“I would have expected nothing less,” Faith’s father responded.
Lakewood didn’t so much as acknowledge Father. Instead,he looked at Parrish. “This man has something of a reputation. But given his family, that isn’t surprising.”
Faith could hear an underlying tone of accusation. She wasn’t sure what Lakewood was implying, but he apparently thought he had the upper hand.
“As I was just telling President Parrish before you interrupted us,” her father continued, “I studied the university’s rules and regulations for students and found nothing that allows you the right to dismiss a student for practicing his or her beliefs away from university property. Therefore, I want my daughter to be reinstated.”
Lakewood smiled. “That, my good sir, is quite impossible. You see, we became aware of other matters related to Miss Kenner. Things that I doubt you would want to become public knowledge.”
Faith stiffened. What was he talking about? Did he know about her dealings with Captain Gratton? She supposed many would condemn her for her trips to theMorning Starwithout a proper escort. She frowned. Why should it matter to him or anyone else? She’d done nothing wrong.
“What threat are you making, sir?” her father asked before she could pose the question herself.
Lakewood pretended to study his fingernails. “I’m making no threat, but rather suggesting that if the truth were known about your daughter—youradopteddaughter—it would cause a great many problems not only for her but for your family.”
Faith’s stomach clenched. She looked at Lakewood just as he met her gaze. There was a hint of a smile on his lips. He knew. She didn’t know how, but somehow he knew about her birth.
“What are you implying, Mr. Lakewood?”
Faith heard her father ask the question but wished he hadn’t.A feeling of helplessness washed over her, and her cheeks heated up as her breath quickened.
“I’m not implying anything, Mr. Kenner. I have proof that your daughter Faith Kenner is part Indian.”
Her stomach dropped, leaving Faith queasy. How could he know? How could Samuel Lakewood have found out the truth?
Faith hardly heard anything else the men had to say. There was a loud whooshing in her head that left her dizzy and confused. After years of carefully concealing the truth of her conception, these men were now discussing it as if it were nothing more important than the weather. She tried to steady her breathing. Maybe she’d just misunderstood him. Maybe in her guilt, she’d only imagined Lakewood had said those things.
It was her father’s voice that restored her concentration. “I fail to see your point in this matter. We’re talking about a dismissal just weeks away from graduation for my daughter’s having participated in a lecture event. I would remind you that she is at the very top of the graduating class in grades and performance.”
“Yes, but none of that really matters, since we do not allow Indians to attend the university. There is really nothing more to discuss.”
“She’s a qualified student who has paid her tuition and has received honors for her work.”
“Your money will be returned,” Lakewood said. “Although we are under no obligation to do so. She entered this university under false pretenses. But perhaps you’d prefer to sue the college. A public lawsuit would, however, reveal your daughter’s shame.”
“My daughter has nothing to be ashamed of, Mr. Lakewood, and you would do well to carefully consider saying anything against her. I do not suffer fools.”
Faith realized that her father had neither admitted nor denied Lakewood’s accusations, but if he wanted to press this situation, Faith knew the truth would come out and her mother would be the center of attention.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I feel overheated. This room is quite stuffy. Perhaps we could continue this meeting at a later time. I fear I may be sick.”
“Of course, Miss Kenner,” the president said, getting to his feet. “We can resume this at a later date. Just make an appointment with my secretary.”
“There’s no need for that, Josiah,” Lakewood said. “I think Mr. Kenner understands perfectly well the consequences of pressing this matter. I think we’ve already dealt with all the particulars.”
Faith got up and moved to the door. She couldn’t bear to hear anything more. She had wondered for a long time what the price of her deception might be. Now it was coming clear. She would be refused her certification to practice surgery, and if they were lucky, that would be all. But Faith didn’t believe in luck, nor the goodwill of men like Lakewood. Somehow, he had found out the truth about her conception, and he was the type of man who would do whatever he deemed necessary to humiliate them all.
She didn’t remember the walk to the carriage, but once inside, she burst into tears and sought her father’s arms. She felt as if she were a small child again as he held her and reassured her that it wasn’t the end of the world.
“Faith, the truth is what it is. We’ve always known it would come out one day. You mustn’t grieve yourself over this.”
“But Mother. Poor Mother. She will face such ridicule. People will be cruel.” She struggled to get her breath. “I ... I don’t care ... what they think of me.”
“Shhh, it’s going to be all right. Your mother and I talked about this in detail. We’ve always known that this might happen one day. Few people know that you are your mother’s natural child. Most people think you’re adopted—that you were Isaac and Eletta’s child. It’s very possible that Lakewood learned of Isaac’s Cherokee blood. Remember, he stressed that you were our adopted daughter.”
Faith sat up and nodded. “Yes. Yes, that must be what this is about. I hadn’t thought of that. Oh, it would be such a relief if that was all that Mr. Lakewood knew. I could bear that. I’ve always known I could bear whatever came my way regarding the past, but I didn’t want Mother hurt. She doesn’t deserve to go through that. It would be as if she were raped all over again.”
Her father nodded. “I know.”
