An Unconventional Courtship (6 page)

Of course, first, she needed to lead him on a merry chase, as Katie suggested. It seemed to be working for Katie and Carrick. Already, her mind spun out possibilities. What could she do to move things along?

Perhaps a buggy ride with Theo at the same time George was out for a ride with Jane would spur George to ask for her hand. Or at the very least, another exposure of Jane to Theo would loosen the hold Jane had on George. Charlotte would need to take care that Jane didn’t snatch George out from under her before she could rectify their situations. Jane needed to be moved out of the way, and the sooner the better. Right into Theo’s arms, if Charlotte had anything to do with it. How could she accomplish her goal? Theo finished up with his schooling in early June and would be home the remainder of the summer. Perhaps they could begin taking rides through the park each Monday instead of walking. And if George brought Jane to the park, so much the better. Emma and Jane had mutual friends. Perhaps if Jane found out Theo was home and taking a buggy ride in the park every Monday, she’d have a sudden urge to smell the flowers. Charlotte would have to come up with a plan, and she would enlist Emma’s help in the matter.

George was finding it difficult to juggle two women who were vying for his attention and pay attention to his job as well. Now that it was June and the weather was more pleasant, at least he and Jane could get some fresh air during their weekly visits. He didn’t think of himself as a rogue by any stretch of the imagination, but he also wanted to give both Jane and Charlotte his careful scrutiny, since he only planned to marry one time. To be quite honest, he had continued to keep his visits with Jane to only once a week. Very sensible. But with Charlotte?”

Even though her parents only allowed him to call on her once a week, he managed to “accidently” run into her at the park most Mondays, and she visited the bank every other week, along with her father, to discuss the trust fund’s investments. On each occasion, except when she was with her father, he managed to get close enough to her to kiss her fingers again or to touch her. He never was so inclined when he was with Jane.

Even though he tried to juggle the schedules of the two women to his best advantage, today happened to be the only day Jane had free this week, and unfortunately, that day fell on a Monday afternoon. They were riding in an open carriage around town, enjoying the warm air of early summer and taking in the sights. As they passed St. John’s Park, Jane placed her hand on his sleeve.

“George, let’s go through the park. It’s probably lovely now.”

“What a grand idea,” George replied as he turned off the cobblestone street and into St. John’s Park. He could not be more pleased with Jane’s suggestion, since he desperately needed to see Charlotte again and gauge his response to her, to compare her side by side to Jane. He hoped they’d “accidently” come across Charlotte as she strolled with Emma.

They rode in silence for a bit. Jane might have been studying the flowers, but George was searching for a familiar blonde head. A sudden jolt ran up his spine as he gazed at the carriage coming in the opposite direction. Charlotte Ashcroft, Emma Schoonover, Theodore Schoonover, and another young gentleman were having a laugh at something. George stopped their carriage and waited for the boisterous quartet to come alongside.

“Why, hello, Mr. Fitzpatrick,” Charlotte announced. “You remember Emma and Theo, don’t you? And this is our friend William Hedges.”

“Good afternoon, Miss Ashcroft. We do seem to be running into each other often, don’t we? Do you remember my friend, Jane Weymouth? From the boat races?”

“Yes, of course. Hello, Miss Weymouth.”

Jane’s eyes were drawn to the other carriage, but not to Charlotte, George noted. Instead, she was staring at Theo. And he was staring back, just like at the boat races! George should be annoyed at the man for his boldness.

Charlotte leaned across the carriages and laid a hand on George’s arm. Her touch sent another shiver of excitement through him, and he suddenly didn’t care whom Jane bothered to gaze upon. He placed his hand over Charlotte’s and glanced at her.

“Yes?”

“My father and I were just talking about you the other day, Mr. Fitzpatrick. He wants to discuss some investments you recommended at our last meeting. Would tomorrow be convenient?”

“Certainly, Miss Ashcroft. I’ll put it on my calendar and see you then.”

Theo grinned at Jane and dipped his hat as George started the carriage again. His actions vaguely registered with George as inappropriate. But his focus was on Charlotte as they drove off in the opposite direction. He began to count the minutes until tomorrow.

