Page 21 of What the Heart Knows

Dinner at Sea Grange was a very uncomfortable affair. Meg sat at the foot of the table, with their guest, Mr. Sousman, on her right and Brookbank on her left. The clerk sat morose and glaring at their guest.

Sousman didn’t notice. He’d recovered from whatever indisposition he’d suffered and plowed his way through every course. He drank copious amounts of wine and constantly played patty fingers with her skirts beneath the cover of the table linen.

Her attempts to discourage him and keep her legs covered drew Father’s attention. “Really, daughter.” He used his iciest tone. “Cease fidgeting. I didn’t think meeting your fiancé would give you nerves. Mr. Sousman, Margaret’s usually the most placid of ladies. I assure you, as she comes to know you better, you’ll find her a pattern-card of decorum. Now, please have some more wine with your dessert.”

“’Tis an excellent vintage, so yes, I’ll have more.”

Father signaled the footman to refill Sousman’s glass.

Brookbank drew Meg’s attention with his fingers on her hand. “I am sorry you’re subjected to this display, Miss Fenneman,” he murmured as Father and guest addressed their plates.

“I’m sure you bore no part in it,” she replied and withdrew her hand.

“Precisely. Your father ignores the fact that my father was elevated to Baron several years ago, and although French, my mother was connected to the Bourbons. Squire Fenneman should realize I am a very eligible parti.”

“Yet you labor as a clerk. Not many eligible gentlemen would take such a position.” She beamed a smile, hoping to distract him from the sarcasm in her tone.

“Daughter.” Father’s commanding timbre forced Brookbank to straighten and break off the conversation.

“Yes, Father?”

“You should move to the parlor. We’ll join you upon finishing our cigars and brandy.”

“Thank you for informing me, Father. However, if you don’t mind, I find the capon disagreed with my stomach, and wish to retire for the evening.”

Father cast a quick glance at Brookbank who gave a slight nod in reply.

What was that about? If Father needs permission for me to absent myself for the rest of the evening, wouldn’t that permission be sought from Sousman? Exactly who’s in charge between Father and Brookbank?

“Of course, girl. You may escort Mr. Sousman on a tour of the house after breakfast tomorrow.”

She’d spend some time tonight devising a way to avoid her would be fiancé. For now, being excused was enough. Wishing the gentlemen goodnight, she fled as rapidly as decorum allowed.

In her rooms and ready for bed, Meg dismissed Amanda for the evening. She locked the door behind the girl, glad she’d obtained her room key after Father’s return. She wouldn’t put it past Sousman or Brookbank, with or without Father’s cooperation, to slip into her unlocked room and compromise her. The idea filled her with disgust.

She paced the floor; her mind circling through a dozen scenarios for ridding herself of suitors. She hated the idea of being wed to Sousman. Even less did she like the prospect of marriage with Brookbank. He’d boasted of being an eligible match to fish for her reaction to him as a life partner.

She snorted. “Partner, hardly. More like a lifetime master.”

I must find a way out of the marriage snares looming before me. If only I could ruin myself.

’Twas a ridiculous idea. Ruination might put off Sousman, but she doubted Brookbank would care as long as she was not with child.

Hours later Meg decided she should read and distract herself, allowing her mind to work out a solution under less pressure. Unfortunately, Amanda had returned all her books to the library in one of her cleaning frenzies. If Meg wanted a book, she must risk going to the library in her nightgown and robe.

While I’m there, I’ll take the skeleton key hidden in Father’s desk so no one can use that to enter my rooms while I sleep.

She descended to the library with swift, stealthy steps.

Turning into the corridor to the library she paused. The door stood slightly ajar, spilling light into the space beyond. Resuming a more cautious pace, she neared the door. Two voices rose in conversation. Meg kept moving, until she was as close as possible to the open door. She recognized Brookbank and Father speaking.

“You should never have approached Sousman with the idea of marriage to your daughter,” Brookbank chastised.

“I want to cement his relationship with us,” Father actually whined. “Make the business ties stronger.”

“Margaret’s marriage to him would have the opposite effect,” the clerk sneered. “Don’t you know anything?”

“Sousman would never allow her to testify in court.”