We were breakfasting together, and I felt some sort of peace, well, temporary peace for the moment. My aunt had been wonderful, and so had London, with no heartache, no gossiping townsfolk, and most importantly, no Elliot.
But the letter brought me back to reality- my problems were still there, even if I couldn't see them. I read the sender and my heart dropped. Nathaniel Scott. Well, it could have been worse-Elliot for example, but I had been hoping for more of a break. Had it been the best scenerio, it would have been a letter from my father, or even better, Hodges, but unfortunately, it was going to be a polite acquaintance letter I would have to reply to.
Careful not to ruin the wax seal, I opened the letter, reading:
"Dear Miss Ainsworth,
Certain situations have arisen, of which I felt the need to aware you, as they do have direct affect on you.
The gentleman you have been aquainted with as a 'Mr. Samuelson', is in fact, not a gentleman at all, but a pauper, whose real name is Mr. Elliot Snyder.
However, you are not the only one who has been tricked by Mr. Snyder's scheming. All of the town was charmed and taken in by his false pretenses, and have only found out recently that he has lied to the whole of us, luckily, and in time too, before your father or the Grantsvillle Estate could fall into his undeserving hands.
Mr. Snyder's mask of deceit was only unvealed upon his family's arrival into town, as they all made known to us what this fellow was really made of.
He's a liar, a traitor, and worse of all, he has played with you and your father's feelings.
I could only hope in writing a letter of my condolence, you would be somewhat comforted, as I know this will be a hard time for you, as for all of us, who Mr. Snyder has hurt.
I hope you won't consider me too forward if I say the only pleasure I get is knowing you will be arriving home soon. I hope you realize that my arms will be free if you feel the need to look for comfort in them. I have always felt a strong inclination to you Miss Ainsworth, and feel you were the least deserving of Mr. Snyder's unworthy affections.
I will be ever looking forward to your reply.
Best Wishes,
Mr. Scotts"
I frowned, setting the letter down. Although I tried to direct them elsewhere, they fell upon Elliot, and how he must be feeling. And though I hated to admit it, my heart ached for him. He'd be alone, friendless, and no doubt, the most hated in town. Not undeserving, well, okay he didn't deserve all of it, and all because of his family. Clearly he didn't have the best relationship with them.
And Mr. Scotts... I frowned as I scanned the last paragraph again. I had no idea what he was thinking or what he expected of me, but whatever it was couldn't happen, even if my heart wasn't engaged elsewhere.
I sighed, making my aunt look up from her breakfast. She gave me a small smile. "Perhaps you would like to go for a walk in the garden this morning? Hmm?"
I grinned at her, she always knew what I needed. "Shall we?"
*
I untied my bonnet as I stepped into the drawing room. The walk had been good-amazing even, but it had to end, and that meant back to the task at hand, writing a letter back to Mr. Scotts. I didn't want to, but if it meant sooner rather than later, I'd sooner be over with it than have it looming over my head like a dark cloud.
Mustering up some kind of response, I spent no time writing out the letter, making the correct responses and adding just enough politeness without it being too formal.
When it came to responding to the dreaded last paragraph Mr. Scotts had written,-I cringed just thinking of it- I carefully debated my words, trying to figure out what I wanted to say.
Finally, I came up with something;
"I thank you for your sympathies Mr. Scotts, and they do not go unnoticed. However, as of right now, I am not in a postion to accept any attentions from anyone. You will have to agree with me, that because of the situation at hand, it would be suitable for both of us not to be associated in that way. Although your friendship is very valued and cherished."
Finally, what seemed like hours later, I finished, very satisfied with what I had written. Just as I addressed the envelope, sealed it, and then sent it off with one of my aunt's servants to be sent off, my aunt's doorman entered, another letter in hand.
"For you Miss." He handed it to me, as I sat, dumbfounded. Two letter's in one day? That was very unusual.
I studied the envelope. Where as Mr. Scott's letter had had golden lettering, this one had been scrawled in a hurry; the sender hadn't even taken the time to properly seal it.
Mr. Elliot Snyder the sender line read. My heartbeat quickened. I desperately felt like ripping it open, reading it as quickly as I could for any news from him, but my head got the better of me. I felt disgusted with myself. I should just throw the letter away. He didn't deserve any more of my time.
I flipped the letter over and over, debating what to do. Finally, my heart decided and I opened the letter, promising myself I would read it, but then quickly throw it away without another thought upon him.
"Dear Nora,
I know I don't deserve anything more from you. To be honest, I'll be a little surprised if you do actually read this, as I don't even deserve that from you. But you deserve something from me. Well, a lot of things from me, but an explanation would be a start.
As you probably suspected, this is not my first aquaintance with Mr. Scotts. I cannot say the time has been pleasurable, but nonetheless, you of all people deserve to know the truth.
Mr. Scott's isn't who he says he is. I know, that's quite a statement coming from the likes of me. But it's true Nora- you've got to believe me. He's a fraud, a schemer, a liar of all things.
He's the reason I haven't a penny to my name. You see, before you knew either of us, Mr. Scott and I had an understanding.
What happened is complicated, nevertheless, I'm sure if anyone would understand, it would be you.
See, my parents and I have never had a close relationship, to put it lightly. They've always seen me more of a burden than anything else and I was determined to prove them wrong the only way I knew how. That was, I was going to make enough money to establish myself in society.
