It was decided to go to the Thatcher mansion after lunch. In the meantime, Catherine went to call Moira back to give her the good news.
"Moira?" Catherine said. "I have good news for you. Elizabeth has agreed to marry Nathan."
"Really?" Moira said, happy and relieved. She had to admit that when Nathan came to her that morning enquiring whether Catherine might have a suitable candidate for him, Moira hadn't been as fond of the idea. Nathan had been opposed to the idea from the start. But Alice had broken his heart and tainted his view on love, and he had given up trying to find it. But her friend's success rate and knowing that Elizabeth was like a daughter to Catherine went a long way to easing her mind.
"She did," Catherine said. "Elizabeth will be coming with Faith and me on the 26th."
"Can I talk to her?" Moira asked excitedly.
"Why don't we wait and call you back tonight when Nathan will be there too, and all of you can talk then? We still have to get her things from her parent's house and let them know her decision." Catherine said.
"Do you think there will be trouble?" Moira asked.
"I think that it will be unpleasant for her. Her father is pretty obstinate and likes to have his way. But Elizabeth won't change her mind if that concerns you." Catherine said softly. "Tell Nathan that I will be in touch later today. Is there any way you could let him know about being matched?"
"Let me go get him, and you can ask him yourself. I just heard him outside talking to Gabe." Moira replied. "Allie had another sleepless night, and he stayed up with her."
"That poor sweet girl," Catherine said.
"I'll be right back," Moira said, her exuberance making Catherine chuckle.
"Nathan! Nathan!" Moira called. "Hello, Gabe."
"What's wrong, ma? Is it Allie? Is she okay?" Nathan said, instantly going on full alert.
"Oh, it's fine dear boy. I have Catherine on the phone, and she has a match for you." Moira exclaimed happily.
"She does?" Nathan said nervously, unsure of whether to be happy or scared about it.
Moira instantly picked up on her son's swirling emotions. "It's all right, Nathan. Catherine is very close to this particular girl and thinks you would be a good match. She wants to hear from you that you are okay with the match since there's not enough time for the usual procedures. She will be coming out with Faith."
"Okay," Nathan said. He turned to Gabe and said, "I will be right back."
"I'll be here waiting to hear all about it, my friend," Gabe said with a smirk on his face. "Have no fear."
After Catherine made sure that Nathan was agreeable to the match, they arranged for him to talk to Elizabeth later to get to know each other a bit better before they arrived. He had almost changed his mind when she told him about Elizabeth's background. But knowing that the older woman so intimately knew her eased his mind, and he went along with it. Instead of fear, now there was anticipation and excitement. He couldn't wait until the evening came and he could talk to her. Gabe was waiting for him when he came outside with a grin. "Well, welcome to the land of the engaged-to-be-married club."
With a start, he realized that he was engaged to be married and, in a week, would have a wife. Nathan felt weak in the knees as it hit him. He quickly sat down on the steps of the porch.
"Hey, it's all right," Gabe said, laughing at his friend. "Just take some deep breaths and tell me about her."
"I'm going to be marrying Elizabeth Thatcher from Hamilton," Nathan said. "As in the daughter of the Shipping Tycoon, William Thatcher."
"WOW!" Gabe said, "You are sure marrying up."
Nathan just rolled his eyes as he mounted Newton. "I'll tell you all about it on the way into town."
MEANWHILE IN HAMILTON
The ladies had just finished lunch and were preparing to leave.
"What should I bring?"
"Just sensible things, mostly everyday wear like you have on now," Catherine repeated what she had said before.
"Why don't we go gather your belongings and bring them here after speaking to your Father? You can go ahead and put your family out of their misery. We can sort through everything and bring it back here. Whatever you need but don't have, we can get beforehand." Agatha said. "Anything you want to keep but can't take with you can be stored here until you can."
That sounds like a good plan Aunt Agatha." Elizabeth said.
"Agatha, I was wondering if you mind if I bring one of my charges here to stay? Since Elizabeth will be traveling and marrying Nathan, it would be good for them to get to know one another. Faith is marrying Gabe, who is Nathan's best friend. She can also help Elizabeth sort through what she should take and what needs to stay here." Catherine asked.
"I don't have a problem with that at all. She is the one you were telling me has no other family?" Agatha said.
"That's right, which is why I want to bring her here, especially since Elizabeth will be here too. We could pick her up on our way back." Catherine said. "When we call Nathan later, she and Gabe can talk for a few minutes too."
The drive to the Thatcher mansion was a quiet one as all three women knew they were going into a confrontation. Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh, and Agatha reached over and took her hand. "Elizabeth, sweetheart, I know you are worried about speaking to your parents and their reactions. But you are not alone, and we are not leaving the house without you."
"I suggest focusing on gathering the things most important to you would be best. We can have them brought out to the car, so we can remove them before you speak to your father."
"I think no mention of your impending marriage should be made, Elizabeth," Catherine said. "It might be better if he thinks you are moving in with your Aunt Agatha."
"I agree with Catherine, Elizabeth," Agatha said. "Let's get your things and tell your father about your decision not to marry Phillip. We can decide how best to inform him of the marriage later. Maybe after Christmas dinner so that you will have that."
Elizabeth knew they were right, and she felt a bit more confident knowing they stood beside her. But she was already feeling the sting of rejection from her father's words and knew he would not be happy. She prayed for God to help her know what to say and to guide her steps forward with her family and with Nathan and Allie.
As they entered the house, they were greeted by Thompson, who enquired after Elizabeth. The staff knew about the ultimatum that William Thatcher had given his daughter. None were happy because Miss Elizabeth was the favorite among all the staff because of her kindness and care for them.
