A Surrendered Heart (15 page)

Ellert smiled in a smug manner. “I suppose it wouldn’t, but mark my words, Jonas. I care little for your reputation or good standing with your family. You owe me, and you will pay me.”

“But I can’t do it by Christmas. Surely it is in your own best interest to give me an extension. That way at least you will receive regular payments and eventually the entire note will be redeemed.”

“Father?” Jonas turned to see Amanda standing in the library doorway.

He waved her forward, glad for the momentary reprieve. “What is it, my dear?”

“I’ve had a tiresome day, and tomorrow will be filled with shopping. If you have no need of me, I’m going to retire for the night.”

“Of course. You go upstairs, and I’ll see you at breakfast.”

She leaned down and placed a kiss on his cheek and then glanced toward her father’s guest. “Good night, Mr. Jackson. I trust you’ll have an enjoyable visit in Rochester.”

He smiled broadly. “I already have. I had the pleasure of meeting
you
, Miss Broadmoor.” Ellert stared after Jonas’s daughter and then shifted in his chair. “Now what was it we were talking about? Oh yes, an extension. Perhaps if you had something of value to offer me, I might be convinced that extending your note terms would be of benefit to us both.”

Jonas shook his head. “I have nothing.”

Ellert glanced at the door through which Amanda had just exited. “I believe you have something of great value, Jonas. Something you can give me that will cause me to reconsider the terms of our agreement.”

Amanda’s shoes clicked on the tile and echoed through the hallway as she strode toward the staircase. When she neared the foyer, a knock at the front door surprised her. The butler had gone upstairs to turn down her father’s bed. “Who could that be?” she muttered.

She opened the door and took a backward step. Hat in hand, Blake Carstead stood in front of her. Before she could close the door, he stepped over the threshold. “We need to talk. From your hasty departure earlier today, I fear you formed some incorrect assumptions.”

“I made some assumptions, but I doubt they are incorrect, Dr. Carstead.”

He pointed toward the parlor. “Could we sit down and talk for just a moment? I can explain if you’ll only give me the opportunity.”

Although she desperately wanted to hear how he could possibly explain this afternoon’s happenings, she didn’t want him to think her overly interested. Nor did she want him to know how deeply he’d hurt her. She’d not let that happen again. “I was preparing to go upstairs to bed. I’ve already bid my father good-night.”

“I promise to be brief. Please?”

In spite of her best intentions, there was a longing in his voice she couldn’t deny. “We can’t go into the parlor. My father has a business associate meeting with him in the library. Their visit may end shortly, and I wouldn’t want my father to find you with me this late at night and without a proper chaperone. Whatever you have to say must be said right here.” Blake didn’t argue. He was probably surprised that she’d even speak to him. And after what she’d observed, he should be!

“I know you were both surprised and shocked when Julia appeared this afternoon. However, your surprise can’t begin to match my own.”

Amanda tapped her foot. “I don’t intend to argue about which of us was more surprised. Go on with your story.”

He pressed the brim of his hat between his fingers. “When I was living in California, I met Julia. She was an important part of my life. I fell deeply in love with her and asked her to be my wife.”

Amanda sucked in a breath of air.
So Julia
was
his fiancée!

“Julia said yes, but a few weeks later, she told me she’d chosen to marry someone else. A man who’d be able to provide for her in much better fashion than a doctor could. After she gave me her decision, I left California.” He took a step closer. “Now, after nearly two years, she has shown up to tell me that she made the wrong decision and that she loves me and wants to marry me.”

“I don’t know why you’re telling me all of this. You don’t owe
me
any explanation. Go ahead and marry Julia. I don’t care one bit.”

She turned on her heel and started toward the stairs, but before she had taken more than a step, Blake grasped her by the hand, pulled her into his arms, and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

Amanda melted into Blake’s arms and felt her lips form perfectly to his. Her heart pounded an erratic beat, and his kiss sent shivers of excitement racing through her body. She’d never experienced such a feeling.

