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Chapter Text

Gladys saw the light leave Larry's eyes as Dashiell Montgomery proposed to Miss Marian. She could see it and knew that Larry's friendship with Miss Marian was something more. More than even Larry knew before this proposal - because looking at her dear brother and how he looked at the newly engaged couple, it was clear to Gladys Russell what her brother now figured out that she had pegged from the very beginning.

That Larry Russell was in love with Marian Brookes.

When they returned from the party, she wrote a letter to her father. She would not ask her mother for this, heavens knows what Bertha Russell would say even though she liked Marian but if anyone would be on her side of this love match, it would be George Russell.

So, she gave the letter to Church to give to her Father for when he arrived and so, Gladys waited and plotted.

When George Russell received his daughter's letter it had intrigued him greatly. What he did not know, sitting across his daughter in his study was a plot to set up his son and simultaneously destroy an engagement in one fellow swoop. On top of that, the lady in this was Miss Marian Brooke!

"Gladys," He began with a smile on his face. "Are you certain that Larry's in love with Miss Brooke? Did he outright state it at all?"

Gladys shook her head but her words and tone were that of a young lady certain of what she was going after. It reminded him of Bertha. "Father you don't understand, he did not need to say it. I saw it. Larry looked as though his heart was bleeding out of his chest. I can see it even if he doesn't know it himself yet."

George sighed but later in the day seeing the rather forlorn look his son sported, he knew that if his daughter was right then he could get his hands dirty for True Love. He would have done the same if it had been Bertha and him in a similar situation years ago. After dinner when Bertha and Larry left, George looked at his daughter walking slowly to the study where his wife and son were waiting.

"Now, what is the plan so far?" And Glady gave him a triumphant smile so bright to hear that he was with her on the plan.

The first part of her plan was to see how Miss Marian was doing. George would run interference with his wife because Gladys pointed out that if Bertha Russell even heard anything about this ploy she would kill it swiftly. So, father and daughter wisely kept their mouth shut and secret plot tucked close to themselves. George would also keep an eye on Larry as his son threw himself into his apprenticeship with White it concerned George and even Bertha. It just made Gladys even more determined to break this engagement especially as she walked up the steps of the house of Mrs. Van Rhijn and knocked on the door.

Miss Marian was the one that opened the door, her whole body once tense now flooded with relief at seeing her.

In the background, Gladys could hear Mrs. Van Rhijn and Marian's fiancee, Mr. Montgomery call out for her to come back for more wedding plans. That alone made her tense.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Gladys asked with a smile. Behind Marian, she saw a young black woman who looked concerned at Marian just as Gladys felt. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over for tea or a walk?"

That had made Marian's eyes brighten and her smile full of utter relief. Gladys made a mental note of that reaction. "I would love to. I think all this wedding planning is going to make me insane!"

"I'll let Mrs. Van Rhijn know and we'll leave." The young woman left to alert Marian's aunt. She came back quickly as the loud voice of Mrs. Van Rhijn could be heard as the trio made their escape out the front door. "She took it... well."

Gladys let out a giggle as she led them to her house across the street. Once they were inside Russell's house, she ordered Mr. Church to bring some cookies and tea up to her room for her guests and herself. Not to mention that Miss Scott as she introduced herself did not go through the servant's entrance as Gladys took them up to her room was enough for another scandal but she did not care right now. Plus, nobody had seen so no tounges were talking, only the servants but they only gossiped in the house.

Just as they settled into her room, Mrs. Bruce entered with a polite smile as she left the tray on a table. "Thank you, Mrs. Bruce."

The older woman nodded and left, leaving Gladys to begin but Marian beat her to it. She began to smile until it turned wobbly then the tears began to fall down her face. Gladys was alarmed, tea and cookies forgotten as she went to Marian's side, Peggt on the other side both clutching her hands tightly as Marian wept.

"I don't want to marry him."

Some part of Gladys felt elated and neither felt pity for Marian and the ambush she had with that engagement. What kind of man did that? It wasn't even romantic!

"You can't break it off?" Gladys asked only to be answered with a shake of a head by Marian and Peggy confirming that even Marian's feelings would be disregarded for a ceremony and a marriage without love. "Perhaps someone will be there to save you from this engagement."

Marian laughed but it was not one of cheerfulness. "How? The wedding will happen in a few weeks!" She sniffled and stood up. "I need some space, I will be right back and entered the bathroom that was in the other room in Gladys's room, and she shut the door.

