“Of course we’ll attend,” Max’s father replied. “I do quite a bit of business at that garden party, and this year will certainly be no exception. We men will no doubt discuss ideas for weathering this economic storm.”
“While donating some of our hard-earned money to benefit the poor,” his stepmother said in a distasteful manner.
Max had never attended one of the Turners’ fund raisers, although he had heard of them often enough. Usually, he found himself out of town or otherwise occupied. Besides that, he’d never much cared for parties of any kind, even fund raisers.
However, he liked what he’d heard of the Turners. They were highly regarded and spoken of with the greatest respect. Dr. Turner was a competent man of great reasoning, active in thecity’s business and giving himself over to a great deal of work with the poor. Mrs. Turner was likewise involved in a variety of charities. It might be very interesting to attend and hear their take on the economic downturn. Besides, the Duchess was against it, which was reason enough for Max to support the matter.
“I shall need something new to wear. I can’t think of anything I own that would be appropriate for this party. The time is very short, however. I will have to see my seamstress today.”
“You just had an entire wardrobe made, my dear. Surely one of those beautiful gowns would suit for the event.”
Max wanted to tell his father he was wasting his time. If the Duchess decreed that she needed new clothes, then she would have them.
She kissed the older man atop his head. “Oh, my dearest, you must leave such matters to me. I will of course be inspecting your clothes as well. And I will get a note off to the Turners and let them know that we will be in attendance. Max, I don’t suppose you will go.”
While a part of him wanted to refuse the party, Max refrained. “I will attend. Please include me when you respond.”
“Wonderful. I’m sure it will be to your benefit.” She smiled as though it were her accomplishment. “After all, it’s time you settle down and get married. You have an empire to build. The very best families in Minneapolis and St. Paul will be present. You might well find a beautiful young lady of interest. It seems the Turners’ have at least two daughters who’ve come of age.”
Max might have laughed if her voice had been less irritating and her motives purer. But he knew his stepmother too well.
“I am not interested in attending in order to interview a wife.” He gathered the papers together and placed them in a leather satchel. “I believe the party will be a good place tojudge economic issues. It will be beneficial to talk to some of our friends and hear what they have to say about their own endeavors.”
“Max, you are thirty years old. Finding a wife is not a bad idea. If you found one with money, it could benefit you, as well as me,” his father declared.
“That’s hardly the reason I would marry.”
“That reason has been benefiting families for centuries.” His father frowned. “You seem most contrary this morning.”
Max’s stepmother looked rather shocked. “There is nothing wrong with a marriage arranged for financial advantages.”
“Duchess, I assure you I intend to marry for love and nothing less, even if that choice has never been one of your liking.” Max shook his head. “You must excuse me. I have a lunch appointment.”
He didn’t bother to tell them that he was looking at a house he might purchase so that he could leave home once and for all. It had always been expected that he would remain at home helping his father, perhaps even marry and bring a bride into the house, but Max would never ask his bride to endure life with those two miserable people.
He called for his carriage and made his way across the river to a lovely, well-groomed neighborhood. The area was once called St. Anthony but years ago had been annexed into the boundaries of Minneapolis. The agent was waiting for him when he arrived, and Max smiled as his gaze went to the three-story brick house.
It was most impressive. Not too grand, nor too small. Max had read all of the details related to the place but intended to go over each one with the agent.
“Mr. Bristol, thank you for meeting me today,” Max said, extending his hand.
“What do you think so far?”
“I’m impressed. The neighborhood is quite charming. Refined and well-groomed.”
“This has long been one of the finer neighborhoods. You will note for yourself the care and attention to detail given the circular drive. They recently had a new load of fine gravel brought in. Of course you could have it remade with cobblestone.”
Max nodded and followed the agent into the house. He could tell right away that the owners had given it a great deal of care. The walls were newly papered in the front parlor, and the draperies matched perfectly.
“The owner and his family left three weeks ago for California. They are most anxious to sell. If you were to make any reasonable offer, I believe we could close the deal quickly.”
Max smiled. “I’ve only just seen the foyer and parlor. Why don’t you guide me through the rest, and then I’ll have a better idea of whether it suits me.”
After a restless night’s sleep, Evie decided she should probably just go downstairs and have a talk with her father. She had heard Beth say he was in his office catching up on something. There would probably never be a better time.
She slipped down the back stairs and into the kitchen, where Mrs. Niedermeier was up to her elbows in bread dough. Evie gave her a smile but said nothing as she quickly headed through the larger of two dining rooms and across the billiards room to her father’s office door. There was more than one way into the room, the other being the more often used as the formal entrance, but Evie preferred the back way. As a child she would slip in through this door and sneak up on her father to surprise him. He always welcomed her with open arms. She hoped he still felt that way once she told him why she’d come.
She drew a deep breath and prepared to march in and deliver the news that she had no desire to continue with nursing. Then she heard her brother’s voice.
