Page 52 of If The Fates Allow
Sitting next to her, Bonnie heaved out a sigh. “It’s not pretty over there. Ulrich is furious, but Paul is adamant that he loves Katie.”
“I noticed Katie is not here anymore.” None of the Port Michaelson girls were. Not even Jennie was loitering about this afternoon. “Did you dismiss them?”
“From my understanding, they know to stay away now that Katie has ruined their fun. If your father were to be made aware of what Cal and the rest of you have been up to…”
She didn’t need to finish. They all knew there would be hell to pay.
“I only recently became aware of Cal courting Jennie,” Willa replied. “I know it’s a sore subject, but perhaps he will understand the attachment because of you.”
In the corner, a cat hissed, its hackles rising at the remark.
“Sore subject?” Bonnie raised her own hackles, her dark hazel eyes glazing over with a fiery anger she rarely let show. “If anyone is sore in this room, it is you, Wilhelmina. Care to explain what went on last night?”
Willa counted the seconds, keeping the steady metronome of air flowing. The technique, which she learned at a young age, helped her keep an attack at bay when upset.
And it wouldn’t help to lie. Bonnie never made accusations without proof.
“Cal told you?”
The color in Bonnie’s cheeks dimmed, fleeing as she paled. “Your brother knows?”
“He was out on the porch with Jennie around midnight,” Willa confessed. The truth might as well come out now, so when she went missing in two days, someone would have a vague idea of where she had gone. “I don’t know what they were doing.”
“Oh, I’m sure I can guess,” Bonnie said sarcastically.
Willa blinked at her. Could she? Could this tiny woman who always held herself to the highest level of decorum truly understand what it meant to engage in such things?
As if reading her mind, Bonnie chuckled and checked to ensure the library door was securely closed. “Yes, Willa. Your father had me several times over before marrying your mother.”
Willa’s mouth opened and closed, her brain not knowing quite what words to release. The image…no. She would not allow her mind to show her the sight.
“Oh.”
The lackluster response had Bonnie grinning widely, and the sight of her smile struck Willa into silence. It was easy to forget how beautiful this woman could be when she was happy. Much like her own mother, when the veil of harshness and pain brought on by Stephen Fairweather was lifted, the two women positively glowed.
“He’s not a good man. Never has been. Yet, strangely, I think that’s what drew me to him. Stephen was awful to everyone but me, and I fell right into love with him because of it.” The smile drifted downward, losing its momentum. “And he loved me right back, but we both understood that for all this to survive—for us to survive—sacrifices had to be made.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Cal is not serious about this dalliance with Jennie. He knows he has a responsibility to marry well, just as his father did.”
A weight the size of an elephant sat in her stomach, and Willa turned away. “Just as I do.”
“Not necessarily.” Bonnie laid a hand on Willa’s leg. “Paul Anderson is no longer an option for your sister.”
“Ulrich can change his mind and force the match, especially once Father hears of what has happened.”
“Katie is with child.”
Willa’s head snapped back around. “You’re joking.”
Smug as ever, Bonnie nodded. “As I said, Paul Anderson is no longer an option for Lucy, but Mr. Richards is. We need that land, and just as what’s grown between you and Dr. Anderson, your sister and John are engaging in something more than a simple attachment.”
Willa didn’t know what to say, not sure if this was a trick, but then Bonnie snatched her hand. “Listen to me,” Bonnie whispered. “I don’t want to know what you have planned.”
“I don’t have anything planned,” Willa lied.
With a roll of her eyes, Bonnie sighed. “I have known you since you entered this world, Wilhelmina, and I can tell that you and your doctor have something planned.” She waved a hand in the air, flapping it in frustration. “But that doesn’t matter. I don’t want to know the details.”