Gladys looked at Peggy who looked at her. "I have a plan," Gladys told her in a low voice. "My brother may be in love with Miss Marian and I want to try and break this engagement for both their sakes."

Peggy smiled. "I can help anyway I can. She deserves better, a better love than what Mr. Montgomery thinks. That man even said that she wasn't a real teacher!" Gladys gasped making Peggy hum in agreement with her reaction. "She knows what she wants and Mr. Montgomery is not what Marian wants. If your brother does love her, he needs to take a course of action and quickly."

"Don't worry Miss Scott. The plan will work, I'm determined to make it work."

"Well so am I, Miss Russell."

"Call me Gladys."

"Well, then you must call me Peggy." She grinned. As Marian continued to be in the bathroom for a little while longer, both ladies chatted, with Peggy, telling Gladys that she was a female reporter at the Globe. Gladys' eyes widened and she asked many questions about what that was like being a reporter.

"Hello," George Russell smiled as he saw his daughter in her room. He looked at the other young lady. "Gladys?"

"Oh, this is Miss Marian's friend, Miss Peggy Scott. Miss Marian is in the bathroom freshening up a bit." Gladys explained to her father. George nodded and said a polite hello to Miss Scott. Gladys seemed eager, full of energy as she beckoned her father closer. "Miss Peggy has agreed to help us in our plan. She is also a reporter at the Globe! A female reporter, it is exciting."

It was exciting, George was impressed at the young woman who smiled at Gladys. "The Globe, I don't think I have heard of that newspaper."

"It's a colored newspaper, Mr. Russell. But I am happy to help in any way I can for Miss Marian's sake. She's in distress whenever the subject of the upcoming marriage is uttered." Peggy told them. "She doesn't love him."

"It does not sound like it at all," Gladys agreed.

George silently agreed with them as well. It would take the three of them to help in rectifying this mess of an engagement one way or another, even if he and Gladys had to push Larry to the church, so be it.

Chapter Text

Mrs. Roebling could see the distractedness of Larry Russell, the scowl making its way on his face when she greeted Sylvia Chamberlin who spoke about the upcoming nuptials of Miss Marian Brookes and Mr. Dashiell Montgomery. Sylvia clocked it as well who hid a smile behind her teacup.

"What do you think of the wedding, Mr. Russell?" Sylvia asked the young man. He seemed so utterly distracted this entire day to Emily Roebling but when mentioned the wedding, she could see right through the young man. "Mr. Russell?"

"She didn't say yes," Larry said aloud. Both women looked on, encouraging him to speak more. "She... didn't look happy. Almost as if she was cornered and did not know what else to say."

"You love her," Roebling stated and the mere statement startled Larry.

No, he wanted to tell his friend. No, not. He wasn't in love with Miss Marian when he was still getting over the heartbreak of Mrs. Blane. He could not be in love but... the way she looked and the feeling of suffocation and frustration at the surprise engagement party, it was enough for Larry to see it. Even that small chat they had outside her doors, she seemed to have forgotten her engagement entirely. He liked Marian, he loved Marian.

His thoughts came to a screeching halt and both women could see it finally clicking into place for the young man that they almost chuckled. "Oh, Larry," Mrs. Roebling said softly like a mother did to her child. "You do. You love her."

I do, he thought to himself, I do love her.

What was he supposed to do now?

When he returned home, Larry wandered the halls of the house until he found himself in his father's study. It was there that George Russell and Gladys found Larry sitting on one of the couches looking like a man so despondent of life itself.

Gladys exchanged a worried look with her father as they made their way closer to Larry.

"Larry?" Gladys asked.

Her brother mumbled something once and then he said it more clearly. "I love her... and she's engaged. I love her."

Oh... Oh! Gladys tried to mask the glee that bubbled up inside of her. She needed to write to Miss Scott soon about this breakthrough but first, she had to give Larry the push. "You love her. Miss Marian, you mean?"

That made Larry look at his sister, eyes narrowed. "Was I that obvious?"

"You were oblivious, brother but I think so is Miss Marian," Until I put the second part of this plan into motion, thought Gladys. Now that she had Miss Scott as a partner in this plan besides her father, she would have to get a breakthrough with Miss Marian to realize her feelings for Larry and somehow get out of the marriage before she walks down the aisle.

