"Yes, which is why I tried to stay in it for so long. But it's not making me happy. Russelle, I jumped at the chance to leave law school and go take care of my Dad and have been dreading the day when he no longer needed me. Does that sound like someone who really wants to be a lawyer?"
Russelle straightened her utensils as if that would straighten Anne's thinking. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
Russelle sighed, then reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "All right, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to force you into something you didn't love. I just thought you lacked direction and needed a push. But," she pulled her hand away and wagged her finger at her. "You really should have told me sooner. We could have changed careers years ago and you'd be excelling in your career by now. But, uh," she dropped her hand. "You sure about being a counselor? They don't pay very well and you'll work such long hours—"
"So do lawyers."
"But the pay makes up for it."
"Money doesn't always make things better. You saw that with my mother."
Russelle fell silent. Coincidentally, the food arrived, and Russelle seemed inclined to focus on eating, which Anne obliged.
Halfway through their meal, Russelle laid down her fork as if she had decided something. "If you want to be a counselor, Anne, then I will support you. Now, don't take this wrong, I just want to understand you, okay?"
Anne raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, do you have a backup plan? I mean, isn't there anything else you'd rather do than be a counselor, just in case that one doesn't work out?"
Anne hesitated, pushing around her food. Russelle leaned forward. "Please be honest. I won't judge, I promise, I just want to understand. I thought I knew you so well and now, I suddenly feel I don't know you at all."
"You really want to know what I'd prefer to be?"
"Yes."
Anne took a deep breath. "A mother."
Russelle straightened in surprise. "You want kids? Really?"
Anne nodded.
Russelle drummed her fingers as if trying to calculate how well she could mitigate a disaster. "Well, I suppose a girl could adopt kids these days—"
"Not by myself. I would want to raise them in a family." Give them the type of upbringing she had always wanted herself, with adoring parents who provided warmth and support, like the elderly Musgroves or the Crofts.
"You mean with a husband," Russelle said as if resigned to a horrible doom.
"Marriage isn't so bad," Anne said softly.
"Of course not. There are those that do well at it. But you never seemed interested in anyone."
The memory of Rick flashed before her eyes, but she wasn't going to bring him up. Not if she had to confess that he had ended up having no interest in her after all. "You always seemed so against marriage."
Russelle rubbed her forehead. "No, I'm not against it, but... well, all these years I thought you were more like me, content to be by yourself."
"I do like being by myself, but I do crave being with someone special. Someone who gets you, who doesn't bore you, who can share your joys and sorrows with. Has that never enticed you?"
Russelle paused for a moment, an odd look in her eyes. A mixture of sadness and amusement. "You know, I was engaged once."
Anne choked on her food. "You were?"
"Yes. Charming man. A lawyer, like me. Very ambitious with a lot of the same goals as me. And so handsome."
"But?"
"My career took off before his did and he didn't take too well to the idea that I might always have the upper hand in the earning potential."
"He broke it off because of that?"
"No, I did. I could see the writing on the wall. He became moodier and more defensive the higher my pay went. Your mother, bless her soul, was already married to your father then and I could see the unhappiness eating her up. I had no intention of following in those footsteps so I showed him the door and never regretted it. Barely have thought about him, actually, until now." She tapped her glass for a moment. "But I suppose if I found someone who could handle my quirks, my love for money, and didn't bore me to death, then I wouldn't be opposed to marriage." She straightened her utensils again. "All right, if marriage is what you want, then let's make a plan for it. Do you have anyone in mind?"
Rick immediately sprung up but Anne forced him out of her mind. "Not yet, but there's always the dream of one."
Russelle played with her fork. "What about this Will Elliot?"
Anne started. "Will?"
"He does sound like quite the catch. Handsome, a lawyer, ambitious, driven, and, not to mention, forgiving."
Anne couldn't help remembering that cold flash in his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure—" Her phone pinged and they both stared at it in surprise.
"That's probably Charles." Anne checked the notification, then gasped.
"Oh, no, don't tell me the Musgrove girl has taken a turn for the worse!"
Anne shook her head. "It's not from Charles. It's an email. From my old friend Livvy, remember her?"
"Isn't that the friend you had during your college days? Tall, dark-haired, and very smart. Top of her class, right?"
"Yes, that's her."
"But I thought you hadn't heard from her in a while."
"I'd sent a follow-up email a month or so back and she's finally written back." Anne scrolled through the email, reading it as fast as she could. "She's back in Boston! She just moved back and wants to know if I'm still in the area." Anne couldn't believe it. After all these years, to meet Livvy again! And to think she moved back right when Anne was in the city. The fates were finally being kind!
"Did she mention what brought her here? She used to have such big dreams. I remember being excited to see her take on the world, even wondering if she'd become someone famous. But then she had to go and get married and ruin all that potential—" Russelle abruptly cringed. "Oh dear, have I been saying anti-marriage things like that all this time?"
Anne nodded. "You do criticize it a lot."
"I'm sorry. I must have been saying those things for years. Well, for your friend's sake, I hope she has had a wonderful marriage, a truckload of kids, and has achieved all of her dreams."
