A Daughter's Inheritance (20 page)

“I don’t think so. She and Grandfather loved and respected the Atwells. I think she would have approved.”

Amanda joined her cousins at the window. “You’re dreaming, Fanny. They may have respected the Atwells, but they wouldn’t have blessed your marriage to Michael.”

“I said I was fond of him. It’s the two of you who are discussing marriage.” Fanny folded her arms across her waist and wished she could escape this conversation. Her cousins had ruined her earlier pleasure over seeing Michael.

“Well, once Fanny reaches her majority, she can marry whomever she chooses,” Sophie said, toying with the brush. “She will be quite wealthy, after all, and no one will be able to tell her what to do.”

“Money won’t keep people from telling a woman what to do,” Amanda replied. “Especially when it comes to matrimony. No, if anything, Fanny will have it much harder now. She will be scrutinized and watched at every turn.”

“Do you truly suppose so?” Fanny asked.

Amanda nodded. “No one, especially my father, is going to allow you to take such an important matter into your own hands.”

“All the more reason Fanny should take charge now,” Sophie said firmly. “Honestly, you’d think you two were chained to Uncle Jonas’s arm. He cannot be everywhere at one time. You should think long and hard about what you want out of life and make it happen for yourselves, rather than wait for someone else to dictate it.”

“But wisely choosing a mate is the most important thing in the world,” Amanda said. “Especially when you are a part of a more privileged class of people. The wealthy make so many decisions that affect the lives of the poor.”

“There you go again worrying about the poor,” Sophie said in a tone that clearly betrayed her exasperation. “You are such a ninny sometimes.”

Amanda retrieved the hairbrush from Sophie and returned to the dressing table. “We’d best finish our hair if we’re going to be dressed by the time Father arrives from Rochester. Mother said he might be bringing some additional guests for the weekend, and she appeared none too pleased.”

“Oh? Who? I do hope it’s none of Uncle Jonas’s business associates. We’ll be forced to remain at home all evening. They’ll expect us to join them for a game of whist or charades. I was in hopes we could go to the hotel in Clayton. There’s a dance tonight.” Sophie’s dark eyes sparkled, and she winked at Fanny. “Maybe Michael would agree to take us in the skiff.”

Fanny smiled, but in truth she was still caught up in Amanda’s comments. “I don’t know. Let’s wait and see.”

The three girls were on the upper veranda when they spotted the launch nearing the dock. Amanda cupped her hand over her eyes and squinted. There were additional passengers in the boat. “I can’t see well enough to determine who Father has brought with him.”

Sophie leaned over the railing and continued to watch until the boat neared the pier. “I can’t see one woman among the passengers.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Strange, don’t you think?”

“I just hope he hasn’t brought old Mr. Snodgrass with him. I don’t think I could bear an entire weekend of his attention,” Fanny said.

“Perhaps Uncle Jonas is thinking Mr. Snodgrass would be a good match for you, Fanny.” Sophie doubled over in a gale of laughter.

Fanny shook her head emphatically. “I would run away first!”

“I don’t think you need worry. Unless my eyes deceive me, the men with Uncle Jonas are all young and quite good-looking.”

“I recognize only a few of those men,” Amanda said.

“Let’s go downstairs and meet the rest. For once Uncle Jonas was thinking about someone other than himself when he chose guests to visit the island,” Sophie said as she pushed away from the railing and hurried indoors. “We may not need to go to Clayton after all.”

Amanda reached out to stop Fanny as she followed after her cousin. “Wait. I want to say something.”

Fanny turned in surprise. “What?”

Amanda frowned, then seemed to recompose her feelings. “I didn’t mean to upset you earlier. It’s just that I’ve overheard my father and mother talk on so many occasions about the responsibility of seeing me properly wed. I know how my father feels about such matters, and I know that the fact you’ve inherited your father’s share of Grandfather’s estate will create problems for you that you may not have expected.”

“But why? I don’t see how that should change anything.”

“I know. But mark my words, it will. With Father being put in charge as your guardian, he will endeavor to do whatever is necessary to safeguard your fortune and his reputation. The idea of you with Michael is something he would never consent to. I know without a doubt he would do whatever was necessary to keep you apart.”

“Does he not care at all about true love?” Fanny asked in disbelief. “Wouldn’t he want you, or even me, for that matter, to be happy?”

Amanda sighed and looped her arm through Fanny’s. “Father will want whatever benefits him the most, unfortunately. Just guard your heart. Otherwise, I fear the results will not be to your liking.”

Jonas didn’t fail to note the covetous looks of several of the young men as the launch approached Broadmoor Island. He enjoyed seeing a good plan come to fruition, and if this first step was any gauge, he and Mortimer had developed an excellent strategy. Careful to make a mental note of those who appeared most impressed with their surroundings, he sauntered toward the house with his entourage. Together with the candidates he’d interviewed, Jonas had invited three bachelors from Rochester who were acquainted with his wife and family.

That idea had been one of Mortimer’s suggestions.
“The
ladies of your household may question why you’ve brought all these
strangers and become suspicious. You must also take a few eligible
men with whom they’re acquainted.”
Using all the resources at his disposal, Mortimer had suggested several, and three of them were willing to travel to the island with him that weekend. There had been insufficient time to properly interview the final choices, but Jonas would remain vigilant throughout the weekend. If Fanny demonstrated an interest in one of the added candidates, Jonas would take the proper steps to meet with the young man next week.

