that you lend me a portion to start my company. You could be the sole benefactor, and once I begin making my earnings, I could pay you back with interest.”
His desires seem genuine, and I ponder his words.
“So, that’s what this is about? You’re not set on destroying my marriage to Edith to ruin me in front of Father?” I question in disbelief.
He frowns at me as if he’s disappointed. “Brother, you think so ill of me. I’m not as cold and calculating as you would believe. I have desires and wishes for my future much like you do. It is my hope to find a wife to love and bear my children one day. I think I deserve a happy life, too, despite my birth order. Staying on this estate until the day I die makes me feel as if I’m a caged animal when I was born to run free.”
“I suppose that, if Father were to gift me the money, we could make arrangements for you to borrow a portion of it,” I agree with hesitation. “But if this is some ruthless trick, I swear to you, Alcott, I’ll kill you. I’m finally at peace with my life now that I’ve found Edith. I love her, and I don’t intend on losing her or my rightful place in this family.”
His face breaks into a grin. “No tricks up my sleeve, Alexander. Thank you for your generosity. I promise to not fail you, and you’ll soon have the return on your investment plus a healthy interest payment.” Then he gives me a nod and strides from the room.
Is it possible that, finally, I may relax in this life? That, finally, I have more than I could ever ask for? Something deep inside, though, begs me not to let my guard truly down. Everything seems too perfect—Alcott’s attempting to befriend me, my parents’ accepting Edith so easily, and my loving Edith.
What happens if it all comes crashing down on me?
The very thought of losing Edith causes rage to bubble in my chest. I proceed to pound the bag as if I could absolutely beat my insecurities into submission.
“YOU MISSED THE SUNRISE,” MA chides as I step out onto the porch.
My gaze travels along the expansive deck that overlooks the river and eventually lands on Ma and Elisabeth, who are sitting at a small table. Elisabeth avoids my gaze as she sets to stirring her tea as if she doesn’t even realize I’ve arrived.
“I’m sorry. I, uh, was tied up with Alexander,” I stammer out.
When I finally meet Ma’s stare, she’s beaming at me. “That boy has a way of demanding one’s attention. You should have known him when he was two and then again when he was in his teen years,” she chuckles.
I grin, imagining a small boy with a mop of messy, brown hair, wearing suspenders, and tugging on his mother’s dress as he begs her for a lollipop. It reminds me of his words—that he wants me to bear his children. The very thought of sweet, little boys who look just like Alexander running around is almost as satisfying as it actually happening.
Almost.
Now, I crave the real thing more than anything.
“I do apologize,” I say as I sit between her and Elisabeth. “Lissa, we missed you at supper last night.”
She finally looks over at me and nods. “I was ill. Do forgive me.”
When she looks back down, I sneak a glance at Ma, who is observing our exchange. I feel as though this breakfast will be uncomfortable, and it’s confirmed when Ma bluntly calls out the obvious unease between my sister and I.
“My sister, Magdalene, and I were very close. In fact, I helped deliver her first child when her husband was away on business. She was my confidant and my friend. Even after we both married, we spoke often and drove our husbands mad with our incessant giggling.” She smiles at the memory. “But then, one day, we had a disagreement. She accused my Alcott of forcing himself on her daughter. My boys were as rowdy as they come, and I can always sniff out their lies, but Alcott was adamant that he wouldn’t do such a thing to his cousin. As it turns out, my niece was seeing a boy of whom her father
His desires seem genuine, and I ponder his words.
“So, that’s what this is about? You’re not set on destroying my marriage to Edith to ruin me in front of Father?” I question in disbelief.
He frowns at me as if he’s disappointed. “Brother, you think so ill of me. I’m not as cold and calculating as you would believe. I have desires and wishes for my future much like you do. It is my hope to find a wife to love and bear my children one day. I think I deserve a happy life, too, despite my birth order. Staying on this estate until the day I die makes me feel as if I’m a caged animal when I was born to run free.”
“I suppose that, if Father were to gift me the money, we could make arrangements for you to borrow a portion of it,” I agree with hesitation. “But if this is some ruthless trick, I swear to you, Alcott, I’ll kill you. I’m finally at peace with my life now that I’ve found Edith. I love her, and I don’t intend on losing her or my rightful place in this family.”
His face breaks into a grin. “No tricks up my sleeve, Alexander. Thank you for your generosity. I promise to not fail you, and you’ll soon have the return on your investment plus a healthy interest payment.” Then he gives me a nod and strides from the room.
Is it possible that, finally, I may relax in this life? That, finally, I have more than I could ever ask for? Something deep inside, though, begs me not to let my guard truly down. Everything seems too perfect—Alcott’s attempting to befriend me, my parents’ accepting Edith so easily, and my loving Edith.
What happens if it all comes crashing down on me?
The very thought of losing Edith causes rage to bubble in my chest. I proceed to pound the bag as if I could absolutely beat my insecurities into submission.
“YOU MISSED THE SUNRISE,” MA chides as I step out onto the porch.
My gaze travels along the expansive deck that overlooks the river and eventually lands on Ma and Elisabeth, who are sitting at a small table. Elisabeth avoids my gaze as she sets to stirring her tea as if she doesn’t even realize I’ve arrived.
“I’m sorry. I, uh, was tied up with Alexander,” I stammer out.
When I finally meet Ma’s stare, she’s beaming at me. “That boy has a way of demanding one’s attention. You should have known him when he was two and then again when he was in his teen years,” she chuckles.
I grin, imagining a small boy with a mop of messy, brown hair, wearing suspenders, and tugging on his mother’s dress as he begs her for a lollipop. It reminds me of his words—that he wants me to bear his children. The very thought of sweet, little boys who look just like Alexander running around is almost as satisfying as it actually happening.
Almost.
Now, I crave the real thing more than anything.
“I do apologize,” I say as I sit between her and Elisabeth. “Lissa, we missed you at supper last night.”
She finally looks over at me and nods. “I was ill. Do forgive me.”
When she looks back down, I sneak a glance at Ma, who is observing our exchange. I feel as though this breakfast will be uncomfortable, and it’s confirmed when Ma bluntly calls out the obvious unease between my sister and I.
“My sister, Magdalene, and I were very close. In fact, I helped deliver her first child when her husband was away on business. She was my confidant and my friend. Even after we both married, we spoke often and drove our husbands mad with our incessant giggling.” She smiles at the memory. “But then, one day, we had a disagreement. She accused my Alcott of forcing himself on her daughter. My boys were as rowdy as they come, and I can always sniff out their lies, but Alcott was adamant that he wouldn’t do such a thing to his cousin. As it turns out, my niece was seeing a boy of whom her father
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