Free Legacies by Janet Dailey

to play with them again. Not ever!"
    "Cecilia." Jed Parmelee arrived on the scene. "For God's sake, what are you doing? That's Temple's son and—"
    "Do you think I don't know who it is?" She spat the question. "Do you think I don't know he's the offspring of that vile, loathsome bitch-dog? I will not have that dirty Indian trash putting his hands on my daughter again. Do you hear? I will not have it!"
    She stalked off, dragging Diane with her.
    In her mind Susannah could still see the tears running down Diane's cheeks and the look of sorrow and dismay on her face. She remembered how heartbroken she had been after the incident, certain she would never see her dearest friend again. But less than a month later, Diane and her father had ridden up to Oak Hill, Diane on her palomino pony and Captain Parmelee on a cavalry mount.
    Jed Parmelee had made the visit seem a casual thing, claiming that he and Diane had been out for an afternoon ride and decided to pay a call on the Gordons. Since the day was mild, refreshments were served outside near the rose arbor. Everyone had acted as though the incident had never occurred, except Susannah; she had hung back, unsure of her welcome.
    Finally, Diane had approached her and politely asked to be shown the roses. When they reached the arbor, Diane had squared around to face Susannah, her expression drawn in serious but earnest lines.
    "I promised my mother that I would never play with you or Lije again," Diane informed her. "From now on when we see each other, we may talk or go for walks or sing songs, but we must never ever play together."
    Susannah frowned in confusion. "But isn't that the same thing as playing?"
    "No. My father says that sometimes it's best to make a strict interpretation of orders. And playing means games like marbles and dolls and jump rope and hide-and-seek. My father says it would be terribly impolite not to talk to you. And my mother wouldn't want me to be impolite," Diane insisted, her mouth curving in a conspiratorial smile.
    "Then, we can still be friends?" Susannah asked, half afraid to believe it.
    "Of course." Diane smiled. "My mother only said we couldn't play together. She never said we couldn't be friends."
    Looking back, Susannah could see it was that fine distinction Diane had drawn, with her father's help, that had enabled their friendship to endure. She was grateful it had been made.
    The carriage rolled to a stop with a slight lurch in front of the Wickham mansion. The driver came around to help her out. Susannah thanked him and walked up to the front door. She glanced at the bell key and hesitated, gripped by a sudden attack of nerves. It had been five years since she'd last seen Diane. Even though they had corresponded during all that time, it wasn't the same as meeting each other face to face again. People change, and friendships with them. Perhaps theirs had changed, too.
    There was only one way to find out. Susannah turned the key and listened to the muffled ring of the summoning bell. Abutter in full livery opened the door and surveyed her with a jaundiced eye.
    "May I help you, miss?" he inquired with doubt.
    "Miss Susannah Gordon to see Miss Parmelee. She's expecting me," Susannah replied on a note of authority.
    "She is, indeed." With a faint bow, he opened the door wider. "Please come in, Miss Gordon. I will inform Miss Diane of your arrival."
    "There's no need, Billings." Diane's voice came from the second-floor landing. Susannah glanced up as Diane descended the grand staircase in a gliding rush, the skirt of her striped blue-green silk dress flowing behind her. "I saw the carriage drive up and knew it had to be bringing you, Susannah." She reached the foyer's marbled floor and crossed it, her hands reaching out to clasp both of Susannah's in welcome. "It's been years and years since I saw you last. And look at you—how tall and lovely you are."
    Susannah laughed, relieved to see that Diane was as warm and generous as she remembered.