A Daughter's Inheritance (30 page)

The older woman bade him good morning and then strolled to the far end of the veranda, where she could keep watch over them. Michael had hoped for a few minutes alone, but Mr. Broadmoor obviously wanted to ensure the opposite.

Fanny grasped his rough hands between her own. “I wasn’t told until last evening that you were leaving this morning. I’ve been awake all night.”

Dark circles rimmed her deep brown eyes. Her sorrow reflected his own, though he forced himself to smile. “I slept little myself. Please don’t be sad, Fanny. I know this is what I am supposed to do. Your uncle’s agreement to loan me the money for my necessary supplies is truly a blessing. If all goes well, I’ll still have time to get to the Yukon before winter sets in. Then I can work all winter and spring and return before summer’s end next year. You’ll have had little time to miss me.”

“I already miss you, Michael. I’ve missed you since the moment you made your decision to leave.” She squeezed his hand. “You must remember that even though my uncle will force me to accept these silly invitations and attend social functions, my heart and my thoughts are only for you.”

“And mine are only for you and our future together. You’ll write to me once I’ve sent word, won’t you?”

“You know I will.”

Her lips quivered, and pushing aside all thoughts of propriety, he pulled her into an embrace. “Please don’t be sad, my love. One day soon we’ll be able to build a wonderful future together. I promise you.”

She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes. “And if you don’t strike gold? What then, Michael? Will you give me your word you won’t let that stand in the way of our future together? I must know that when you return, we will be married— even if it requires disobeying my uncle’s wishes.”

He looked up and saw Mrs. Broadmoor’s disapproving signal. He released his hold and nodded. “You have my word. Rich or poor, upon my return we will be married if you haven’t changed your mind.”

“I won’t change my mind, Michael. I would marry you this minute if only my uncle would agree. By the time you return, I shall be old enough to marry without his permission.”

A loose strand of hair flew into her eyes in the early morning breeze, and Michael’s heart ached with the thought of leaving her behind. Now that they had declared their love for each other, it seemed unfair to be parted, yet this was the only way. “You must keep me constantly in your prayers, dear Fanny, and I will do the same.” Before Mrs. Broadmoor could object, he pulled her into his arms and softly kissed her lips. “I love you with all my heart, and I shall return to you at the earliest opportunity.”

Mrs. Broadmoor’s heels clicked on the veranda as she hurried toward them. “Michael! Your behavior is completely inappropriate.” She grasped Fanny’s arm. “As is yours, young lady. What would your uncle say if he walked out here and saw the two of you embracing?” She creased her forehead in an angry frown. “He would be outraged. And not merely at the two of you. I would receive my comeuppance for failing to chaperone properly.”

“Don’t be overly harsh, Aunt Victoria. Surely you can understand our feelings. You were young and in love at one time, weren’t you?”

With a faraway look, she said, “I was once young, Fanny. Now come along. I hear your uncle. We’ll walk down to the dock and you may wave good-bye.”

Jonas rubbed his forehead and contemplated the happenings of the last few days. None of it good. He’d angered Quincy with a refusal to assist the latest batch of homeless victims with a monetary contribution. After returning to Rochester, he had lined Michael’s pockets with sufficient funds for his travel and supplies. He had bade him farewell and offered hollow wishes for success. Until last evening, Jonas suspected the young man couldn’t possibly meet with success. Now he wasn’t so certain.

After spending several hours at his gentlemen’s club and hearing reports of the vast amount of gold already brought out of the Yukon, his concerns had begun to mount. Like many others, Jonas had read newspaper accounts and listened to what he considered exaggerated stories, but now those reports had been verified. At an early morning meeting with his banker, William Snodgrass, Jonas had heard more of the same:
“Biggest strike
ever to be discovered—gold just lying around for the taking.”

He thought he’d sent Michael off on a fool’s errand, but now it seemed he was the one who would be made the fool. In all likelihood the young man would return in short order with a burgeoning bank account and firm plans to wed Fanny. Although Vincent Fillmore had delivered the will, Jonas had not yet developed a plan to secure Fanny’s signature. He massaged his temples as the pain behind his eyes continued to mount. Never before had he experienced such difficulty in formulating a plan. And never before had the stakes been so high. There was little doubt Fanny would continue to balk at any talk of marriage. Disinheritance seemed the only avenue he’d not thoroughly explored.

Jonas removed a sheet of paper from his desk drawer and wrote Fanny’s name and birth date across the top of the page. Along with her parents’ names, he listed every detail of her life—at least all of those he could recall. None of it was of any assistance. He shoved the paper into his desk and removed a packet of headache powders.

Without a defined plan to secure Fanny’s fortune, returning to the island and a weekend of polo matches, balls, and firework displays caused the unbearable throbbing in his head to worsen. He poured a glass of water. He would think of something—he always did.

22

Saturday, August 21, 1897
Broadmoor Island

Mr. Atwell stood on the pier and welcomed the family members and guests as they stepped aboard the
DaisyBee
. Daniel had attempted to position himself near Fanny, but she had immediately surrounded herself with Louisa’s children. The sight of the baby in her arms had obviously been enough to stave off his advances, for he’d stepped to the other side of the launch. She’d not yet decided how she would keep him at bay once they arrived at their destination. There was little doubt her uncle would be keeping a close watch on her. Once he discovered Sanger in the company of another woman, she would likely be expected to answer difficult questions.

