Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance (10 page)

“Mrs. Marton, is there something you wish to discuss with me?” Penelope asked pointedly. “I do not want to keep my aunt waiting.”

The woman’s eyes blazed and she twisted a kerchief between her fingers. “Is it true that you have permitted my son to … enter into courtship with you?”

Penelope’s lips parted in surprise. “Isn’t that something you should discuss with Jared?”

“I have tried.” Agnes sank into the seat and looked out the window, her brow knotted in frustration. “He is a clever lawyer, my Jared, and knows how to evade an argument. But I heard a scandalous story before mass this morning, that he was engaged in fisticuffs last night because of you. With a Mr. Sweeney.”

“What?”
Penelope asked, astonished.

“I suppose you are pleased to have them fighting like dogs over you,” the woman
continued with the same disgusted tone. Her eyes met Penelope’s. “But I want you to know this wedding will never take place. I will do everything in my power to prevent it, for you are not the kind of woman my son will wed. You have no family, no connections, and no money. You are not his equal, have a notorious reputation, and can only lower his standing. I will not have it!”

The woman’s face had tightened into a knot and her eyes blazed. Penelope put her hand on the carriage door, but she turned to address the matriarch before leaving.

“Mrs. Marton, I am sorry that you are not happy to make my acquaintance. I had hoped we would be friends, but I can see that is not to be. Out of respect for Jared, I have listened to your concerns. However, you have insulted me and my family, and I will give no more time or attention to this conversation. If you are not happy with your son’s choice, I suggest you take it up with him.”

“Wanton!” The woman shook her kerchief at Penelope. “I want your word you will leave Jared alone! There are other women, much more his class, like Miss Parks or Miss Billings, that he should entertain. If you care for him at all, you will realize that this alliance will ruin him!”

“Good day, Mrs. Marton,” Penelope said, fighting the anger that threatened to overwhelm her. “I will go to my aunt, who is occupied in Christian thought. Perhaps it is something you might try.”

She slammed the door, hearing the woman shouting inside. Shaking with outrage, Penelope found her aunt inside the church.

“What did she want, dear? To meet you and congratulate you?” Eve’s innocent blue eyes met hers.

Penelope sighed. “I’m afraid Mrs. Marton isn’t happy with Jared’s attentions to me,” she admitted. “I think she had higher hopes for him.”

Eve’s lips pressed tightly together. “We’ll see about that.”

When Penelope looked at her strangely, her aunt squeezed her hand. “Pay no attention to me, my dear. I am old and don’t know what I’m talking about half the time. Shall we go home for breakfast? I am feeling quite hungry.”

“Certainly.” Penelope rose with her.

“Did you want to see me, Father?” Jared stuck his head inside the door of his father’s office.

“Yes. That will be all, Geoffrey.” Theodore Marton nodded to his secretary. Surprised, his assistant picked up a sheaf of papers and departed as Jared entered the room. “Take a seat.” His father indicated the tufted chair before a massive mahogany desk.

Jared sank down into the wingback chair, puzzled as his father paced the room. His eye went from the plaque on the wall containing a citation to the portrait of the president behind the desk. An American flag hung beside the marble fireplace, and thick gold velvet curtains blocked out the noon daylight.

“I had a visit from your mother yesterday morning, here at the office,” Theodore Marton began, helping himself to a drink. On second thought, he poured another and handed it to his son.

“Thank you.” Jared waited expectantly as his father continued in the same stern voice.

“She explained to me that she’d heard a vile rumor, that you are engaged to a Miss Penelope Appleton. Is this true?”

“No,” Jared said, downing the drink. The whiskey burned even as he placed the crystal tumbler on the desk before him, the glass reflected in the sheen of the wood.

“Good. Then there can be no case for breach of promise.” His father sipped his own drink and came to stand before him. “Jared, I want you to listen carefully to me. I don’t want you to see this woman ever again. It is the only way to stop the rumor mill from grinding. Any innocent tête-à-tête will only add fuel to the fire.”