Larry groaned as their father smiled. "It will be alright," George reassured his eldest. 

"You sound like Mrs. Roebling and Mrs. Chamberlin with my conundrum with the heart," Larry said. George raised an eyebrow but Larry smiled despite the heartache he was feeling on the inside. "I went for a meeting with Mrs. Roebling over the Brooklyn Bridge and Mrs. Chamberlin was there for tea. Next thing I know they figure out that I'm in love with Marian. Now I'm here wallowing like a love-sick fool from a character out of a Shakespearean play!"

"Don't worry," Gladys told her brother. "Everything will work out. You will see, it will be even better than a Shakespearean play!"

They left Larry in the study and went to the parlor room. Closing the door behind them, father and daughter mulled what they just found out. "Well, what will we do, Dearest?" George asked his daughter.

Gladys tapped her foot for a moment wrapping her head around everything. "We keep an eye and ear out for the wedding information. I know for certain that Marian will have an invitation for us and Mrs. Van Rihjn is too proud to leave us out." Gladys smirked. "Marian has already said she does not want to marry Dashiell Montgomery. I know from Miss Scott the other day that he and Mrs. Van Rihjn have been pressuring Miss Marian to leave her work as a teacher."

"She teaches?" George was surprised.

"Water painting for young girls," Gladys said to her father. "It is something that she does from time to time, her way of giving back to the community at least that is what Miss Scott told me. She also mentioned the way Mr. Montgomery told Marian that she was not a real teacher! It's outrageous!"

George hushed his daughter not wanting Larry to overhear. "I know, Gladys but we must be careful. If we are invited to the wedding that is a good thing, that means we can stop it. Better yet, Larry can stop it."

She agreed with her father as that was the plan even if they were not invited they would have gone to the wedding.

"Stop what?" They froze at the sound of Bertha's voice floating into the room. "What are you to conspiring about?"

He knew that lying would not be the safest thing to do so George beckoned her closer and in a low voice told Bertha of the engament and of their son's feelings for Miss Marian Brooks. Bertha looked at her husband and their daughter. "Are you certain, Gladys?" She mulled over what George had told her about the engament, to Bertha it sounded like Miss Marian was forced to say yes, sounding less like a good proposal and more like an ambush. "Miss Marian and our Larry. What will you plan if we are invited to the wedding?"

Gladys shrugged. "Let Larry speak and run off with Marian."

Bertha looked pleased but then a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "It would make Mrs. Van Rihjn to see her niece marry into New Money. They won't be able to ignore us even if she tried." Her mind thought of Miss Marian and then to Susan Blane. Yes, out of the two, Bertha would happily choose Marian Brooks over Susane Blane any day of the week. She liked Marian and this young woman was ambitious, going against her aunt multiple times, even getting a career as a teacher was enough. "If this goes well, my next project will be to pull off the wedding of the century here in New York."

"Mother, really?" Gladys complained. "This is a true love match! Larry knows he loves her but if we can get Miss Marian to realize it as well, perhaps it won't be too late for them." Yes, Gladys thought to herself, nothing could stop them in this paln of her for love. Larry knows where his feelings truly lie, now she hoped that Miss Marian's will do the same.

Across the street, Peggy could see the stress taking a toll on Marian as days passed by. Her friend went through the motions in a detached sort of state that drew concerns from Miss Ada, Bridget, Baure, Jack, and Mr. Bannister, even Miss Aurora Fane seemed worried about how detached Marian was throughout decorations and all the wedding stuff. Peggy had written to her mother for some advice, Dorothy Scott just told her to at least have Marian continue to eat. Which was correct but it did nothing to uplift her friend's mood.

Still, Peggy continued to keep an eye on Marian while writing to Gladys Russell across the street about the plan and how Marian was doing. There seemed to be a breakthrough with Larry Russell as he professed his love for Marian which elated Peggy greatly. Aurora Fane could tell the stress was getting to Marian and suggested a walk to clear her head, Peggy went along. It was during the walk that Marian, in confidence, told her true feelings of the whole thing.

"I am not surprised, dear," Aurora told her kindly with a smile. Marian looked relieved to know that there were more people who could see her true feelings, that she was not alone in what she felt over this whole farce of an engament. "I'm so sorry. If I had knows..." Aurora trailed off. "Well, perhaps I could have warned you or god, something."