Jonas hadn’t felt so alive in a long time. He enjoyed nothing more than a good challenge. “I do hope all of you are going to enjoy your weekend here at Broadmoor Castle.”

His delight increased twofold when the three girls stepped into view and the men murmured words of approval. A good sign. He waved the girls forward but was disappointed when it was Sophie who immediately broke away from the other two and rushed forward while Amanda and Fanny waited at a distance.

His pleasure diminished when he caught sight of his wife. She rounded the edge of the porch with a determined step and a firm set to her jaw. The moment he drew near, Jonas forced a broad smile. “I am so pleased to be back on the island,” he said before kissing her cheek.

Victoria backed away from his grasp and surveyed the bevy of young men. “I suppose you should make introductions, Jonas. I don’t believe I’ve met several of these young men.”

Forcing an air of joviality, he waved the men forward. “I know how you young ladies prefer a variety of escorts and thought I should assist in that regard.” As though showcasing a new product, he extended his arm with a flourish and introduced each of the men.

“Could you assist us by adding a few young ladies to the mix next weekend?” Jefferson hollered from the veranda.

Jonas ignored his son’s remark. He didn’t want to be forced into a more detailed explanation regarding the visitors. At the moment, he was counting on his wife’s impeccable manners and etiquette to help him survive the evening. Once they were alone, he’d be the object of her wrath. Until then, he knew she would play the perfect hostess. All of these young men would believe she was delighted they had accompanied him to the island.

While Jonas was making the introductions, he’d been doing his best to gauge Fanny’s reaction.
Indifference
. Not a spark of interest in even one of the men. In fact, if Jonas hadn’t grasped her hand, she would have disappeared.

Before leading Victoria into the house, Jonas insisted the young people engage in a game of croquet. “I’ll hear no excuses. I expect every one of you to participate.” He glanced at his younger niece and called from the front porch, “Frank, you make certain Fanny doesn’t make an escape. She likes to wander off into the woods.”

Frank smiled at Fanny. “I’ll be pleased to keep her company, Mr. Broadmoor.”

Victoria yanked on his sleeve. “What are you doing, Jonas?”

“Offering opportunities, my dear. Shall we go inside?” He didn’t await a response, but the hurried click of her heels on the stone porch revealed both her submission and her anger.

The moment Victoria cleared the threshold, she yanked on his arm. “I told you I wanted to discuss this matter further, Jonas. I had hoped that just this once you might abide by my wishes.”

“This isn’t the time or the place, Victoria. There are tasks to accomplish before the evening meal. I have already decided upon a seating arrangement.” He removed a paper from his jacket pocket. “This is a list of names and a diagram. You’ll need to prepare the name cards.”

Victoria quickly perused the page. “I see that you plan to position Fanny between Frank Colgan and Benjamin Wolgast. And you’ve seated Fred Portman and Daniel Irwin across from her. I believe she’d prefer to have Amanda or Sophie nearby, and both of them are at the other end of the table.” Victoria picked up a pencil and quickly sketched a different arrangement. “Besides, you know how I feel about having the seating arranged man, woman, man, woman, and so forth.”

Before she had time to complete her idea, Jonas withdrew the pencil from her hand. “We will use my diagram, Victoria. This is not open to discussion despite your traditional seating arrangement. There is nothing wrong with having several men or women seated side by side. Please advise Mrs. O’Malley to make room assignments for the young men. I trust you had already instructed Mrs. Atwell we would be entertaining dinner guests this evening.”

“I told her the possibility existed, but I certainly didn’t expect you to arrive with
seven
young men. We can only hope that she prepared enough extra.”

Jonas shrugged. “Mrs. Atwell is accustomed to cooking for large groups. She’ll adjust. Incidentally, when is Mrs. Oosterman hosting her masked ball? Is that next Saturday evening?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“I’ll likely want you to secure invitations for at least some of the young men I’ve brought with me this weekend. I’m certain Mrs. Oosterman won’t object to the addition of eligible young bachelors at the party.”

“Such a request goes against every rule of proper etiquette, Jonas. I’ll not ask her to enlarge her guest list on my account— especially at this late date.”

“Then you may do so on
my
account.” He patted her shoulder. “Place the blame on me, but do not fail to secure the invitations. I’ll give you the names before I depart on Sunday evening.”

Victoria stormed from the room without another word.

Fanny had endured the game of croquet, but her spirits plummeted when she entered the dining room and noted the seating arrangement. Aunt Victoria had placed her near the head of the table, where she would be surrounded by Uncle Jonas and several of his unexpected guests. Glancing over her shoulder, she picked up her name card and switched places with Sophie before slipping out of the room. No one but Aunt Victoria would be the wiser, and her gregarious cousin would doubtless be delighted to entertain the young men.

“There you are, Fanny. We were beginning to wonder what had happened to you.” Her uncle beckoned her forward with a broad smile.

Fanny wondered if he’d had an extra glass of port, for he was behaving in a far friendlier manner than normal. Unless issuing a command, Uncle Jonas barely spoke to her. She longed to join Amanda on the other side of the veranda, but she dared not ignore her uncle’s order.

“I understand you and Frank were declared winners of the croquet game.”

The blond-haired man she’d been paired with for the game of croquet flanked Uncle Jonas on his right. Mr. Colgan had been friendly enough—in fact, more friendly than she preferred, but she’d rather talk to Amanda or Sophie. “The win is due to Mr. Colgan’s ability. He appears to have quite a knack for the game.”