If all went according to plan, Fanny would locate Uncle Jonas in the library. For some time she’d waited for an opportunity to speak with him in private. She inhaled a deep breath before tapping on the door. When her uncle responded, she opened the door while offering a quick prayer for strength.
“Good morning, Uncle Jonas. I’m glad to find you alone.”
“Why?” He didn’t look up.
She continued into the room and stood directly in front of the expansive mahogany desk. “Because we need to talk.”
“I’m not aware of anything that requires my attention,” he said, dipping his pen into the ink.
Not once did he make eye contact, yet she refused to be deterred by his boorish behavior. “Why don’t we discuss Amanda’s betrothal to a man she doesn’t love, a man who bears a terrible reputation and is known throughout Rochester as cruel and heartless. And then why don’t you explain to me why you would force your daughter to marry such a man.”
Finally her uncle looked up. His angry stare seared like a hot poker, and she took a backward step.
“My daughter and her marriage are none of your business, but I know that Ellert loves her. You are like so many foolish women who harbor a romantic notion that you must be in love with a man before you wed. Love can grow after marriage. You will see. Once Amanda is married to Ellert, she will learn to love him. Your aunt Victoria didn’t profess to love me before we married.”
Fanny wondered if her aunt had ever professed to love this cold and uncaring man, but she dared not ask such a personal question. “Even if one sets aside the age difference between Mr. Jackson and Amanda, it is obvious they have nothing in common. How can she possibly build a life with him?”
“You have nothing in common with a boatswain, yet you profess to love him. Tell me, how is this different?”
“You would dare to compare Michael to the likes of Ellert Jackson? Unlike your Mr. Jackson, Michael is a kind and generous man.” Anger welled within her, and she pointed at her uncle. “Mark my words: I will not stand by and watch you force Amanda into a loveless marriage with that despicable man.”
Her uncle scratched the nib of his pen across the writing paper. “I find it amazing that you think you have the ability to influence decisions regarding my daughter.” He lifted the pen into the air and aimed it at the door. “Go on with you. I have work that requires my attention.”
“I will not leave this room!” Fanny considered stomping her foot but decided her uncle would laugh at such behavior. Instead, she folded her arms tight against her chest, hoping the defiant stance underscored her determination. One look proved she’d failed. Her uncle appeared unmoved.
“Suit yourself, but I’ve given my final word on the matter.” Her uncle stood up. “If you won’t leave the room, then I will.”
She had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but he’d given her no choice. “I think not, Uncle Jonas.” Before he could step from behind the desk, she said, “If you don’t release Amanda from this preposterous arrangement, I shall be forced to tell everyone that you stole a great deal of my inheritance, and I will also make it known that Amanda’s rejection to medical college was due to your interference. I know that you sent money to the school in exchange for a letter rejecting her application.”
He collapsed into the large leather chair. His complexion turned as gray as yesterday’s ashes. “None of what you tell Amanda or other members of the family can change the arrangement that I’ve made with Ellert.”
“Your bluff won’t work.”
“This is no bluff.” A shadow of defeat darkened his eyes.
Fanny maintained a steely look. She’d seen her uncle manipulate far too many people in the past. He’d not make a fool of her again—not after stealing her inheritance and lying to Amanda. Uncle Jonas wouldn’t win her trust so easily this time. “If you expect me to believe what you say, then I need further explanation.”
He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of the chair. “Sit down, Fanny. This will take a while.”
With her hands clenched into tight knots, she followed his instruction and waited for him to begin. It seemed an eternity before he finally struggled through the first sentence. She considered his words before stopping him. “I don’t know what you mean when you say Mr. Jackson bailed you out and you owe him. You owe him what? Amanda? Is that what you’re saying? You used your own flesh and blood as a guarantee for money?”