Once again Marian almost cried but was consoled by Aurora. "Oh dear, I'm sorry. I wish there was some way I could do about this but you know how Aunt Agnes is and well..." They both knew what would happen if they voiced their displeasure about the whole thing to Agnes. It was best not to, not right now at least. The only thing Aurora could do was try to keep Marian's spirit alive as the wedding creeped closer and closer.

What could she do?

Chapter Text

Her walk home from school was the only pause she had to escape the talks about her upcoming matrimony. A matrimony she felt forced into with a man she certainly did not love.

"Miss Brook!" Marian turned to the sound of her name being called and could not help the smile on her lips as she spotted Larry Russell crossing the street with George Russell keeping with his son. He seemed overjoyed to see her as well. Inside her chest, the feelings of fluttering continued something that she felt with Larry and not with Dashiell. It had been the same feelings that she had with Tom Raikes and now with Larry... could it be? "Walking home from painting?"

"Mr. Russell always a pleasure to see you." She inclined her head in greeting Larry's father with a kind smile. "And Mr. Russell, a pleasure to see you as well."

"What kind of painting do you do, Miss Brook?" George asked the young woman who had seemingly captured his son's heart. She was a kind young woman, not a penny to her name that much George Russell had gathered the information around town but it seemed money was the last thing Marian Brooks cared for as she spent her time helping and teaching young women as well as those less fortunate, something that Goerge commended that young woman greatly. 

"For the most part water painting," She told George.

George smiled. "Well, Mrs. Russell used to paint years ago. If you don't mind me asking perhaps you and Mrs. Russell should maybe even teach Gladys the art of painting a flower."

Larry agreed with his father and Marian couldn't say no not with the way Larry was looking at her, eager and excited to have her spend some time at his home. So she accepted, relaxed by the presence of both Russell men that they even shared a cab. On the way home George kept asking her a multitude of questions that to Marian felt like an interview but also curiosity. She also could see the behind the robber baron veil that George Russell puts on here in her presence and that of his son, he was utterly relaxed, jovial, and a bit of a jokester making Marian and Larry laugh to 61st.

When she was dropped off, both Russell men noticed the way her smile faltered as she bid them a thank you and goodbye. George could not help but notice the way his son looked utterly heartstricken, unable to help Miss Marian his son could not. George and Larry got off as well and went home.

Aurora asked Peggy a simple question, Marian doesn't love Dashiell, does she? Oscar being around the corner in his old home jumped into the mix. Everything was explained in hushed tones, Oscar agreeing to try and sabotage the wedding with something while Aurora plotted her plan for Marian when this whole thing went forward. Oscar was just relieved that 

 Now here she was retelling everything to her husband who looked bewildered. "Miss Gladys Russell is trying to stop an engagement?'

"Yes," Aurora told him. "And I want it to work. Oh, Charles look at Marian. She doesn't seem happy at all, she is barely participating in the planning and just nods in agreement with whatever little Frances or Aunt Agnes points to. They are rushing into it and I can not help but blame Dashiell for this. It was an ambush on his part."

That, Charles Fane, could wholeheartedly agree with his wife. Marian looked unsure, anxious even when Dashiell proposed. No joy, no nothing on his wife's cousin's part.

"What do you think they will do?"

"Oh that, if anything I think they plan to disrupt the wedding entirely on the day and have Larry Russell run off with Marian," Aurora explained to her husband. I don't blame Marian one bit and when she does I want her here, safe and sound. I know how Aunt Agnes will react and it will not be a pretty sight."

Yes, he agreed with Aurora on that, once the plan is set in motion on the big day and all hell breaks loose, Marian Brooks will most likely stay with them. Charles did not mind one bit.

Marian did not know what to make of this. She was at the Russell's painting with Mrs. Russell. Mrs. Russell invited one conversation with George Russell and her for tea and painting. She did not know whether to profusely thank Mr. Russell or cry over the slight relief of the escape from wedding planning. She wasn't even picking things at this point, just being a ghost as everyone else was joyful for the wedding that she wanted nothing to do with.

So it was a breath of fresh air when she crossed the street and entered the threshold of the Russell's house. Mrs. Russell floats into the room to greet Marian. Taking her by the arm Mrs. Russell led her to the ballroom where some easiles were already set up with a table of paint next to them. "Once my husband and son mentioned you were painting I had some of the staff get some stuff to paint properly. I am a bit rusty but it will be nice to paint with someone else. My husband never took it seriously." Bertha laughed and it made Marian relax and chuckle. "Now, shall we get started?"

