Once We Were (6 page)

Ioan turned to Cora. “This is where we part.”

“Don't look so crushed,” Cora teased. “You're the guest of honor.”

“
I haven't had so much fun since I wasn't a Saier,” Ioan said. He kissed her hand. “I'll find you again tonight.”

Cora avoided Beatrice's questionable glowering and went off to find another friend. Ioan greeted Beatrice politely, “Miss Luckett.”

“Mr. Saier,” she acknowledged stiffly. He took her hand and led her to dance. “So what were you and my dear friend Cora so exclusive about?”

“
I was thanking her for this banquet. It's very kind of her father.”

“
You kissed her hand.”

“
Out of courtesy.”

“
You never kiss my hand or anything of mine for that matter. Why should you kiss out of charity?”

“
I was being polite.”

“
Then stop looking at her,” Beatrice said, pulling him around forcefully. “Your eyes are
here
.” She pointed at her fierce blue ones.

Cora sat alone for most of the party, enjoying the cider and waving cheerfully at new guests. Ioan stole glances at her when Beatrice turned. Cora wasn't alone anymore. A boy about his age offered her another glass of cider and sat next to her. Ioan watched as he tried to court her with flat jokes.

He was relieved when Beatrice asked to sit for a while. Ioan walked straight up to Cora, ignoring the scoundrel who invaded her space. “Miss Harlow, will you have this dance with me?” Ioan offered, showing off his superior upbringing.

“
Eh, scamp, can't you see we're having a chat here,” the scoundrel hissed.

“
I'm sorry. I asked her,” Ioan said.

“
What's your meaning by it?”

“
That I don't require you to speak.”

“
I ain't seen you in this neighborhood. You think I'm gona hand Miss Cora off to a spook like you?” 

“
It's alright, Emmett. We've met before,” Cora told him. “I would love to dance with you, Mr. Saier.”

“
I would be most obliged.” Ioan held his hand out to her. With the grace of old money, he turned and escorted Cora away. Emmett's face burned. “Think your so tough, rich boy? Nothing but a mousy, chicken-liver wuss to me. All ya. Any of that money ever win you a good brawl?”

“
Emmett, don't,” Cora warned him. “Don't listen to him, Ioan.”

Emmett glared. Ioan's only expression was of victory. “Charming friend of yours,” he said as he twirled Cora around.

“He's not my friend. He's a family acquaintance. Don't look at him. He forgets himself sometimes.”

“
Shall I remind him?”

“
Please don't do anything stupid. The less trouble here the better.” She looked around uncomfortably. “Is everyone watching us?”

“
Well, you're the most stunning girl here,” he whispered. Cora blushed. “You can't say that,” she said.

“
Of course I can. Why shouldn't you outshine Beatrice now and then? Bask in it, Cora. Just bask.”

“
There will be no basking. This is highly inappropriate,” Mr. Saier cut in. “What do you think you're doing?”

“
Why, dancing, father. Just like you instructed me. May I have my partner back now?”

“
She
is over
there
, where
you
should be.”

“
I prefer this one.”

The look in his father's eyes was murder. “It's alright, Ioan. I feel dizzy anyway. Beatrice looks like she's ready again. I should probably go.” 

“Probably,” Mr. Saier hissed.

Cora quickly walked away.

“You're a wee too friendly with that indigent Harlow girl. She can't offer you a morsel. Not even a collection of decent genes.”

“
I'll dance with Beatrice again,” Ioan said gravely. “But don't ever speak that way about Miss Harlow, no matter how unfortunate she is.”

“
Get on with it, boy!” Mr. Saier slapped him over the head. Ioan scowled at his father. His blood boiled dangerously. He tried to keep his breathing under control, but felt he'd snap any moment. The pressure was unbearable. His eyes caught sight of Cora in the corner with Emmett again. Emmett inched closer to her. He grinned and fished a bouquet from his coat. It was the same bouquet Ioan brought her at her sick bed. Ioan snapped.

“
It won't happen again, sir,” he told his father politely.

“
No it won't,” he snarled. “We're leaving. First thing tomorrow. I knew America was a bad decision for you. You've turned rebellious since you got here. You forget whose name you carry. It's time you remember yourself and who you answer to.”

“
Yes, sir,” Ioan said quietly. “Just give me a moment.” He turned away and marched over to Emmett and Cora. “I'll show you a chicken liver wuss!” Ioan declared.

“
Ioan, no!” Cora screamed, but before she could stop him, Ioan hurled a punch straight across Emmett's jaw. The blow stunned Emmett, but after  realizing who hit him, he was unstoppable. He swung his lethal fist and Ioan's nose cracked. His eyes watered. He touched the blood trickling over his mouth. All the pain and anger inside boiled over. He tackled Emmett to the floor, swinging blow after blow, but Emmett was an Irish blacksmith's son. Not a pushover. He'd spent many nights fighting off his drunken father and any fist he met in the streets. Ioan had only his fencing lessons to defend him. There was no contest. Emmett pinned him like a cat on a canary and pounded his face into the gravel. Ioan couldn't see pass the blood stinging his eyes and thought he'd lost his hearing too. He laid senseless on the ground and could think of nothing but the iron blows to his head. To call it an embarrassment was an understatement.

“
Emmett stop!” Cora screamed. “You'll kill him! Somebody stop this!”

Mr. Harlow finally pried Emmett off Ioan. He fought to break loose and rip Ioan apart. “Someone give me a hand here! This has got to stop!” Mr. Harlow shouted. Mr. Saier sunk into the shadows, leaving Mr. Luckett to assist.

