“Sorry, Elliot. Nora left to visit a relative this morning.”
“Oh. Well thank you, sir. I’ll just…” I half-way tipped my hat and shifted my eyes, unable to meet his gaze, “I’ll just try later then.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary, Mr. Samuelson,” he said, almost as uncomfortable as I was, “I’m not sure what you did to Nora but she seemed adamantly against this marriage. I’ve pushed her far enough, as her father, and I’ve decided my loyalties lie with her first. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
So she had broken it off afterall. An official farewell. I was no longer welcomed as a son, just formally dismissed as a businessman. And it was no more than I deserved, especially since she already seemed to have protected my real identity.
“I regret that things didn’t go the way we planned,” I said, being truthful for once, “But I respect your decision, Mr. Ainsworth. You are a very good man.”
He gave me a smile and then shut the door.
I’d have to try explaining it to her in a letter. Of course, there was the chance she’d dispose of it the moment she saw my name on the envelope but it was worth a try. Even if nothing happened between us after this, I wanted her to know the truth.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Samuelson."
I stopped and looked up at the sound of Nathaniel's voice, unable to summon my usual grin
"Good afternoon."
"Recovered from the late ball?" Charolette asked. I hadn't noticed her there until she stepped around Nathaniel, a knowing laugh in her eyes. I finally managed a tight smile and nodded.
"Yes, thank you for your concern."
We fell silent after that. I wanted to just push through the two and move on my way but, according to the crowd sprawling around us, such a motion would be considered suspicious and impolite.
"Charolette, my dear," Nathaniel finally spoke up, "You go on ahead and finish your errands. I'm afraid I'll have to catch up with you in a moment; I need to talk with Mr. Samuelson about some business matters. I shall meet you back at the square."
He lifted her hand to his lips and gracefully kissed the back of it. She smiled and, with an unusual willingness, left to do just that.
My eyes narrowed as I watched this man. What had I ever found so intriguing about him as to fall for his deceptions?
"I see that businessmen aren't the only victims to your scams."
He looked over at me, a confused smile on his face, "What can you mean, Elliot?"
"I don't know," I smirked, "Why don't you ask Minerva? Or was it Nora? Perhaps Charolette?"
A shrug, "My father always said that a man does what he can afford to, Mr. Samuelson. A lesson I'm sure you've learned by now."
"Then you are living far beneath your privliges, Mr. Scott," I thought aloud, frustration and helplessness building up inside me. Here he was, a man with real means. A man who was adored by the Ainsworths and had the general approval of Nora. He didn't annoy her or bother her or hurt her and she liked him. And yet he was wasting it all! Taking her for granted, now that she was gone, and replacing her presence with a woman who was half her intelligence. Half her goodness.
"And suddenly you're an expert?" he smirked, "Oh. And by the way, your dear cousin had some visitors arrive several minutes ago. They seemed most anxious too see you."
He motioned further down the street towards Charles house where a large stagecoach was parked. A rather familiar large stagecoach.
"No," I muttered, the color draining from my face.
He chuckled and tipped his hat, "Nice seeing you, Mr. Snyder."I raced up to Charles’ door. It was all I could do to knock casually instead of hammering it in. There was a muffled conversation from inside and then the sound of footsteps. To my great relief, it was Charles who answered to door. To his great relief, it was me who had arrived.
“Elliot,” he muttered with a nervous smile, glancing back over his shoulder, “Just the person we’ve been wanting to see.”
“Who’s we?” I quietly demanded, afraid that I already knew.
“Your family was in town and decided to pay a visit,” he smiled tersly, “Any clues as to why?”
I groaned.
“Did you send them the letter?”
“Why would I send them a letter?” I demanded, then, realizing the full meaning of the question, my eyes widened, “What letter?”
He shrugged, “That’s how they discovered you. Someone sent them a friendly postage inviting them to my house.”
I scowled. “Nathaniel.”
If anyone here knew my family’s address, it was him. He must’ve sent it back when, with the banker on my side, it seemed I had the upper hand. It was no wonder he had known of their arrival.
“What?” he searched my face for a greater explanation.
“Charles, dear,” his wife called from inside, “Who is it?”
We were both thrown into a sudden panic.
“Forget the letter,” Charles shook his head, “We’re…we’re just going to have to play this the best we can. If you can get them in on our scheme your reputation could still be safe.”