They put the smocks on and began to paint. Bertha chatted, asking questions to Marian. If this was the young woman that her son loved, she wanted to get to know her better. "What do you think about the Opera War, Miss Brooks? I know for certain that your Aunt Agnes is friendly with Mrs. Astor so it is no surprise that they will follow her."

"Well, I think it is silly really. I think it's nice that another Opera is opening up and I've heard it's a sight to see, you should be proud of yourself for that accomplishment Mrs. Russell."

"You'll have to join our box once it is open," Bertha told Marian. She happily accepted and Bertha could not help but approve of Marian, of the ambition this young woman had and never let go. "It will be the talk of the town."

"With the Duke of course," Marian pointed out, her brush gliding across. 

"Yes," Bertha says. Because if this works and Larry marries Marrian, Bertha can set the sights on the Duke on Gladys. She even thinks that the Duke could be taken with Gladys. She hoped because then it would stick a craw up Turner's ass.  "You must come, Miss Brooks."

"I will try," Marian said honestly.

They continued to paint and Marian was ever so grateful to Mrs. Russell for avoiding the sad cloud that hung over her head, the cloud of an unwanted engagement. When she returned back to her Aunt Agnes, Bertha contemplated the next move. It would be to get the dresses and outfits in check for the nuptials. It was a miracle that Larry hasn't found out about Gladys plans at all but George pointed out that Larry has thrown himself into his work even more that the only thing besides his newfound feelings for Miss Marian was the work that continued to keep him going. 

That would change for the sooner and better, Bertha swore. They would stop this wedding when it came, and it would be here soon, they would look fashinable doing so.

Chapter Text

The day had arrived, Larry felt the utter despair of seeing the girl that he loved marry someone else and he couldn't do anything. Or so he thought.

His mother, father, and sister were already dressed to the nines for the wedding of the year as some were calling it over the week much to his displeasure. Yet the three of them had an air of mystery and hope over them. Larry found out on the way to the wedding.

His sister broke the news, making him filled with such shock that if Gladys wasn't being so sincere and had all her facts, Larry would have thought she was playing a cruel joke on him. "Larry, Miss Marian does not want to marry this man. She loves you. I can see it, Mother and Father can see it. I think almost everyone can see it!"

"Gladys," His tone was full of warning but even their parents backed his sister up on this revelation.

"She's right, you sister is right," Bertha spoke softly, gently to him as she used to do when he was little trying to soothe his worries and fears away. She was doing it now. "Miss Marian loves you, Larry. You love her and she loves you."

"It's not over until someone objects," George interjected with a smile on his face.

Larry did not know what to say but felt as though his family was gently pushing him to do just that, stop the wedding and tell Marian how he feels about her. As the cab came to a stop, stepping out to see the church, he would do it.

Agnes Van Rijhn and Ada Forte greeted the Russells, with Mrs. Forte's cheerfulness and Mrs. Van Rijhn's icy tones. That did not deter Mother and Father and Gladys, they looked happy to be here saying the right words for the bride and only the bride. If either Mrs. Van Rijhn or Mrs. Forte noticed neither said a word only plesantries as the Russells went to take their seats. Larry fidgeted until his sister took his hand in her gloved hand squeezing it tightly. The bridal song began with the organ playing and his heart was beating faster than any time he had ever known it could. 

When he saw Marian walk down the aisle the white creamy veil covering her face he was going to do just that. He was going to-

She looked pale in her dress. It was a beautiful gown but for Marian, it felt like a sentence to her horrid place in time. The veil was placed covering her face. Oscar looked concerned as did Peggy, Bridgit, and Aurora as they helped with the finishing touches. Oscar just sat on the chair, he would be walking her down the aisle to her soon-to-be husband.

Her mind wandered to Larry Russell, he would be sitting amongst her guests with his family. Was it wrong to invite the man that she suddenly had feelings for? Mrs. Russell had come much to Aunt Agnes's dismay. They did not mind. They had a plan to enact on this occasion without anyone the wiser. 

"Marian," It was Aurora's voice that snapped her into the present. "It's time, dear."

