Of course it’s Delmar. No one else would be visiting. Unless. . .
Augusta jumped up from the table and rushed into the parlor. A moment later, Cecily heard her voice all the way to the back of the house. “He’s here!”
Delmar. I wish it were Averil.
Father gulped down the last bit of his coffee and slid back the substantial chair at the head of the table. “I suppose it’s my fatherly duty to greet him.”
“Thank you, Father.” Cecily knew the tone of her voice hardly matched the excitement in her sister’s.
As Augusta returned to the dining room, Mother said, “I do believe the whole city knows that Cecily has a gentleman caller. Really, Augusta, you must learn to restrain yourself.” She pointed to Augusta’s plate. “Now sit down and finish your meal.”
Augusta nodded and complied, though she wore a slight pout.
Cecily was in no mood to finish her potatoes. She placed the napkin against her lips and then set it in her lap. “May I be excused from the table, Mother?”
“Certainly. No need to keep him waiting.” She beamed. “Especially not when this visit may be the start of an extremely bright future for you both.”
“Yes, Mother.” Cecily placed her soiled napkin beside her plate and rose from her mahogany chair.
“Now, now. You must show more enthusiasm than that.” Mother jumped up from her seat. “Here, let me look at you.” She surveyed Cecily from the top of her chignon to the tip of her kid leather Sunday shoes. She nodded in approval. “Yes, your Sunday dress looks quite well on you. Rose always was your best color.”
Cecily nodded, even though her stomach felt as though it had twisted into a tight knot. She hated to disappoint anyone, and she knew she was on her way to upsetting not only Delmar, but Mother as well.
The knot tightened when she recalled Averil’s absence that morning in church. She had looked over her shoulder more than once, anticipating his arrival. He never materialized. He had seemed the picture of robust health the day before. Surely he hadn’t contracted some sort of illness to keep him away from worship. An unwelcome pang of guilt shot through her clenched stomach. Had she somehow offended Averil? Had she scared him off or had someone else? Or was she imagining things because of her own conflicting feelings?
Perhaps his absence was for the best. If he had been in her Sunday school class, how could she have avoided inviting him to Sunday dinner, as had become her custom?
She sent up a silent prayer, one of many she had prayed since the end of the Celebration of Spring.
Heavenly Father, I know my heart, and I know how Thou art leading me. I understand that nothing with Averil is certain and that I may be misreading Thy divine will and plan for my life. If I am mistaken, Lord, guide me in accepting Delmar’s proposal of marriage.
“Now,” Mother interrupted, “I’m sure your father has had ample time to greet Delmar. Why don’t you go on in the parlor? You and Delmar can talk. After a bit, I’ll send in a piece of cherry pie and cup of tea for each of you. How does that sound?”
“As if you would let me argue.” Cecily smiled. She heard Father and Delmar talking in the parlor.
“I think they’ve had enough time to greet one another. Now would be the perfect time for you to make your entrance,” Mother prodded.
Cecily wished she could think of an excuse to linger in the safety of the dining room, but none came to mind. She nodded a weak acquiescence and left.
Augusta greeted her in the hallway. She touched Cecily on the shoulder and whispered, “This is so exciting! Delmar is here to propose marriage. I just know it!”
Not knowing how else to respond, Cecily nodded slowly.
“So it’s true! He’s going to propose! Mother and Father will be so happy, Cecily,” Augusta assured her. “They’d both much rather see Delmar join the family than. . .”
Augusta’s near admission caused Cecily’s stomach to lurch. Perhaps she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life.
“You look mighty peaked. Why, you are going to accept, aren’t you?” Augusta’s eyes widened as her hand flew from Cecily’s shoulder to her mouth.
Cecily opened her lips to speak, but no words came out.
Augusta clenched both of Cecily’s forearms. “If he asks, you’ve just got to accept! You’ve just got to!”
“Why?”