She drew even closer, but he pulled away from her and looked deep into her eyes. “
Now
tell me that you don’t care.” Without another word, he released her and walked out the door.

13

Monday, June 26, 1899
Broadmoor Island

A few days after the cousins returned to Broadmoor Island, the door to Amanda’s room creaked open, startling her. She clasped a hand over her heart. “Sophie! You should knock before you enter.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh, but the look on your face . . .” She clapped her hand over her mouth and burst into a fit of giggles. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she crossed the room and dropped into a chair near the window.

“I don’t believe I looked
that
funny.” Amanda yanked a handkerchief from the top drawer of her chest and tossed it at her cousin. “Did you come here for a purpose or simply to see if you could frighten me?”

Sophie wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” A loud snort followed the apology, and she clapped a hand over her mouth again.

“Somehow it’s difficult to believe you’re truly sorry when your words are laced with laughter.” Amanda dropped to the edge of the bed. “Are you enjoying Paul’s visit?”

Amanda hoped her cousin would answer in the affirmative, for Sophie had been less than pleased when Paul had unexpectedly arrived at the island with Amanda’s father Friday evening. The tension between the young couple was obvious.

“Enjoying? Haven’t you noticed how he’s put a damper on every suggestion I make? I was so looking forward to the party at the Frontenac Hotel, but Paul won’t even consider attending.” She shook her head and a hairpin dropped to the floor. A rich coffee-colored tress fell across her forehead.

“No doubt he simply desires time alone with you and Elizabeth. After being away from you and the baby, you can understand his feelings.” Amanda arched her brows, hoping for a positive response from her cousin. It seemed the young couple had been quarreling ever since Paul’s arrival. Amanda hoped she could somehow smooth the waters.

“Oh,
pshaw
! Quit defending him, Amanda. You’ve done nothing but come to his defense since he set foot on the island. He’s the one who banished me to this place, but now that I’m enjoying myself, he thinks I should return home.”

“And you disagreed?” Amanda couldn’t withhold her alarm. “You need to reconsider, Sophie.”

“We’re in the midst of planning Fanny’s wedding. I can’t possibly go back to Rochester while the two of you are here. Absolutely not! I told Paul that once we’ve completed all of the arrangements, I’ll return.” She picked up the hairpin and walked to the mirror. “Of course, that may not be until after Fanny’s wedding.” With a deft hand, she refashioned the fallen tress and jabbed the hairpin into the wayward curl. “There! That should hold it in place.”

“I’m not certain your decision is wise.”

Sophie shrugged. “And I don’t believe your assessment of Paul’s reasoning is correct. Elizabeth was in bed for the night long before we would have left Broadmoor Island to attend the party.” Sophie returned to the chair and picked up one of Amanda’s books from the small table. “He said he was too tired from all his work these past weeks. You may recall that while we were playing charades, he retired early Saturday night. Is that the picture of a man who desires his wife’s company?”

The question brought a vision of Blake’s unabashed kiss to mind. Amanda felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she remembered how thoroughly she had enjoyed the feel of his body next to her own and the surprising softness of his lips as they’d taken command over hers. Yet she dared not think of a future with Blake. He’d stunned her with his kiss and walked out the door without a word.

Even though Blake had told her of his past with Julia, he hadn’t admitted he no longer loved the woman. Why, he’d not even asked her to remain in Rochester. She had hoped he would send word or reappear and tell her of his love, but he hadn’t. Now she decided the best thing was to erase any feelings for Blake Carstead from her mind and concentrate on Fanny’s wedding plans.

Amanda forced her thoughts back to the present. “Perhaps you should reconsider your decision and tell Paul you’ll return to Rochester. You’ve helped choose the fabric for our dresses and Fanny’s gown, and I believe Fanny would concur that you belong at home with Paul.” Amanda turned toward her cousin. “Did you hear what—”

Sophie dangled a newspaper clipping between her index finger and thumb. “Exactly
when
did you plan to tell me about this?”

