A Daughter's Inheritance (22 page)

One by one, Jonas pulled aside Daniel, Fred, and Benjamin for a private discussion and a reminder that Fanny should be the object of their affection. Only Benjamin argued.

He tugged on his stiff shirt collar and fidgeted like a schoolboy. “I like Sophie a lot, Mr. Broadmoor. And Fanny doesn’t appear to be interested in having me around. If it’s okay with you, I’d rather take my chances at winning Sophie’s heart.”

“This has nothing to do with love or winning a young woman’s heart, Benjamin. Have you so quickly forgotten this is about money—a large inheritance?”

Benjamin winked. “But Sophie is a Broadmoor. One day she’ll inherit, too.”

The young man’s sly grin took Jonas by surprise. Benjamin was plotting to have his cake and eat it, too! Perhaps this young fellow wouldn’t prove as tractable as Jonas had thought. “Don’t expect Sophie to come into a large sum of money. Her father will pour his inheritance into his Home for the Friendless. Even if there should be some small remainder, Sophie has four siblings who would share in such funds. You would reap little financial gain from such a marriage, and even that would not occur for years.” Jonas squeezed Benjamin’s shoulder. “This is your decision, but I expect you to remember our agreement.” The boy’s shoulder quivered beneath his grasp, and Jonas smiled. Benjamin had understood his warning.

Jonas ordered Amanda to the kitchen with instructions for Mrs. Atwell to prepare a picnic lunch large enough to feed all of their guests. But when Fanny attempted to join Amanda on her errand, Jonas blocked her path. “Amanda doesn’t need your assistance, Fanny; she knows her way to the kitchen. You can help Daniel gather the mallets and balls for the croquet game. He doesn’t know where they’re located.”

Daniel hastened to Fanny’s side. “I’d be most pleased to have your assistance.”

“I’ll help, too,” Benjamin said. “We can set up the wickets now and begin our game as soon as we’ve eaten our lunch.”

Soon all of the young men were following Fanny’s bidding as she directed placement of the wickets—all except George and Jefferson, who were lounging on the lower veranda, watching in amusement.

Sophie paced in front of them until George begged her to sit down. “I realize you’re angry because you’ve lost your admirers to Fanny, but do take heart. She’s not at all interested in any of them. Watch her! She’s merely tolerating their attention. And the men are out there because Father insisted. To ignore his request would have been rude. Bide your time, Cousin. They’ll soon be fawning over you again.”

Amanda rounded the corner, and both of her brothers jumped to their feet. “I do hope you’ve come to announce lunch. We’re starving,” George said.

“I’m afraid not, though you may as well help yourself to the lunch Mrs. Atwell packed for Fanny and me. It’s over near the front door. Don’t eat it all, or you’ll ruin your appetite.”

Jefferson laughed. “Don’t worry. I doubt your dainty sandwiches will be sufficient to ruin my dinner.”

Amanda dropped onto one of the chairs. “They appear to be having a gay time.”

Sophie glanced over her shoulder and then joined her cousin. “They all are quite nice and very attentive. At least they were until your father turned their attention toward Fanny.”

“In truth, I thought Father had decided upon those young men as possible suitors for me. Silly, but I actually believed he’d been thinking of me while he was in Rochester last week. He’d recently mentioned finding a young man who would prove a perfect match.” Amanda rested her chin in her palm. “Not that I desire a husband anytime in the near future, but my father is seemingly more interested in Fanny’s future than that of his own daughter.”

“And that surprises you?” Sophie groaned. “In case you haven’t noticed, none of the Broadmoor men have ever taken an interest in their daughters—unless it offered some advantage.”

“I suppose that’s true enough,” Amanda agreed. Her father had never doted upon her. In fact, he’d shown her very little attention throughout the years. It was one reason she’d been stirred to seek fulfillment in charity work rather than a marriage to someone who would likely treat her as impersonally as had her father throughout the years. “Why, then, do I feel betrayed that this group of men wasn’t invited for my benefit? I knew Father would concern himself with finding Fanny a proper husband. He is, after all, her guardian.”

“Not only that, she’s become exceedingly wealthy,” Sophie added.

“Still, I thought he would give her time. She is only seventeen, and I’m nineteen.”