The tears began to flow down her face as Oscar got up and offered his arm to her. Bridgit handed her the bouquet that had been picked out by Aurora and Peggy-Chamomiles, Daffodils, Purple Hyacinths, Evergreen Candytufts, and a single Two-Toned Carnation. The pink and purples of the Hyacinths and Carnations stood out amongst the white of the other flowers in the bouquet. Aunt Agnes and Aunt Ada entered. Aunt Ada gave her a sympathetic smile, she knew her feelings about the wedding while Aunt Agnes said that she looked beautiful and that this was a wonderful beginning for her and Dashiell and little Frances.

No, it is not, Marian thought as everyone left Marian and Oscar alone when they got outside the church's doors. Waiting for them was Uncle Luke who like his wife, gave her a sympathetic smile. There was also a twinkle in his eyes that made both Oscar and Marian curious.

"If you need more time, the backdoor to the church is always open," That made Marian even more confused but Oscar gave his Uncle a grin.

Still Marian thanked him, leaving them alone before her walk.

"Marian," Oscar's voice made her feel grounded. "Remember that whatever happens, I'd be more than happy to walk you down the aisle again. For now, it's just a walk."

Just a walk, she thought, a walk that I never wanted to take.

The organs began to play the march and gripping Oscar's arm, they went down the aisle on a walk.

Everyone stood to see the bride. There at the front was Dashiell with a proud smile. Something inside Marian wanted nothing more than to march up and wipe that smile with her bouquet.

The walk felt like it took ages and she wished it did but then there she was giving her bouquet to Frances who gave her the biggest smile that any child would. Then she faced Dashiell and Uncle Luke was saying words that felt muddled to Marian. She spoke but the words felt rehearsed to her, nothing coming from the heart instead of the mind.

"Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

"I object!"

The gasps were loud as everyone from her cousins Aurora and Oscar, her aunts, and even Mrs. Astor looked to see Larry Russell stand up, his face full of defiance and courage. Next to them, Bertha Russell and Gladys Russell wore matching triumphant smirks while Mr. Russell mysteriously disappeared but Marian had a feeling he was outside getting a cab for his family's great escape. Aunt Agnes looked as though she was going to march up and drag Larry out of the church.

"I object," Larry repeated firmly, and for a moment they could see the second coming of Mr. George Russell in his son. "I object to this because I love her." More gasps. Marian was ever so grateful that the veil hadn't been pulled up instead covering her joy and concealing how she felt especially her heart beating too wildly in her chest as a small smile bloomed on her face despite the tears streaks. He loves her, Larry loves her and she loves him. "I love you Marian Brooks and I won't have you regretting marrying someone that you don't love nor cares for you. Don't say yes, Marian."

Dashiell shouted and so did some others but she wasn't paying any attention anymore. "Marian!"

And now, she ran. She left the altar as the words of her Uncle repeated in her head, bouncing around. If you need more time, the backdoor to the church is always open. She needed more time, she needed to get away. She needed to do anything but get married to Dashiell Montgomery. Her heart told her another answer: You need to run and marry Larry Russell.

It was as if he knew this would happen and Marian was grateful.

She went outside and for a moment she thought that someone was following her that it was Aunt Agnes or Dashiell who would convince her to come and continue this farce. Not when she had the man that she loves profess his love to her in front of practically the whole of New York Society's Old Money. It was Aurora who hugged her tightly. "Let's go," She told the young woman and tugged her along to the streets. "The Russells left but Charles slipped a note to your Mr. Russell." Her cheeks warmed at Aurora mentioning Larry as hers. "Charles, oh he hailed a cab. Good, good."

Marian entered first with Aurora helping put her dress into the cab, then Aurora and finally Charles who told the driver where to go. Marian saw the doors of the church burst open and Dashiell shouting as the cab made its way from the church. On his heels were Aunt Agnes and Aunt Ada.

Marian began to laugh and cry simultaneously as everything that had happened began to sink into her bones. She ran out on Dashiell Montgomery. Larry Russell stopped her wedding and professed his love to Marian, something that she was not sure was reciprocated but now she knew. She wanted to tell Larry, she truly did.

"Bertha Russell will certainly send a messenger to the house once we get there," Aurora mentioned to her cousin and her husband. "I will have some of my servants fetch your stuff from 61st. It is better to give you distance from Aunt Agnes for now and to make sure Dashiell does not know where you are." Aurora held her cousin close to her as she continued to cry. "This should never have happened at all. It should not have happened at all."

