The next few weeks were a rush. After Carrie was finished with the update she was left on her own, with only the occasional meeting with Diana. Ewan had had to leave town and hadn't returned and Georgia wasn't sure if she was happy about it or not.

The house was still full, Rene, Reggie, and Sylvia were all still in residence with no signs of leaving anytime soon since they had all decided to stay for the party which was in less than a week.

It was a beautiful summers day, Georgia had been meeting with the caterers and had just returned, feeling that she had finally made sense of one of the most worrisome aspects of the party. Entering the house she was stopped in the hall by Mrs. Charles, Ruth, and Carrie.

Carrie, as usual was out of sorts, acting as if the sky was about to fall at any moment, and Mrs. Charles had a worried expression but was by no means acting as if the world was about to end. Giving a silent sigh Georgia turned to Ruth handing over her satchel. Ruth took it and held it close as if it contained state secrets.

"Is there a problem Mrs. Charles?" Georgia asked pleasantly.

"A bit of one Ms. Dawson. It appears that-,"

"Some of Mr. Mailler's friends have arrived unexpectedly and I'm unsure what to do. I don't know if they are expecting to stay here and if they are we don't have any rooms available. I don't want to upset Mr. Mailler but I just don't know what to do?" Carrie cut Mrs. Charles off with her heated explanation.

"Let's meet them and see, shall we?"                   

Georgia opened the door to the parlor and was floored when she saw Collin and a very pregnant Moria.  "Collin, Moria what a lovely surprise." Georgia couldn't help but grin as she took her time hugging them. She pulled back and looked at Moria's stomach. "When are you due?"

"In about six weeks. I'm surprised that Ewan didn't tell you, we wanted to take one last trip before the baby came," Collin said putting his arm around his wife.

Moria was looking over Georgia's shoulder with a questioning glance. Georgia turned to see Carrie watching them with her mouth all but hanging open but at least Mrs. Charles had the grace to look unconcerned. "Please meet Moria and Collin Shealy. Moria and Collin this is Mrs. Charles who keeps us all in line and Carrie O'Dell, she is Mr. Mailler's sister's assistant."

Georgia smiled. "First I think we need to get organized.  You'll stay here of course Mr. Mailler wouldn't want it otherwise." She hugged them again. "It's so good to see you both. Give us just a moment and I'll be back."

She moved out into the hallway with Mrs. Charles and Carrie on her heels.

"There is nowhere to put them!" Carrie hissed.

Georgia just ignored her since she was no help and turned to Mrs. Charles. Ruth was waiting at the end of the hall by the kitchen.  "Ruth, would you please ask Ms. Levitt for some tea and sandwiches, perhaps a beer for Mr. Shealy." Ruth nodded and turned to do as she was asked. "Mrs. Charles how soon can you have my things taken out of my room and moved to one of the maid's rooms upstairs? I have no doubt that you keep them all at the ready for just such an occurrence."

"If I can get their luggage, I can have you out and them in in less than half an hour."

"How do you know them?" Carrie asked not even bothering to follow the conversation.

"That's none of our business Ms. O'Dell." Mrs. Charles cut her off refusing to even let Georgia answer. Georgia squeezed her arm in thanks. "Give me one moment to ask about the luggage."

Their luggage was in the car out front so Georgia asked for the keys and had Mr. Charles pull it around to the garage. Then she made a point of telling Carrie that she should go find Diana and fill her in since she might like to come and greet her brother's guests.

The frenzied activity that had happened behind the scenes was all lost to Collin and Moria as Georgia settled in to share tea and sandwiches with them while the preparations were made.

"So Georgia, what's with all of this Mr. Mailler nonsense?" Moria asked as she munched on a sandwich.

"You caught that did you?" She gave a strained smile. "Have either of you ever stayed here before?" If they had then that would save Georgia a lot of explanation, but when they both shook their heads no Georgia sighed and took her glasses off rubbing her face.

"I work for Ewan's sister. We only had a relationship away from here. Here I am Ms. Dawson and he is Mr. Mailler." She thought it best to keep it simple and not mention the fact that she was only temporarily employed.