“But you’re completely dependent upon your father’s money and therefore the situation is not quite so urgent. Uncle Jonas is your father, but he’s devoted his time and thought to Fanny and her future rather than yours.” Sophie turned her gaze back toward the group of men knocking the croquet balls across the lawn. “I believe your father has chosen one of those fellows as Fanny’s husband. I think he’s going to force her into an arranged marriage. Something I would rail against. You should count yourself fortunate.”

“What makes you think that’s what he’s doing? Grandfather just died. Surely Father would not expect Fanny to consider matrimony just yet.”

“Do open your eyes, dear girl. He sent her out with Frank this morning, and now that she’s returned, he’s busy arranging for her to spend time with the others. Maybe he hasn’t selected the exact one yet, but I’d guess he’s trying to choose a favorite.

If you watch closely, you’ll see that he keeps maneuvering several of the men toward her.”

Amanda sighed. “You may be right. I had mentioned that very possibility to Fanny but hadn’t expected it this soon. I know Father will worry about undesirables trying to woo her now that she has a fortune. Still, none of us will have the final say in the person we wed. The women in our family are expected to marry a person of their own social standing.”

“Did I hear the two of you discussing the possibility of prospective husbands?” Both girls swiveled toward the sound of Beatrice’s voice, and she laughed. “It appears I surprised both of you.”

Sophie glared at her sister. “You were eavesdropping—not a particularly admirable behavior.”

“And you would certainly know about admirable behavior, dear Sophie. Have you decided to marry one of those fops Uncle Jonas brought with him for the weekend, Amanda?”

“Quite the contrary. Sophie thinks my father has brought them as possible suitors for Fanny. I haven’t decided if that’s the case, but she may be correct.”

“I don’t care whether she finds a suitable husband or not. I still can’t believe Grandfather left a third of his estate to that little snippet. It’s completely unfair! And she has no brother or sisters—no one with whom she’ll have to share.” Beatrice’s lips drooped more than usual.

“Would you like all of us to apologize for being born, Beatrice?” Sophie asked. “Your greed is even more unbecoming than your eavesdropping.”

Beatrice wagged her finger. “One day you’ll care. Then it will be too late.”

Sophie chuckled. “Too late? I have no control over how the family money is divided, and neither do you. More to the point, I don’t care if Fanny receives a greater share of the estate. Just as your future was decided by the men in this family, mine will also be determined by their whims.” Sophie smoothed the bodice of her gown as Fanny and the men sauntered toward the lower veranda. “For now, dear Beatrice, I intend to assert my own will and have more fun than proper society permits.”

16

Saturday, July 31, 1897

Fanny buttoned Sophie’s dress and then bade her cousin turn around. “I do fear your father won’t be pleased with the gown you’ve chosen.”

“My father won’t even notice. He seldom is aware of me, even when I’m in the same room.” The topaz necklace that circled Sophie’s neck sparkled in the soft light. “Beatrice will swoon when she sees I’ve pirated our mother’s necklace and brought it along.” Sadness shone in her eyes as she touched a finger to the jewels. “I always thought Mother looked beautiful when she wore this necklace.”

“And so do you,” Fanny said. “She would be pleased that you’ve chosen to wear her necklace.”

Sophie brightened. “In any case, I doubt Father will attend this evening. He dislikes parties and dancing. He’d much rather be in Rochester working alongside Paul than out here on the island with his family.” She shrugged. “But then, I’d rather be in Rochester, too.”

Fanny arranged a lace insert in the décolletage of her emerald green gown. “I thought you were excited about the ball.”

“I am, but the ball lasts for only one night.” With a giggle, Sophie leaned forward and attempted to remove the insert from Fanny’s dress. “You’re old enough to wear your gown without an insert.”

Fanny swooped to one side and warded off Sophie’s maneuver. “Perhaps, but I prefer to use it. And remember, you’re the one who says we should be free to make our own choices. I didn’t attempt to force you to add an insert to your dress, did I?”

“You’re correct. I’ll permit you to make your own choice, but I truly believe it’s Aunt Victoria’s decision rather than your own,” Sophie replied. “And speaking of Aunt Victoria, where has she secreted Amanda? I haven’t seen her since we came upstairs to prepare for the party.”

“I imagine she’s in her rooms. I think she wants to surprise us with her dress. Aunt Victoria had it designed especially for the ball. Show me your mask,” Fanny requested.