“Father, you’ve misunderstood me,” Jared stated casually. “For you see, I intend to propose to Miss Appleton on Christmas Eve. I’ve received her aunt’s permission to court her, and I will marry her. That is, if she will have me.”

“You will do no such thing!” Theodore thundered, slamming down his glass. Whiskey splashed onto the desk, but the old man didn’t notice. “That woman is out of the question! This girl, this Appleton creature, will never be the kind of wife that you need,
an asset to your cause. This is utter foolishness!”

“Don’t call her that.” Jared’s green eyes darkened dangerously.

“I should call her much worse,” Theodore spat. “Did you know she and her sisters made fools of themselves, even got arrested for spiritualism? That they paraded themselves on Wall Street as energetic healers? Laying their hands on strange men for money?”

“I am aware that the Appletons have engaged in unwise business dealings,” Jared said, unruffled by his father’s accusations. “You do know they were left orphans, don’t you? And they had limited means. I find it inspiring that they used their minds to advance their cause instead of accepting charity.”

“Bah!” His father threw his hands up in the air.

“And both sisters have married well. Gabriel Forester and Charles Howe are well-respected men. Charles and I even shared an office while I was clerking.”

“I am aware. But you are in an entirely different league, or could be. You may not know that I have been having discussions with Francis Kernan about your future. He agrees with me that you have a promising career ahead in politics. But that requires support, both financially and influentially, and the right kind of wife. If you marry Miss Appleton, you can kiss your potential goodbye.”

“Fine.” Jared shrugged and got up as if to leave. His father stepped between him and the door and put his hand on his shoulder in restraint.

“I am not finished. You know I was grooming you to be partner in this firm, but I cannot endorse you if you continue to show this lack of judgment. I need to know the man that I select has an impeccable background and good common sense. Your association with this Appleton girl proves you have neither. I cannot in all good conscience move forward.”

Jared stared at him, appalled. “You can’t mean that! Just because you don’t like my future wife, you’d cut me out of the firm?”

“As my oldest son, you were my first choice for the job,” Theodore said, his voice thick with threat. “Your younger brother can easily take your place. He is doing quite well in his clerkship and would no doubt jump at the chance. And as for your inheritance …”

He didn’t finish the sentence but didn’t have to. He continued in the same inexorable tone.

“Your mother and I are expecting you for tea tomorrow evening,” Theodore stated firmly. “That’s not an invitation, it’s an order. The Parkses are joining us. You must remember their daughter, Susan? We are very much looking forward to seeing her again. Now there is a woman who could advance your cause. Lovely girl, Susan. And her father, I happen to know, plays billiards with the senator.”

Jared’s eyes blazed as he tried to leave, but his father continued. “Don’t be stupid, son; I know you aren’t. Your mother seems to think you have strong feelings for this Appleton girl. If that is the case, you should do as other men have done since the beginning of time. Make her your mistress, and take Susan as your wife. It is your only option.”

Jared slammed the door behind him.

“Dearies, I have quite a surprise for you!”

Jennifer, Winifred, and Penelope all looked up. They were seated in Jennifer’s living room, decorating the Christmas tree while little Michael played under their feet.

Aunt Eve picked up a box filled with tissue paper and smiled, showing the women a beautiful handblown glass angel. “Do you remember these? I began collecting Christmas ornaments when you girls came to live with me. There is an angel for each of you. This one is clever Jenny, here is Winnie, and this, of course, is our Penelope!”

The last was a beautiful blond angel with translucent wings. Eve sniffled as she gently caressed the adornment, and then lovingly hung it on the tree.

“Why, Auntie!” Penelope exclaimed when she saw the flash of diamond on her aunt’s parchment-like hand. “Where did you get that ring?”

Eve looked up shyly and blushed like a schoolgirl. “I was going to tell you all later, but I suppose this is as good a time as any. My dear old friend, Mr. Darling, has done me the honor of asking for my hand.”

