The Best of Intentions

by Susan Anne Mason

  “I wanted to tell you—and Andrew. But I suspected how he would react.” Grace sniffed. “And if I told you, I knew you’d have to tell him too.”

  “You’re right. I could never keep such a secret from Drew.” Virginia’s brow puckered. “It doesn’t mean I agree with how he’s handled things though.”

  Grace stared at her, a faint hope dawning. Her heart beat loudly in her chest. “Are you saying . . . ?”

  Virginia leaned forward and reached out to grasp Grace’s hand. “I know you love Christian, Grace, and the fact is, he’s your flesh and blood too. I forgive you, and I hope we can still be friends.”

  Grace shot up from her chair and threw her arms around Virginia. Her whole frame shook as she hugged her.

  When Virginia pulled back, they both swiped tears from their cheeks.

  “You don’t know how much this means to me,” Grace said. “I couldn’t bear to lose you too.”

  “Never.” Virginia hugged her again, then pulled her over to the sofa. “We need a plan. My brother is being a complete ninny, as you would say. And it’s my job to make him see reason.”

  At the determined look on her friend’s face, Grace dared to believe Virginia might be able to soften Andrew’s heart. At this point, Grace would even be grateful for the absence of hostility. “What do you intend to do?”

  “I don’t know yet. But hopefully something will come to me soon.”

  CHAPTER 29

  “Miss Virginia. How nice to see you.” Father’s secretary smiled up at Virginia as she approached the desk.

  “Thank you, Martha. It’s been a while since I’ve dropped by.” She gave the woman her brightest smile, tilting her head to show off her stylish new hat. “Is my brother in his office?”

  “I believe so. Would you like me to tell him you’re here?”

  “No need. I know the way.” Virginia headed down the hall toward Andrew’s office, praying he was alone. This was a conversation that needed privacy, which was another reason she’d chosen to come to the hotel instead of risking being overheard at home.

  Besides, Andrew would be less likely to shout at her in the middle of the office.

  His door was ajar so she poked her head inside. He was in his chair, facing the window. Virginia could just make out his profile.

  “Working hard, I see.” She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

  Andrew whirled around in his chair. “Ginny. This is a nice surprise.” He rose and came to kiss her cheek. “What are you doing here?”

  “Do I need a reason to visit?”

  His expression changed from pleased to wary. “If you’ve come to lecture me about my engagement, you can save your breath.”

  “I’ve come to have a rational discussion with my brother, whom I love.” She flopped onto one of his guest chairs, her purse on her lap. “And I hope he’ll be honest with me.”

  The scowl deepened, but he returned to his seat. “Dare I ask what I haven’t been honest about?”

  She gave him a long look, measuring her words before she spoke. “I want you to explain why you’re marrying Cecilia when you’re clearly in love with Grace.”

  His eyes went wide, then his brows crashed together. “I am not in love with Grace. The farthest thing from it.”

  She knew that stubborn set to his jaw. “You’re deceiving yourself, Drew. You may be angry with her, but deep down, you know you’re in love with her.”

  “The topic is not up for discussion. I’ve made my decision, and it’s final.”

  At that moment, he sounded more like their father than ever before. She’d expected resistance, but not downright refusal to discuss the situation.

  “I realize Cecilia is not your favorite person,” he continued, “but you’re going to have to find a way to tolerate her, because she will be my wife by the time you return from Europe. And I’m sorry our wedding will take place while you’re away. But both Father and Mr. Harrison agree—”

  “For heaven’s sake, Drew, aren’t you tired of always bowing to Daddy’s wishes?” She pushed up to pace the room, frustration humming in her veins. “Why can’t we make our own decisions? Would the world really stop revolving if we did?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “I sense there’s more to this than just my wedding. Does this have something to do with your own engagement?”

  Virginia huffed and sat back down. He always could see through her. “Indirectly, I suppose. But this is more about your happiness.” She leaned toward him. “Drew, if you love Grace, why shouldn’t you marry her? This whole idea that we have to choose a partner within the same class is archaic. And why does Daddy get to dictate whom we marry?”

  Andrew came around to sit on the edge of the desk. “Is there someone else you wish to wed, Ginny?” he asked softly. “Someone you think Father won’t approve of?”

  She bit her lip to control her emotions. Somehow this conversation had gotten out of hand. She was supposed to be talking about his romance, not hers. She leaned toward him. “What if there were? What if we took a stand and both told Daddy we were marrying who we wanted?”

  Andrew stared at her. “Do you really think he’d just accept it?”

  “He’d have to. Surely he wouldn’t disown both of us.”

  He looked down at her with eyes that seared her soul. “I’m afraid he might, Gin. And have you considered what that would do to our mother? Her health couldn’t withstand another shock like that.”

  Virginia’s stomach sank to her shoes. “It would kill her to lose both of us, as well as Christian.” She stared into his haggard face, noting for the first time the network of lines around his eyes. “You’re doing this partly for her sake, aren’t you?”

  “It’s the right thing to do. The honorable thing. I’ve led Cecilia to believe I was courting her with the intent to marry. I can’t go back on my word and reject her, like Frank did. Nor can I let our parents down again.” He released a breath. “I have a duty to them and to our family. One I can’t ignore.”