Her uncle sighed and hung his head forward. “Mr. Rosenblume is an excellent lawyer. I knew it would be only a matter of time before he pieced together all that had happened. He’s obviously revealed many details to you.” He shook his head in dismay. “Mortimer was instructed to destroy all of those incriminating papers. Since his death, it’s given me pause to wonder if there’s any man who can be trusted.”
“I had hoped you would say that these circumstances have caused you to reflect upon your own deceitful behavior and you have begged God’s forgiveness. Instead, you place blame on a dead man because he maintained a record of your misdeeds.”
“He was a partner in my transgressions. They were his misdeeds, as well. Keeping such records was stupidity.”
“Was it? I think Mr. Fillmore may have been protecting himself. He likely feared you would attempt to place all of the blame on him if accusations arose in regard to handling the estate. Maintaining the records provided him with proof that you were involved.” She shook her head in disgust. “The bards of old wrote that there is no honor among thieves. You and Mr. Fillmore certainly followed that dictate.”
“Have you no pity? Had I not been faced with financial ruin, I wouldn’t have touched your inheritance. I needed to save the family from disaster. My plan was to borrow from your funds and repay you when my investments improved.” His voice faltered.
“But they didn’t improve,” she said. “And when you could think of nothing else to save the Broadmoor financial empire, you decided Amanda could be sacrificed.”
“You make it sound so . . . so . . .”
“Cold and calculating?” She unfolded her hands and leaned forward. “That’s exactly what it is, Uncle Jonas. You care little if Amanda spends the rest of her life with a man who is cruel and uncaring. I daresay, he’s a man not unlike yourself.”
“No! I could never be as ruthless as Ellert Jackson,” he defended.
Fanny shook her head in disbelief. “You’ve just now admitted you know Mr. Jackson to be a heartless man, yet earlier you professed him to be a man Amanda could someday love. How is that possible? You think only of yourself, Uncle Jonas.”
“That’s not true. I was seeking a way to cover my wrongdoings—that much is correct. But my actions were to protect the family. I knew how they would suffer if the truth came out. Ellert’s proposition was my only recourse. Unfortunately, he now holds all the cards. There is nothing I can do to change things.”
Her uncle appeared to be telling the truth, yet one could never be certain with him. Had he truly explored every possible option? Fanny tapped her finger atop the desk until an idea occurred. With newfound energy, she jumped up from the chair. “I know! I’ll pay Ellert’s loan with what remains of my inheritance. Then you’ll be free to break your agreement with him.” She folded her arms across her chest, pleased with her solution.
Her smile faded as he guffawed and waved away her suggestion. “Don’t you think that if there had been enough money remaining in either of our accounts I would have used it to save the family?”
“Michael has money now. Perhaps if we pool our efforts.”
Desperate to find an answer to Amanda’s dilemma, Fanny sat down. She peered across the desk at her uncle. “Do you think Uncle Quincy saved any of his inheritance? Surely he hasn’t placed all of it in the Home for the Friendless. With his share he could have built a much more lavish place. If you ask him, perhaps you’ll discover that he’s invested some of his funds.”
“Quincy? He’ll be no help. I’m sure he used most of h
is fortune to pay past debts. You’ll recall that Wesley Hedrick’s huge pledge never came through as promised. When pledges failed to be paid, I imagine he used his inheritance to cover his losses. No doubt he’s given a good deal to several other charities. He never could give his money away quickly enough.”
“I’ll sell Broadmoor Mansion. Combined with what is left of my inheritance, there should be adequate funds, shouldn’t there?”
His brow furrowed, and he swiped at the air as if to brush away her question. “You own Broadmoor Mansion? How is that possible?”
“Mr. Rosenblume handled the details for me. I’m not certain what transpired, but he received permission from the judge before making the acquisition.” She took a modicum of pleasure seeing him pale. He was momentarily struck speechless by what she’d accomplished without his knowledge.
