The next day, Scarlet took her carriage to see Dorothy. She had time to spare before Ian was to arrive to take her and Alana to a party.

Though Dorothy and Joseph were not happily married, Scarlet still knew to see how Dorothy was fairing. With the news that he had died elsewhere and a woman was responsible for it, Scarlet knew that most of those who were visiting Dorothy only wanted news about the obvious affair.

The town was more interested in having something to talk about than feeling sorry for Dorothy who was now alone.

"Thank you, Harry. I won’t be long so be ready to leave before she gets too many guests. Oh, her gift," Scarlet said, taking up the gift she picked out for Dorothy.

Harry did not understand bringing a gift to someone who was mourning but he kept silent as Scarlet would know best what Dorothy wanted now. What he hoped for was a quiet day. With Scarlet coming here, there was a good chance of Jack coming here now to be with his mother.

Scarlet walked to the front door which was already wide open. She called ahead to inform Dorothy of her visit so she walked right in and met with the butler who had to be waiting for more guests to arrive.

Scarlet followed him to where Dorothy was sitting with a glass in her hand, enjoying wine as music played. "It must have been a stressful day for you."

"It has. This is my fourth glass of wine and I don’t think it will stop now. The music," Dorothy informed the butler, wanting it to stop now Scarlet was here. "I have been having visitors since the news came out. Family, friends, and those who think we are friends. I am having him buried today to get this over with."

Scarlet sat down on the chair opposite where Dorothy sat. "I brought you a gift. I remembered when you said that whenever he dies we should celebrate with you instead of being sad."

"Well, other than my sister who has been dancing all morning, it is good to see someone who knows what I want. They are all looking for me to break down and cry because he had another woman. Quite a waste of their time. I will not be their source of fun," said Dorothy.

She knew that bringing light to her former husband’s affair would bring all these curious minds. Bring all the people who thought this would be the end of her. Little did they know how she could survive this.

"I am not worried about all his affairs coming out. I have inherited plenty to make me ignore it. I am bringing my sister’s son to take Jack’s spot. It is unfortunate but I was left with no choice but to cut off the men in my life. That is why the gifts I get now are so special. I hope it is a pretty necklace," Dorothy said as she needed something pretty. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Scarlet placed the small box on the table in the centre. "It is. I had the best one picked out for you. There is nothing that upsets this town more than seeing someone they want to make fun of looking good. I wish you the best in your life now. You have one less person to worry about."

"It is not over yet. Jack is still running around looking for that woman. Dealing with Joseph was easy but it hurts me to have to kick my son from his seat. I wish I didn’t have to do this alone but there is no one to help me. I must send him away," Dorothy decided.

Jack needed to be away from Lockwood while his reputation was not so damaged. If he remained hung up on Beth or Scarlet then the town would start calling him an obsessed fool.

"Take my advice and don’t baby the boys, Scarlet. It doesn’t work like we think it would and we create a monster who doesn’t understand when to stop trying to get their way. I should have done a lot of things differently with my marriage and raising Jack," Dorothy said, regretting many of her choices.

Dorothy at least got to enjoy watching Scarlet make better decisions than she did. Some of the younger ladies give her hope that they wouldn’t endure so much for a man not worth their time. "I received a call from your mother. We are to go for a ride around the town. You know she will gossip a little about you."

"It cannot be helped. My mother doesn’t have too many friends she likes speaking about my life to. You two have always been quite similar in your hobbies. I am sure she wants to help distract you. I will be going out of town soon so you will see her more often," said Scarlet.

"I think I should follow your lead and leave town for a little. My sister is ready to leave her husband here and visit one of our cousins. I need a break from all the time I have tried to keep this family from falling apart. Once my nephew settles in, I might leave Lockwood for good."

Scarlet wasn’t happy to hear this but she knew it was best for Dorothy. After a while, everyone got tired of Lockwood and moved away. Scarlet was ready but she had too much to do here.

"I will miss coming to see you. Whenever we are in the same town, I will come to visit you again. I should have brought a bottle of wine as a parting gift for you," Scarlet said, smiling as Dorothy laughed.

"I have been drinking Joseph’s old collection. He never wanted me to pick anything from it and I have always told him that he could not take it with him when he dies. He should have enjoyed them while he was here. You can take some if you want," Dorothy said as she had too many for herself. "I cannot resell them as this town will think I am without money."

"Only a fool would think that you have no money. The Dorothy that I know has always made sure she doesn’t need to worry about the future-"

"Mother, what is this?" Jack asked, both surprised and confused by his mother casually speaking to Scarlet. "Why aren’t you dressed to mourn with our visitors? And the wine, have you lost your mind?"

Dorothy enjoyed the last sip of her wine and placed the glass down. Of course, her moment of happiness during this time would be disturbed by the other fool in her life.