All Aurora Fane could do was hold Marian tightly to her home as Charles looked on, it was all either of them could do as the cab took them away from the church,

Chapter Text

When they arrived at their home, Marian was exhausted as Aurora led her to a room for her to reside in. She left Marián alone to collect herself and change, she found her husband in his study fixing himself a drink. He handed one to Aurora who thanked him.

”God,” Charles chuckled before he took a drink of the whiskey. “What a day.”

Aurora let an undignified snort. “Marian never should have been in that position in the first place. Dashiell was looking too fast and Marian was in the crossfire of it all. Aunt Agnes… I don’t even want to think about what she will say. I know what she will say.”

”Then we will make sure that we are on Marian’s side.” Charles said to his wife. Aurora agreed. She was by no means a brave person but now for Marian, she will be brave enough for them both.

Aurora talked with Marian when she came downstairs to the study where Aurora and Charles were talking quietly. She could see that her eyes were red-rimmed, streaks of tears drying down her cheeks. The wedding dress now went to a pretty yellow day dress that was always a beautiful color. “Marian,” Aurora said to her as she got up and gathered the young woman in her arms. “Come band sit down.”

”I want to thank you-“

”Don’t bother. I should have stopped this from the beginning. If I had known about the proposal and this wedding I would have stopped it sooner. For that, I am sorry, Marian.”

Marian shook her head. “I am still thinking over what I have done. I ran from my wedding and Larry… I do love him.” That confession made Aurora smile, squeezing the young woman’s hand. "I love him. I left my wedding causing the biggest scandal in New York!"

That was true it was something that Aurora could not ignore. No doubt that Maime Fish was already telling all of New York or at least The Four Hundred at best over what happened at the wedding.

"Yes it is true. Marian, you will survive that I promise you that," Aurora reassured her cousin. "Believe me, I will make sure of it and possibly, Mrs. Russell will do the same."

The day after the wedding was even more eventful.

Oscar had come, he was happy about Marian's escape and came to tell them what happened after Marian's plight from the church. Aunt Agnes and Cousin Dashiell spoke about what had caused Marian to flee later at home when Oscar had arrived. Dashiell wanted to confront Larry but whatever was spoken between them, Oscar noted that "Cousin Dashiell left with a very large reddish hand print on his cheek."

"Do you know what he said to her to cause a reaction from Aunt Agnes?" asked Aurora.

Oscar shook his head. "She wouldn't say." He cleared his throat. After the whole debacle of Maude Beaton con, Marian was not the only one facing the wrath and ire of Agnes Van Rihjn. Aurora had been told the full details of what Maude Beaton (if that was even her name, now that Aurora was thinking it through) did, making us a false company called Casterbridge Pacific company and running off with the money that Oscar 'invested' in. He lost all the Van Rihjn money that he had inherited and that also belonged to his mother. "How is Marian?"

"Good. Her appetite is doing good but I still worry for her. I am just thankful that Dashiell does not know where she is nor has he come to see her. I am not sure how she will handle seeing him when confronted."

Oscar nodded in agreement with his cousin.

"Have you heard anything about the police or... Aunt Agnes over the situation?" Oscar grimaced at the reminder of what had happened with the Van Rhijn money and the mysterious Maude Beaton. Aurora felt nothing but pity for her cousin. Utter pity for what had happened to him and his mother.

”Mama is sorely upset. More than I have ever seen her before. She refuses to hear me.” Oscar swallowed thickly. “I am ruined, Aurora.”

”You will survive this as will your mother,” Aurora said sternly to him. “All of you will. So will Marian with this public scandal that is not even her fault!”

The papers have done nothing but throw Marian under the rug but it seemed that it was just unashamed gossip after gossip. It irritated Aurora much but Marian smiled in a sorrowful way but she refused to let even a gossipy New York deter her from her work. To that, Aurora had to give her cousin credit for her bravery.

”Marian is made of stronger stuff than all of us, Oscar. You can learn a thing or two.” 

At that moment, their head butler Mr. Willmore announced guests. "Mr. and Mrs. Russell, and their children, Mr. Larry Russell and Miss Gladys Russell, ma'am."

"Thank you, Willmore. If you can ask Ms. Delacoure to have tea for our guests and some sandwiches please."