  Virginia pressed her lips together, blinking back the tears that burned beneath her lids. “You are the most honorable man I know. I suppose I can’t expect you to do anything less.”

  A wave of relief passed over his features, easing the furrows on his forehead. He pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for understanding. And I promise I’ll make up for my hasty wedding by celebrating doubly at yours.”

  She swallowed the lump of raw emotion constricting her throat and squeezed him harder. “In the meantime, will you at least try to forgive Grace? For Christian’s sake, if nothing else.”

  His eyes widened. “She told you?”

  Virginia nodded. “I was hurt at first too, but I understand why she did it.”

  The stiffness returned to his shoulders, and he appeared ready to argue.

  “Never mind. I’ll leave you to think about it.” She kissed his cheek. “We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?”

  “That we are.” He pulled one of her curls, an act reminiscent of their childhood.

  “Don’t forget the engagement party at the Flemings’ next Saturday. I suppose you’d better invite Cecilia too.”

  “I will.” His face changed and he pulled her close in another hug. “Everything will work out for the best, Gin. You’ll see.”

  In that instant, with nothing else she could do, she chose to believe him.

  “I hope you’re right.” She mustered one last parting smile as she left him.

  With a huge sigh, she continued down the hall. Their conversation had not gone at all the way she’d hoped, but at least she and Drew understood each other better.

  And, with time, she knew he would forgive Grace. Maybe that was all she could expect.

  Andrew poured himself a glass of water and drained it in one gulp. His insides were as twisted as a bedsheet that had just passed through a wringer. He couldn’t believe Ginny knew about Grace’s lies and had actually forgiven her.

  He closed his eyes. Maybe he�
�d be able to forgive her too, if he weren’t in love with her.

  Leave it to Ginny to figure out his true feelings. Yet he’d denied it to her face. Who’s lying now, Easton?

  With a thud, he set the glass back on the sideboard.

  A knock sounded on his door. He turned as Paul Edison stepped into his office.

  Andrew suppressed a groan. Just what he needed. Another confrontation.

  “I’d like a word, if you have a minute.” Edison stood very still, hands in his pockets.

  Gone was his usual swagger and bravado. Instead he looked beaten down, subdued. His face was unshaven and even his hair lacked its usual luster.

  “Have a seat.” Andrew gestured to the guest chairs.

  “I’ll stand, thanks. This won’t take long.” Edison squared his shoulders and inhaled. “I came to apologize.”

  Andrew crossed his arms and studied the clearly uncomfortable man. “For what exactly?”

  “First of all, for flirting with Cecilia.” He moved farther into the room, his gaze falling somewhere in the vicinity of Andrew’s shoulder. “I’ll admit I brought her to work here, hoping she’d come to prefer my particular brand of charm over yours. I knew you were courting her, and I had no right to intrude on that.” He lifted his head and met Andrew’s gaze. “She’s made her choice now, and I want you to know you don’t have to worry about me interfering again.” His face twisted with what looked like a mixture of regret and sorrow.

  “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

  Noise from the hall filtered in through the partly open door.

  Edison shifted his weight. “Secondly, my overly competitive nature has not been in the best interest of the company.” He cleared his throat. “This is hard to admit, but I was jealous of your relationship with your father. Of the faith he has in you.” He shrugged. “I never knew my own father. So it was an honor when Oscar took me under his wing. But I didn’t repay him the way I should have by respecting his son.”

  Andrew frowned. Was this sincere or was Edison after something? He moved behind his desk, studying him. “What brought about these startling revelations?”

  “You’re skeptical. I understand that.” Paul gripped the back of a chair, his knuckles whitening. “Losing the woman you love forces you to take a long hard look at yourself. And when I did, I didn’t care for what I saw.”

  Losing the woman you love. So he wasn’t just trying to win over Cecilia out of some sense of competition. He truly cared for her.

  “I know I can never take your place with Oscar, but I promise to ensure things run smoothly here. And to keep you informed of all pertinent matters that arise.”

  Andrew leveled Paul with a hard stare. The man didn’t flinch or break eye contact. “I appreciate you saying all this. It takes courage to admit when you’ve done something wrong.” He held out his hand across the desk. “It will be good to have someone I can trust at my father’s side when I’m gone.”

  The lines in Paul’s forehead eased as he shook Andrew’s hand. “No hard feelings?”

  “None.”

  Paul smiled. “That’s a relief. I wasn’t sure if I’d be looking for a new job after this.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, everyone’s entitled to a mistake as long as they learn from it.”

  “Thank you. You won’t regret this.”

  As Paul exited the room, Grace’s face flew to mind. She’d seemed sincerely remorseful for her mistake when Andrew confronted her. If he could be magnanimous with Paul, couldn’t he show her compassion as well?

  Andrew slumped back against his chair. Maybe Virginia was right.

  Maybe it was time he considered forgiving Grace.

  CHAPTER 30

  On the night of her engagement party, Virginia sat ramrod straight in the front seat of Basil’s automobile. He had chosen to take her home himself instead of using his driver, perhaps hoping to have a moment alone before the busyness of the next few days overtook them.