“Congratulations!” The three sisters smothered their aunt with hugs and kisses. Their cheer was so loud that it startled little Michael, who began to cry.

Jennifer laughed and picked up the toddler to comfort him. “Why, this is so great! When did this happen?”

“Sunday night.” Eve nodded, looking fondly at the ring. “He wants to marry in the New Year! I have selected a lovely gown …”

“Silver,” Penelope said softly. “The gown is silver lace.”

Eve looked startled. “Dear, however did you know? It is indeed silver with a lace bodice.”

Penelope shrugged. “Just a lucky guess.” Thankfully, no one noticed the color had drained from her face.

When they returned home, Penelope’s aunt went to bed early, exhausted from all the excitement. Hardly a half hour had passed before they heard a knock on the front door. Penelope looked up in surprise as Bertha came into the kitchen, holding a silver tray with a calling card. “There is a gentleman to see Miss Penelope. He seems … impressive.”

Penelope picked up the card, admiring the cream linen stationery. “It’s Theodore Marton,” she said thoughtfully. “Jared’s father.” Putting the card down, she rose from the table.

“I will see him.”

“Should I awaken your aunt?” Bertha said in concern. “It isn’t proper for a young lady to entertain a gentleman without an escort.”

“I don’t think there is anything to fear,” she reassured the maid gently. “For I am certain that the last thing Jared’s father wishes is any publicity about his visit. I’ll call if I need you.” She entered the parlor and closed the door.

“Hello, Mr. Marton,” Penelope said quietly.

The gentleman turned toward her, and Penelope understood the servant’s comment. Not only was Theodore Marton physically imposing, but he had the air of a man who was used to getting his own way. He was dressed in an expensive suit with a gold watch chain dangling from his vest. Rich kid gloves enclosed his hands, which were holding his silk top hat and ebony walking stick. The man reeked of wealth and power.

“Miss Appleton.” Theodore Marton surveyed her coldly, starting at the top of her head, passing over her rose silk gown, and then made his way down to her satin-slippered feet. “The reports I have heard of you don’t do you justice. At least upon viewing you, I understand my son’s infatuation.”

“I suppose that is a compliment?” Penelope took a seat beside the fire and looked at him expectantly. “Would you like to sit down?”

“I will stand. What I have to say won’t take long. Have you spoken to Jared today?”

“No.” Penelope shook her head. “I was occupied with my family, although I did receive a note from him. Why? Is anything wrong?”

Her vision came back to her and she remembered some details. Snow. Nightfall. A brick walk. Could something have happened already, and he’d come to tell her …?

“No, no. Nothing like that,” the man reassured her, seeing her alarm. “I just recently discovered that you and he have … an acquaintance. Am I correct?”

“We are friends,” Penelope confirmed quietly.

“Is it more than that?” His hand clenched his hat so tightly the brim crumpled. “Just how far has this … friendship progressed?”

“Mr. Marton, I find it very odd that you come to my house and interrogate me about your son. I will say the same thing I said to your wife. If you have questions about our relationship, shouldn’t you discuss that with him?”

“I am asking you to break it off.” Theodore faced her directly. “You must never see him again. If you care at all for my son, for his future, you will do as I ask.”

“Why?”

“You will ruin him,” Jared’s father said emphatically, his voice growing stronger. “He has a wonderful career in the works. A state senator is interested in grooming him for a place in Congress. We’ve been working very hard to ensure that he has the right connections, reputation, and financing to achieve success. Miss Appleton, you must understand that an association of this nature will destroy everything we’ve worked for.”

“I see.” Penelope nodded, her beautiful eyes dimming as she realized he spoke the truth.

“Look around you.” He indicated the chandeliers, the candles, the pictures. “All of this would be duly reported over and over again if my son marries you. All of your past deeds, including your recent indiscretion with a married man, a Mr. Sweeney, I believe, would come to light. You and my son would be a laughingstock, shunned by good society.”