Chapter Ten

Quandaries

Such a day of events and revelations must be talked over at length, and dinner was the background for a great deal of discussion. The matter of the jewelry Rosalie and Elena kept to themselves, but the duke’s visit was the subject of many explanations and much laughter. In addition, Willa’s new position as shopkeeper was such a delight to her, it must be the subject most on her mind. The other two gave it their full attention.

“To think,” cried Willa as dessert began, “I’m no longer a servant but a shopkeeper! I owe you both so much! Miss Murdoch, I will not disappoint you!”

“Of course you will not, Willa. I have full faith in you.”

“And you won’t be left alone,” added Elena. “I’ll continue to spend a great deal of time in the shop. I want my dear aunt to feel free to do as she pleases.”

“Of course!” agreed Willa.

Rosalie laughed. “Don’t dispose of me so readily! I can’t stay completely away from my dear little shop. I want only to spend more of the summer at the farm.”

“Speaking of which,” said Elena, “Willa has had no opportunity to visit her parents’ farm. She should do so before she begins her new duties.” Rosalie nodded her agreement.

“No,” replied Willa. “Mr. Garrick offered to convey me to the farm by boat—my father’s land lies along the coast—but my mother wrote last week to tell me not to come.”

“Why?” asked her two listeners in unison.

“She said my father is in a quandary right now, and his mood is not pleasant. It seems the men planning the new railroad are attempting to buy his property. They say that the only good route for the trains is directly through his farm.”

“Good heavens! Does your mother think he will sell?”

“She didn’t say. He is giving her no voice in the matter.”

“How much property is owned by your father?” asked Elena. “I was under the impression that your home farm was small.”

“I couldn’t have told you yesterday,” replied Willa. “But in her letter my mother said that they farm only a small portion and leave the rest as woodlands. About a thousand acres, she says, lie along the coast exactly where the planners of the railroad want to lay the tracks.”

“A thousand acres is a great deal of land!” said Rosalie. “I hope that your father has advice from a competent attorney. If he sells, he must be sure of commanding a fair price.”

“My mother wrote something very confusing about an entailment. My father inherited the land, but it’s entailed on his children…or something of the sort.”

“Indeed!” exclaimed Elena. “How interesting!”

“Willa,” said Rosalie with a serious face, “you must write your mother and request full details of the entail. It sounds as if you and the other children are co-owners of the land with your father. I advise you to learn all you can about the situation.”

“I will indeed, if you think it proper, Miss Murdoch, but I would never dare challenge my father for his land.”

Rosalie hesitated before she spoke again. “Willa, I’m sure your mother and father are fine people, but they sent you into service at a very young age. I can’t help but wonder at that circumstance…”

“Indeed, ma’am, they did, and I asked them why at the time.”

“What did they say?” asked Elena.

“It pains me to tell it,” Willa replied, with tears shining in her eyes. “My father has four sons—I am his only daughter—and he said the boys could farm with him, but I was useless for farming and too plain-looking to ever marry.”

Rosalie and Elena were silent with shock. Elena’s mind darted back to the time that Willa had labored as her maid; how dismissive she had been of the poor girl and her wants and needs! But now it seemed, while she herself was penniless, Willa was very likely a landowner! How strange life could be!

Rosalie leaned across the table and took Willa’s hand. “I don’t approve of your father’s words or his actions. In fact, I must disparage his eyesight and wonder how he could have thought you plain.”

“I agree,” said Elena. “Willa, what said your mother about your father’s decree?”

“She was distressed,” Willa replied, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. “But she did not dare oppose my father.”

“Well!” declared Rosalie. “This has been a very strange day indeed! Willa, pray take my advice about the entailment; find out more. In fact, considering how badly you were treated by your father, it might be wise to engage an attorney to investigate and protect your rights.”

“An attorney! That would cost a great sum, would it not?”

“It would cost a bit of money, but when you consider the value of the land, Willa, it’s absolutely necessary for you to have your interests upheld by a competent solicitor.”

“Perhaps your friend Mrs. Morgan could assist, Aunt Rosalie. Her husband has connections all over the state, I hear.”

“A very good idea, Elena! Willa, should I speak to Lorelei about the situation?”

“If you think it best, ma’am.”

“I do. I will call on her tomorrow.”