“Any ideas yet?” Sophie inched forward and whispered into Fanny’s ear.

She shook her head. “No, but I’m certain something will come to me once we arrive.”

Sophie giggled. “If it doesn’t, you can be sure Daniel will step in to act as your escort. He’s been watching your every move even more closely than Uncle Jonas has.”

Their approach to Wellesley Island was slowed by the numerous vessels arriving for the day’s festivities, but once they docked and disembarked, Sophie grasped Fanny’s hand. “Come along and stay close to me. I spotted Sanger and Georgie. I’ll see if we can join them. That way, Uncle Jonas may not notice you’re actually unaccompanied.” She glanced over her shoulder and motioned to Amanda, who hastened to come alongside them. “Has your father paired you with a beau for the day?”

“In his concern over Fanny’s escort, he didn’t worry over me,” Amanda told them. “Several of those fellows he brings with him each weekend asked to accompany me, but I declined. For the life of me, I cannot understand why it is considered such a necessity to have an escort to all social functions.”

“Because we’re supposed to be looking for a husband.” Sophie chuckled. “Just look at the three of us. I’m having far too much fun to settle upon one man; Fanny doesn’t want anyone but Michael; and you, dear Amanda, would rather care for the needy than find the proper husband. We certainly don’t fit into the mold of proper young ladies.”

Sophie waved and called out to Sanger and Georgie. “Sophie! That’s most unladylike,” Amanda chided.

“I care little, so long as I gain Sanger’s attention. If we stay close to the Pullmans throughout the afternoon, your father won’t realize Fanny is without an escort. At least that’s my hope.”

The ladies paraded across the grounds, anxious to flaunt their fashionable gowns and parasols. Though the gowns they would wear to this evening’s ball would be more elaborate, wearing lovely dresses, hats, and parasols to the polo matches had become a ritual not to be outdone by any other. While the men admired the horseflesh that had been transported to the island by barges earlier in the day, the women assessed the gowns worn by their social counterparts.

When the first half of the match ended, the spectators flooded onto the field in a sea of dark suits and beautifully colored gowns and parasols for the stomping of the divots, which was the only enjoyable portion of the polo match as far as Fanny and her cousins were concerned. In her venture onto the field, Fanny didn’t consider Sanger’s whereabouts. She had stomped several clumps of dirt into the ground when she suddenly came face-to-face with her uncle.

He grasped her elbow and nodded toward Sanger Pullman. “Would you care to explain why Sanger is with that young lady instead of with you? If I didn’t know better, I would guess he was her escort rather than yours.”

“Martha Benson?” Fanny balled her hands into tight fists and squeezed until her fingernails were cutting into the palms of her hands. “The Benson family is visiting with the Pullmans for the weekend. It seems Mrs. Pullman had arranged for Sanger to escort Martha without his knowledge. He was most apologetic, but since neither of us wanted to cause Martha unnecessary embarrassment, we agreed simply to make do. The arrangement is working out nicely, but I do thank you for your concern, Uncle.”

Her uncle stared across the grassy expanse toward Sanger and Martha for a moment. “Your arrangement will prove impossible at this evening’s ball. Sanger can hardly act as an escort for two young ladies. Whom would he choose for the grand march? I’ll speak with him and then have Daniel join your group.”

Fanny clenched her jaw. “No need. I wouldn’t want to run the risk of Martha overhearing your conversation. You may send Daniel to join me if it pleases you.”

“It pleases me very much.”

The memory of her uncle’s smug smile lingered in Fanny’s mind long after he had walked away. While continuing to stomp on divots, Fanny strolled off in the opposite direction. She didn’t plan to stand there and wait for Daniel Irwin to join her.

Fanny looped arms with Sophie and, using the toe of her shoe, pushed a clod of dirt into a hole on the playing field. “I’m sorry that our plan has failed.” She tromped the lump with the heel of her shoe.

Sophie quickly stepped back. “I’m glad my foot wasn’t beneath your heel, Fanny. I’d be injured for life. Tell me what has happened to cause a change of plans.”

Fanny lowered her voice to a whisper and quickly explained. When she looked up, Daniel was loping across the field toward her. She sighed. “After my earlier refusal, I had hoped he would decline Uncle Jonas’s suggestion.”

“You never know what could happen between now and the ball. Perhaps a word or two in the proper ear and Daniel will lose interest in you.” Sophie tapped her index finger to her pursed lips. “I may have an idea that will annoy our dear uncle and free you from Daniel.”

Jonas had watched Daniel and Fanny in earnest for the remainder of the polo match. Although Daniel had been welcomed into the group of young people, Fanny had seldom been near his side. Not once had he succeeded in separating her from the crowd. Jonas had had a long chat with the young man when they returned home to prepare for the ball, and he now hoped he’d made his point. At least the group of young people would be required to break into couples for the dances.

He coached Daniel before they departed for the ball and hoped the young man would heed his advice. Although the men he’d brought to the island were malleable enough, none seemed particularly skilled as suitors. Or perhaps they were unaccustomed to such a headstrong girl as Fanny.

Jonas’s spirits flagged when they boarded the
DaisyBee
and Fanny immediately managed to separate herself from Daniel. Instead of attempting to reestablish his position, Daniel stood near the rail, obviously content to watch the passing scenery.

Jonas grasped Daniel’s arm. “You need to sit beside Fanny or bring her over here to stand beside you.”