“Because!” Augusta shook her head in obvious exasperation. “You don’t want to be a. . .a spinster!” Her voice lingered on the word “spinster” as though it were the equivalent of an untimely death.
Cecily swallowed. In some ways, spinsterhood did seem like a form of death. Death to so many possibilities. Death to the idea of the love of a husband, to the comforts of children.
“Do you?” Augusta pressed.
She still couldn’t answer right away. The thought that she might be alone for the rest of her days had never occurred to Cecily. She contemplated for a moment what life might be like as a dutiful spinster daughter and later as a beloved maiden aunt to the children Augusta and Roger were certain to have one day.
“There are worse fates,” she concluded aloud. “If God does not wish for me to marry, I shall live my life as a single woman.”
Augusta grimaced. “I doubt you really want to be a spinster. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll grab the brass ring, or should I say, the engagement ring.” She giggled at her attempted humor. Just as quickly, her grin melted and she gasped. “Unless Mr. Kingsley has already spoken up.”
“No.” Cecily’s heart beat more rapidly at the thought.
“Oh.” Augusta looked at the floor, then back up into Cecily’s face. “That’s all for the best, then. You know Mother would never approve of a mere salesman.”
“But—”
“Even if he is in charge of a regional office.” Augusta placed a forefinger on Cecily’s shoulder. “You know what they say. Never count your chickens before they’re hatched.” She tilted her head toward the parlor. “You’ve got certainty in Delmar. Not so with Mr. Kingsley.”
“Thank you for your good advice,” Cecily answered in a tone that her sister would know conveyed the opposite. Eager to escape, she brushed past Augusta and made her way to the small room in the front of the house.
“Ah, there is my dear Cecily now.” Father rose from his wing chair. Cecily noticed his voice seemed more cheerful and loud than necessary.
Following Father’s lead, Delmar rose from his position on the brocaded sofa. A cocksure grin covered his face. “You look lovely today, Cecily.”
“Yes, she does.” Father glanced at Cecily with pride. “Well now. I know you two don’t need me around. You enjoy your visit. We’ll be in the kitchen, Cecily.” He nodded and exited before either Cecily or Delmar could respond.
Cecily wished Father could have stayed. Even though she had known Delmar since they were both barely able to talk, she suddenly felt awkward and shy. She didn’t want to sit directly beside him on the sofa. Before Delmar could suggest a seat, Cecily slid into the chair just vacated by Father. She looked into Delmar’s face with a smile that she knew had to seem contrived. Delmar twitched his lips and repositioned himself on the sofa without comment.
Cecily hoped Delmar wouldn’t hesitate to address the reason for his visit, but she soon discovered she was to be disappointed. He leaned back into the cushions and waxed on about the sermon preached at his church during worship that morning. Cecily made certain not to linger in any discussion concerning Sunday school class. The temptation to mention Averil’s absence might be too much to resist.
Fortunately for Cecily, Delmar didn’t show any interest in the happenings at Cecily’s church. “Yes, a fine sermon is just what we need after a long day of festivities such as the ones we enjoyed yesterday.”
At last they were getting closer to the topic that laid heavily on her mind.
“Yes, indeed.” Cecily’s heart lurched with pleasure and excitement as she remembered sharing lunch with Averil.
&nb
sp; “Of course, getting carried away in all the fuss and commotion is not uncommon,” Delmar observed.
“Fuss and commotion? But I thought the event was quite well run and pleasurable. Did you see anyone act untoward?”
“Of course not. You should know the school attracts only the finest and most upright young gentlemen and prominent families. It always has and always will.” His chest puffed up. “After all, it is my alma mater.”
“As I am aware.”
“Even so, yesterday certainly was exciting.” Delmar paused. “Take the bidding on the boxed lunches, for example.”
Cecily could feel her heart beating. “Yes. That was exciting.”
“The fact that three different men bid on your box certainly was extraordinary.” Delmar leaned toward her.
“I don’t know. I think that has happened several times in the past.” Cecily racked her brain in search of an example, but she couldn’t recall one.
