by Keli Gwyn
Alex, Marcie and Dot delivered the presents. The children made quick work of tearing off the colorful tissue paper Lavinia and Henry had used to wrap them. Gleeful shouts followed.
Lavinia encouraged everyone to visit the dessert tables and help themselves. Mrs. Keyes sat at the piano and played carols as she had at the party for the children’s classmates and their families. Many of the adults headed over to partake of the refreshments, but the children were captivated by the simple gifts she’d given them and seemed in no hurry to sample the sweets. Fathers and older brothers showed the younger children how to spin a wooden top, operate a yo-yo or get a ball on a string into a cup.
Lavinia extended Christmas greetings to the people nearest her and moved on to speak with several others after that. Frankie’s mother approached her, a plate full of desserts in hand. “The children did a fine job in the play, didn’t they? Alex was as well-behaved as ever. I didn’t think my mischievous Frankie could be so serious, but he looked like a wise man.”
“Indeed. I’m new to all this and didn’t know what a joy it is to watch a child you love perform.”
“Makes a mother—or an aunt—proud, it does.” The rosy-cheeked woman looked around the room. “It was mighty generous of you to give the children presents. When times are hard, like they’ve been this past year, they don’t get many toys. There’s some youngsters who’ll be happy to find a peppermint stick and an orange waiting for them tomorrow morning. We’re doing a bit better than most. Frankie will be getting a set of tin soldiers, and I found an adorable little tea set for his younger sister.”
Lavinia managed to finish the conversation on a cheery note, despite the tightness in her chest. If she’d given the children the presents she’d planned to, they could have overshadowed their parents’ offerings. Her time in Sutter Creek had taught her a valuable lesson—simple gifts given with love meant more than lavish displays intended to impress. Even though they had very little, the people here were more content than many of those she knew back east, who were always striving for more.
Like her father.
He had so much, and yet he wasn’t content. He was intent upon expanding his empire, which took him away from home for months at a time. She’d spent most of her childhood under the watchful eye of a governess.
But her nieces and nephew wouldn’t. Once she was granted guardianship, she could take them to San Francisco with her, where she would care for them herself and see that they had the best opportunities possible.
Henry’s rich voice reached her with its wealth of rolled R’s, as appealing as the man himself. He was talking with Mr. Nichols while balancing Dot on one hip. The darling girl doted on Henry, and it was easy to see why. He showered the children with love just as he’d been doing ever since they’d lost their parents. He’d even said he was going to stay home with Dot until she started school. For a man as active as Henry, that would be quite a sacrifice. But that’s who he was. He’d do anything for those he loved.
But she wasn’t one of them.
She stepped behind the curtained area and blinked to clear her blurred vision.
A light touch on her arm alerted her to the presence of another. “What’s wrong, Lavinia?”
She spun around. “Oh, Gladys, it’s you. I thought it was—” She pressed her lips together and placed a hand over her racing heart. She’d come too close to admitting how much she’d hoped Henry had come looking for her.
Gladys folded her arms and frowned. “I saw you watching Mr. Henry. Has he done something to upset you? If so, I’ll have a word with that young man.”
“It’s not him. It’s me. So much has happened since you left on your honeymoon, and it’s left me in a bit of a quandary.” She told Gladys about the letter from her father, the offer Stuart had made after she read it and her pending court case.
“Well now, that’s a fine kettle of fish. In two weeks’ time, you’ve decided to take a stand against your father, received a proposal from a man you don’t love and driven a wedge between you and the one you do. My question is, what are you going to do now? Give up on your dreams or follow your heart?”
“I can’t follow my heart. I love Henry, but he doesn’t love me.”
Gladys gave an unladylike snort. “What do you mean he’s not in love? It’s as plain as the wrinkles on my face that he’s head over heels for you.”
“Perhaps, but he hasn’t said anything. I asked him outright if he could give me any reason not to consider Stuart’s offer, and he didn’t have one.”
“Oh, he does, all right, but I reckon he’s gone all gallant on you. Either that, or his pride’s acting up.”
Lavinia shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“What I’m saying is that Mr. Henry doesn’t want to stand in your way. He knows the kind of life you’ve been used to, and he can’t provide for you like Mr. Worthington can.”
“I don’t need all that anymore. I just want...” Her lips trembled and she sniffed. She couldn’t cry. Not here. Not now.
“Say it, Lavinia. What do you want?”
“To be with Henry.”
“Then you know what you have to do, so go out there and do it.” Gladys pulled back the sheet.
“I can tell Stuart I won’t marry him, but I can’t tell Henry how I feel.”
“You don’t have to tell him. Turning down Mr. Worthington will show him.”
She hoped Gladys was right, but she had her doubts.
Chapter Sixteen
Watching Lavinia talk with Worthington tested Henry’s resolve. He fought the urge to march across the room and ask the fancy-dressed fellow to leave. If it weren’t for his nieces and nephew, who were busy perusing the dessert table again, he might not have been able to stop himself. Lavinia deserved more than a loveless marriage. Standing up to her father and dealing with his outrage would be better than sentencing herself to a lifetime of lost hopes and dreams.
