“Alec asked me not to discuss this with you,” she said, “but as my legal daughter, I believe you should be privy to the same financial information that Alec and I know.”
Frowning, I glanced at Alec and found him watching me.
“It seems we’re in a very dire situation,” Aunt Maude continued. “Alec has been in Newport overseeing the major renovations on the Ocean House, the most prestigious hotel we own.”
She didn’t know I had previously overheard her and Alec talking about the issues they were having with their hotel in Newport, so I let her explain the problem to me. When she was done, she said, “The costs have been greater than anticipated, and with the other hotel we’re building on Coney Island, and our living expenses—”
“It is more than your living expenses,” Alec interrupted her.
She gave him a look that suggested they’d been in disagreement about something.
“It’s your extravagant spending on things that aren’t necessary. Like gold cigarette cases and diamond necklaces for party favors at the ball.”
“What do you expect of me?” she asked him. “I must keep up appearances, so no one notices our financial desperation.”
“Spending fifty thousand dollars on one party, ten thousand dollars on a wardrobe for Clara, and untold other expenses on this upcoming trip to Europe is not ‘keeping up appearances.’ It’s foolishness while we’re trying to expand our business.”
“You know why we’re going to Europe, it’s to secure—”
“I’m quite familiar with why you’re going to Europe.”
I had never seen Alec so severe with Aunt Maude, but it was clear he was desperate and worried.
Aunt Maude had taught me to sit with my back perfectly straight, but I started to slouch now, feeling that this was somehow my fault. The ball, the clothing, and the trip were all expenses incurred because of me.
“We need to secure the best match possible for Clara,” Aunt Maude said, “and as soon as we’re successful, we’ll have all the clientele we need at our hotels. All of them. I promise it will work, Alec. I just need more time.”
“And how will you cajole a duke or prince to marry Clara when you have nothing in the way of a suitable dowry for her? Most noblemen are making American matches because they need the money.”
“There’s the stock in our company.”
“A company that sits on the brink of bankruptcy.”
“They don’t need to know that. And by the time it will matter, our company value will increase once again.”
Alec pressed his lips together until the muscles in his jaw jumped. “I’m concerned that we won’t have the time you need.”
Neither spoke as they stared at one another. I wasn’t sure why I needed to be here for this conversation. I couldn’t tell them what to do, not only because I didn’t know, but because it wasn’t my place. Even if Aunt Maude had adopted me.
“So you see?” Aunt Maude said, turning to me. “Everything relies on the best possible match you can make in England.”
My pulse pounded at the weight of her words.
“Don’t put this on Clara,” Alec said, taking a step forward. “She is not the one who has made poor financial decisions. This is not her burden to bear. The whole plan was preposterous to begin with.”
“Are you suggesting I give up?” Aunt Maude asked.
My gaze met Alec’s and the look of longing he’d had last night in the library returned. The knot in my stomach tightened as my own feelings stirred deep within my heart. I wanted nothing more than to tell him I loved him and that I didn’t want to go to England and marry a duke. Was that what he was trying to get Aunt Maude to agree to?
Aunt Maude slowly rose from her chair, regaining the control she always demonstrated with Alec and me. “I see what this is about.”
We both looked at her.
“Mrs. Walker told me that a scullery maid came upon the two of you in the library earlier this morning, but I didn’t want to believe that you would go behind my back.”
Alec’s shoulders stiffened. “We’ve done no such thing.”
I wanted to sink into the earth and not have to meet her angry and disappointed look. We hadn’t done anything wrong, but I still felt guilty, because I hadwantedto do something.