“What?” Amanda paled as she focused upon the news clipping. Her stomach lurched as she attempted to gather her thoughts.

Sophie held the clipping at arm’s length and waved it back and forth as she walked toward Amanda. “How long have you been hiding this from me?”

“Hiding? I wasn’t hiding it from you. Frankly, I didn’t believe it was anything that would be of interest now that you’re happily married with a family.” Amanda fervently hoped the word
happily
still applied to her cousin’s marriage.

“If you didn’t think it was important, why did you cut it out of the newspaper? And how long have you known about Wesley’s inheritance?”

“I can’t recall exactly.” Choosing her words carefully, Amanda explained how she’d happened upon the item in one of the many stacks of reading material Blake had given her to read while she was recuperating. “I was surprised by the information and cut it out. I wish I’d never seen it, yet I don’t see how it should matter in the least.”

“Not matter? Wesley Hedrick has inherited a vast fortune and you think I wouldn’t be interested?”

“Tell me, Sophie, exactly
why
would news of Wesley interest you?” Amanda walked to the window. “Look down there at your husband playing with Elizabeth.” She grasped Sophie by the arm. “Come here. Look at them and tell me why you should care about Wesley Hedrick or his inheritance.”

Sophie jerked free and turned on her heel. Her shoes pounded across the carpet. She yanked open the door and then slammed it behind her, the bedroom window rattling in the quake.

When had life become so complicated? Back when Amanda and her cousins had been young girls, life had been so simple and problem free. Now it seemed there was upheaval at every turn.

Amanda opened her bedroom door, and as if on cue, she heard her parents arguing. Was there no peace to be found anywhere in this house? She did a quick turnaround and proceeded to the rear stairway, where she could avoid the possibility of being drawn into the dissension. Careful to avoid Paul and the other relatives on the front lawn, she took the path leading from the rear door to the north end of the island. Only a short distance down the path, she heard the crackle of branches and looked overhead. The wind had picked up, but the sky remained a cloudless azure blue. No storm in sight. Not unless she counted the storms that raged among her relatives.

She turned toward a rustling of leaves, took a backward step, and inhaled a deep breath. “Fanny! I didn’t know you were out here.”

“I was at the outcropping overlooking the water. I find it a good place to gather my thoughts.”

“You’re not having second thoughts about the wedding, are you?”

“No, of course not. I love Michael with all my heart and can’t wait for his return. I only wish he were here now.”

“Be careful what you wish for. We’ve not yet completed your wedding preparations.” Amanda observed the brooding look in Fanny’s eyes. Even
she
was unhappy. “Do tell me what’s wrong. You don’t seem yourself. Ever since Father and Paul arrived, you’ve distanced yourself from the rest of us.”

“To be honest, I don’t want to be around your father.”

“Whyever not? I know he can be brusque and unapproachable at times, but—”

“I don’t think we should discuss this any further. I don’t want to say anything that will cause a rift between us.”

“You know that could never occur. No matter what happens, you and Sophie will always remain dear to me. I believe I could tell you anything and you would understand. I only wish you felt the same way about me.” Amanda didn’t know which she found more distressing: the fact that Fanny wouldn’t confide in her or the idea that her cousin believed there was something that could cause a breach in their relationship. “I
want
you to tell me what’s wrong. I promise whatever you have to say will not change how I feel about you.”

Fanny sighed. “I truly need to talk to someone, if you’re certain you want to hear. But be forewarned, what I say about him will not be pleasant to hear.”

“My mother has probably said worse. Don’t you recall her anger when Father didn’t accompany us on our voyage to England?”

