An Unconventional Courtship (7 page)

A Harvard man? The only man he knew fitting that description would be Theodore Schoonover. And he was courting Charlotte, not Jane. Wasn’t he? George’s heart began to pound. Were Theo and Charlotte attempting to put something over on George? Or were Theo and Jane attempting to make him look like an idiot? Or did Theo suddenly decide he had it in for George and made it his business to court the same two women he was, lording his college education over both ladies and making George seem to come up short? He needed to stop his rampant thoughts and bring his mind back to the conversation at hand.

“We both know Jane is no fool. But I also don’t feel she’d ever base her decision to marry entirely on a man’s education credentials. If she can find someone who will make her smile, then she should follow her heart. The only expression she had for me this evening was one of pain.”

“Nonsense, George. She just had a case of a nervous stomach this evening because she knew what we were going to discuss after dinner. Jane’s waiting in the drawing room to speak with you now that we’re done.”

“Are we done?”

“I know you’ll do what’s best for your family. For our families. We’ve invested a great deal of time in bringing you and Jane together. Your mother handpicked Jane for you prior to her death.”

“That’s news to me, sir. My mother’s advice to me before she passed on was to be certain I married the right woman, and that I would know immediately whom I should be with. She mentioned nothing of Jane specifically.”

“Yes, but your mother was not well the last few months, God rest her soul. She most certainly did want you to end up with Jane. So, yes, George, we are done.”

With careful steps and a spinning head, George moved from the library to the drawing room. He opened the door to find Jane there alone. He kept the door open as he entered the room to face her. She’d been crying. There were tearstains on her cheeks, and her eyes were brimming.
Ah, drat.
George never knew what to say when a woman cried. He glanced back at the door, hoping her mother would return to the room and run interference on this conversation. But he was alone and about to break her heart. Had she already picked up on his feelings? Was that the reason for her tears? George was thoroughly confused, but he couldn’t leave the room without resolving his relationship with her.

“Hello, Jane,” he said softly as he took the seat opposite her.

“George, I’m sorry you had to face Father.”

“It was nothing. But why are you so sad?”

“Because I’ve been told, as I’m sure you just have, that we must marry.”

George raised his eyes to her sharply. “And you don’t want to?”

Her tears began anew. He handed her his handkerchief.

“I’m very much in love, George. But I’m sad to say it’s not with you. If we marry each other to suit our parents, I’d consider myself a lucky woman. But I would never be happy.”

The noose George had been feeling all night began to loosen, and he ran a finger around his cravat. He nearly smiled, but Jane’s tearful expression kept him somber.

“Well then, who is the lucky gentleman?”

“It’s Theodore Schoonover.” Jane smiled a bit as her beloved’s name rolled off her tongue. Her voice was hushed, almost as if she were praying.

“I was unaware you even knew him beyond a few chance encounters when we were together.”

“We met the day of the boat races. Surely you remember, George. You introduced us.”

“Well, yes, I remember the meeting. And the chance encounter in the park. But you’ve seen him beyond those times?”

“He came calling the day after the boat races. I must admit, I was taken with him from the moment I first laid eyes on him. I wanted to curtail the outings between you and me, since I thought I was hurting your chances of finding someone suitable, but Father insisted that we keep seeing each other. His initial impression of Theo was not the best, even with Theo’s Harvard connection, so Father told me I must continue to have you call on me. It made Theo crazy mad with jealousy.”

George nearly smiled again. Theo was jealous of him? “So he is aware of your feelings toward him?”

Jane smiled and brushed her hand across her lips. It made George wonder if Jane was recalling a kiss she and Theo had shared. “Yes, he is. He wants to ask for my hand before he goes back to college in the fall. I know it will be a long engagement, since he has one more year left of school, but I’ll gladly wait.” Jane sighed. “I’m sorry, George.”

“There’s no need for sorrow, Jane. When someone’s right, you need to follow your heart. I’ll find someone soon, too, I hope. And good luck with Theo. Be sure to invite me to the wedding.”