She gazed at Worthington, graced him with one of her beautiful smiles and accepted his offer. Or so it appeared, judging by the answering smile on the encroacher’s face.
The scene sickened Henry, and he forced himself to look away. He didn’t even know why he was letting himself get riled up. After all, Lavinia was out to destroy him, because that’s what taking the children would do. Not that she would win her case and get him ousted as their guardian. Even if he’d unwittingly neglected some finer points of the law due to his grief-stricken state, surely a judge would grant him some leniency.
If he was honest with himself, he admired her dogged determination to wrest the guardianship from him, especially now that her eyes had been opened and she was acting on her own behalf instead of carrying out her father’s wishes. Her resolve proved how much she loved the children. She’d do a wonderful job of mothering them, but the thought of Worthington filling the role of their father soured Henry’s stomach. That honor was his, but he’d be happier if Lavinia was by his side, helping him bring up their nieces and nephew.
The trouble was that he had so little to offer, although the conversation he’d just concluded with Mr. Nichols had given him hope. The price the buyer of his hotel up in Marysville had offered, albeit low, would enable him to pay off Jack’s mortgage. If all went well, he’d even have enough left over to meet his needs until he could establish a business, at which time the banker would help him secure a loan of his own.
Emery Staples sidled up to Henry and chuckled. “Looks like you’ve got it bad, son.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Miss Lavinia. You can’t take your eyes off her. Not that I can blame you. She’s a fine-looking young lady. Hardworking, too. Preparing for this party took some doing.” Emery shifted his gaze from Lavinia to Henry. “Gladys tells me you helped with the baking.”
“I gave Lavinia a few pointers, but she did most of
the work herself.” He couldn’t have asked for a more eager or enthusiastic student. Watching her learn a skill she enjoyed so much had been rewarding.
“And a fine job she did. I’ve sampled a number of her confections. Might even have to try another one or two, provided my wife doesn’t catch me. Gladys has a mind to trim me down a bit.” He patted his rounded stomach and let loose with a good-natured laugh. “The things a man will do for his ladylove.”
“It sounds like marriage agrees with you.”
“That it does. I highly recommend the institution.”
A tall man in an alpaca coat much like Henry’s stood in the doorway of the mudroom scanning the crowd. He studied the newcomer. Although he wasn’t a local resident, something about the elderly gentleman was familiar.
Lavinia gasped. “Father?”
Shock froze her to the spot, but it set Henry in motion. He took a step, only to be stopped by a firm grip on his shoulder.
“Not to meddle, son, but I reckon Miss Lavinia can fight her own battles.”
Emery had a point. She wasn’t one to accept help easily, but Henry was prepared to offer it if need be. For now, he needed to get to the children, who were apt to be frightened by the unexpected appearance of their grandfather.
Worthington, to his credit, stepped in front of Lavinia, but she marched across the room to face her father. “What are you doing here?”
The room had quieted, with most of the guests riveted on the drama playing out in front of them. Some slipped out, a wise move, since things were likely to get even more heated.
Paul Crowne cast his daughter a disapproving gaze. “Come now, Lavinia. Is that any way to greet your father? I’ve traveled all the way from Philadelphia to see you and my grandchildren. Where are the little tykes?”
Henry reached the children, who stood wide-eyed and openmouthed. He pulled them to his sides. “It’s all right. I’m here.”
Dot and Marcie clung to him tightly. Alex put on a brave front, but his hands were shaking.
Lavinia lifted her chin. “If you’d shown even the slightest bit of interest in them, Father, I would be happy to introduce them to you, but that’s not the case, is it? All you care about is how they can benefit you.”
“Nonsense, my dear. This wild accusation of yours is uncalled for. I’ve come to take the children back with me.”
“You’re not taking them. I won’t allow it.”
Crowne mimicked Lavinia in a sardonic tone. “You won’t allow it.” He barked out a bitter laugh. “How droll—and shortsighted. I can give them a better life than they can get here in this rough-and-tumble town.”
She took a step back and stared at her father, her brown eyes as dark as Henry had ever seen them. He watched her, his muscles tensed. If he wasn’t protecting the children from Crowne, he would have been in the bully’s face, telling him just what he thought of the cruelty he was inflicting on his only remaining daughter. No wonder Pauline had left home and never looked back.
Emery and Gladys arrived, offering welcome support.
“Thank you for coming to watch the children,” Henry whispered. “I can’t let Lavinia deal with this on her own.”
“I know it’s hard,” Emery said, “but give her another minute, son.”
She cast a glance around the room and returned her attention to her father. Her voice rang out clear and strong. “You’ve maligned me for years, but I won’t stand by and let you speak ill of these good people. They might not measure up to your standards, but they’re my friends.”
Crowne shook his head. “I knew it. You’ve gone soft. That’s what I was afraid of and why I came. I’m sure it’s all that Hawthorn fellow’s doing. He’s probably convinced you the children are better off here with him, a no-account blacksmith like his brother.”
Lavinia fisted her hands. “Don’t talk about Henry that way! He’s the finest man I’ve ever known, and he’s wonderful with the children. He’s their legal guardian, so you couldn’t get them anyway.”
