Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Prudence listened like a dutiful daughter. She focused on the familiar way her father, when irritated, would rub his large hands together as he spoke. The way his brow would crinkle in thought. How the few wrinkles around his green eyes would deepen. He was still so handsome at forty-eight. His body still retained its well-defined lines, and his almost six foot height was straight and tall, not hunched over like so many men his age. Even his rich brown hair showed no signs of aging, not a streak of gray touching it. She had often wondered why he had never taken another wife. Now she knew. He was still married and, therefore, not free to love again. A deep resentment raced through her. How could her mother have hurt him so?
"Are you listening, Prudence?" he demanded.
Prudence nodded. "Of course, Father."
James Winthrop stood and walked around to the front of his desk, facing his daughter. He slipped his gold pocket watch from his dark brown vest and checked the time. He really wasn't interested that it was four in the afternoon. He just wanted some time to formulate his little speech. He had been planning to have this talk with her for the past week, but quite frankly he hadn't had the nerve to approach her.
"Prudence," he started, clearing his voice while giving thought to his words.
"Yes, Father?"
"I've been thinking about your future."
Prudence braced herself. She realized instantly what was coming and she was prepared. She was always prepared.
"In five months you will be twenty—"
"Four and a half months," she corrected.
"Yes, yes, four and a half. I think now is a good time to make arrangements for your engagement."
"To whom, Father?" she asked, having already determined marriage would not fit into her immediate plans.
Her father's eyes widened. "Why, Granger Madison, of course. You have been seeing him, haven't you? He's led me to believe it so."
"I see him on occasion, but I didn't think him serious in his quest for me." She was well aware of Granger's intentions, and love had nothing to do with them.
"And pray tell why not? You have many qualities a man would find endearing."
"Endearing, Father, but not attractive." She intended to get straight to the issue, to face it head-on.
"Endearing is much more important, when marriage is being considered, than attraction," James said seriously, "a marriage that is to last must be based on trust and consideration for one another."
And love, Prudence thought, which was why she couldn't prevent herself from asking the question, "Is that what yours and Mama's marriage was based on?"
As soon as she witnessed how her inconsiderate words affected him, she was sorry she had asked. Pain tore across her father's face. Prudence could almost feel his anguish, for she was filled with it, too.
"Your mother's and my marriage was based on love. We were lucky to have found each other. I would wish the same for you and would gladly agree to any marriage you desire if you but tell me you love the man."
His love for Lenore Winthrop had not diminished over the years, and Prudence realized hers hadn't either. "No matter whom he was, Father?"
James smiled then. "No matter whom, Prudence, Boston stock or not, he would be yours, with my heartiest approval."
Prudence stood and balanced herself on her toes to reach up and plant a light kiss on her father's cheek. She did love him so, which made her plans all the more difficult. "Thank you."
James Winthrop blushed and brushed his thoughtfulness aside. "Nonsense. I only wish your happiness."
Prudence returned to her seat. "I don't know if I'd be happy married to Granger Madison."
"He is a good, young man, intelligent as well as wealthy. He holds an excellent position in his father's bank and could provide for you the things you are accustomed to."
That word again, accustomed. Did everyone think she could live only one way?
"He assures me he would treat you well. He cares for you. I think it a wise choice to make."
"Especially since he is the only man who has ever offered to marry me. After all, the chance may never come again. I would be left a spinster, an old maid." The idea actually frightened her, but she refused to voice that fear openly to anyone.
"Nonsense, Prudence," her father scolded. "There could be others."
"Could be, Father? Not will be?" Never will be, she thought. There would be no man to love her. No hero to sweep her away as she had fantasized since childhood.
James Winthrop ran his hand through the side of his hair and down his neck in frustration. "I didn't mean it that way, Prudence. Granger is a nice young man . . . thoughtful, considerate."
"And interested in establishing one of the strongest banking empires in Boston. A marriage to me would unite the two largest banking families and give him exactly what he wishes. Of course, he's willing to make the sacrifice of marrying the plain Miss Winthrop in the interest of his future."