"I hope so, too. She wants to meet with me. Would you mind if I replied right now?"
"Only after you set up when I can meet this Will Elliott."
Anne rolled her eyes. "Come to any of the events my father goes to, especially if it's with the oh so famous Senator. He's always tagging along with those."
"This Will knows the senator as well?"
"Well, we're cousins with the Dalrymples. I imagine he's related to them somehow as well."
"No, the Dalyrmples are related through your mother's side, not the Elliot side." She said it as though the Elliot side could never be worthy enough for the Dalrymples.
Anne hid a smile. "Well, they've met somehow. You can ask him how."
Russelle leaned forward. "And when would that be?"
"When I get home, I can text you a list of the activities planned. How's that?"
Russelle smiled. "Perfect. I can't wait to meet this mysterious, handsome Elliot."
Chapter 22
Anne wasn't quite as eager as Russelle to meet with Will again since it meant she had to go to another one of the parties, but when he joined their group before they headed out, she couldn't deny how well he looked in his suit. Then again, she had only seen him in suits. Did he not wear any other clothing? Or was he like her father and sister, always dressed at their best in order to keep up with appearances?
Russelle took an instant like to Will. It was evident in her eyes and smile and, when Will wasn't looking, Russelle mouthed to Anne, "He's a catch!"
Alas, Anne was in a large group, with several she didn't know, and she had to compete with her own sister and Russelle to chat with Will. She noted how well he fared in the large group, juggling multiple conversations at once and keeping everyone engaged. Penny, however, he avoided
. It almost reminded Anne of how she and Rick acted, always forced together, but never speaking. It couldn't be an unrequited love, then. Or, perhaps, Penny had confessed at some point and now it was awkward? But there seemed to be more between them than just awkwardness.
As they headed into the home of some important political person, Anne drifted behind in order to fall in step with the fake-shy Penny.
"Excited for this gala?" Anne asked, using the proper term for this over-crowded party.
"Of course," was Penny's reply, a polite smile on her face, her eyes on Eliza as if expecting every word to be overheard and judged. "Mr. Bertram has a lot of good connections. Your father would do well to become friends with him."
"Mmm," Anne said, not really caring about the topic. "I hear Mr. Bertram has a few sons our age. Do you think Will would know any of them?"
Penny hunched her shoulders as if trying to insist she was very, very shy. "I'm afraid I don't know much about Will."
"You don't?" Anne asked. Then, hoping her face looked as innocent as her tone, she added. "You two seem to know each other, though."
Those lidded eyes widened for a moment. "What do you mean? Why would I know Will? He's your cousin, not mine."
Triumph blossomed within Anne. Penny was on the defense so Anne must be right. Alas, Anne had no idea how to get her to spill the secret. Unless...
Anne drummed up a confused expression. "I thought Eliza would have sent you to learn all his secrets. It's obvious that she likes him."
Penny narrowed those intelligent eyes. "I think someone else likes him, too. You shouldn't."
Anne's eyes widened. That was a rather direct statement for Penny. But then, Anne didn't really know the real Penny. "What do you mean?"
Penny grabbed her arm and leaned in close to her ear. "I don't want you hurt, Anne. Go back to your sister, Mary."
Anne gasped, but before she could say anything, Penny walked away as if she had only remarked on the weather. She stared after her, dumbfounded. This must prove that Penny had fallen in love with Will at some point, but then had her heart crushed. But when? Eliza was too demanding of a friend to let Penny wander off with a boyfriend. And Penny must fear that Will would break Anne's heart, too, hence the warning.
"There you are," Will announced, appearing before her. "Dawdling again, I see?"
Anne frantically slapped on a polite smile. "I do best at the back of groups."
"But there are so many fascinating people to meet. Here," he extended the crook of his arm. "I'll help you do the rounds."
"I'm good—"
He grabbed her hand. "Trust me. It's a lot easier with me." He ignored her protests and pulled her along. Not wanting to make a scene, Anne followed with her best polite smile, greeting each person that Will propelled her toward. Luckily, Will always took over the conversation so she only had to do what she did best: listen. But the topics weren't anything she had interest in. She'd rather listen to James' poetry than about all the gossip and politics of the day. And Will's laugh, no matter who they were with, was always that same, stiff laugh. Hearing it over and over began to aggravate her. Wasn't he with friends? Then why couldn't he laugh with heart and depth?
After a while, she managed to sneak away and stand against the wall. It was the only area not packed with people. She kept her eyes on Will, though, wondering if he'd run into Penny—and wondering how the two would react.
"I can see why you like him," Russelle said as she joined Anne against the wall.
Anne flushed. "I never said I liked him."
"You didn't have to. Your eyes have been on him this whole evening."
Anne flushed even more. She hadn't realized her observations had been so obvious. "I'm trying to understand him better."
"Then talk to him, sweetie, and stop staring at him."
"I have. I spent probably a half an hour with him. But..."
"What?"
"His laugh. It's always the same."
Russelle laughed herself. "Not everyone can have a unique laugh, Anne. Don't judge the poor man because of that."