Ioan was hardly recognizable behind his busted lip and two black eyes. Emmett took only a scratch. Emmett's father slammed his beer on the table. “Let them fight!” he roared. “They're young men! Let the rich pansy get what he deserves!”

“
That's enough, O'Riley!” Mr. Harlow snapped. “This is an outrage to my guests! Take your son and go!”

“
Oh, come now, Harlow, don't be a baby!” O'Riley chuckled, but Mr. Harlow would hear none of it. “Let's go, Emmett. Thank little Miss Harlow and wish everyone a goodnight.”

Emmett strode up to Cora with an arrogant grin. He held his hand out to her. She refused to take it. “You won't be worrying about that milksop anymore,” he told her. “He'd be stupid to show his face around here again. All the better for ya, eh?” He turned to Cora's mother. “Goodnight, Mrs. Harlow. One day I'm going to marry your daughter. Rest assured she'll be in good hands.”

“My daughter deserves nothing less than a gentleman. Come along, Cora,” Mrs. Harlow said stiffly, turning her daughter away from Emmett.

Mr. Saier leaped from the shadows and grabbed his son by the collar. Ioan had one last glance of Cora. She wiped the tears from her eyes and hurried into the house with her mother. His father dragged him from the party. The moment they were out of sight, Mr. Saier slugged him across the face. Ioan cried out as his father slammed him on the ground and beat him mercilessly with his cane.

“Get up!” he barked. “You want to fight like a man, you're gonna get back up like one!”

“
Get off me!” Ioan roared pushing away from him.

“
Now you listen here, boy! You're never to talk to the Harlows again! You're going straight to business school if I have to drag you there myself!”

“
Damn you and your damn boarding school!” Ioan cried. “I don't care what you say! I won't be your puppet anymore!”

“
You ungrateful little bastard!” Mr. Saier swung at him again, but Ioan stumbled out of the way. “You owe me everything! Your position, your prestige, your life, everything! It's all mine!”

“
I want
none
of it!” Ioan shouted. “I hate you and your life! I hate my life! I'd rather die poor and illiterate than be cursed with a father like you!”

“
It doesn't matter! You have nowhere to go!”

“
Away from you! Anywhere is better if it's away from you!” Ioan shrieked, and tore off into the darkness. He wouldn't let his father see the tears brimming his eyes.

*              *              *

“My son has lost his reason over this ordeal,” Mr Saier informed his host. “You do understand why this is a problem and what must be done, Mr. Harlow?”

“
I understand how much you assume you need control of his life. That is your business. He's your son.  However, I don't understand how you think you can come into my home and control ours too,” Mr. Harlow defended. “When were you elected landloard, Mr. Saier?”

“
Of course, I see where you stand on this issue. It's no aggravation to you that your daughter swoons over a boy of privilege. In fact, it's a blessing to your family's misfortune. But I can assure you, Mr. Harlow, this can only end in heartache for your glossy eyed daughter. My son won't give her a penny of his inheritance.”

“
Mr. Saier, you forget one important detail. They are
children
! Their world is not so complicated as yours. Theirs surround values like friendship. If it were true that Cora sees your son beyond that friendship, I would reluctantly but firmly withhold my consent if it meant protecting her from the horrors of joining your class.”

“
I second your refusal. There is no place for her in his station. Do not take this as an order, Mr. Harlow. Merely a suggestion. A suggestion that we all will benefit from. This match between my son and Miss Luckett is more valuable than his friendships. I fear he is losing focus. I am willing to offer you a handsome sum for your daughter's education. I know of a superior girls' school in London she may benefit from.”

“
How is that going to benefit Cora? This is her home and her family loves her dearly. I will not send her away to make it easier for you to control your son. That's the idea, isn't it? Bait me with money so her family will never see her again. All for the sake of eliminating her as competition against your absurd business contract.”

“
It's not just about our business arrangement, Mr. Harlow. I take pity on her and your status. How could an education not benefit her? She'll have new things and a new hope for the future. A proper education will help her find a suitable husband. It's the least I can do for such an unfortunate situation. It will give her time to move on from the ordeal and discover new passions. This kind of situation is never healthy. Ioan and Cora are like water and oil, Mr. Harlow. They can never mix. However, with her new education, she can capture the attention of men who are fit to help your finances. It's an offer you can't afford to ignore. She will thank you later for it.”

Mr. Harlow was silent.

“Give it some thought. Let me know of your decision by Tuesday,” Mr. Saier said, leaving the parlor.

Later, he would storm out of his room and roar at a servant in the hall. “God, will you shut that girl up! She's been howling all morning!”

“
I'm sorry, sir. Miss Luckett is distraught. The little Harlow girl got sent off to England this afternoon. She hasn't stopped crying since.”

“
Well, where is her governess? What does she get paid for?”

“
Mrs. Harlow resigned this morning. She thought it best.”

“
Thought it best if what?”

“
For
your
sake, sir, she thought it best if she didn't have to see you again.”

“
Well, where is her father? Can't no one shut that girl up?”

“
Mr. Luckett has gone to beg Mrs. Harlow to come back, sir.”

“
Blast! Forget it! I'm through with this house! Tell Mr. Luckett I've gone to a hotel! Has my son turned up yet?”

“
No, sir. He is still missing.”

“
Phone the authorities. I am checking into the Astoria if any word of him comes up.”

              *              *              *

Ioan sprinted down the street, his clothes soaked to his skin as the rain pelted  his face. It blinded and stung his swollen eyes. His body burned for rest, but he knew he couldn't stop until he reached the Harlow house. He fell against the door and rang the bell vigorously. No one came to the door soon enough. He pounded harder and nearly yanked the bell off its hinges before Mr. Harlow snatched the door open.