“Mama?” Luella looked up from the picture book she was reading. “Why hasn’t Mr. MacKintosh been to visit us anymore?”
That was an excellent question. But Prim didn’t have an answer for her daughter, any more than she had one for herself. James hadn’t been to see them since Christmas Eve. Nor had she run into him at any of the post-holiday functions. She’d certainly thought she’d see him at the Vanderbilt’s New Year’s Eve soiree, if nowhere else.
But when the lone pianist had played “Auld Lang Syne,” she’d stood alone at midnight with no one by her side.
She’d heard an idle snippet of gossip here and there, but no one seemed to know where he’d gone. There was even some speculation of wrongdoing that only made her fret more.
It was easier than considering he might have fled after she’d gawked so rudely at his overwhelming proposal and simply didn’t want to see her anymore.
Some part of her still couldn’t believe he’d asked. There’d been no profession of love to accompany it. Nor would she have believed him if there had been.
She might have thought the moment prompted only by her near admission of love if he hadn’t had a ring. Right there, in his coat pocket. As if he’d been carrying it with him all night.
Why? Why propose? She didn’t expect it, despite their intimacy. He must have realized that. By all rights, he shouldn’t even think she’d want marriage, since she’d been vocal against it.
Why then? Because he cared for her as well? Then why not simply say so?
Or was it loneliness that drove him? The look on his face when he paged through his photo album, the longing in his voice when he told her of his family, spoke volumes.
Prim didn’t understand what had provoked the proposal, all she knew was that she’d utterly bungled it. A few awkward moments later, he’d bundled her up and taken her home without another word.
She hadn’t seen or heard from him since. And the longer he was gone, the more she feared the worst.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” she told her daughter finally.
“I’m sure he’s got a good reason.”
It was easier to believe that than to think he might not want to see her. Face her.
Shane’s spiteful laughter sounded from behind her. “A good reason? I doubt it. I’ve heard rumor he ran off with Mrs. Preston to Switzerland or something of that nature.”
Prim gaped at him in astonishment. She hadn’t heard anything of the sort, but only just now, it hit her that she hadn’t seen Maggie around town either. No, he wouldn’t do that.
His words resounded in her mind.
“Nonsense. I adore Mrs. Preston,” he said.
“She might be the only thing here you care for.”
No, it couldn’t be. She wouldn’t believe it.
Shane laughed again, this time with pity instead of spite. “You didn’t think he really cared for you, did you, Prim? A man like that? With such a reputation? Face it, he took what he wanted and abandoned you. Just as I knew he would.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment.” Dennis’s protest echoed the cry of denial in Prim’s heart. Her brother came to her side, wrapping an arm around her protectively. “Cease your nonsense, Shane. Why would you try to hurt Prim so? Can’t you see she’s heartbroken?”
“I have no desire to hurt her,” Shane retorted. “But she should be able to see the truth. She should have listened to our good advice from the beginning. She should have seen it coming. MacKintosh did nothing more than toy with her.”
“I don’t believe that,” Dennis repeated. “I saw them together. The way he looked at her. He’s in love with her. I’d bet on it.”
Shane snorted and even Prim experienced a jolt of incredulity. Love might be carrying things a tad too far, but she had believed he’d cared for her. He’d said as much. A wave of longing washed over her. She’d truly hoped one day it might grow to be more than that. But no, she didn’t believe Dennis any more than Shane did.
“Dennis is right,” Jeremy spoke up. “I think he’s in love with her as well. Just as she loves him. Am I right, Prim?”
Heat born from humiliation warmed her cheeks. She’d hardly own to loving James to her brothers before she even told him. Or without knowing where he was. Such a confirmation would only make the situation worse for her if he never returned.
“I love him,” Luella whispered.
“Me, too.” Ellis scooted along the floor with the handful of baseball cards James had given him. He looked up at Prim hopefully, as if she could somehow work a miracle.
