If it is absolutely necessary that you read the disclaimer, it's on the first chapter.
I can't believe how many reviews I've gotten; they make this process so much more worthwhile. Thank you to everyone who reviewed.
I have no idea what the British currency was worth back then or now. It's just a guess.
Chapter 6
"Robert, I….".
"The only thing I ask that you give me another chance" he said.
"Robert…".
"Think about it" he gently kissed her before walking away.
"Your quiet tonight" George commented later that night as they strolled in the park, arm in arm.
"I just keep wondering, if my mother had lived, how different papa would have been. When she was alive, everything was different. Papa was smiling and laughing and the house was full of life. Since she died, the house seems so cold and empty; papa worries more about work than anything else".
"Do you want children?" he asked.
"I hope to have children".
"How many do you want, one, two, three?" he teased.
"Why don't we start with one and see how that goes" Jessie couldn't help but smile, he wanted children already.
"Did I tell the good news?" George asked.
"What?".
"Dr. Hornsby has agreed to publish my paper and he will pay me 150 pounds to do so".
"George, that's wonderful" they walked hand in hand for the rest of the evening, George knowing the voice in the back of his head would not remain quiet for long.
"Beautiful" George admired his purchases.
"Will that be it, sir?" the clerk asked.
"Yes, thank you".
"Have a nice day sir" the clerk wrapped up the package.
It wasn't much, a simple gold chain with locket with her mothers initials engraved inside and an engagement ring. He knew he was taking a chance; she could reject him all together. The ring was small, not as impressive as the ring she might receive from Robert, but somehow, he was hoping that when this was all over, everything would turn out all right.
"You look beautiful" George greeted her with a smile.
"Thank you, George".
"Dr. Kingsbridge will see you now" Adrian, her father's assistant called out from the second floor.
"Meet me outside when you're done" aware of her father's eyes on both of them, he gave her a chaste kiss and walked upstairs.
"I see you've done well, George" Alfred commented as Adrian closed the door behind them.
"Sir, I uh…" George knew that now was the time to tell Jessie the truth before she heard it from someone else.
"George, I'm going to make you a deal. I have spoken to Robert and he will be proposing to Jessie tonight. I have heard from Leslie regarding your financial situation and we have agreed that I will take over your financial situation" Alfred informed him.
"But, sir" George protested.
"You have done your job well, George, I thank you".
"George?" Jessie asked as she heard footsteps behind her.
"Close your eyes" he said.
"Marry me?" he asked as he slipped the ring on her finger.
"Yes" she kissed him joyously.
"Open your eyes".
"Robert!"
"You don't know how happy you've made me".
"No, Robert, I can't marry you" she proceeded to remove the ring.
"Your father has already given me permission".
"My father has no right to tell me who to marry".
"He just did, in fact he has paid for everything including your escort for the past two months" Robert informed her snidely.
"Jessie!"
"You lied to me" she accused.
"It was for you, it was the only way I could think of".
"You knew how I felt about my father, yet you fell into his trap".
"So, I am gaining a son?" Alfred stepped outside.
"You are loosing everything you ever loved" Angrily she walked past her father and ran to her room.
She knew it, she just knew that this was her father's doing. But she ignored her instinct and let George get the best of her. The truth was out and so was she.
"Jessie, I…" George tried to apologize.
"I have nothing to say to you"
"Be reasonable," Robert pleaded.
"I am, for the first time in my life, I'm doing the most reasonable thing I can".
"If your mother was alive," her father scolded.
"Mother has been dead for fifteen years, as you seem to have forgotten".
"If you walk out of this house, young lady…" he threatened.
"I'd rather beg on the streets than live under your roof" closing the door behind her, she ran out onto the street not knowing or caring where she went. All she knew was that it was time to move on and whatever happened, it would be better than before.
To borrow a line from a favorite movie of mine "The shiteth has hiteth the faneth". Do you like it? I know it's taken me a little longer to get to this point, but I have a few more surprises in store. So please be nice and send some love my way.