"As far as I know Ewan is still out of the country. I'll get word to him that you're here but when he does arrive... he's not the Ewan you know."

"What do you mean?" Collin looked concerned.

"He's Mr. Mailler, he has an image and a reputation for being a hard ass, not very friendly, no sense of humor, and very proper. I had worked for him a year when he brought me to meet you both for the first time, and that was also the first time I ever saw him smile, but..."

Georgia rubbed her face again. "He's different lately, not as up tight, I'm really not sure who you'll get when he arrives. He has let his guard down but only to a select few. Just don't be caught by surprise if he is a little reserved when he arrives."

"You love him very much don't you?" Moria asked, looking at the strain in her face.

"Very much but I can't have him."

Moria looked as if she wanted to say something but just then the door opened abruptly and Diana and Carrie entered. Diana looked from her to the couple on the couch and nodded, waiting to be announced.

"Miss Diana, this is Collin and Moria Shealy.  Collin and Moria this is Mr. Mailler's sister, Diana." Diana watched as Moria struggled into the standing position with help from Collin.

There was a tense silence that was broken when Mrs. Charles entered and nodded to Georgia.  "Moria you must be exhausted after the trip.  Mrs. Charles will show you to your room. I'll be sure to let you know when Mr. Mailler arrives."

She walked out into the hall with them. "Won't we see you later?" Moria asked her face creased with concern.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps, what does that mean Georgia?"

Georgia walked up to her and put her arm around her shoulder and started to walk her towards the stairs. "I'm staff Moria, I eat with the staff and I'm only around when asked." This was said so softly that only Moria could hear.

"That's awful Georgia," she said and began to cry. "How can Ewan treat you that way?"

"It's complicated, I'll explain more later," Georgia said wiping Moria's tears away with her thumbs.

"Georgia I need an update on things please." Diana called from the parlor doorway.

With a smile for Collin she turned and joined Diana who followed her into the parlor closing the door behind her.

"Who are they, how do you know them?" She insisted crossing her arms.  Carrie was hanging on to her every word.

"Collin served with Mr. Mailler in the military and they own a hotel in Dublin. I have stayed at the hotel."

"With my brother?"

"Yes, with your brother. I met them when there was a layover to New York about five years ago. They're a sweet and welcoming couple and I try to stay with them when I get a chance."

Diana eyed her and Georgia could sense her internal struggle as she tried no to ask more.

"Carrie, would you excuses us?" Georgia asked keeping her eyes on Diana.

Carrie ignored her watching Diana.

"There's more you want to know and I will share but only if it's the two of us."

"No, there's nothing more I need to know. Have arrangements been made for Ewan's friends." Diana asked.

Georgia hid her shock as best she could. "Yes, it's all settled."

Diana nodded and turned to leave.

"Miss Diana, would you please try to be home this evening?" Georgia didn't know why she had asked but she was sure that if Ewan was ever going to show his true self to his sister it would be that night with the Shealys.

Diana didn't turn around but nodded. "I trust you Georgia. I'll be here."

After the door closed Georgia sunk down into one of the armchairs reaching for her phone. She shot a quick text off to Craig then stared blindly into the empty fireplace, lost to happier memories when she wasn't Ewan's employee but his friend and lover. The differences between them had always been clear to her. Lately, Ewan had seemed blind to them but after tonight he would see them again.

Suddenly, she couldn't stop the tears.  A small part of her had started to hope, with Ewan's words of love there had seemed a possibility of happily ever after, but having to explain things to Moria and Collin put it all back into perspective. This was not her home, they were Ewan's friends and she was his employee.

She heard the door to the parlor open and she turned her face away. "They're all settled Ms. Georgia, is there anything else?" Mrs. Charles asked softly.

Clearing her throat but not turning around Georgia forced a smile into her voice. "No, I think we're good. I've sent a message to Craig and he'll inform Mr. Mailler, I'm sure he'll be home this evening."

"Good, I put you at the far east end of the hallway, last door on the left."

"Thank you. The Shealys will need to know when dinner will be."

"I mentioned it already."

"You're too good to be true Mrs. Charles." Her voice trailed off and eventually Mrs. Charles left her to her misery.