I knew Nathaniel for a about a months time, as he was new in town, but he was obviously established and wanting for naught. He had boasted of being a wealthy business man, even going out of his way to spend his money lavishly on the finer things. When he said he needed a partner in his business, well, I thought it was going to be all too easy. And it had been.
It took only a little persuasion on my part for Nathaniel to allow me into his partnership. Nathaniel showed me the figures, and it all looked right to me. I was quite antsy to get underway, and wanted to hurry it along. The only thing holding us back from making twice the amount of money we were worth, Nathaniel said, was that I had to invest half of the money for the business, and he would provide the rest.
I scavanged for money. I wanted to make it all on my own, but there was just no way. So I did the thing that was the last thing I wanted to do on earth. I asked my father for money.
They tried to warn me, all of them did, and I took no heed. It was my salvation, my proving to the world I could be something. When Nathaniel took my money and ran, nobody was surprised but myself. I was blindsided, fooled. I had taken the bait, just as Nathaniel expected I would.
My parents were furious- I had left them with nothing, lost all my father had worked for, and they wanted to disown me. I had to go, and so I turned to the only man I could-my cousin Charles.
The only good thing I learned from Nathaniel was how to bluff. So that's when Charles and I thought of this scheme. Through letters we talked it over, making it almost flawless. And just when I thought my parents were going to completely leave me to the streets, I left, without a trace, telling noone where I was going.
It was going smoothly, right up until Mr. Scotts and I met again. Neither of us had planned for that.
I only tell you this in hopes you are weary of whatever Nathaniel is planning. I can only imagine what schemes he has in mind for your family.
I am truly sorry for any pain I have caused you Nora. I could utter a thousand apologies and it still wouldn't be enough.
Sorry in all regards,
Elliot"
The letter fell from my hands as my hands flew instead to my mouth. It was all too much to process. But one thing was certain- I would have to go back. There was no running away from my problems; it was time I faced them head on.
Mr. Elliot Snyder the sender line read. My heartbeat quickened. I desperately felt like ripping it open, reading it as quickly as I could for any news from him, but my head got the better of me. I felt disgusted with myself. I should just throw the letter away. He didn't deserve any more of my time.
I flipped the letter over and over, debating what to do. Finally, my heart decided and I opened the letter, promising myself I would read it, but then quickly throw it away without another thought upon him.
"Dear Nora,
I know I don't deserve anything more from you. To be honest, I'll be a little surprised if you do actually read this, as I don't even deserve that from you. But you deserve something from me. Well, a lot of things from me, but an explanation would be a start.
As you probably suspected, this is not my first aquaintance with Mr. Scotts. I cannot say the time has been pleasurable, but nonetheless, you of all people deserve to know the truth.
Mr. Scott's isn't who he says he is. I know, that's quite a statement coming from the likes of me. But it's true Nora- you've got to believe me. He's a fraud, a schemer, a liar of all things.
He's the reason I haven't a penny to my name. You see, before you knew either of us, Mr. Scott and I had an understanding.
What happened is complicated, nevertheless, I'm sure if anyone would understand, it would be you.
See, my parents and I have never had a close relationship, to put it lightly. They've always seen me more of a burden than anything else and I was determined to prove them wrong the only way I knew how. That was, I was going to make enough money to establish myself in society.
I knew Nathaniel for a about a months time, as he was new in town, but he was obviously established and wanting for naught. He had boasted of being a wealthy business man, even going out of his way to spend his money lavishly on the finer things. When he said he needed a partner in his business, well, I thought it was going to be all too easy. And it had been.
It took only a little persuasion on my part for Nathaniel to allow me into his partnership. Nathaniel showed me the figures, and it all looked right to me. I was quite antsy to get underway, and wanted to hurry it along. The only thing holding us back from making twice the amount of money we were worth, Nathaniel said, was that I had to invest half of the money for the business, and he would provide the rest.
I scavanged for money. I wanted to make it all on my own, but there was just no way. So I did the thing that was the last thing I wanted to do on earth. I asked my father for money.
They tried to warn me, all of them did, and I took no heed. It was my salvation, my proving to the world I could be something. When Nathaniel took my money and ran, nobody was surprised but myself. I was blindsided, fooled. I had taken the bait, just as Nathaniel expected I would.
My parents were furious- I had left them with nothing, lost all my father had worked for, and they wanted to disown me. I had to go, and so I turned to the only man I could-my cousin Charles.
The only good thing I learned from Nathaniel was how to bluff. So that's when Charles and I thought of this scheme. Through letters we talked it over, making it almost flawless. And just when I thought my parents were going to completely leave me to the streets, I left, without a trace, telling noone where I was going.
It was going smoothly, right up until Mr. Scotts and I met again. Neither of us had planned for that.
I only tell you this in hopes you are weary of whatever Nathaniel is planning. I can only imagine what schemes he has in mind for your family.
I am truly sorry for any pain I have caused you Nora. I could utter a thousand apologies and it still wouldn't be enough.
Sorry in all regards,
Elliot"
The letter fell from my hands as my hands flew instead to my mouth. It was all too much to process. But one thing was certain- I would have to go back. There was no running away from my problems; it was time I faced them head on.
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