“Perhaps. Although not to a lady of your station, I’m sure.” He set his backbone against the cushion and crossed his arms. The steel glint in his eye reminded her of how a schoolmaster must view a mischievous little boy.
She knew the only way to face Delmar was with a show of backbone. “Are you saying ladies of my station are not supposed to be popular?”
“They are not supposed to be flirtatious enough to be that popular.” Delmar raised his eyebrows. “If I didn’t know you to be an upstanding Christian woman, I would have been truly horrified.”
“Is that so?” The conversation was taking a strange direction Cecily could not have anticipated. She decided to weigh each word with care. “I’m not sure I like what you seem to be implying. Certainly I misinterpret what you intend to say.”
Rather than issuing the apology she expected, Delmar formed his mouth into a severe line. “Since we spoke yesterday, I have been thinking quite a lot about the bidding and what it says about you. I know you are quite sheltered, which is a fine thing for a lady from a good and respectable family. I realize you are not acquainted with the ways of, shall we say, ladies who are not quite so respectable. Since your father apparently has not broached the subject, it has become my duty to inform you.” He paused. “Ladies of your breeding don’t generally encourage three suitors at once.”
Cecily laughed in spite of herself. “You accuse me of encouraging three suitors? I did no such thing. The idea is utterly preposterous.”
“Indeed? Doth thou protest too much?”
“One must protest vehemently when faced with a false charge. I’ll have you know that I have no idea at all what possessed Professor Tobias to bid on my box.”
“What about the other man? The salesman?” Delmar asked. “He tried to sell my mother one of those newfangled carpet sweepers last week, but she declined to purchase one.” Delmar sniffed as though his mother had won a great victory.
“Too bad for her. My mother purchased one, and so did Mrs. MacGregor next door. I’m sure both of them will be quite pleased with their machines. In fact, they are in such high demand, the factory is barely able to keep up with all the orders.” She couldn’t resist a self-satisfied smile. “But you needn’t worry. As soon as your mother changes her mind, she’ll have plenty of opportunity to buy one herself.”
“So he plans to swoop down on the city from time to time from wherever it is he comes so he can visit each home more than once?” Delmar quipped.
“That won’t be necessary. I understand that Mr. Kingsley will be establishing a regional office here in the city soon. He is apparently very important in his company.” Cecily heard the pride in her voice.
“Is that so? Then why is he still selling carpet sweepers door to door?”
Cecily didn’t have a good answer. “I. . .um. . .I suppose he’s in the process of hiring other people to help him.”
“I see,” Delmar said as though he didn’t see at all. “Regional office or not, I’m sure your parents are appalled by the very notion of such a person attempting to buy the pleasure of your acquaintance at the festival, whether you are amenable to the idea or not. It’s a shame, really, that the practice of bidding, however old-fashioned and charming, leaves our young women vulnerable to the likes of such carpetbaggers, carpet-sweeper salesmen, or whatever you care to call them. I realize your parents always do what is right and proper. Of course they couldn’t keep that man from bidding on your box or on your sister’s. And naturally, since he won lunch with her, she was obligated to carry out the promise to dine with him. But after that fiasco, I’m sure you set him straight on the matter that you are not available to new suitors. You do realize, Cecily, that the Celebration of Spring’s events could lead to a great scandal.”
“I don’t see how. I have done nothing wrong.” She tried to keep her voice even, although her anger simmered.
“I know you didn’t do anything wrong intentionally. But as I said, a lady of good breeding would never let herself be pursued by three suitors at once. Especially not in public.”
Cecily tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair. “And just what do you think I could have or should have done? Do you think I would have appeared more ladylike had I jumped off the platform, waved my arms in the air, and shouted for the bidding to stop?”
“Perhaps not,” Delmar had to admit. “But lesser events, even when all parties involved were above reproach, have led local tongues to wag in the past. And certainly the Eaton name should not be besmirched by gossip and rumor. I must tell you, when I first arrived home last evening, I almost regretted having asked you to marry me. I’m afraid the question was posed rather impetuously, without much forethought.”