Sophie held a half-mask of shimmering gold to her eyes. In an effort to further camouflage the wearer’s identity, filmy lace and feathers had been attached to the edges of the mask. Yet anyone who’d ever met Sophie would identify her behind the mask. With or without a mask, her beauty shone like the sparkling gems in her necklace.

While Sophie had expressed excitement when Uncle Jonas returned with several of the young men who had visited the previous weekend, Fanny cared little. None of them had captivated her interest, though she was surprised when Sophie pointed out the fact that Frank Colgan wasn’t among the returning men.

“I thought him rather good looking,” Sophie remarked as they exited the bedroom.

“Perhaps, but not very bright. If his arms would have provided him with the necessary strength, he’d likely still be in the water hanging on to the canoe.” Fanny looped arms with her cousin, and the two of them descended the stairs.

The young men had departed for the Oosterman mansion fifteen minutes earlier. Once Michael had delivered them, he would return for the ladies. At Mrs. Oosterman’s request, Aunt Victoria insisted every effort be made to keep the guests’ identities secret until the unmasking at midnight. While Sophie preened in front of the hallway mirror, Fanny stepped onto the upper veranda. A full moon shone overhead, and Fanny strained forward, unsure if the distant lights were stars glistening on the black water or the flickering oil lamps of the
DaisyBee.
Her heart tripped as she caught sight of the tangerine glow from beneath the boiler and heard the distinct hissing of the engine.

Not much longer before she would see Michael. He’d been uncharacteristically absent from the boathouse every time she’d gone to see him during the week. Even Mrs. Atwell hadn’t seemed forthcoming when Fanny had inquired about Michael’s whereabouts. She merely shrugged and mumbled that she hadn’t seen him and then excused herself to complete chores somewhere else in the house. It was as if both mother and son were attempting to avoid her, yet she couldn’t imagine why. She could recall nothing she’d done to offend either of them.

Fanny was still on the veranda when the rest of the Broadmoor women arrived downstairs. With Aunt Victoria taking the lead, they all walked the short distance to the boathouse, where Michael awaited them. One by one he assisted each of the ladies into the boat. Finally it was Fanny’s turn. Seizing the opportunity, she gave his hand a squeeze, but her spirits wilted when he ignored the affectionate gesture. She claimed one of the few remaining seats, all of them located at a distance from Michael. There would be no opportunity to speak to him during the boat ride.

Aunt Victoria remained in charge of the group, issuing instructions throughout the journey. They were to keep their masks in place at all times, they were to make every attempt to disguise themselves from their dance partners, and they weren’t to withhold their dance cards from any gentleman in deference to another. Her aunt cast a stern look at Sophie when she issued that particular directive. “All female guests are to enter by the side door, and we will gather in the parlor. Mrs. Oosterman has arranged for each of us to be individually escorted into the ballroom.” Aunt Victoria appeared delighted by the idea. “Her method will aid in keeping our identities secret. Each of the male guests will be assigned an identifying number that will be used to sign your dance cards.” Sophie poked Fanny in the side. “Why is Aunt Victoria so anxious to please Mrs. Oosterman?”

“Uncle Jonas has instructed Aunt Victoria to cultivate a friendship with Mrs. Oosterman. Their wealth supposedly exceeds our family’s fortune. At least that’s what Amanda told me,” Fanny whispered. “Sounds like something Uncle Jonas would say. Money is always at the top of his list.”

“Money and control,” Sophie murmured. “Did you hear Beatrice upbraid me before we left the house this evening? The minute she spotted Mother’s necklace, she lit into me. Had it not been for Aunt Victoria’s intervention, I believe Beatrice would have ripped it from around my throat.”

“You should have told her you were wearing it with your father’s permission.”

Sophie’s even white teeth shone beneath the boat’s lantern light. “Oh, but I’m not. He doesn’t even know I removed it from the safe.” She chuckled as Michael steered the boat alongside the Oosterman’s dock.

Servants awaited them on the dock, holding brightly lit brass lanterns. The Broadmoor ladies were escorted to the parlor with a formality befitting royalty. Though Fanny considered the decorum overdone in the extreme, Aunt Victoria and Beatrice extolled the pomp and ceremony.

Sophie nodded toward her sister. “Beatrice
is
full of herself this evening, isn’t she? Did you see her fawning over Mrs. Oosterman? Who would ever think we were blood sisters? After being around my family, I’m more and more convinced that I must be adopted.”