Agatha entered the foyer and took charge of the situation. "Catherine, will you go with Elizabeth to help her gather her things?"
Catherine just nodded and headed towards the stairs. Thompson called out to Elizabeth, "When you are ready, just let me know, and I will arrange for it to be moved, Miss Elizabeth,"
"Thank you, Thompson," Elizabeth said, giving him a quick hug.
"You are welcome, Miss Elizabeth. Do not worry about what you can't take today. We can get it out later to you if necessary. Your father is expected in two hours so perhaps work on the things you want most first?" he suggested. Elizabeth nodded, and she and Catherine quickly went up the stairs.
Turning back to Agatha, Thompson said, "Mrs. Thatcher is in the sunroom with Miss Julie and Miss Viola," Thompson added. "I will have your driver pull around back so it would be easier to load the car without being noticed, Ma'am."
"Excellent, Thompson," Agatha said with a smile. Then seeing the worry on the man's face, she placed a comforting hand on his arm and said, "Don't worry, Peter, because I have the situation well in hand. I promise that she will be fine and happy."
"I do not doubt that, Agatha," he replied, whispering her first name. They were old friends, and in private, they allowed themselves the familiarity of being on a first-name basis. The staff knew how much Agatha adored her niece and that even Catherine, though not a relative, thought of Elizabeth as family.
"I'd better go get this started. Wish me luck, Peter, because I fear I will need it." Agatha said.
Thompkins just chuckled and said, "Somehow, I don't think you will need it." Then he led her into the sunroom where her sister and nieces were gathered. As she sat down and began making small talk, he quietly arranged for refreshments.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth quietly began gathering her books and the things that meant the most to her. Catherine was going through the clothes and shoes in her closet to determine what she should bring and leave behind. Always one step ahead, Thompkins had already placed trunks in her room in readiness.
She was pleasantly surprised to see that Elizabeth had quite a bit that would be proper for the Frontier. But then she shouldn't be because Elizabeth never did go in for the trappings that her sisters thrived on, one preferring simple over extravagant.
"Elizabeth, I think most of what you have here will be fine to take with you." Seeing an ivory gown hanging towards the back, she said this will be perfect to be used for a wedding dress." Catherine said. The dress was made of silk, with long sleeves with tiny pearl buttons in the back. It was a dress that could even be worn on other occasions.
"Do you think so, Aunt Catherine?" Elizabeth asked. "It wouldn't be too fancy?"
"Not at all, dear," Catherine replied. Then she spied a pair of delicate shoes with a low heel that would be perfect. "You can wear these too."
"I wore that when a close friend had their baby christened," Elizabeth explained as she and her aunt sorted through her belongings. "I've always hoped to have another occasion to wear it. So, I have my books, music boxes, jewelry box, journals, and undergarments in this trunk. I thought I would bring my old dolls and dollhouse for Allie since I had hoped one day to give them to my daughter. Do you think that it would be okay?"
"I think Allie would love them," Catherine said before looking around at the different piles. "Now, all the items on the bed can go in one trunk. Those dresses over there can come too, and the shoes by the bed. Oh, and those shawls and those two coats, I think, will be sufficient."
Elizabeth and Catherine surveyed the rest of the room and couldn't see anything else she wanted to take with her. She had already taken her essentials when she packed her bag this morning. Looking at the clock, they had managed to perform the task within a short time.
"Why don't you get Thompson so we can show him what needs to go," Catherine suggested, "Once that is done, then we can go find Agatha."
Elizabeth nodded and, before long, was back with Thompson and two others.
"The ladies are all in the sunroom Miss Elizabeth. Perhaps you and Mrs. Hendricks would like to join them?
"Thank you, Thompson," Elizabeth said, leaning up to kiss the older man on his cheek. "I shall miss you and the others,"
"We shall miss you too, Miss Elizabeth," Thompson said, blushing but clearly pleased by her gesture.
Catherine and Elizabeth were coming down the stairs when they heard her father's voice coming from the sunroom. Catherine looked over and saw Elizabeth square her shoulders as if preparing for battle, which in essence, she was.
A short time later Thompson brought coffee for Mr. Thatcher and gave a subtle nod to Elizabeth, letting her know that her belongings were safely on their way to her aunts. She cast a furtive glance at her aunt Agatha and raised a brow in question.
Her aunt addressed the room. "There is something that I wish to discuss with you both. Elizabeth came to me this morning with the news that you have issued an ultimatum. Is that true, William? Grace?"
"I don't see what concern it is of yours, Agatha. What I do or say to my children is none of your affair." William said dismissively.
"Father!" Elizabeth said, setting down her cup.
"Don't you address me in that tone, young lady!" William said angrily. "I would think that you would have more important things to do than running to your aunt. Your aunt will not make me change my mind Elizabeth. You only have a few more days to decide, so you should use that time to reconcile to the marriage."
Elizabeth stood up and said, "Actually, Father, I don't need any more time to decide. As I have said before, I will not agree to marry Phillip, nor will I attend the New Year's Ball. If you insist on following through with your threat of disinheriting me, then so be it. I guess this is goodbye then,"
Agatha and Catherine also stood up, and the three of them headed towards the door. "Elizabeth!" her mother cried out. "How can you do this? Why think of the scandal this will cause."
"I'm sorry, Mother, but you and Father pushed me into it. I refuse to be treated like chattel in this day and age." Elizabeth said.
"Let her go, Grace," William said coldly. "Once she tastes what it is like in the real world, she will come crawling back. She won't survive without a job."
"William, one of these days, you will wake up and see that you have been so wrong about Elizabeth. I hope that it's not too late when you do." Agatha said before they walked out.
