𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞

The Fitzsimmons' Arrival

The clopping of the horse's hooves were enough. Florence darted through the manor like a flustered pixie. She glowed with joy, and heard Aurora skipping along close behind. Florence through open the gran front doors with a hurry. Pulling her skirts up, she nearly tumbled down the front stairs of the large estate. Not far off she could see the carriage, which only prompted her to run faster. Aurora could hardly keep up as Florence entered the secluded circle of trees at the base of the stairs. She'd always loved this portion of the home.

From a distance she spotted Sam tumble out of the carriage door. He staggered in the muted sunlight momentarily before regaining his footing. Julie exited the carriage in the same ungraceful manner. Florence laughed and hurried towards them both. Sam spotted her instantly. He looked much older since last spring, Florence noted. Sam barreled into her with a hug which she returned with matched eagerness.

He smelled like he always did; strange old lemons and sandalwood. I ought to ask him about what soap he uses, Florence thought with a smile. He was warm, but his sleeves were scratchy. Sam was dreadfully short, so short that Florence could nearly rest her chin on his head. He had beautiful dark skin, sprinkled with large freckles as numerous as the sky. His nose was stubby and his features all gave him this childlike look that made Florence grin.

"I can't wait to get into so much trouble with you!" Sam whispered with a chuckle.

Florence laughed happily in return.

"Also, I've been informed you have guests. Even more trouble." He added with a wink.

Florence ran with Sam through the gardens and up to the house, leaving his younger sister alone and confused. Although Sam just giggled over his shoulder at her standing all alone. Florence trusted that Mintie should bring in their luggage and whatnot. Together they danced through the halls, already silently scheming what sort of jokes they'd pull. Sam was just so much fun to be around! He somersaulted along the halls while Florence marveled at him with wide eyes. Never could she imagine Ruby doing that. Quickly, Sam reclined himself against a door and put on an angered face. 

"Oh, miss! What on earth do you think your mother will say when she hears you've been sleeping with your tutor?!" He blurts out in fake character.

Florence gives a mocking shriek, "Now, who's told you!?"

"I am the tutor's son you foolish girl!" Sam revealed the fake plot twist with dramatic effect.

Florence raised her hand to her forehead and gave a sigh, pretending to faint. This was the sort of thing that happened with Sam, spontaneous soap operas. Florence burst out into a fit of laughter. Suddenly, the door Sam was leaning against flew wide, sending him toppling down at his intruders feet. It was Mrs. Fawn. She gave a frightened gasp and helped Sam up. She proceeded to dust off his head with a motherly glare and pull him into an embrace.

Once Mrs. Fawn had pulled away she turned to face her daughter. "Florence, I hoped I'd find out about your 'tutor scandals' from you yourself."

Sam jerked a hand to his mouth as he suppressed a laugh.

"Mother!" She pleaded.

"I'm only teasing little one, I expect you'll find a room for Sam, yes?" She answered.

"Of course!" Florence piped, taking Sam by the wrist.

She whisked him away from her mother's room and up towards the west wing. Cathryn, Clair, Florence, and now Sam would all be staying in this wing. Just as they were about to reach the large door where Sam's soon to be room lay behind, he stopped a abruptly. Florence snapped her neck towards him expectantly. He wore a puzzled look upon his innocent face. 

Turning his nose up the sky he muttered, "Scones."

Florence about died of laughter right there, "What?" She managed to choke out.

"Scones, the kind Mildred makes." He reiterated, turning slowly to face the door across the hall.

"Oh, you mean the blueberry ones?" Florence taunted with playful smirk.

"Damn you, yes,  I mean the blueberry ones." He scoffed in return, inching slowly towards the door.

"Sam!" Florence warned, but she couldn't help the giggle creeping up onto her words at his humorous actions. The boy now had his nose pressed up against the door. It was Cathryn's.

"I swear they're in here!" He continued in an urgent whisper.

"Samuel!" Florence pleaded with an open laugh now. She stumbled towards him, aiming to stop him before he could go throw with his actions. Florence was clearly aware he'd stop at nothing to get these scones. They were practically all he ever wrote about to her when he did write.

"Oh yes, tell Mildred to prepare those scones for when I arrive!"

"I'm sure! They just didn't taste the same!"

"My mother won't stop complaining about how I won't stop complaining about having to wait a whole year to get those scones!"

Sam gave the knob a violent twist and stepped into Cathryn's room.