He massaged his temples. “Even if you sold the house, there would be insufficient funds to pay off Ellert, and he will agree to nothing less than what he is owed, plus interest. You may take my word for that or ask him yourself. He is set upon this marriage. Believe me, I tried to change his mind.” Her uncle laced his fingers together and bowed his head. “You can tell Amanda about the college situation if that’s your desire. But I believe hearing such information will only cause her undue anguish. There’s no way I can alter the past.”
Were Amanda not the one who would suffer, Fanny knew she would shout her uncle’s selfish offenses from the rooftop. She cared little if the revelation would embarrass Uncle Jonas, but Fanny would not inflict further pain upon her cousin. “At the moment there is no good that can come from telling her,” Fanny said. “Tell me, was Broadmoor Island included in your bargain with Mr. Jackson, or does it still belong to the family?”
“It remains with the family by the dictates of my father’s will. Please understand, Fanny. Ellert Jackson knows too much—he can ruin our family even if I had a way to pay him back. At least this way, he will forgive a portion of my loan and grant me an extension to repay the remainder. This will allow your aunt to go on in society as she has before and will see that my sons’ good names continue to be respected. Their futures are at stake as much as Amanda’s. I’ve done nothing but cause pain and misfortune to all those I love.”
Uncle Jonas covered his face with the palms of his hands and turned away from her. He made no sound, but his quaking shoulders were proof he’d finally been touched by remorse. Fanny stood and quietly crossed the room. After a quick glance over her shoulder, she pulled the door closed behind her. She had no desire to watch her uncle collapse in defeat. Though he’d brought this upon himself, it was Ellert Jackson who now controlled all of their lives. How could Mr. Jackson so easily take advantage of her uncle when he was in dire circumstances? Then again, Uncle Jonas had done the same thing to Ellert years ago. Though two wrongs would not set things aright, Fanny knew Ellert would take great pleasure in watching her uncle suffer.
A tear trickled down her cheek, and she swiped it away with the back of her hand. If only she could think of some way to help Amanda. Keeping to the path leading from the front of the house, she followed the trail until she neared the water’s edge. Gathering her skirts in one hand, she picked her way toward a large flat rock, where she could stare at the water and contemplate a solution. Although she normally did her best thinking while near the river, her remedy didn’t work today. Not one single idea came to mind. She longed to help Amanda escape before it was too late. But how?
Fanny now understood why her cousin had agreed to marry Ellert, but that wouldn’t save Amanda from a lifetime of cruelty. Why did Amanda feel compelled to save the family? Had Uncle Jonas presented such an idea to George or Jefferson, they would have laughed at him. Neither of the young men would willingly agree to such an arrangement. Amanda deserved to make her own choice. It seemed Fanny’s marital happiness only served to underscore Amanda’s tragic plight all the more. Her tears flowed unchecked as she stared across the water.
“Here you are!”
Fanny swiped at her eyes before turning to look up at Michael.
“What’s happened? Why are you crying?” Concern shone in his eyes as he dropped down beside her. He reached around her waist and pulled her close. “Tell me what has made you cry, my love.”
She rested her head against his chest and described the exchange with her uncle. “I cannot bear to think of Amanda spending her life with a man like Ellert Jackson. There must be something we can do. I’ve been sitting here for well over an hour trying to devise a plan, but I can think of nothing.” She straightened and looked into Michael’s eyes. “Have you any idea how we can help?”
Michael gently wiped away her tears. “No matter what, I believe things will work out for Amanda. We must pray that God will protect her from both her father and from Ellert Jackson.” Michael tipped her chin upward until their eyes met. “God knows what’s happening. None of this has taken Him by surprise. Right now we don’t understand, but I believe good will prevail.”
“I know you’re right, but it appears it will take nothing short of a miracle to save Amanda from being sentenced to a lifetime of misery with Ellert Jackson.”
“Then you must pray for that miracle, dear Fanny, and I will do the same.”