Willmore, an English man of sixty-six nodded and left. The Russells entered, Bertha practically floating in as usual which made Aurora's lips twitch up. She noticed Larry. Russell, his eyes flickering around trying to find the woman whose wedding he stopped a day before. "Mrs. Fane,"

"Mrs. Russell," she greeted back warmly and let them sit. Oscar greeted them as well. "I presume you are all here to see Marian?"

"We wanted to know how she was doing," Gladys piped up before her mother spoke. "Our servants told us that she was not residing at her aunt's house nor at her other aunt, Mrs. Forte's home either. This was our logical place next."

"You are correct, Miss Russell," Aurora told her. "She should be down. Oh, Marian, we have guests."

Marian was dressed in a floral dress with whites and deep velvet red accentuating the dress. Her blue eyes alight when she saw Larry who smiled back but it died when Willmore came back in, trailing behind him was the footman, Patrick. "Mr. Dashiell Montgomery, Mrs. Agnes Van Rijhn, and The Fortes, ma'am."

Aurora thought on her feet. "Oscar, Marian why don't you take the Russells on a tour, at least Miss Gladys and Larry?"

"We would like that, Mrs. Fane," Gladys understood what Aurora was giving her brother here and practically dragged him, unladylike and all out of the room following Oscar and Marian who quickly left before Aunt Agnes could skin them alive.

When the four left the room, the ones were entered the house came in. Agnes eyes darkened as did Dashiell who noticed the Russells here. "I've come to talk some sense in Marian," Dashiell spoke as if there was some reason to it that should not be explained.

Bertha Russell scoffed aloud making everyone look at her. George just smirked knowing full well what his wife was doing. "I don't think Miss Brook has anything to explain, Mr. Montgomery. She left for a reason. She did not want to marry you. Seems everyone knows it except you."

Aurora bit the inside of her cheek just to stop herself laughing. Instead, she nodded in agreement with Bertha's words. Aunt Agnes just looked on eyeing Dashiell as if waiting for him to say the wrong words, which seems he did. “Dashiell it’s true.”

”I’d like to hear it from her, Aurora. I need an explanation or at least something to say!”

”No,” Aurora replied taking everyone aback. “She does not owe you any good explanation, Dashiell. She did not want to marry you, that is all.”

That was when Agnes stepped in once Dashiell left in a huff. “Well, that’s that. Now there’s Oscar’s dilemma.”

Aurora’s heartfelt sympathy for her aunt and she knew Marián felt the same way despite all that had occurred. Her aunt left after that not wishing to stay any longer but Ada and Luke stayed. “Larry and Marian do make a lovely couple.”

Bertha agreed with Mrs. Forte as the younger group returned. It did not go unnoticed how Larry and Marian glanced at one another. Aurora knew it would only be a matter of time before Marian would walk down the aisle, this time for a husband that she truly wanted.

When the Russells left, not before inviting the Fanes and Marian for dinner. Aurora agreed with the same twinkle in Bertha's eyes was in hers not as they wanted Marian and Larry to begin this dance of courting. Marian looked rather nervous at the prospect of going to the Russell's for dinner but Aurora insisted on it. So the next day they got ready for dinner at the Russell's.

Gladys looked at her brother fretting as he waited for Marian Brook's arrival with the Fanes as well.

"Larry please, you are going to make a hole where you are pacing, son," George teased his eldest. "Relax, they will be here soon."

Gladys agreed and just as her father was going to chide Larry again the footman announced the presence of the Fanes and Marian Brook. Gladys and Bertha smiled sweetly when they entered the foyer of the home. Larry smiled wide when he greeted Miss Brook.

"I am sorry we are late, I believe it is my fault," Marian told the Russells as they went to the dining room to eat. "I was just finishing up the class for the day. But I am glad to be here."

"How is it at the school?" George asked Marian.

She brightened and nobody could help but see the way Larry's expression was full of love and excitement. Marian began to discuss the pupils she taught and a book she was reading on different painting skills to learn.

"You will have to bring the book over so we can have a look over it," Bertha told Marian. "Aurora why don't you join us one of these days?"

"I would love to," She gladly accepted. "You do have a good eye for art, Marian."

As they sat around the table, once it was announced to them and they sat, none of them could help but be overjoyed at seeing Larry and Marian interact with one another. More so, Gladys, Bertha, and Aurora who looked on as triumphant victors in this game of matchmaking and love they so did.

It was a true victory for them.