I sighed. Suddenly I didn't want my reputation. I needed it, but I didn't want it. I was tired of Mr. Samuelson and his lies. It wasn't me. At least, the me I had discovered while I was here. Strange how acting like someone else had helped me to discover who I really was. And pulling an estate out from under a well-meaning and generous man suddenly didn't seem fit that. Or at least, I didn't want it to.
Either way, I followed Charles inside. We walked into his parlor and I was surprised to see everyone there. Not just my parents and my kid sister Margaret. But my eldest sister Agnes, her husband, and my older brother Fredrick Jr.
Everyone bowed politely, but that didn't hide the complete and utter contempt in their eyes. Before ,I might've cowered or bristled at this, but today it only made me feel regret.
"Very hospitable for your cousin to let you stay in his home," my mother glowered, "I dare say you wouldn't have managed yourself otherwise."
"It was," I nodded, unsure what else to say. The last time I'd been the presence of these people we'd been in a heated argument. One that ended with my brother walking out, my mother crying, and my father numbly picking up the paper. And it had been me that had caused it all, discovering that Nathaniel had run off with all the money I had invested in him. The exact concequence my family had warned me about.
"So how have you been these past months?" my father asked.
"Fine, thank you."
"What have you been doing?" Fredrick interrogated, furrowing his brows and looking down his nose at me, as he always did.
"I'm...," I sighed, realizing how unrealistic it would sound to them, "I'm about to inherit the Gransville Estate."
They looked as though I had summoned lightning from the Heavens and, for a moment, I thought I might actually have them convinced. Until Margaret spoke up.
"You?" she snorted, "I supposed that would explain the monkey suit."
As usual, she wasn't very disciplined for one of fifteen. I supposed my parents had been too busy trying to discipline me lately. Either way, her comment seemed to give everyone else permission to doubt as well.
"Enough of this, Elliot," my mother stepped towards the door, "You're coming back home."
"Um," Charles finally spoke up, trying his best to provide me some assistance, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Snyder, but I'm afraid he can't leave."
My father looked over at him wearily, "Mr. Lettington, surely you wouldn't keep our own son from us."
"Well you see," he gulped as their glares shifted in his direction, "Elliot is...Elliot's engaged."
I shot him a look as my mother's face turned scarlet.
"Engaged?!" she stomped up to me.
"No!" I held up my gloved hands innocently, "No. I'm not engaged."
Charles looked at me questioningly and I motioned that I'd explain later.
"Well I should hope not!" she huffed.
Margaret giggled, "She'd truly have to desperate. Or daft to want you for a husband."
"Come Elliot," my father put a firm hand on my shoulder and began pushing me towards the door. I undecidedly let him, trying to sort out where I stood. Naive Agnes didn't help.
"All will be well," she smiled, hanging on the arm of my rich brother-in-law, "You can come home and help pay off the debt. Father has been working ever so hard since you left. And I doubt anyone will miss you here."
The last line was really one I didn't need to be reminded of. It was only a matter of time before it came true so was it really worth staying? If I left now then Charles would be safe. He could easily tell everyone that I had an unexpected family emergency and had to return home, regretfully falling out of the competition for the estate. I could go back to life as it had been before.
We reached the door to the porch and Charles followed behind helplessly, waiting for me to make a move.
"Sorry our stay has been so short," my mother said,"But Fredrick here must get back to his business. Thank you for your hospitality and for helping us locate our son."
But I didn't want life like it had been before. With my wealthy siblings always flaunting themselves before me. With my parents constantly unsatisfied with my decisions. I had only tried to get rich quickly, as my sister did when she married and my brother did when he took an advanteous business opportunity. Mr. Scott's scam hadn't proved so successful.
This was my only chance at trying to prove myself. Even if I was only proving it to myself. I realized the last place I wanted to be was back at square one. And if they were leaving, then the odds would be back in my sorry favor. And besides that, I still had a letter to write.
"I'm sorry," I pulled away once we approached the stagecoach, "I can't return with you."
My mother sighed, "Elliot, you're being ridiculous."
"No, mother, you just need to give me a chance. The same way you gave Fredrick one. It's the same thing."
"No, it is not," she spoke rather forcefully, her voice only increasing in volume as she continued, "It is not the same thing, son, and you know that. His was an honest endeavor. Your's is no more noble than that of a thief's. Estates aren't handed over to us farmers! And I don't care who these people think you are, you are getting in that carriage and we are driving back home! You've dishonored the Snyder name enough as it is!"
Those bustling on the street around us slowed and stared. At first their attention was on my mother, who was speaking rather loudly for a lady. But after her speech, some stopped all together and every gossiper's gaze turned to me.
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