“Really? I was led to believe that you had been planning to ask me for years,” she couldn’t resist observing.
Delmar cleared his throat. “Just not at that particular moment in time.”
Cecily doubted him, but decided not to contradict his word. “You said ‘almost.’ You only ‘almost’ regret asking me?” She felt her mouth twist into a rueful line.
His smile was bittersweet. “I spoke too hastily. I really don’t regret asking you, not for a moment. In fact, I’m willing to announce our engagement after my school term ends next month. That should rescue your family name from any hint of tarnish.”
Cecily didn’t answer right away. She feared she would say something she would later regret. How dare Delmar act as though he were granting her a huge indulgence! She wondered if he really wanted to marry her at all. She could hear the teakettle whistling from the kitchen. She felt as hot as the boiling water but kept her steaming rage contained.
“I have a splendid notion,” he continued, obviously not observing Cecily’s doubtful expression. “Your father can host an elaborate engagement party. We will announce our betrothal then. Perhaps we can even announce a set date. A Christmas wedding would be nice. Don’t you agree?” He didn’t wait for Cecily’s answer. “We’ll be the toast of the city. Surely a large party will take everyone’s mind off yesterday’s unfortunate events.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“You know how the public eats up anything on the society pages.” He nodded his head toward her and raised his eyebrows. “You’re an Eaton. You know as well as I that any lavish event with members of our two families as principles is certain to cause quite a stir. Everyone who is anyone will be invited, and the rest of the city will read all about us in the society pages. We are sure to be celebrated.”
Cecily couldn’t argue that what Delmar said was true. “Would you be as eager to rescue my name from tarnish if my family wasn’t prominent?”
Delmar dug his heel into the rug. “Why. . .why. . . ,” he stammered. “I’m sure I would.”
“Really?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
He bristled. “Now it is my turn to say that I’m not sure I like what you seem to be implying.”
“Fine, then. I’ll make everything crystal clear. I believe you harbored very little interest in me until yesterday.”
&
nbsp; His mouth dropped open. “Now wait just a minute—”
“Allow me to finish.” She paused. “I do believe you took for granted that we had some sort of unspoken understanding. I can’t say I lay all the blame for that at your feet. Members of my own family were all too eager to believe our marriage was inevitable. However, you showed no enthusiasm about courting me until yesterday when the other men started bidding on my box.”
“But I’ve been away at school.” His voice rose in pitch, a sure sign that he was searching for a defense.
“It’s not as though you pursued me with any ardor before you left.”
“That’s not true!” he protested. “I escorted you to plenty of places.”
“If you call meeting me at the event and then leaving separately ‘escorting’ me, then I suppose you could say that.” Cecily shook her head.
“Are you saying I have been anything less than a gentleman toward you?”
“Never.”
“That’s what I thought.” He lifted his nose in the air.
Cecily tried not to wrinkle her own nose in response. Delmar’s attitude told her that he worried more about his name and reputation than her feelings. She wanted to tell him so, but decided nothing would be accomplished by enjoying a vigorous debate. “Don’t worry, Delmar. None of this is your fault. In fact, I’m glad it happened. Now we know once and for all that we aren’t meant to be.”
“I never said that.”
“But I just did. If I had any doubts before this weekend commenced, I have no doubt now. I have been praying ever since you proposed. I don’t feel the Lord leading me to accept.”
“Did you feel His prodding before I arrived today?”
“No. I prayed about it all evening and much of the morning.”
“In that case, you got your answer mighty quickly.” He stared into her eyes. “Or is it more likely that Mr. Kingsley’s attentions have distracted you?”
“If you were the man for me, nothing Mr. Kingsley could do would ever keep us apart,” she said in all truthfulness. “I’m sorry, Delmar. There is nothing more to say.” She arose from her seat to dismiss him.
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