The symposium—along with all the activity that accompanied it—was taking a toll on him, and everyone could see it. She’d overheard more than one conversation regarding the obvious decline in his health. Her instinct screamed to defend him, to tell everyone that he was perfectly fine, but such words would be a blatant lie. It was not just sickness from which her father suffered. It was concern—and maybe disappointment.
Overher.
Despite his frail appearance, his voice echoed strong and low. “Mr. Abernathy told me about what happened at the lecture, about how you defied Mr. Bauer’s request and stayed to hear the presentation, even when he asked you to leave.”
“Of course I stayed! It is what I’ve always done! Why would I not?”
Her father grunted as he shifted his position in the chair. “You’re not grasping the gravity of this situation, Eleanor. Time is running out. Why would you push him away like that? Do you want to leave Keatley Hall? Your life is here. Your dreams are here.I may not know much about young women, but I’m not so obtuse to think that Mr. Abernathy is your ideal match. Nevertheless, he’s stable, secure, clever, and at his core is a good man, and you’re practical enough to see that.”
In this rare instance Ella was at a loss for words and unsure of how to respond. Her father so seldom spoke passionately. He was her only family, and she loved him with every ounce of her being, but even as the name Abraham Abernathy was being discussed, the name Gabriel Rowe haunted her. Dare she even allow the thought of defying her father to enter her mind?
Her confidence was cracking. The endless optimism she’d always harbored about her future was foundering. She’d always thought she’d be different from other women—that she’d be free to oversee her life and her decisions. Wasn’t that what her mother had told her would happen?
Perhaps Ella was the one being unreasonable. Maybe the hope of Mr. Rowe having a romantic attraction toward her was her attempt to divert from the truth. Mr. Rowe was not interested in a school. He was passionate about law and justice. He might be a kind, handsome man, but had he not contacted her for one reason alone? To observe Mr. Bauer’s behavior and report back to his client?
Mr. Rowe’s presence here had everything to do with his career and nothing to do with her.
When she did not respond to the statement about Mr. Abernathy, her father’s expression softened, and he even smiled. “I am not used to silence from you, daughter. I don’t know how to interpret it. All I can say is that I wish this entire situation were different, Ella. I really do, but regardless, I believe this to be the best course. I’m going to tell Abernathy he has my blessing on the matter, and that is that.”
Chapter 19
“ARE YOU GOINGto tell me?”
Ella glanced up from the crimson ribbon she was absently winding between her fingers to see Mrs. Chatterly’s reflection in the dressing table mirror. “Tell you what?”
Mrs. Chatterly spun from the dressing table to retrieve a gown. “You’ve got something on your mind. I can always tell. You get this look in your eyes and your brow furrows just so. If you’re not careful, those wrinkles will be permanent.”
Ella could feel the sting of tears burning the backs of her eyes. No doubt Mrs. Chatterly would faint away from shock if she were to display the emotion begging to be released.
But even if she wanted to share her feelings, how could Ella possibly describe them?
Truth and facts were the backbone of everything she did—not emotions and sentiment.
When Ella did not respond, Mrs. Chatterly sighed, put down the gown, pulled a chair closer to her young mistress, and sat. “I can almost see the thoughts running through that head of yours,each one faster and bigger than the last. You’d feel better if you got those thoughts out.”
Ella stared down at her hands in her lap, unsure of what to say until the crushing, expectant silence wrestled the words from her and she could stand it no more. “Father just told me he will give Mr. Abernathy his blessing to propose to me. He’s determined I should be married. Posthaste. I don’t even think he cares about the man’s identity so long as the bargain is struck.”
Mrs. Chatterly’s practical response was immediate. “And what do you think about that?”
Ella scoffed. “You know what I think about it. Mr. Abernathy is a dull, uninspired man. How could my father think it prudent or suitable that I should be shackled to such a person for the rest of my life? I do not think that fate would be worth it—not even for Keatley Hall.”
Mrs. Chatterly waited until Ella’s passionate tone faded before she settled against the chair, as if preparing to divulge a story. “I’m going to tell you something about your father, Ella. Your mother first met him at a lecture, very much like this one, and they were both immediately smitten. She was but seventeen years of age, and your father was a decade her senior, and her father—your grandfather Keatley—strongly opposed the match.”
Curious, Ella sniffed. “I didn’t know that. What reason did he have to oppose it?”
“Your father was from a good family, as you know, and he was financially stable and very, very intelligent. He was generally liked by all, but at times he was perceived as flighty or even absent-minded. Your grandfather knew that one day his daughter’s husband would become the headmaster of this school. He did not think your father suited.”
“How could that be? He has been such an excellent headmaster for so many years. Everyone thinks so.”
“Mr. Keatley thought your father was too lighthearted and that he laughed too much. Your mother, oh so headstrong and stubborn, followed her heart, and it worked out just fine in the end.” Mrs. Chatterly shifted and leaned forward, refusing to let Ella look away. “What I’m trying to say is that your father is acting out of fear. He’s been in this situation for so long that he’s forgotten what it’s like to be young and excited about life. He was once carefree, but he learned how to be a headmaster. Just because Mr. Abernathy is a good fit practically doesn’t mean he is the only one who can rise to the challenge.”
Ella frowned as the words struck. “But Mother loved Father. I can barely abide Mr. Abernathy.”
“You have more options than you know.” She stood and moved back to the wardrobe. “Like your mother said, be curious about those around you and the different options that present themselves. Just because they aren’t obvious doesn’t make them wrong.” Mrs. Chatterly paused her words to shake the wrinkles from the gown. “I had my doubts about Mr. Rowe attending the symposium, but I can admit when I’m wrong. I may be an old spinster, but I recognize the look of attraction between two people.”
“I don’t think—”
“Your eyes brighten when his name is mentioned,” Mrs. Chatterly interrupted. “Normally I’d never encourage you to go against your father’s wishes, but he’s not himself at present. If your mother had one dream for you, it was that you should forge your own path. And that is exactly what I hope you will do.”
