“I’d like that, Max. You should call me Evie. Evelyn has never suited me.”
“It’s a stately name, Evelyn. But I would be happy to call you Evie.” She smiled again, and Max found himself letting go of the last bits of anger.
“If we’re to be friends, I think I should know something more about you.”
“Are we to be friends?”
“Why not?” Evie shrugged. “Surely our ages aren’t that far removed. I’m nearing two and twenty yet am in many ways older than my years. I trained as a nurse back east and have seen a great deal. The remnants of my childhood and innocence were the price I paid.”
“I’ve just turned thirty, so I am a good number of years your senior. Still, I will admit the gap doesn’t seem that grand.”
He found himself utterly charmed. He had heard so many things about the Turners, but always it was in regard to the mother and father. He knew there was a large brood of children but hadn’t considered there might be one so alluring. Of course, his stepmother had suggested attending the party to seek a wife, but Evie Turner came as a complete surprise.
Evie motioned to a wrought iron bench “Why don’t we sit, and you can tell me all about yourself. Do you work for a living, or are you one of those idle sort who sits by and watches the money pour in?”
Suppressing his smile, Max followed and sat down beside her. She arranged her gown, then folded her gloved hands in ladylike fashion and looked up at him. “I promise not to judge you too harshly.”
At this, Max couldn’t help but laugh. “We are quite privately arranged here. Are you not fearful for your reputation?”
She considered this a moment. “I’m a Turner and a young, single woman who immersed herself in four years of nursing with both male and female patients. I’ve been the talk of this town for years. I dare say I can bear it if you can.”
Max liked her all the more. She was nothing like any woman he’d ever met, and he found himself wanting to tell her every detail about his life.
“I work for my father,” Max said in reply to her earlier question. “And for myself. I’ve recently come into an inheritance and have plans for investments and expansions on some of my favorite projects.”
“I, too, have recently come into an inheritance. I’m sure that you’ll find that once the news of your inheritance is circulated you will have your pick of invitations and parties to attend. Mothers throughout the city will be vying for your attention to consider their darling daughters.”
“And you’ll be their attention in regard to sons who might benefit from your family connections and money.”
“Yes. I’ve already seen those desires since I came of age. I could have been married at least a dozen times by the time I turned eighteen.”
“Oh, they were willing to wait that long?” Max raised a brow.
Evie shrugged. “I think they were afraid of my father. Maybemore so of my mother. She can be quite the force to be reckoned with.”
“But none of those hopeful suitors caught your attention?”
“No. I was rather fixed on my pathway. I wanted very much to please my father and become a nurse who could work at his side. My parents have taught us since childhood that charitable acts are not only a good thing to do, but also a responsibility that those of means should take seriously.”
“I believe that as well. My father and stepmother are more of a mind that it’s helpful to be seen as generous and benevolent, whether they really are or not.” He frowned. “Forgive me, that was harsh to say and more than a little exposing of my family secrets. I’m not at all certain why I said such a thing to someone who is a complete stranger. I beg you to forget it.”
“I will say nothing of it. Besides, a person’s actions often disguise true motives. Some of those giving tonight will do so out of the goodness of their hearts, but many are motivated by guilt or the desire to impress. I frankly don’t care either way, so long as they give. Hungry widows and homeless men won’t care what the motive was. The warmth of a bed or a full belly will comfort the same.”
“You are right, of course.”
“I usually am,” she said with a sort of sigh. Max glanced her way and saw that she was teasing. She was most unusual. “Now tell me,” she continued, “what exactly are your favorite projects?”
“I’m quite interested in logging and sawmills. This area of the country has a great deal of quality timber, and if managed properly, the land could be groomed to provide for years to come. I have some of my own land and plan to buy additional tracts. I also have a percentage of ownership in two sawmills on Boom Island. I’d like to expand on that and create a valuable asset for the future. I hope to talk my father into selling his shares so the mills might be mine in full.”
“You also mentioned working for your father. What do you do for him?”
“I manage things here, overseeing his investments and properties in Minnesota, and my brothers take care of business back east. Father is in his late sixties now, and he and my stepmother enjoy traveling more than attending to the details of business. Of course, with the economy suffering they’ll probably curtail their trips for a time. At least that is what I’ve advised.”
“Times are rather tumultuous. The New York banks slowed the outflow of currency to the rest of the country, making even more Midwest banks unable to meet their customer demands. The results have been like dominoes toppling one after the other. It’s a wonder anyone showed up tonight at all.”
“You are quite knowledgeable about the situation.”
“My parents always stressed it was important to keep apprised of what was happening in the country. I must say, I would rather read a book that takes me away to some far-off land and adventure, but I do my duty and read the available newspapers. It is important that we, as the privileged few, maintain an understanding of what’s happening so that we can in turn be available to help when things fall apart.” She turned to him. “So, do you enjoy what you do?”
