“Oh, I… I don’t think so, Papa. Besides, I’m far too busy with the business. This is such a tricky time, and I…”
“I can manage without you.”
Just like that, with five words, Eleanor’s little world shattered. He could manage without her. Her office,heroffice, was just a little room for her to pass the time in. A hobby.
Eleanor bit her lip. “Well, I do a great deal of work, Papa. Perhaps you don’t see all of it. Not just my designs, but the accounts, the business meetings, dealing with the wages, and…”
“Yes, yes,” Charles waved his hand dismissively. “You are very helpful, my dear, but you can’t expect to work at the business forever, surely? Ladies want establishments, don’t they? Husbands, families, that sort of thing. I hate to imagine you missing out, my dear.”
Eleanor felt a wave of affection for her father. She reached forward, taking his cold, dry-skinned hand in hers.
“Oh, Papa, I am not missing out, truly I’m not. I’m quite happy staying with you, running our business. I am very busy, and I amquitehappy.”
Charles met her gaze for a long moment, then gave a huff of irritation, pulling his hand away.
“Eleanor, let’s not have any of this nonsense. I’m too tired.”
She flinched. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve never been an overbearing father, have I? I allowed Louisa to marry the man of her choice, and Jonathan is indeed a very pleasant man. I’ve allowed you to work in the business, when many men would not. I even let you have your own office, didn’t I? I have been fair and kind, have I not?”
Eleanor swallowed hard. She had an idea of where this conversation was going now, but she did not want to believe it. Not yet.
“I still don’t understand what you mean.”
“I mean that you must marry, Eleanor. Do you want to be a ridiculous old spinster? The business will be left to Daniel, when he is old enough, and then what will he do? Gentlemen entertain your ideas and chatter now, because you are young and pretty and interesting, but they won’t care to listen to a strange, middle-aged woman.”
“Then I shall make them listen,” Eleanor said sharply. “Middle-aged women have ideas, too.”
Charles harrumphed, as if he wasn’t quite sure of that, but wasn’t about to argue the point just yet.
“I had thought that you would naturally find someone to settle down with. I thought a suitable man would present himself, and the problem would take care of itself.”
She flinched again. “A problem? Is that how you think of me, Papa?”
“Don’t be so prickly, my dear Eleanor. I am only telling you the truth, as is my right as a father. You must marry. Surely you can see that.”
“I see nothing of the sort. I am happy as I am, Papa. This life suits me.”
“Only because you don’t know any better. I daresay a domestic life, with a husband and children to care for, would suit you down to the ground.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” Eleanor shot back. “What if I find myself married, removed from the work I love, saddled with children and a man I don’t love, left to wait out the rest of my life? What then? What do I do then, if I find myself so very unhappy and with no way out?”
Charles’ expression darkened. He was clearly not pleased to have his vision of domestic bliss shattered in this way.
“Of course you’ll be happy, what nonsense. Now, I cannot drag you through the Season kicking and screaming. You’re of age, so you can do as you wish, within reason. I cannot force you to accept any proposals. I didn’t insist upon you accepting Mr.Thompson’s son, although that would have been a fine enough match, did I?”
“Ought I to thank you?”
“You ought to consider it,” Charles replied sharply. “I have thought this way for quite some time, and your sister agrees with me.”
“Have you been talking about me behind my back?”
“Oh, don’t oppose so, Eleanor. Now, listen to me. As I said, you will not be compelled to do anything. I’m not a young man, and you are far too stubborn for me. But let me tell you this. You may enjoy your work now, and you may even enjoy it forever, but you must have more in your life than work. Life is about people, my dear. If I hadn’t dragged my head up from under all my paperwork to see your mother for the first time, what would my life be? I would be a sad old man, slaving at a drowning business, without a friend in the world. I should be miserable.”
“There is more to life than children and a husband.”
“That is true, but there is also more to life than work.”