Coolness and composure were the sure way to get George to propose, but they were not so easy to pull off when Charlotte’s heart was beating as fast as a runaway horse. George had just picked her up for a ride in the park in his father’s open carriage. He held her hand as he assisted her up into the seat. She adjusted her bonnet as she waited for him to circle the curricle and take his seat beside her. Her body hummed at his nearness as her eyes followed his course.

He stopped as he got to each of the two horses, whispered something in their ears, and fed them a sugar cube from his pockets. The process endeared him to her even more. Any man who loved horses was a good person in her book. She hoped his horses would take the carriage to a full trot and pace smartly through the park. What a sight they would make! Two matched bay horses pulling a sporty, burgundy curricle with an attractive couple sitting in it. How much better could life be?”

George settled in next to her, and she realized life could get a whole lot better. She was already smitten with this man. How much more would it take for her to fall madly, deeply, in love with him? Not much. All he’d have to do would be to touch her, and she feared she’d melt all over him.

As if in answer to her thoughts, he reached over and took her hand. Her limbs became limp, as if they were overcooked noodles. Not only was he the most attractive man she’d ever met, with his dark hair and eyes as blue as the sky, his thoughts on women’s rights were in line with her own. Their children would grow up in a household where girls would be given a proper education, the same as their sons. And if one of their daughters wanted to follow the family tradition and work in the bank alongside her father, George would most likely be agreeable. But first, he had to propose.

Her life with him would be an exciting one, keeping on the cutting edge of current events as she hosted his banking clients at fine dinners and balls. And she would be an equal partner in marriage with him. Yes, she could see herself with George for the remainder of her life. From the way he had taken her hand in his, as if he already had laid claim to her, she was certain he harbored the same feelings for her. And if what Emma told her was true about Theo asking for a family heirloom ring so he could propose to Jane Weymouth, George Fitzpatrick’s philandering days were over. Jane would be spoken for before the week ended. There was just one more formality to deal with.

“You certainly cut a fine figure sitting here today, Miss Ashcroft. The lilac color of your gown suits you and reminds me of your favorite fragrance. Are you ready?” George smiled over at her as the horses shuffled in their harnesses, eager to be off.

She glanced at the handsome man who had already stolen her heart. The man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life. “What did you whisper to the horses as you gave them their treat?”

“I told them to behave smartly today, because surely the woman in the carriage would do her best to outshine them, even though they are a beautiful matched set of bays.”

“Mother was correct about you, Mr. Fitzpatrick. You are a silver-tongued devil.” But her smile when she talked gave her away, she feared.

Charlotte was almost positive George had thoughts about their future, but she had to be certain not to tip her hand until she was assured he wanted marriage and not just a mild flirtation. With a small smile of satisfaction, she removed her hand from his and adjusted her bonnet again.

She’d keep him guessing until he stood with her in front of the altar at her church. And then she’d keep him guessing for the rest of his life.

She grabbed hold of the seat as they set off on their ride. The park was filling up with other riders, both in carriages and on horseback. A few people strolled by on foot. Charlotte was on friendly terms with most of them and waved merrily as they passed by, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. All the while, though, she tried to determine the best way to get George Fitzpatrick to reveal his true feelings toward her. She would have some answers in that regard by the time this carriage ride came to an end.

• • •

George had to get some answers. If Jane Weymouth had claimed Theodore Schoonover’s heart, why had the man reacted as if he were enraptured by Charlotte’s presence? Was he playing with both of the ladies’ affections? Should he bring Theo’s dalliance with Jane to Charlotte’s attention? And, if Theo was, in fact, toying with both women’s affections, how was that any different from what George himself had been doing? Except George had been aware all along there was no contest for his heart. Charlotte Ashcroft had claimed him the first day they met. Perhaps Theo had the same feelings about Jane when they first spied each other at the boat races? George sincerely hoped that to be the case. Jane already thought so. George hoped, for her sake, that Theo echoed her sentiments.

But what about Theo and Charlotte? Did the man have some prior experience with Charlotte, as well, that would make him react to her as if she were already his? Perhaps their parents assumed from the time they were children that they’d end up together, much as he and Jane had been matched up. And both sets of parents probably continually impressed upon Charlotte Theo’s Harvard connection in an attempt to make George appear to be of lesser value in Charlotte’s eyes. They dismissed George’s decision to go to work as soon as possible and forego four years of education and fun.

