“So, which one of us will it be?” Mr. Richards demanded. He was the least patient of the three. Always to the point. She wondered if that is what made him a successful businessman.
She studied each gentleman. While they had something to recommend them individually, there were more reasons they would not suit her. This was not going to be easy but as they had pressed the issue, it was time she informed them of her thoughts.
“I cannot marry at this time in my life. Surely you understand.”
Mr. Richards stood. “No, I do not understand.” He walked behind the settee and paced.
“I cannot leave my father. Who would take care of him?”
This time Mr. Thorn stood. “Miss Cooper, I would be honored to take care of you and your father. You need not worry about him.”
That was the first time anyone made this offer.
“Of course, you would need to live at my home, but there is plenty of room for all of us. It is a large house. Why, even with your father in residence there is still plenty of room for any children we are blessed with.”
Her stomach clenched. The idea of having children, or the means required to obtain such children, was not something she wished to experience with anyone in the room. Not that she knew exactly what people did to conceive a child, but she had lived in the country her entire life, was familiar with mating rituals of animals and didn’t want any of these three that close to her person, assuming humans performed a similar act.
“This is my father’s home. I could not even think of removing him from it. Besides, who would take care of the house and lands if I no longer lived here?”
Mr. Richards sat forward. “I would hire a house full of servants. They could take care of your father, and the land. I see no reason why you couldn’t visit him up to once a week to see how he fared.”
Once a week? If she did marry and move away, she would certainly want to visit her father more often than that.
“It isn’t as if he would even know whether you were here or not,” Mr. Richards continued.
Anger shot through her and Grace stood. “He most certainly would know, Mr. Richards.”
“Come now, Miss, Cooper,” Mr. Draker began. “We know he can’t speak and can barely take care of himself. The accident reduced him to a simpleton. A child of five has more comprehension than your father.”
Graced seethed. They knew nothing about her father. Had they once bothered to sit with him after the accident? No. In fact, few in the village knew anything about the progress he’d made and assumed his lack of speech meant he could no longer think or feel for that matter.
She looked at each of them. They watched her, sympathy in their eyes. Yes, seeing her father reduced to being able to use only his left arm and hand, and only communicate with his face or touch was difficult, but he was still an intelligent man. She would never consider handing his care over to anyone who could not see that.
“My answer is no, to each of you.”
Their jaws dropped. How could they expect her answer to be anything else? If anyone was a simpleton, it was they.
“Miss Grace, I insist you reconsider. It is for your own good.”
“I can decide for myself, what is for my own good, Mr. Draker.”
“But someone needs to take care of you. A young woman needs a man to look out for her best interests.”
She turned to Mr. Thorn. “I am well capable of determining my own best interests.”
“How long before your uncle arrives to take over? We know he would make you marry one of us and not care what happened to your father.”
That was her biggest fear. “I thank you for your concern, Mr. Richards, but I will deal with my uncle, if and when he ever comes to visit.”
“Which should be shortly, I assume,” Mr. Draker added.
A chill of foreboding ran up her spine. “Why do you expect my uncle to visit since he has not bothered to in well over two years?”
“Someone had to prevail upon him. As your next of kin, he should come and take responsibility of you and your father.”
How dare they make such a decision? It was not in their right to do so. She could only pray her uncle ignored the letter.
“We each wrote to him, Miss Cooper,” Mr. Richards added.
Her stomach tightened and Grace feared she would be ill.
“He is now made aware of our regard for you and can make his decision when he arrives.”
Grace shot to her feet. “It is not his decision to make.”
“There, there, Miss Cooper, there is no need to become emotional.”
“I am not emotional,” she bit out. “I am livid.”
They each stared at her as if she had gone mad. “If you are leaving this to my uncle, why bother to visit me today?”
“We had hoped you would at least announce which one you are partial to so that we can make the request to your uncle, and rightful guardian.”
She inhaled deeply through her nose, closed her eyes and willed herself to be calm before she did physical damage to one of them. The vase by the window would suffice for crashing over one of their heads.
When she gained control of her anger, Grace opened her eyes. They each stood there looking at her, expectantly. Did they think she had changed her mind? “Gentlemen, my answer is still no. Now, I need to get back to my father and I wish you all a good day.”
She marched from the room and stopped short of the door when she turned to them once again. “Besides, not one of you actually asked for my hand in marriage. I would never marry a man who gave me so little consideration, regardless of whether my uncle orders it or not.” She whipped her chin up, turned and strode from the room without a backward glance.
The best part about living in this area of the country was the wooded trails and rolling hills. Matthew found it quicker and more enjoyable than riding on the road and the land reminded him of his family estate. Several paths turned off and he learned these led to the roads or drives of several properties. He didn’t know if others used these trails for hunting and remained alert to anyone else around. He would hate to be shot by accident.
He veered to the left and took a path he hadn’t tried before. It wove up to a lovely pasture. To his left several cows grazed, kept from wandering by long lines of fence. He rode further up the hill and anticipated he would come to a road or drive soon. When he crested the rise, he spotted a dark brick manor house. It was not his intention to emerge so close to someone’s home. A man sat on the terrace and watched him. Matthew did not think he could ride away without a word. Besides, he had not met this particular gentleman before and thought it a good opportunity to make his acquaintance. Usually one went to the door, left their card and waited to be announced. Instead, he rode up to the terrace and dismounted.
The gentleman continued to watch him and did not say a word. Matthew considered leaving, but knew it would be beyond rude to do so. A bit ill at ease he approached until he reached the small table where the older man was sitting. “Good afternoon, sir, I am Vicar Trent, new to the parish.”
The man offered a slight smile and indicated to the chair on his left. Matthew relaxed at the welcome and settled down. A voice could be heard coming from the room inside. It reminded him of Miss Cooper. He had put off calling on the family because he was still trying to get her image, eyes and voice, out of his mind.
An older woman sailed through the door and placed a tray on the table. “Good afternoon, Vicar Trent.”
He stood. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Thomas.” He had visited her home a few days earlier.
“Allow me to introduce Mr. Cooper.”
Matthew turned and nodded to the man. Now he understood why he had not spoken. According to the residents, Mr. Cooper had been struck in the throat and head by the back leg of a horse some two years ago. He hadn’t spoken since and could no longer use his right arm. The townspeople made it sound as if he were reduced to a complete invalid and simpleton with Miss Cooper taking care of him day and night. Several residents questioned Mr. Cooper’s judgment even before the accident because he refused to let the land be used for a more profitable purpose such as sheep for the growing local wool industry, farming the fertile land or allowing mining, since in all probability there were rich iron ore deposits just below the surface. Mr. Cooper refused, and wanted no further burden than chickens and cows. Many of the citizens agreed that it was such a shame since the man was known for his intelligence and judgment given he had been a solicitor before the accident.
Over the past several days Matthew had heard several tidbits of information regarding the Coopers, as if they were the only family in town worth gossiping about. It had made him increasingly uncomfortable and he turned the conversation to something more pleasant the moment he had the chance. He couldn’t understand the fascination with the father and daughter unless there was so little to discuss in this town, that they were the most interesting topic.
“Mr. Cooper, it is an honor to meet you. I’ve heard much about your family.”
The man rolled his eyes. Perhaps the man suspected what the people in the town thought of him. Matthew settled in the chair once again.
Mrs. Thomas handed him a cup of tea. “If you will excuse me, I need to get back inside to chaperone Miss Cooper.”
“It sounds as if she has a few callers this afternoon.”