  The party had been a combination of a congratulations on their engagement and a bon voyage before the family left for Europe. Though the Flemings were nice enough, Virginia still felt out of place in their home. Basil’s sister, Bettina, who would be her maid of honor, was a somber girl, who tended to regard Virginia as an interloper. His much older brother, Martin, was a staid fellow with a mousy wife and three rather irritating children. Virginia wished Grace could have been there, but realized it wouldn’t have been appropriate. At least her friend had agreed to see her off at the train station in the morning.

  Virginia couldn’t believe that tomorrow she’d be taking a train to Halifax, and from there boarding a steamship to Britain. Then they would spend the next two and a half months traveling all over Europe. What would her world look like when she returned?

  Andrew would be married to Cecilia, and he and Christian would be living in Ottawa. It hurt Virginia’s heart just to think about not seeing that darling boy every day. She would have to make a point of visiting them often so he wouldn’t forget his Aunt Ginny.

  And without Christian, Grace would be gone as well. Virginia had no idea if Grace would stay in Canada or return to England to care for her mother. Very likely, Virginia would lose the closest thing she’d ever had to a sister.

  The car jostled her as Basil drove up the driveway toward Fairlawn. He stopped in front of the house and set the brake. “Well, my dear, this is the last time I will drive you home for quite some time.”

  “So it is.” Her heart pinched. The thought of leaving Fairlawn, even for a few months, released a flood of nostalgia and regret—along with a large measure of unease, traveling so far from home with a man she didn’t really know. No better time to change that and hopefully clarify a few things between them.

  She turned in her seat to face him. “Basil, there’s something I wish to discuss, if you don’t mind.”

  “What is it?” His expression became wary.

  “We haven’t really talked about . . . children.” Each time she’d tried to broach the topic, he found a way to change the subject. “You do want a family, don’t you?” The question hung in the air as Virginia awaited his reaction.

  His brows drew together. “This isn’t about your nephew again, I hope.”

  “No. I’ve resigned myself to that situation. But Basil”—she leaned over to place a hand on his arm—“once we’re married, I would like to start a family right away. After all, I am almost twenty-five, and—”

  “I’m afraid that’s out of the question. For the next year or two, my work will require extensive traveling, and I will need you by my side.”

  Her mouth fell open, her heart thumping hard.

  He must have noticed her distress for he patted her knee. “Once things settle down in a couple of years, we can revisit the idea of having children.”

  Virginia’s insides clenched. She knew that condescending tone, the one he used when he wanted to placate her. She had the dreadful premonition that when the time came, Basil would find yet another excuse why children would not be convenient.

  “Come now, darling, don’t pout. The future will take care of itself. You’ll see.” He pulled her closer and kissed her.

  Virginia closed her eyes, trying to relax into his embrace. She’d have to learn to enjoy his kisses—and more—if they were to have children.

  He broke away with a laugh and trailed a finger down her bare arm. “You’d better go inside before I forget myself.”

  A chill invaded her body at his possessive manner. What would he be like when they were legally joined?

  When he made no move to accompany her to the house, she opened her door. “Good-night, Basil.”

  “Sweet dreams, darling. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”

  She hurried up the stairs and inside the front door, waving briefly before closing it and leaning back against the solid wood surface. Her erratic breathing bore testimony to her unsettled emotions.

  Lord, am I doing the right thing? Is this trip,
this marriage, your will for my life?

  In the silence of the foyer, the loud ticking of the grandfather clock was her only answer. She pushed away from the door and headed toward the stairs, but before she reached them, the sound of raised voices from the direction of the library waylaid her.

  Surely Daddy and Andrew weren’t having a row? Virginia marched down the hall to find out. As she reached the library, the door flew open.

  Collin strode out, a deep scowl etching his features.

  Her heart flopped in her chest. “Collin, what’s the matter?”

  “Not a bloomin’ thing.” He jammed his cap on his head and continued toward the rear of the house.

  Rarely had Virginia seen him so upset about . . . anything. She bit her lip, indecision wreaking havoc. She couldn’t go after him now—it wouldn’t be seemly. But she could find out from her father what they’d been arguing about.

  Virginia entered the library and quietly closed the door. Her father sat in one of his armchairs, staring into the fire. The overpowering smell of his cigar hung in the air.

  She took a seat beside him. “What was that about? Collin looked ready to punch someone.”

  A nerve jumped in her father’s jaw. He took a drink from the glass of amber liquid in his hand but said nothing.

  “Well? Why were you two arguing?”

  “If you must know,” he bit out, “Mr. Lafferty just tendered his resignation.”

  Virginia went rigid. Her lungs squeezed, as though a vice had gripped them. “He quit?”

  “I believe that’s what I said.”

  “Why would he do such a thing? He loves it here.”

  “He claims his sister is ill and needs his help. But I don’t believe that’s the real reason.” Her father turned to level her with a pointed stare.

  Virginia gripped the wooden armrest, her mind whirling. “His sister lives in Scotland. Is he going back there?”