Chapter Forty-Seven
Over the next two months, the leaves began to change and the weather turned cooler.
As Mr. Slade slowly recovered, Gilbert took charge of all the business affairs.
He collected the weekly receipts and kept the books up to date.
He went about his work with an energy and satisfaction he had not felt in years, and even began a list of minor changes in some of the shops he felt long overdue.
“We may be a market town and have the guarantee of local business,” he told Nancy, “but that is no excuse for letting things go slack. If we make these small improvements, such as fresh paint and updating some of the hardware, I feel sure it will entice more customers to spend more time in the stores. The longer they remain, the more money they are likely to spend.”
Often after his duties, he would stay to dine at Nancy’s invitation. It became such a regular event to stay over on the Mondays he collected the weekly business receipts and updated the books, that his own family soon knew not to count on his presence for dinner at Clayton house.
Gilbert was grateful his and Nancy’s friendship was fully repaired, and there was no longer any awkwardness between them.
They always conversed easily, with much pleasure.
Still, Gilbert continued to feel remorse over his stupid proposal and worried that she still held it against him, just a little.
By late October, Mr. Slade was well enough to come downstairs and receive company and once again give his attention to his business affairs.
He and Gilbert spent many hours together, not only going over the business dealings, but also just conversing and enjoying each other’s company.
Mr. Slade was a bit older than Gilbert’s own father, but there was more ease in their chats since Gilbert felt little pressure from the man to declare his future plans as he did with Evan. He could be himself.
Gilbert knew the dreaded conversation with his father about his future would come soon, as he was certain his time of helping the Slades was coming to an end.
Mr. Slade had very nearly achieved a full recovery, and, therefore, Gilbert knew his services would soon no longer be needed.
Gilbert was already grieving the anticipation of turning all the business affairs back over to the rightful owner.
Therefore, Gilbert was most surprised when Mr. Slade made him an offer to come into the business as a partner.
For, as he told Gilbert, “I have no son, and who will take over my affairs and make certain my daughter is treated fairly after I die? This recent illness has taught me one thing—that I must not take my situation for granted but must plan for the inevitable. And, since my dear daughter assures me you have no desire to enter the church, I hope this offer may be one that you find quite acceptable?”
“You wish for me to be a partner?” Gilbert asked, eyes wide.
“But, sir, to be a true partner would require me to make an investment into your businesses, which I can ill-afford to do. It would hardly be fair for me to assume all your businesses will fall to me one day—I can hardly deserve such a thing.”
“You have all the qualities I would wish for in a business partner… as well as a son, had I been fortunate enough to have been blessed with one. I will, of course, have legal papers drawn up that will clearly dictate what your share will be following my passing and what will fall to my daughter.” He paused, before adding, “And, her husband, should she ever have one.” He sat, smiling at Gilbert with a wistful expression.
“I certainly would like to see her happily settled, of course, with a family of her own, but, as you know, she has a strong and willful nature and may not be forced to the altar.”
Gilbert felt his face burn and stared at his hands in his lap, wondering if Nancy had confided to her father his dreadful first offer of marriage.
“Yes, well, that is true, sir,” he said. “Your daughter has no qualms about stating her needs, wants, and desires. Truly, though, it does surprise me that she has not found love anywhere in the county.”
“Does it?” Mr. Slade asked, raising his eyebrows and smiling.
“Well, I will confide a bit of a secret to you, Gilbert. I believe she has found love—a love, in fact, she has clung to for many years.” He gave a little shrug.
“Perhaps the timing was just not right. Ah, well, things may change. Indeed, I have every hope the gentleman in question will come to his senses and make her another offer. I believe she would be most amenable to it, now.”
He rose from his comfortable chair in the back parlor, and Gilbert jumped up as well. “I feel a bit weary at present, Mr. Kendall, and shall retire upstairs for a bit of a nap. Are you dining with us this evening? It is only a family meal, but you are most welcome.”
“Oh. Well, I would very much enjoy that, sir, but how shall I occupy myself until then? We have done all the accounting work there is to do for this week.”
“It is a fine day. Perhaps my dear Nancy would enjoy a walk in your company.” With a final nod, he went upstairs.