Thoughts, ragged, jealous thoughts, tumbled through his mind as he attempted to keep his horses and curricle on the path. All he wanted to do was to find Theo again and throttle him. Perhaps Theo had stolen the hearts of both the women George had been spending time with, and both Jane and Charlotte would end up fighting for Theo’s affections, leaving George out in the cold. Perhaps the quest for a suitable wife would remain unattainable until the following year. Or years.

He finally gave up trying to manipulate the curricle around the traffic and pulled the carriage under a shady tree. He hopped down from the seat, wrapped the reins around a branch, and moved to Charlotte’s side of the carriage, helping her alight. His hands were around her small waist as she got down, and he stood for a moment, keeping her close. Her scent of lilac water played with his senses, and he had trouble breathing.

She glanced up at him, a question in her warm brown eyes. When she locked her gaze on him, he was lost. He wanted children with this woman—strong sons to take their rightful place at the bank alongside him and little girls who had the same brown eyes as she did. He wanted this woman. He could not allow Theo to steal her away. Theo could have Jane if he so wanted. But he couldn’t have Charlotte. Should he compromise her, right here and now, in order to take her off the market? His heart told his body what to do. He leaned down to capture her upturned lips in a gentle kiss. At least it began gently enough. But George wanted more. He held her in place and deepened the kiss until she pressed her hands on his chest and backed off.

“That’s quite enough, Mr. Fitzpatrick. I do declare, you invent ways to kiss me in public. First, it was my fingers, now it’s on the mouth.” She laughed as she darted out of his grasp.

He caught her again and swooped in for another kiss. “It’s not just your lips and fingers, Miss Ashcroft. In fact, I find every part of you appealing.” To prove his point, his hands went up from her waist in a bold move and brushed the sides of her breasts. She shivered in his grasp. He allowed himself one more kiss before he reluctantly pulled away. His breathing was erratic. He had accused Theo of being a predator, and here he was, ready to devour the delicious Miss Ashcroft. Out in the open, where anyone passing by could see them. Even with the carriage shielding a large portion of their bodies, it was still scandalous behavior. But impulsive behavior and Charlotte Ashcroft seemed to go together. And George was all in.

He moved from her side to the rear of the carriage. “I had a picnic lunch packed for us. Will you help me spread the cloth?”

Charlotte’s hand rose to her throat. “How thoughtful of you. Of course.”

Soon, everything was laid out on the tablecloth, which rested on top of the grass in the tree’s shade. George helped her sit, and he joined her, pouring them each a goblet of wine.

“Here’s to the first of many picnics in the park.”

“I’ll second your sentiment, Mr. Fitzpatrick.” Their glasses clinked together, and they each took a sip of the fragrant, full-bodied red wine.

“And just as a point of reference, how long must I court you before I ask your father for your hand?”

Charlotte’s eyes grew round, and she brought the goblet to her lips again. Then she began to choke. George thumped her on the back until she got her breath back again. He noticed tears in her eyes, but he was unsure if they were from his pronouncement or from her coughing fit. He held his breath.

“You do know how to surprise me, Mr. Fitzpatrick.”

“Well, I’m not a patient man when I see something that I want.”

“And you’re telling me you want me?” Charlotte’s voice squeaked a bit and she placed a hand on her heart.

“From the moment I first got a glimpse of you, when I was on the top of the omnibus, my fate was sealed. May I speak to your father?”

“You know as well as I do that a proper courtship should last at least a year. We’ve barely known each other a few months.”

“Yet when you meet a person you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with, shouldn’t you act upon it? How many men were on the omnibus with you that day? Why did we connect as we did? Why did I happen to be walking nearby when you needed my assistance with Mrs. Beasley? Why did your father choose my bank to place your trust with? Don’t you see? Fate has indeed directed us to one another. We’d be fools to ignore it or to waste a year on a proper courtship. We already know we’re perfect for each other.”