“Ah, Fanny. Just the woman I was hoping to talk to,” Father said as he emerged from his study carrying a book. “Here, Dawes, this is what I was talking about earlier. Take a look through this and then go and show Samuel. He’ll explain everything.”
“Thank you,” Jeremy said and then nodded to Fanny. “If you will excuse me.”
And then he was gone.
Father strolled up to her side and put his arm about her shoulders. “I haven’t seen you all day. Where have you been hiding yourself?”
“I was with Rebecca and Jessica just now. Jessica has gone home and Rebecca went above to see Gillian.”
“Ah, I’m sorry to have missed them, but no matter.” Father drew her toward his study. He shut the door, which usually meant he wanted no one to hear them talking or interrupt. She looked over her shoulder.
“Was there something you needed, Fanny?”
“Um, Father, what was Mr. Dawes doing in your library?”
“A bit of work for me. Nothing that concerns you.” But everything Jeremy did concerned her. He was her friend not father’s employee.
She gulped. “Mr. Dawes gave me the impression that he’d taken his leave.”
“Is it so surprising that he hasn’t?”
She stiffened. “We had a difference of opinion.”
Father merely smiled. “That can happen.”
She narrowed her eyes. “In truth, I thought he’d left me. I mean, that he’d left the estate yesterday.”
“What? On foot?” As she nodded, Father started to smile. “He did leave…well, he tried to, but I encouraged him to stay a few weeks more.”
“Weeks? Why would you do that?”
Father sighed. “Because there is love between you.”
“What?!”
“Don’t act so surprised. I’ve told you girls for years that you’re all entirely loveable.”
Fanny sank into a chair. “It’s an absurd suggestion.”
“Is it really?”
Father caught her hand, but she pulled away. “We hardly know each other.”
“That never stopped you before.” Father sighed. “I didn’t realize you didn’t believe in love at first sight anymore.”
“It’s preposterous. And you…you disapproved of our arrangement.”
“I told you the truth. What you wanted to hear, only you didn’t really listen. You always knew you had to end the affair and you went and did just that.” Father sat down beside her. “It wasn’t what I intended that Dawes would try to leave immediately.”
She bristled at her father’s attempt at manipulation. “I must have a separation of my private and public life.”
“What makes you think there can be? Jeremy was never with you only because you had money, Fanny. You challenged him to want more for his life. He was happy with whatever crumbs you sent his way because he had a rare opportunity to experience another life for a while. And he thought he’d found a place supporting you. Becoming your friend. What else could he have done but leave when offered riches he’s no right to nor desire for?”
“He…”
“Listen, love doesn’t come along every day, my girl. That young man has more patience and practicality than anyone in society could ever have with you. You will always be rich, and you have become accustomed to getting your way. But not with him. No one can buy his loyalty or love.”
Fanny lowered her face, ashamed that Father knew she’d tried.