Gilbert stood, considering all that had happened in this remarkable meeting.
He had a job offer—one that he would not only enjoy, but that would also bring him financial security.
He might not become a gentleman with a vast estate, but he would still be well off and respectable.
He could hardly believe his good fortune.
A second son could hardly hope for better.
His thoughts turned to Nancy. So, she had a love, did she? One for whom she had cared for many years, apparently. It seemed Mr. Slade hoped the man would make her an offer, too.
Wait. He did not say the man should make her an offer—he most specifically said he hoped the gentleman in question would come to his senses and make her another offer. Could it be he means… me? Oh, Gilbert, what an idiot you have been!
Gilbert rushed out of the parlor to the hallway, where he nearly collided with Molly, who gave a little yip of surprise.
“Pardon me, Molly—I did not mean to startle you. Where is Miss Slade? I must see her—at once!”
“In the music room, sir, I just left her.”
Gilbert ran down the hall, calling Nancy’s name.
Gilbert and Nancy strolled through the countryside, enjoying the warmth of the autumn sun. Nancy had been agreeable for a walk when Gilbert proposed it, especially after he had informed her that her father had gone upstairs to rest.
They walked in comfortable silence for a time, during which Gilbert’s mind was in an agonized spin—had, in fact, her father signaled to him that he was the long-time love of his daughter, or was Gilbert imagining it?
Would Nancy accept a new proposal, or reject him even more firmly than she had the first time?
The thought of yet another, painful rejection made him wary.
Finally, deciding he might as well get it over with, Gilbert cleared his throat and suggested they rest a while on a stone wall alongside a field. He longed to reach for her hand, but, still nervous, only shifted his seat to be as close to her as permittable, and spoke from his heart.
“Nancy, these past few months have been the happiest and most satisfying I have known since leaving University. In helping your father, I have felt both needed and competent, and have awakened every day with a feeling of optimism for the challenges I knew the day would bring. I am so grateful to you for allowing me to assist you when your father was ailing. If not for that, I should still be floundering around with little idea of… my future.”
Nancy smiled. “Your future is bright now, is it not? Papa has asked you to become his partner? He told me he was going to. I am so pleased, Gilbert. You will be a good and honest businessman, and I need never worry that you will cheat us.”
Gilbert laughed softly. “I do not deserve such an offer, but I am extremely grateful to accept it. Oh, Nancy, I feel myself to be a grown man for perhaps the first time in my adult life. It makes my behavior earlier in the year seem even more abhorrent to me—quitting school, running off to London to pursue a rich heiress, not to mention my disgraceful proposal to you. I can never apologize enough to my family, or to yours.”
When Nancy did not reply, but only nodded, he turned a face full of love and hope towards her.
“You told me you that could never accept a proposal unless that the young man making the offer did so with his full heart, and it was clear that he could not imagine a life without you. Well, that is the case, dear Nancy—after all this time working together, I feel so close to you. And, truly, I cannot, and do not wish to imagine a future without you as my lifetime companion.”
He took a deep breath and held up a hand. “But—if your feelings are what they were before and you cannot regard me as a suitable match for you, only say so, and I shall never bring the matter up again. We shall remain the good friends we have always been, and I vow to be content with that.”
Nancy’s hand reached for Gilbert’s and pulled it to her heart. “Oh, Gilbert. Do you not realize? I have always loved you—ever since we were children together, even as I knew I was not of your class and did not think I could ever join your family. So, yes. I am very happy to accept your offer.”
“Oh, Nancy!” he cried with delight. He bent his head to kiss her, gently, then pulled her closer to cover her freckled face with his kisses, as he said over and over, “Thank you, Nancy, thank you.”
After a time, she pushed him gently back, laughing. “I believe it is usually the lady who offers thanks to the gentleman, Gilbert.”
“No, my dearest girl. For I shall be in a state of gratitude for the rest of my life that you were good enough to marry a foolish man who, despite his class, is barely worthy of you. Oh, dearest—we shall be so happy.”
Nancy, tears now spilling from her eyes, laughed and said, “Yes, I believe we shall. I do believe we shall be entirely happy, my darling Gilbert.”