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They followed him
into the study and stood waiting while he sat behind is desk. He placed
his hands over his extended stomach and rocked back in the chair. "I
have news regarding the dinner party we attended at the Ellsworth's.
Amazingly, your mother performed her duty for once and made you all a
social success."
Grace raised an
eyebrow. "In all honesty, Father, your wife and daughters
have been socially acceptable for many years." He
snorted. "With the local farmers? Do you think them to be acquaintances
worthy of me?" "I do
believe our circle of friends are more than just farmers. I am sure we
can count the mayor, a doctor or two, a solicitor, a Captain-" "Don't be
insolent, Miss!"
"Well, Father,
you make the opinion that we do not venture into the correct
society." Grace tilted her head. "Do you wish us to dine with
nobility? Shall I send them our card?" "Be
quiet, you impertinent chit!" Woodruff flared. "I will rise to
dine in their exalted ranks eventually, and if I can't do
it by marrying you
lot into their lines, then I'll find some other way."
"How
ridiculous." She crossed her arms. "We are only second generation
trade. Do you really expect a lord or an earl will come here and choose
one of us?" Their
father's small round eyes narrowed as he grinned. "No, not yet,
although many nobles have little money. They will marry beneath hem from
time to time to gain wealth once more."
"We have no fear
on that account, sir. We've little compared to most." Woodruff
bristled. "Do you suggest I wish to remain so?" Surprised,
Grace frowned. "Are you not content, sir, with all you have? We're very
fortunate-"
"What do you know
of finance!" He flung his short, fleshy arms wide to
incorporate the whole house. "All this requires a great deal of money.
Position and status requires even more! I have money, and with it I
intend to buy power and eminence."
"I am not
ignorant-" Heather
stepped forward bringing the argument to a halt.
"What did you wish
to speak to me about, Father?" Woodruff
settled back into his chair. "I had a meeting today with Reginald
Ellsworth. He has some business interests equalling mine. In fact, I
own a profitable venture he wishes to take off my hands." He waved in a
dismissive gesture. "I am giving him a good price and in return he
affords me the opportunity to marry one of you into his pedigree.
Of course your marriage settlements from your mother's money has
greased the way a little."
"No…" A cold
shiver ran up Grace's back. He held
Heather's gaze. "Ellsworth has granted a union between you,
Heather, and his eldest son Andrew. I believe you may expect a call from
Andrew tomorrow." Heather
and Grace stood unblinking, trying to absorb their father's
announcement. "Come,
come! No thanks? No gratitude, Heather?" Woodruff puffed himself up
importantly.
"You…you cannot
be serious, Father?" Grace hoped he was joking.
He'd played evil tricks on them many times before. He
frowned. "And why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, Heather
and Andrew have only begun a friendship. To speak of marriage to cement
a business deal is unjust."
"Nonsense! It is
commonplace."
"I had hoped our
family would be different.. We have seen the evidence
of a marriage made solely for business reasons."
"Still your
tongue, girl."
"But there has
been no romantic involvement yet, Father. Has there, Heather?"
Grace appealed to her sister before spinning back to glare at him.
"Can you not let them grow to love?"
"This has nothing
to do with romantic notions you silly fool!" He roared, rising to lean
over his desk towards her. "This is two mighty families coming together!
This is Heather's duty to me, and her family. She is the age of two and
twenty and will be soon beyond her use if she doesn't find a husband
willing enough to look past this error."
Hatred filled
Grace. She stepped closer to the desk. "Her age has nothing to
do with this. You simply want to use her as a pawn to infiltrate
a society that sneers at you behind your back! They'll never
accept you-"
His stinging slap
jerked her head back. Sharp pain bit at her cheek.
Grace put her hand to her burning face. "Heather," she begged, "say
something please!"
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