“I believe this goes far beyond anything any member of your family might imagine.” Fanny paused and gave another sigh. “I don’t want to go into all of the details, but I have ample proof that you father has cheated me out of a great deal of my inheritance. Your father betrayed me. I shouldn’t have given him the authority to continue managing my inheritance.” Fanny reached forward and grasped Amanda’s arm. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but now you know why I find it difficult to be in his presence.”

Amanda swallowed the lump that had quickly formed in her throat. How could her father do such a thing? Didn’t he have enough money without stealing from Fanny? It seemed his greed knew no boundaries. “Have you confronted him? How did this come to light?”

“When his lawyer died, the situation was brought to my attention. Your father is aware of the fact that I have hired Grandfather’s former attorney, Mr. Rosenblume, to act on my behalf.”

Amanda dropped to the ground and stared across the grassy expanse toward the distant horizon, where water and sky met in melding shades of blue. She wondered if her mother knew of her father’s treacherous behavior. Was this the cause of the argument she’d heard when she departed the house?

Jonas placed a firm hand along the center of his wife’s back and moved her toward the parlor. “I don’t believe we should be having this discussion in the foyer. If you want to talk, I suggest we go into the other room.”

Once they’d entered the parlor, Jonas closed the pocket doors. Of late, Victoria seemed determined to discuss everything in detail. He sighed. No wonder he stayed in Rochester as much as possible when the family was on the island. He didn’t want to hear trivial details about the fabric for Fanny’s wedding dress or the fact that Victoria didn’t like the china or glassware Fanny had chosen. He’d done his best to avoid any wedding talk, but Victoria had been insistent they must talk. Thus far, it seemed Amanda, Sophie, and Fanny were his wife’s favored topics.

“I am concerned about all three of the girls. Sophie and Paul appear to be having a disagreement, Amanda has been despondent since her return from Rochester, and Fanny has avoided the entire family since you and Paul arrived.”

“First of all, they are not
girls
, Victoria. All three of them are young women, and you should cease your ongoing attempts to coddle them.”

“Coddle them? I’m doing no such thing. I’m simply attempting to find out what is causing all the discord among the family of late.”

“Of late? When has there been anything but dissension in this family?” Jonas glanced about the room. With a grunt he sat down on the divan. “Why isn’t there one comfortable chair in this parlor?” He felt like an oversized bird perched on a fragile branch.

“I’m especially concerned about Amanda. Something happened with Dr. Carstead while she was in Rochester, but that’s as much as I’ve been able to learn from her. When I’ve pressed her for more information, she refuses to confide in me.”

While his entire financial world was tumbling down around his ears and his contractual obligations to Ellert Jackson were resulting in disaster, Victoria was worried about nothing more important than Amanda’s preoccupied state of mind. What would Victoria do if she were faced with a genuine problem? He felt the perspiration bead along his forehead. No doubt he would soon discover the answer to that question.

“Did you hear me, Jonas? I believe she’s in love with him, and they had a spat while she was in Rochester. Did you notice anything while she was at home?”

Jonas pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead. “No, Victoria. I had concerns of greater import that required my attention.”

“I’m sure it was something that had to do with business—that seems to be the only thing of importance to you anymore. I want you to speak with Dr. Carstead and see if—”

“Whether or not she’s had an argument with Dr. Carstead does not matter. Amanda has no future with him.”

“Please, Jonas. Don’t bring up the topic of an arranged marriage again. You know that I truly do not approve. Dr. Carstead is a fine man, and even though he isn’t wealthy, he is well educated and is esteemed in the community. I believe he would make a fine husband for Amanda.”

Jonas pushed himself up from his uncomfortable perch and began pacing the carpet. “Another man has requested Amanda’s hand in marriage.”

For a moment Jonas thought his wife had been struck dumb. But then she jumped up, grabbed the sleeve of his jacket, and shouted, “
Whaaat
? That’s impossible. Amanda hasn’t had a gentleman caller of any sort. Who could be asking for her hand?”

Jonas led her to the divan. “Do sit down. You look as though you may faint.”