• • •

Charlotte snuck a glance over her shoulder as George’s carriage and that dreadful woman, Jane Weymouth, headed in the opposite direction from her. Even with the other woman in attendance, she had managed to touch him, and his muscles had jumped under her hand. Charlotte noticed his jaw was set and a muscle in his cheek twitched as Theodore put his arm around her. She turned to face forward again, smiling to herself.

The “accidental” encounter could not have gone better if she and Emma had planned it.

Which, of course, they had.

She knew George was courting Jane and had been even before their meeting on that fateful Sunday. But now that they had met, she had expected George to drop Jane and dance attendance only on her. The fact that he hadn’t yet done so riled her. That was the real reason for the encounter in the park. Besides wanting to put Theo and Jane together once more, she wanted George to know that he wasn’t the only one who had two people interested. Theo’s arm around her as they departed didn’t have the same impact on her as her hand on George’s arm had done, but it did have the desired effect on George. Charlotte had noticed the tension in his body as he spied Theo’s arm encircling her waist. If he didn’t drop Jane soon and declare himself hers entirely, she would become a raving banshee by fall. She needed to step up her matchmaking attempts between Theo and Jane. Lord knew, she didn’t want Theo.

Perhaps she needed to discuss things with her mother and talk strategy. Or with Emma. Perhaps her parents needed to have a discussion with George. To let him know, in no uncertain terms, that Charlotte was not a woman to be toyed with. Even though she had been playing with him all along. But she’d now had enough of this fishing expedition. He’d taken the bait, and it was time to reel him in.

“What is the matter with you, young man?”

George sat in his father’s office, facing the full fury of the man he loved dearly.

“What do you mean, Father?”

“You’ve not been able to balance the books all week, and it’s the part of this job you used to be so good at. What’s going on with you?”

George squirmed in his chair. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better. But my mind has been occupied of late.” With thoughts of Charlotte entertaining Theodore Schoonover at tea, of them bonding over roast beef and mashed potatoes at Delmonico’s, of Theodore kissing her lips, setting her ablaze with emotion and impressing her with his higher education. His thoughts, his jealous thoughts, had been keeping him up nights. Those were
his
lips to kiss, not Theo’s.

“Well, by all means, propose to Jane so we can get back to business.” His father’s voice boomed across the desk.

George glanced up at him. “How do you know I’m preoccupied with a woman?”

His father dropped his gruff demeanor and smiled at his son. “Do you think I don’t know how it feels to be in love? Your mother was the highlight of my life. From the moment we met, I was certain she would be my wife. It didn’t take us long to get to the altar. I think you and Jane have been dragging out this courtship long enough. It’s past time to ask for her hand.”

“What if I told you it wasn’t Jane who had won my affections, but Miss Ashcroft instead?”

“Our client, Miss Ashcroft? How is that possible? You’ve only met her a few times, here in the bank.”

“No, Father. In fact, I have a hunch her coming here to conduct her business was no accident. She’s a most unusual woman with a great deal of spunk. I met her three months ago, on a Sunday afternoon. We rode the omnibus together, and when one of her mother’s friends spotted her riding the bus and without a proper escort, she grabbed onto me and made me pretend to be an acquaintance of hers.”

Andrew Fitzpatrick smiled. “She does sound like fun. Well, then, if you’re so tied up in knots over her, I say marry her so we can get back to business. Just let Jane down gently. Her father and I are good friends, and I’d hate to have your actions destroy the relationship.”

“It’s not as simple as that. Miss Ashcroft has other suitors. Better educated suitors. Perhaps I should give some further thought to going to college.”

“You don’t need a university education. No book can teach you as much as I can. And you have a natural affinity for numbers when your mind isn’t otherwise occupied. Has she expressed an interest in you?”

“Yes, we’ve arranged to meet a couple times in the park, and I’ve called on her at her home several times.”

His father ran his hand over his chin. “So the girl is not adverse to your advances. You must now treat her as if she were a business the bank wants to buy. You’re a smart fellow, George. You know what to do.”

“You mean, swoop in before anyone else can see her true value, and take her off the market?”

