Everything hinged on this one presentation of himself, and Andrew took special care with his appearance that particular Sunday. He considered it the make or break Sunday, the day in which he would push harder to get Cora to accept his suit.
Ever since he had made his parents aware of his interest in Cora, his father had begun warming up to him. Victor Willard thought that a good woman could change his son and make him settle down, and he wholly approved of Andrew’s choice. Besides, he had interacted with the girl’s parents and found them to be sound and just the kind of relatives by marriage that he would have wished for.
So it was up to Andrew to move things forward. Even though Cora was still showing signs of reluctance, her mother had informed him that she was nervous and shy and that was why she was being reserved.
“Cora Richards, you will be my wife, and my father will see to it that you and your parents are given whatever you might want, so our marriage is as good as sealed,” he smiled into the mirror. He wished he could get the girl somewhere alone and show her just how skilled at seduction he was, but since he knew that it was a pipe dream, he comforted himself with the knowledge that her parents approved of him.
His valet had trimmed his hair and parted it on the left side so he looked quite dandy. “You are a handsome man and that Cora should be grateful that you are showing her any attention at all,” he told his reflection. His white shirt was starched to perfection, his black trousers had been ironed and there was not a single crease on them. He put on his black dress coat that reached his hips. A bell-shaped felt hat with a two-inch curved brim completed his outfit and as he turned side to side, he knew he was smart.
The outfit was not for Cora’s benefit alone because he had a clandestine appointment with a woman that he had met two days ago. She was the wife of one of the rich miners in the area and her husband was in San Francisco on business and she was bored and lonely. He had been at the bank when she came in and when she had given him a coy look he knew that he had captured her interest. After greeting Cora he would beg his leave, citing an urgent matter that required his personal attention and then he would be off to spend the rest of the day and probably the night with the lovely Belinda White.
If Belinda was not willing to spend too much time with him, he still had the option of Madam Fortune’s saloon. He had not been there in a few days and knew that he could always find the pleasure he sought with the tavern girls. Yes indeed, he was a happy man, a woman to wed and another to bed, that was the way for a man to live. He grinned at his own expression.
“One of the smartest men in Last Chance and probably the whole of the United States of America,” he whispered. “Soon to be mayor of Last Chance.”
When Ada saw Andrew Willard she was quite unmoved, unlike a few of the other ladies whose heads were in the clouds. Andrew was very smart and she accepted that, but his hidden vices overrode his manly physique, his artfully styled hair and his fancy clothes. She hoped her friend would not be swept away by the false front that Andrew was presenting.
She had heard a very disturbing piece of news and it had shaken her to the core. There was no doubt that Andrew was a very evil man and she silently prayed that God would protect her friend and shield her from his wiles.
“Father, You are merciful and forgive our sins, and You are able to change a man’s heart so that where a man was once completely lost he can be restored once again. I know that You created Andrew and know his heart but what I have heard about him makes me know that he is not repentant of his bad deeds and I leave all judgment to You for You judge righteously. My prayer is that Cora will not be misled into entering into a relationship with Andrew while his heart is still not inclined towards you. Lord, be merciful in Jesus name, amen.”
Andrew, as usual, waylaid Cora and blocked her from leaving.
“You have been avoiding me, and last week when your parents came to our house for lunch you did not come, why?” He tried to take her hand but she pulled back and saw his lips tightening.
“My mother must have told you that I was quite unwell.”
“You do not look unwell in any way to me,” his eyes roamed up and down her body and Cora felt defiled. He had a lustful look in his eyes, which was making her uncomfortable. “I think what you need is some time away from the farm and all the hard work you have been putting in, so how about if I came by tomorrow to take you for a picnic? Autumn is upon us but before the weather changes we can enjoy whatever is left of summer and what better way than a picnic in the countryside?”
Cora smiled and shook her head. “I am sorry, it is quite inappropriate for you and I to be alone on a picnic. That is not acceptable and my parents will not give their permission.”
“We could always get a chaperone,” Andrew reached out a hand to touch her cheek but she stepped back neatly, leaving his hand hanging in the air. “Why are you so nervous? I am soon to be your husband and you should begin learning how to enjoy my touching you.”
“You said it, soon-to-be husband but not yet, so I will thank you not to try and take any liberties with me. It is disrespectful of me and of my family and more so when you are doing it right here beside the Lord’s house.”
“I am ashamed of my actions, sweet Cora,” Andrew looked down, trying to present a humble and remorseful stance, but Cora was not fooled for a moment. “You are so beautiful, pure and fresh that I cannot help myself.” He looked up. “I wish you would consider me to be your soul mate and put me out of my misery. Oh! Wretched soul that I am, your beauty blinds me and I am helpless as a babe before you,” he said dramatically and Cora rolled her eyes when he was not looking. What a crazy fellow this was turning out to be.
“Listen, I am needed, thank you for stopping by but I have to go,” she turned her back to him and so missed the clenched fist and tightened lips.
“One day,” Andrew mumbled under his breath. “One day, Cora Richards, I will have you where I want you to be and you will beg for mercy, but I will show you none.”
***
“I saw you having a cozy discussion with Andrew Willard,” Ada said softly when they were drying the dishes. Everyone else had gone outside, leaving the two of them to finish cleaning up.
“Believe me, there was nothing cozy about that discussion. That deluded man had the effrontery to suggest that he come by my house tomorrow to take me for a picnic.”
“Cora, no,” Ada held her hands to her heart. “I hope you did not accept his invitation.”
Cora frowned at Ada. “What do you take me for? Do I look like a fool? Of course I declined his invitation, as if I would go anywhere with a man like that, and without a chaperone too.” She sighed. “I have never trusted that man from the first day that I saw him, and nothing has happened in all this time to make me change my mind about him!”
“I am glad to hear that because, like you, I didn’t trust that man from the start, and then the stories that I’ve heard about him are enough to make anyone cringe in revulsion.”
“Stories? Ada, what do you know that I don’t?”
Ada bowed her head, “Gossip and rumors. It’s not right under the eyes of the Lord to defame a man’s character based solely on those. But please, be careful around him and do not attempt or accept any of his invitations, even if a chaperone is present...”
“Thank you, two days ago another young lady said almost the same thing at church. I don’t gossip or rumors to know that Andrew is a disreputable character. I just wish my parents would see him for what he really is.”
“Let us pray that God will open their eyes,” Ada sighed. They had finished drying the dishes and putting them away. “I feel very sorry for Andrew’s parents, they are such nice people. It must hurt them to know that their son is rotten to the core.”
Cora frowned. “Perhaps that is why they are trying to force me to marry him. They may have it in their heads that my upbringing and values will rub off on him and change him, which is quite a delusional way of looking at things. No one can change a man unless he wants to, and certainly not without God’s help.”
“You know, no respectable family will allow their daughter to be married to Andrew.”
“So why are my parents insisting?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps they too refuse to pay attention to gossip. You and your folks are new in Last Chance, and Andrew has already set his sights upon you. His family is powerful, and I suspect most around here don’t wish to cross him.”
“Thankfully my heart is sealed on Louis and nothing can sway me. If their pressure becomes unbearable then I will take drastic steps.”
“Cora, they are your parents and you should honor them.”
“I love my parents, respect and honor them but I will not be pushed into a marriage that will end up destroying me! Do not worry, I will not do anything to hurt or disrespect my parents, but I will do something that will ensure my survival and freedom.”