“A technicality easily overcome by a good lawyer.”
“You’re wrong. I hired a good lawyer, and he says no jury would find fault with Henry. I agree. The children belong with him, and that’s where they’re staying. If you attempt to challenge him, I’ll go before the judge and tell him what kind of father you’ve been. I doubt he’d look on you favorably.”
“Why, you little—” Crowne dropped the hand he’d raised to his side, as though he’d just realized he had an audience.
Worthington crossed the room and addressed Crowne in an authoritative voice. “I think you’d be wise to leave now, sir.”
“I believe you’re right. I have some pressing business to attend to anyhow.” He turned to Lavinia. “I’ve chosen my heir—” he inclined his head toward Worthington “—so there’s no reason for you to come back.”
To Henry’s surprise, Worthington addressed Crowne in a firm but decisive tone. “I won’t be accepting that position, sir. I refuse to work for a man who treats his own daughter this way.”
“Stuart! No! This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. I won’t let you give it up on my account.” Lavinia attempted to step between the two men, but Worthington motioned for her to stay back.
“It’s fine, Lavinia. I have other offers pending. I’ll take one of them.” He spun to face Crowne. “You’ll have my letter of resignation in your hands as soon as I can locate pen and paper.”
Crowne’s face reddened, and he jabbed a finger at Worthington. “I don’t need a letter. You’re fired.”
The younger man shook his head. “I feel sorry for you, sir. You’re too busy building your empire to see what’s right before your eyes. You have a remarkable daughter and delightful grandchildren. It’s not too late to—”
“Don’t you lecture me, young man! I’ll conduct my affairs the way I see fit.” He whirled around to face Lavinia. “As for you, young lady, I’ll see that you have enough to get settled someplace, but that will be the extent of my benevolence.”
“I understand. Goodbye, Father.” She rose on her toes, kissed his cheek and turned away.
Crowne stormed out of the room. Worthington and Lavinia carried on a whispered conversation. She nodded and reached out a hand, and he shook it. The formality of the exchange gave Henry hope.
Henry couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed. Not only had Lavinia defended him, but she’d given up her fight and bested her father, sacrificing everything for the sake of the children in the process.
Emery leaned close. “Looks like your sweetheart loves you, too, son. I’d say it’s time to stake your claim, before it’s too late.”
“Yes, sir. I intend to.” He glanced at the children, and a plan began to take shape. It might fail miserably, but he had to try.
Would it be enough?
* * *
“Come, children,” Lavinia said. “It’s time to go.”
They darted out the door ahead of her, clutching their new toys and whispering among themselves, no doubt trying to make sense of what had happened. She followed, each step an effort.
Despite her weariness, she felt a sense of peace at odds with her situation that could only have come from the Lord. He’d upheld her through the ordeal with her father. Surely, He had a plan for her future. She’d just have to wait for Him to reveal it.
Hopefully, things would work out for Stuart, too. If the investors at his preferred firm in San Francisco would be willing to grant him a year to find a wife, he was prepared to accept their offer. He deserved to be happy, even if things hadn’t worked out for her. At least she was finally free of her father and his unceasing demands.
Gladys’s help putting the schoolroom to rights after the last guests headed home couldn’t have been more welcome. At long last, Lavinia could leave.
Sh
e needed to get the children to bed as soon as possible. Only then could she bury her face in her pillow and give way to the tears that had been threatening ever since she’d seen Henry bolt out of the building an hour ago. He’d witnessed the ugly scene with her father, and yet he left without so much as a word. She’d thought he would be happy. After all, she’d made it clear she wasn’t fighting him for guardianship anymore.
They reached Church Street, and Lavinia trudged up the hill. Marcie fell in step beside her. “Your father isn’t a nice man, is he?”
“No. He’s not.”
Alex joined them. “He wanted to take us away. Did you know that?”
“I did. That’s why I came here. He’d asked me to take you back to Philadelphia, but I realized that wasn’t right. Sutter Creek is your home.”
“What will you do now?” Marcie asked.
Lavinia drew in a deep breath of the cool night air and slowly released it. “I don’t know.”
“You won’t leave us, will you, Aunt Livy?” Dot asked, her voice wavering.
“Not right away.” She summoned the cheeriest tone she could muster. “We have a Christmas to celebrate first, and it will be special.”
“Yes, it will, because you’ll be here with us.” Alex took hold of her hand. He didn’t welcome displays of affection, and he rarely initiated them. Lavinia relished the unexpected gift.
The children had claimed her heart. She dreaded leaving and watching them grow smaller as the stagecoach pulled away, but she couldn’t stay here forever. Henry would be eager to move out of the boardinghouse and reduce his expenses.
She blinked back tears. Somehow she reached the house without shedding any. Alex flung open the gate, and he and his sisters headed up the path to the front porch. Lavinia closed the gate behind them, the wrought iron cold to the touch.
“Lavinia!” Henry called. “I’m out back. Could you come here, please?”
The urgency in his voice sent a jolt of energy through her. He’d mentioned earlier that evening that he’d planned to carry in some firewood after the party. Had something happened to him? She broke into a run. The children’s hurried footfalls echoed hers.