“I’ve trained you well.” His father’s face filled with pride. “Now, I expect you to make this official before the month is out. And I want you to get back to work and to properly add your sums.”

“Yes, sir.” George stood and left his father’s office. He had things to do. First, he had to cut his ties with Jane. He hated to hurt her feelings, even though he knew they were not a good match. But what if Charlotte did the same and turned him down? Maybe he’d better keep Jane dangling for now. He ran his hands over his face as he pondered his course of action. No, even if Charlotte denied him her hand, he could not marry Jane. After having tasted life with a fun, spirited woman, a life with meek and mild Jane would never suit. It would be best to end it with her first and then set up a meeting with Charlotte’s father.

He’d send his card around to the Ashcroft home, requesting a carriage ride with Charlotte tomorrow afternoon. He’d face her father once he was certain of her feelings toward him. He’d done all right with her mother, a somewhat befuddled woman, but one who had a good heart underneath it all. He was certain he could charm Charlotte’s father into allowing him to offer for her hand. His own father was right. The sooner he could take Charlotte off the market and out of the prying clutches of other men, such as Theo, the better he’d sleep at night.

Just thinking of sleeping at night next to Charlotte made his skin erupt in gooseflesh. Lord, he did have it bad for the girl. He could only hope she reciprocated his feelings, at least to some degree. He’d find out tomorrow, if all went as planned. But first he had to get through dinner with Jane.

• • •

George glanced across the table to where Jane Weymouth sat, playing with her food. If she moved her slice of ham from one side of the plate to another one more time, George thought he’d snap at her. She kept stealing glances at him from under her eyelashes as her father talked of mundane business problems. Jane seemed on edge this evening, as if her skin were too tight over her frame. Perhaps she had picked up on George’s own uncomfortable state. He did wish this ungodly dinner, with its boring conversation, would come to an end. He hated peas, all of a sudden.

At long last, the dinner wound down, and the dessert plates were placed in front of them. Normally, dessert was George’s favorite part of any meal, but the sweet blueberry cobbler held no interest for him tonight. He just wanted this horrible meal to end so he could talk to Jane privately. Mr. Weymouth finally stood and turned toward George. “My boy, why don’t you and I have a little man-to-man talk in my library?”

His eyes shot from Jane’s father to her. George certainly preferred her somewhat startled expression to the dour face she’d had all evening, but yet, he sensed he was about to be taken to the gallows. He took a gulp of air, one last sip from his wineglass, and followed Mr. Weymouth from the room.

They settled in the library with brandy snifters and cheroots, which were ceremoniously lit. Maybe George had mistaken the meaning of this audience. Perhaps Mr. Weymouth only wanted advice on some investment decisions. If George were to leave this evening with his head in his hands, would he have been allowed some of the finest brandy on the planet? And a fragrant cigar? Such extravagances were not bestowed on men who were not held in favor. George eased back in his seat, trying to get comfortable, and took a long puff.

“So, George. You and my Jane have been seeing each other for months now. Don’t you think it’s time to declare yourself? After all, you’re not the only man vying for her attention.”

It was George’s turn to have a somewhat startled expression on his face. “I’m not? Forgive my presumption, but your daughter has never mentioned she was seeing another. Then again, she’s had no reason to. Our meetings have not been serious. Our outings have been only once a week and only occasionally without a chaperone.”

Mr. Weymouth’s cigar darted through the air. “I don’t believe anyone, other than Jane and yourself, are keeping track of how many outings you’ve been on and what is considered proper. The facts about the relationship are very simple. You need a wife to be respectable in the business world, and Jane is a perfect age for you. But she’s also a most lovely child, and other men have taken notice. College men. So, if you want her, you’d best act quickly, before she gives her heart to another.”

George’s seat suddenly became very uncomfortable. He got to his feet and began to pace around the room. “While I’m in full agreement that I need a wife to be respectable in business, I don’t think Jane and I have enough in common to become a couple.”

“Nonsense, my boy. Your father and I like each other. You and Jane tolerate each other well enough. Affection will develop over time, as will mutual interests. But Jane would be a fool to turn down the advances of a Harvard man.”