"It's not that. His laugh doesn't seem to have any warmth to it. It feels...practiced. Like a recording."
Russelle shook her head in amusement. "And this is why I never thought you were interested in anyone. You always nitpicked every guy you met. Always comparing them to..." she abruptly stopped, apparently not willing to turn the conversation to a certain someone. "Oh, I see an old acquaintance," Russelle announced and threaded herself into the crowd again.
Anne sighed. Russelle was right. She compared every man to Rick. And Will's laugh compared dismally to Rick's. She wondered what Rick would do if he was in this party. He'd probably leave, actually. He'd go find people that understood him instead of forcing himself to be polite to all these people. No wonder he had such good friends that Anne envied. She really needed to stop coming to these parties. She only came to please her father, but he hardly noticed her.
All right, then, this would be the last party she attended. She nodded firmly to herself as if that would seal the deal.
"Going to battle?"
Anne jumped, shocked to find Will beside her once again. He was like a boomerang. "What?"
"You have such a fierce face right now as if you're about to charge into them." He waved his hand at the crowd around them.
"I-I was just thinking," she stammered and wished she could have come up with a better excuse. Why had she not been blessed with wit!
Will grinned, leaning against the wall, facing her. "Thinking about getting out of here, weren't you?"
Anne flushed. He could read her too easily. "It's too big of a group."
"Mmm," he mused, eying the crowd. "What if the group was the size of two? I could give you a thrilling tour of Boston."
She stared at him. Was he asking her on a date? "I've lived in Boston before," was the first thing out of her mouth. Besides, Eliza would be livid. And Penny would fear Anne was falling for him.
He turned to her in surprise. "You did? When?"
"A few years ago. I went to college and then law school."
"Law school? Really? Did you enjoy it?"
She decided to be honest. "Not really."
"I thought that might be the case. You're too sweet to be with these wolves." He gestured to the crowd.
Though he was right, she didn't like including everyone in the room. "I'm sure there are nice people in there."
He laughed—that polite one again. Did he really have no other laugh? "You're too good, Anne. How did a sweet thing like you end up in a family like yours?" That cold flash shot through his eyes again.
Anne resisted the urge to scoot away from him. She really didn't like that odd flash. It didn't make sense with his warm smile and friendly manner. "To be honest, I'm sure my family has thought the same thing."
He produced the polite laugh again. "How about my tour offer, though? I've noticed you've neatly avoided it."
Anne didn't know what to say. Russelle would probably be disappointed if she said no while Eliza would throw a fit if she said yes. And as for herself, she wasn't sure. He was attractive and had a lot of good qualities, but there was that weird cold flash whenever he talked about her family, not to mention his annoying laugh. Then again, she might just be deciding against him since he wasn't Rick. She should give him a chance. Plus, perhaps she could learn more about his past with Penny!
"I'll go."
"Tomorrow then?"
"I'm actually meeting with an old friend tomorrow. How about this weekend? I'll be free then."
He smiled and it lit up his whole face. Anne smiled, relieved. At least his smiles could appear genuine. "The weekend it is."
Chapter 23
Anne pulled up to her friend's apartment, a short, squat of a building in a part of town that had once surged with prosperity but was left behind a few decades ago. Anne checked the address once more, surprised her friend would move into this area. Livvy had too much zest for life to end up in this
shady part of town.
As she stepped out of her car, her phone rang. Anne frantically grabbed it out of her purse, hoping it wasn't Charles. The last she'd heard from him, Louisa's condition hadn't changed which didn't bode well and Anne was terrified of getting a call with even worse news.
To her surprise, however, it was her father. He only called if he was mad about something. Hoping that was not the case, she answered the phone.
"Where are you?" he demanded on the other line.
Anne sighed. Something probably had upset him and he needed a scapegoat to blame. "I'm visiting a friend—"
"A friend? When Senator Dalrymple is coming over right now? Anne, how could you do this? You never leave the house. I was counting on you!"
Counting on her for what?" Sorry, Dad, but I didn't know she was coming over—"
"Not know? We discussed it over breakfast!"
"I wasn't there. I eat earlier than you, remember?"
"How am I supposed to keep track of your schedule. Eliza said you'd have the files all arranged so I could show her some of the cases I handled while at the Pemberley Estates, but I have none of them ready to show!"
Anne sighed. "Eliza or Penny could—"
"They're busy shopping. Just come over here and get the files—"
Anne looked at the time. She'd have no time to visit her friend if she went. "I'm sorry, Dad, but I'm visiting a friend—"
"But this is important!"
"So is my friend. And Eliza shouldn't have offered me when she never informed me."
"Don't blame Eliza—"
"Dad, I know you think Eliza is perfect, but she messed up here so you'll have to call her to fix it. I can't do anything about it from here." Knowing he'd only continue to argue, she added, "Thanks for calling. Love you, Dad." She hung up. Probably the worst thing to do, but she didn't want to deal with it. She'd been bending over backwards for her father for far too long. And while she had always hoped he'd see her like Eliza, she had to face the facts that he never would. Her personality and her ideas of happiness were too different from his.
Persuading Him: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 1) Page 19