“I know,” Amanda said, sampling a buttery scone.
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “I’ve come on a personal matter.”
A five-year-old towheaded boy rushed into the room. “Mama, will you play checkers with me?”
“Later, Cade. I’m entertaining Miss Spencer. Please do not interrupt me.”
“I can’t find my shoes and nanny says if I don’t find them, I can’t have dessert.”
“It is an excuse to go barefoot.” Amanda waved her hand to an army of tin soldiers lined up on the floor for battle. “I told you to pick up your toys earlier.”
“I couldn’t because I couldn’t find my shoes.”
“You know exactly where you placed your shoes. Now march.”
“Nobody loves me, not even my mother.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. You are the most spoiled of the bunch.”
“Who is Pete?”
“Quit delaying and close the door,” Amanda admonished, handing a cup of tea to Elizabeth. When her youngster departed, Amanda sighed. “If there was ever an award for the sorriest hang dog expression, that child would have it.”
Amanda was the feminine head of the Fitzgerald household, the hub which everything was surrounded by bestowing her love, firm gentleness and laughter. Suddenly, Elizabeth desired more than anything else in the world to have what Amanda possessed: children, a loving husband and a home.
Elizabeth took a deep sip and then placed her teacup in the saucer. “I have feelings for Zachary, but he is reluctant–”
“You are perfect for Zachary. I know the man will go far. He’s brilliant and hard working.”
“I know.”
Amanda rose and sat next to her. “What you don’t know is what has happened to him.”
“I know about the Comanche.”
Amanda clicked her tongue and held Elizabeth’s hands. “What happened to him was far worse than what the Comanche did to him.”
“What happened?”
“The ugliness and humiliation have turned him inside out. He trusts no one. He feels to start to get ahead, someone will pull him down. He assumes all people are unethical and only want to benefit themselves. God forbid those close to him ever show a shred of disloyalty.”
“Go on,” Elizabeth whispered.
“For Zachary, he cannot trust women. He was terribly hurt by one woman back in Missouri. But that is a story for Zachary to tell. The poor man feels better off to be alone than to be betrayed again.”
So that was the reason he was in Missouri. He was seeing a woman. She could well imagine what he’d do if he was ever deceived again. “But I would never betray him.”
“Perhaps you wouldn’t, but your family might interfere, considering him an inferior. You would have no choice. Knowing Zachary, he’d not take the risk of losing you, or coming betweenyou and your family. That is why he cannot share himself with you.”
Amanda peered at her over the rim of her teacup. “I hear rumors you are to be wed to a duke.”
“I will never marry him.” Elizabeth grimaced, a rising bitter taste in her mouth. “I want you to know I’d do anything for Zachary.”
Amanda placed her teacup on the table and looked directly at her. “I know you would. I also know who gave him the anonymous money to get his company back on its feet.”
Elizabeth gaped under the older woman’s penetrating gaze. “You must never tell.”
“Oh, I won’t. The man’s nature is tied up in his pride. He’d never take money from you. Lord no. He’d be angrier than a hornet to discover you were his benefactor.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hands. “There will be a time you will need to confront Zachary and tell him your feelings. You will also need the strength to stand up to your family. You belong together.”
