Chapter Five #3
“Of course.” Mr. Tolliver nodded to the boy to continue watching his horse and offered his arm.
Portia directed him toward the trees to the side of the barn.
There was a pond here and tables had been set out.
Other couples lingered around them so Portia didn’t think their presence would be too remarkable.
However, to ensure they were not overheard, she moved as far from other people as she could.
She didn’t need to worry. Those others were too caught up in their conversations to eavesdrop on Portia’s.
She faced Mr. Tolliver. “Why are you leaving the dance so early?”
He didn’t pretend to misunderstand her meaning. “You know why I’m not.”
“No, I don’t.” She drew a breath and plunged in with the question uppermost in her mind. “Do you not admire my sister?”
“Of course I do.”
“Above all others?” she demanded.
There was a beat of silence. Portia could feel the man struggle with himself. “You know I have deep affection for her.”
Portia wanted to groan her frustration. She hated when men and women kept their distance with words. She herself liked to cut to the heart of a matter. That was how one managed to see things done.
“She has been waiting for you to call.”
“I mustn’t. She will be wiser to find a better man.”
“Oh, so you can’t abide her.”
He appeared startled at her suggestion. “Who could not like your sister?” he said. “She is one of the stars in the heavens. She is gracious and kind and lovely. The most perfect woman God ever fashioned.”
“Is that why you ignore her?” Portia surmised, her tone making it clear he didn’t make sense.
Mr. Tolliver lifted his chin and straightened his shoulders. “I’m not ignoring her. I am setting her free.”
“Free of what?”
“Me.”
There, he’d finally admitted it, and now Portia was determined to set him straight. “I know what my mother said to you. I am deeply embarrassed—”
“She was right—”
“She was wrong.” Portia placed her hand on his arm.
“Mother is, well, funny in her conclusions. I don’t agree with her emphasis on the superficial.
Nor does Minnie. My sister admires you greatly.
She may appear to many to be happily dancing, but I know her best of all, and her heart is breaking.
She holds you in the deepest affection, sir.
She doesn’t love lightly and she loves you. ”
He released his breath with the same fervor of a man who had just witnessed a miracle. “I love her.”
“Then I would not be standing out here in the dark, Mr. Tolliver. Or planning to return home early. I believe you should return to the barn and ask Minnie to dance.”
The kindly doctor took a step away. “If only I could. There is another matter that your mother took me into confidence to speak, and I must hold my tongue, but I understand her concerns. Minnie could do much better.”
“Are you talking about the fact we have no money and she expects Minnie to marry well to provide for us?”
He blinked at her bald speaking.
“Mr. Tolliver, are you afraid that my mother and I will be a charge to you? That very well could be true. We are done up. However, my mother and I will manage. We understand that you and Minnie will need to set up your household.”
“I would gladly take you all on,” Mr. Tolliver said, surprising Portia. “I would be honored to do so. Although finances would be tight.”
“It is not anything we are not accustomed to.”
“I know,” he agreed sadly. “And you all deserve better. That is what your mother forcefully impressed upon me.”
“To Minnie, sir, you are the best,” Portia said softly.
“Because she is so kindhearted. But look at me. I’m half a head shorter than she is.
I have a big nose and if I’m not careful, I’ll have a big gut as well.
My idea of an entertaining evening is a good book and my bed.
I own one horse, a small library, and will never be more than a country doctor.
I like it here. These mountains, this valley is my home.
Minnie is a woman who could outshine the best of them in London. ”
“I don’t know why I’m arguing with you,” Portia said, deciding to put a touch of big-sister bullishness in her voice.
“And you are right. My sister is very lovely in person and in her nature. She could crook her finger and a half dozen of the most handsome men in the valley would be on their knees in front of her. She’s demonstrating that this evening.
However, she fell in love with a country doctor who believes her nature so shallow she doesn’t know her own mind.
Yes, yes, yes, you are right. Well, begone with you, Mr. Tolliver.
I tried to serve as a friend and sister to both of you, but I see it is hopeless. You do not care for her—”
“I do. I do, I do, I do.”
“Then prove it by going in there and asking her to dance. In fact, dance with her twice. She will say yes and everyone will know she’s chosen you.”
“Your mother does not approve of my suit.”
Her mother. Disgust rose like bile in Portia’s throat.
“My mother . . .” Portia had to pause, fearing what would spill from her lips.
“She is not a happy person,” she said, amazed at her considerable restraint.
“She was not happy in her marriage and swears she married for love. This is a terrible thing to say of one’s dam, but I don’t believe the woman knows how to love.
And since we are talking about the family, you should know my father was a feckless wastrel who I can barely remember because he had very little to do with his family for almost fifteen years.
One shouldn’t criticize one’s parents, but I believe in the truth.
Now, decide, sir, do you love my sister enough for her to defy her parent?
Because if you don’t, say so and I shall walk away.
” Portia turned as if to make good on her promise.
Mr. Tolliver caught her arm. “I love your sister with all my heart.”
“Then go into that dance, sir, and stake your claim. Make her a happy woman.”
She didn’t have to repeat herself. He went hurrying off, tearing off his hat as he did so, and Portia was very proud of her handiwork.
What she didn’t realize was that she had an audience until he started clapping.
The sound caught her off guard. She’d been so involved in her argument with Mr. Tolliver, she had ignored her surroundings. Now she realized everyone else had gone inside, save for a lone man sitting at a table close at hand.
Colonel Chattan.
He had her isolated. She could shout for help if she needed it, but would she be heard over the music?
Portia feared the time for a reckoning over her pretending to be a witch was at hand.
But when he rose from the chair, it was not to hurl an accusation. Instead, he said, “Well spoken, Miss Maclean. And now, I shall ask you, what else will you do for love?”