Chapter Nineteen - Nora - A Proposal

The morning air was crisp and cool, despite the storm that had only been raging the night before. It was actually one of those very rare mornings where the air was perfect, and all you had on your mind was to go run outside barefoot.

Of course, I had grown out of the stage a long while ago, although Nelly had not, and so I found myself outside, watching as she giggled, laughed, and frolicked about. I felt a pang of jealousy to be back in that time of innocence and youth. But here I was instead, a grown woman, who knew all too well that innocence could be lost in an instant. For example, overhearing a conversation at a ball, between two cousins, and your innocent idea of a newcomer is shot right out the window.

"Can we pick some flowers Nora?" Nelly asked after she had rolled herself out right under the flower bush. The flowers had always been my mothers tending, and now that she was gone, my father had hired a gardner, just in her honor. Even just looking upon them made me feel closer to her somehow.

"I don't see why not. The house could use some fresh flowers, wouldn't you say?" I asked getting up from my spot upon the lawn, and already Nelly was racing inside to grab a few baskets along with our bonnets.

"Can I help too? I need some new flowers to put in my hair the next time Mr. Scotts comes over." Minevera asked, batting her eyelashes all to frivilously.

"Of course, because where would we be if not trying to impress Mr. Scotts." I stated sarcastically, but Minevera pretended not to hear me, and instead hurried on before Nelly and I.

We hadn't gotten far into our gathering when a sudden opening of the backyard doors startled us all into looking up to see who it could be.

"Nora! I think we have somethings we need to discuss!" My father stated rather loudly. I wouldn't have been surprised if Hodges and his mother could have heard, but that was my father. He was anything but subtle.

Brushing off the dirt on my skirts, I stood up and walked over to him, wondering what kind of 'business' he could have with me. It wasn't as if I was a bank client, and surely he had more urgent things to attend to then to talk plesantries with his daughter at 9 o'clock on a business day. It had to be something quite serious, if that were the case.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice showing my concerns within the tone.

"Oh, it's nothing bad, I assure you. It's just-" He paused, trying to find a good way to word it. "Maybe we should come inside and discuss it."

He ushered me in, showing me a seat upon the  parlor couch. I sat, and he paced, back and forth, back and forth, obviously nervous. Finally, he turned to me, and opened his mouth, ready to give me his speech.

"There comes a time in every person's life where they need to settle down, let themselves be taken care of, focus on a family of their own. And you have to understand I would never have done what I done if the circumstances hadn't been extraordinary. But you see, the money invovled, it would take care of us for a long time. We would never have want of anything. Can you imagine Nora?"

"Father, are you saying that you-?" He could only mean one thing, and I didn't want to say it aloud. I wouldn't finish my sentence, because just thinking my father wanted to remarry was a very hurtful thought. I mean, the way he had loved my mother was a once in a lifetime love. They had truly been made for each other. It made me angry to think he even thought of remarriage as an option.

He rushed his next words out, all in one breath. "I know you're mad at me, and with good reason. I mean to do something of this proportion and not ask your permission, well, it's quite terrible of me, but you have to understand, if I didn't ask, someone else was sure to swoop in and ask and before you know it, the opportunity would have been gone."

I breathed a few breaths of air, hoping to clear my lungs and my head. Still, my voice went quiet as I tried to hide my anger. Having another woman in the house was a huge deal, and it wasn't just something you could spring onto a person. "Have you told anyone else?"

"Besides you, no." My father admitted, his voice also lowered. "I'm sorry Nora, but you must get use to the idea. I promise you, neither I nor you will regret this. Good is surely to come of it all, especially because of the substantial amount of money involved. Just think of it Nora!"

I did just then try to think of it the way my father was thinking of it. Clearly, he was getting up their in age, and as he said, he was at a point in his life where he needed taken care of. A woman, especially a woman that had such wealth as he said she had would be good for him. Maybe he could even retire, which would be a huge blessing to us all.

I sighed, knowing my father was probably going to win this battle. "You do know it will be a very loveless marriage." I stated, knowing he needed to see the reality of his situation.

"Well yes, I did only think of the money at the time of the proposal. But, who knows, love can blossom in the strangest of places, and I think if it's nurtured and cared for, it will definitely grow." My father shrugged, a mischievous smile popping up on his face.

"And what about Minevera, Hettie and Nelly? How do you think they will take the news?" I asked, addressing another issue I was concerned about.

"Well, you've been nothing but a mother to them, but I'm sure they will adjust in due time. It was bound to happen sooner or later Nora, and I just hurried it along, so that it would be sooner. Besides, I would think the girls would be ecstatic. Isn't that all they ever talk about?"

Ya I had been a mother to the girls, but a new mother would be a whole different idea to get use to. And yes, Minevera and Hettie would probably be ecstatic to have a new woman (and a load full of money) in the house. And they did talk about marriage a lot, I just don't think they ever thought it would be father's that was on their minds though.

"But what this really is about is mother, isn't it?" I asked, trying to approach the topic gently.

"Your mother? What's she got to do with this?" My father's eyebrows shot up in confusion.

"She has everything to do with it." I insisted, wondering how my father could just forget about her in loo of another woman.

"What, that she won't be hear to witness it?" My father asked, scratching his bearded chin in habit. "Because I assure you, she's very proud of you Nora. I think she'd be very happy with the match, especially considering you'd be taken care of."

It was my turn to allow my brows to shoot up in confusion. "You think she'd be happy with the match?"


"Extremely." My father grinned. "She'd want it more than anything."

I paused a second in thought. "Well, you knew her best. And if you're happy, and you think she'd be happy with it, then I'll be happy with it."

My father grabbed me impulsively. "Oh thank you Nora! I knew you'd warm up to the idea!" He kissed both my cheeks, and then twirled me around, and I laughed.

"Father don't you have business you need to attend to?" I asked, as soon as he stopped dancing around the room.

He nearly choked. "Oh! I've completely forgot about all that! I must be getting back." He hugged me again, and the grin couldn't be wiped off his face. "Thank you again Nora! You won't regret this!"

"Oh and father?" I stated, stopping him just as he moved towards the door.

"Yes Nora?" He asked, looking me over closely, hoping I hadn't changed my mind.

"Go ahead and tell everyone about the proposal. Tell the whole town! You deserve at least that." I grinned, glad that my father was completely and utterly happy.

My father grinned back. "I will! I will!" He promised before taking off, to who knew where. I laughed and shook my head. Hopefully my father was right, and that this was going to benefit us all.