21
Saturday, July 22, 1899
After a final look in the mirror, Amanda walked to the bedroom window and glanced outside. The sight of Ellert standing near a large pine in the front yard was enough to send her scurrying toward the bedroom door. He appeared none too happy. She hoped that during their tour of the island today she could summon up some sort of feelings, something other than intense distaste, for the man she would soon wed. Ellert could be nice enough when he wanted to gain favor, but he could also be demanding. His passion and lust frightened Amanda more than she could say. Blake’s kisses had stirred feelings of desire within her heart, but when Ellert so much as touched her, she wanted to run.
“Amanda! Where are you rushing off to?” Fanny asked. “I told Sophie we would join her for a picnic today.”
Amanda glanced over her shoulder. “I can’t. I’m late meeting Ellert. I promised him a walk around the island.” She could hear Fanny’s muffled footsteps on the carpeted hallway and knew her cousin was hurrying after her. She twisted around at the top of the stairs and waved her cousin to a halt. “I’m sorry, but I simply cannot go with you.”
“I don’t understand why you want to spend time with that despicable man. If we don’t find a solution, you’ll be tied to him for the rest of your life. I’d think you would want to stay away from him while you can.”
“There isn’t going to be any miraculous solution, Fanny. If I spend time with Ellert, I may find that he actually possesses a few redeeming qualities—that we are compatible. At least that’s my hope.”
Fanny sighed. “I don’t think you’ll be successful, but I wish you well. We’ll miss having you with us.”
Amanda pulled her cousin into a fleeting embrace. “And I shall miss being at the picnic. More than you can imagine.” She released her hold and nodded toward the door. “I must be on my way.”
“Do promise to give me a full report later today. I’ll want to hear if you discover any admirable qualities in the man.”
With a sense of foreboding Amanda ran down the steps and out the front door. Like her cousin, she doubted Ellert would exhibit any admirable qualities. But refusing his request for a full tour of the island had been impossible. The thought of being alone with him caused a tremor. His cruel assault during their previous excursion remained a frightening memory. She slowed to a ladylike gait as she crossed the lower veranda and strolled to Ellert’s side. “I do hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”
He tapped his watch pocket. “As I recall, we agreed to meet at ten o’clock.”
She offered what she hoped was a demure smile. “That’s correct.”
“You’re seven minutes late. I don’t tolerate tardiness. Don’t let it happen again.” Then he smile
d and extended his arm. “Tardiness causes so many problems in life. If I sound harsh, it’s because I know the damage that can be done in not dealing with matters in a timely manner.”
Her stomach lurched, but she managed to maintain her smile. “I’m generally not late, so rest assured I’ll give heed to your desires for promptness.”
He smiled. “See. It’s not all that difficult to please me.”
Amanda nodded. “I’ll do my very best. Shall we begin our tour?” He offered his arm, and though she accepted, she would have preferred to maintain a greater distance between them. Mr. Jackson’s angry, immediate rebuke had increased both her fear and dislike of the older man. “The house sits two-thirds of the way between the furthermost tips of the island. Do you have a preference for which way we begin?”
“I thought you were in charge of this tour. Surely you know which way is best to proceed, don’t you? I thought you wanted to be an independent thinker.”
She looked at him rather confused. “I do enjoy that privilege, but you’ve made it clear to me that you would have it otherwise.”
“My dear Amanda, there are things I will not tolerate in our marriage, be certain of that.” He narrowed his eyes. “Betrayal of my trust in any form will be punished swiftly and without mercy.”
She frowned. “But doesn’t everyone deserve mercy? Surely you are a godly man. Does not Jesus ask us to practice mercy and forgiveness, even to those who do not deserve it?”
Ellert laughed. “I am amused that you presume me to care one ounce what godly men might think or do. I serve no master but myself.” He looked around. “Now are we to take that walk, or would you prefer to further discuss my supposed shortcomings where spiritual matters are concerned?”
The man was rude, but she’d already known that. “We’ll take the path leading south,” she said.
A Surrendered Heart Page 23
