that Rosie was safest at home. Or even here, at her sisters, where she would have an army of mystic cousins to protect her.

“I have no clue, but I feel you’re right Kitty….” She voiced quietly. Picking up her tea and taking a tentative sip. She smiled wirly at sweeping it under the rug. That they could certainly do. It was a one time thing, and if they played their cards right, could easily make it appear to look like a misunderstanding. And then the question that Emilia dreaded was asked.

Her fingers tightened around the handle of the cup, as she felt that overwhelming wave of helpless emotion come over her, as well as the anger. She sat her tea down, maybe a bit too carefully before she gripped the arms of her chair firmly. Taking a deep breath. Her head lowered in shame for failing her daughter, and let her eyes slowly drift up to Catriona. “It had, but there are things Rosemary has recently told me that took place while they were engaged. The real reason, why Nicholas called off the engagement.” She said, speaking of her husband. She clenched her jaw, and there that anger caused a spark of fire to ignite in her eyes. A look that read she would surely cause that man the same pain, if not more, that he’d caused her Rosemary.

“He caused her physical harm.” She said quietly. Afraid if she said it too loudly, someone might overhear. “An unforgivable act took place, and she’s afraid he’s coming back around to hurt her again.” She confided to Cat. Saying, without actually saying the words. Not only had he cut her on the inner parts of her legs, but he’d also raped her daughter, and Emilia McIntyre was going to see Magnus Bournemouth burn for his unforgivable sins and slight against her and her family.

“She’s kept it to herself this entire time, and I feel…” She took a shuddered breath, not realizing how tightly she was gripping the arms of the chair until she felt the ache in her hands. She loosened her hold. “Like I’ve failed her.” She admitted. Her eyes were moist. Rosemary and her had always had a tense relationship, but she was still her daughter. She wanted her to come to her about these sort of things, about anything, and the fact that Rosemary had kept this to herself for so long? It broke her heart.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

It had been some time since Cat had seen her little sister so tense. She wished she could fix it with a click of her fingers, but unfortunately- Catriona Lee Frye did not have that power. It would take more than a click of her fingers to undo the damage of this mess, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be done. She would help to sort this, for both Emilia’s sake and dear Rosemary’s.

Her expression darkened, her tea turning bitter upon her tongue with each piece of information Emilia McIntyre relinquished to her. Mere moment’s ago her thoughts had been organisational, merely sweeping a little indiscretion beneath a rug. Now though, now Catriona’s thoughts were turning increasingly violent. Emilia did not have to say the words, Catriona understood what had happened- and with that realisation, her blood turned to ice in her veins. The world was cruel, and it was crueller still to the girls. Still, she had never imagined such a thing would happen to her own flesh and blood. Both the McIntyre and the Lee Frye names carried weight, carried influence, and carried power: Catriona had always thought it would be enough to protect the girls, it was sobering to learn that this had not been enough.

Thoughts evolved from mere violence to murder. The Lee Frye lands were difficult to ride, so close to the forests. It was easy enough for an untrained horse to stumble and throw its rider- and horses were so easily spooked. It would be indistinguishable from an accident, even if an inquest was held. ”She’s safe here, he wouldn’t get a foot within twenty metres of the house. Poor little lamb.”

Her sour expression shifted to one of concern as she watched her sister turn inwards- a shuddered breath escaping from the blonde. ”This was neither her fault nor yours. Men may be weak but they are cruel. The fault lies with him, and him alone. And he alone should be the one to suffer for it.” Catriona would have risen and embraced her little sister then- only something told her that the other woman did not need that right now- ”You must not blame yourself.”

There could have been any number of reasons why Rosemary had not confided in any of them, why she had sought the help of some captain rather than her family. That did not matter, at least not to Catriona- no, Rosemary was a smart girl, she would have done what she thought best. What mattered now was protecting her niece, and making sure this never happened again.

Those that said hell hath no fury like a woman scorned had clearly never met an angered matriarch.

[Emilia McIntyre]

Emilia found herself nodding slowly at her sisters words, reaching for the tea to keep her hands busy so she didn’t sink her claws any further into the wood of the chair. Her hands trembled slightly, but she did well to ignore them as she brought the fine porcelain to her lips and sipped the hot liquid contents.

“I couldn’t agree more, Kitty.” She said quietly. Yes, the blame would all be on Magnus. Her Rosemary was but a poor innocent flower that had been taken advantage of, and they would see she received justice. In the own way.

A bitter smile appeared on Emilias lips as Cat told her not to blame herself. It was hard not too when her and her oldest daughter didn’t get along nearly as well as they could have. They were opposites in a way, and Emilia always struggled to understand her quiet nature. She hadn’t come to Emilia when problems with Magnus arose, and hadn’t come to her after the unspeakable act had occurred. What did that say about Emilia as a mother? Was she too strict with them? She’d always been one for tough love, really only showing affection when she thought they actually needed it, otherwise she was always blunt and a bit harsh, she supposed. But she wanted them to be strong individuals that could hold their own. And now look….

“Easier said than done, I’m afraid. Rosemary and I have a tense relationship already, I doubt it made her feel comfortable enough to come to me.” She admitted. It stung of course, and certainly made Emilia question how she raised her children. She wanted them to come to her if they were in trouble. To know she would do everything in her power to help them, even if she showed her displeasure at first. She was still their mother.

“She’s had to suffer, all alone for all this time…” She murmured, she was staring off into space at the moment as her eyes lost focus and she sipped her tea. Looking much like she did if she was staring off into flames. As quickly as the look appeared, it disappeared. “But no more. I plan on making this boy rue the day he ever decided to target my daughter.” She all but growled in her promise.

[Catriona Lee Frye]

Though Cat was seething, the anger inside her roiling and raging against the walls she had so carefully constructed decades ago, it would have been impossible to tell so from the way she held herself: sipping at the now bitter tea and lifting those dark eyes only to offer her little sister a look of gentle concern. Though she considered herself close to her own children, Catriona Lee Frye knew they had grown apart somewhat in recent years. They were adults now with their own families, their own lives and responsibilities, the tensions at court did not help- nor did the ongoing conflict between Allarick’s Wardens and the mystics scattered across Teronna- it was no stretch to imagine that something similar had transpired between Emilia and Rosemary. What with Emilia’s responsibilities in running a household and Rosemary’s duties attending to the princess, it was only natural their relationship would suffer somewhat.

”You know how heavy the burdens of being a daughter can weigh Emilia.” Cat pointed out, her tone kind and patient. ”She may have wished to protect your name, the reputation- we do not know what was going through the poor girl’s mind. You mustn’t blame yourself, we may not be unable to undo this fool’s action but by the Gods we will make him rue the day he first thought of laying a finger on Rosemary.”

For a moment, her eyes darkened and the anger within her threatened to spill.

She’s had to suffer, all alone for all this time…

But then, at her sister’s words, Catriona felt her heart break just a little more. The poor girl, Cat couldn’t imagine how Rosemary had suffered these last few weeks and months. There was nothing the two sisters could do to make it right, but they could even the scales just a little. And from the resolve in Emilia McIntyre ’s tone, Catriona knew neither she nor her younger sister would let anything stop them in this endeavor.