Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I call at Elmira’s house the following week. Their mansion is much more intimidating when I stand on its porch. I knock on the door and her brothers answer eagerly, the oldest one’s fish-face pinched in suspicion.

He asks, “Why are you here?”

“Edgar?” Elmira cuts in and pushes them out of the way. “Is that any way of answering the door?”

She closes the door slightly behind her for privacy. She whispers, “Why are you here?” Her hair is still damp and wafts a cloud of gardenia. It’s her hair wash after all.

I straighten up and hold my chin level. “I’m calling to speak with your father. Is he home?”

She blanches. “I don’t think—”

The door widens and her father stands there, stiff. “Who is calling?”

I bring my chin higher, even though I wish to run. “Edgar Allan Poe, sir.” I know I need the help of a local name. “I’ve come to speak with you, privately.”

Elmira twists her hands, but her father demands, “Sara, go up to your room with the boys.”

She hesitates on the first step, but then rushes up the stairs, her hard shoes sending a clamor through the heart of the house.

“Mr. Poe.” He gives a quick bow and waves a hand for me to follow him into the parlor.

I sit down on the red, velvet settee, perched on its edge, as Mr. Royster leans back comfortably in his large matching chair. “What matters have you come to discuss?”

I clear my throat, which threatens to close. “Sir, I came to discuss my intentions of courting your daughter, Elmira.”

The statement does not surprise him. He lets the sentence hang there for too long a moment then slowly responds, as if he chooses his words carefully. “And how old are you, Mr. Poe?”

“I am sixteen, sir, but I’m far ahead in all my studies.”

“What career do you intend to pursue?”

I think about this question and repeat the only acceptable, yet truthful, answer. “I have yet to settle on a career at this moment, but rest assured that whatever it is, I will aspire to the highest position. I am a hard worker and an adept student.”

The answer doesn’t go over as well as I hoped by the twitch in his waxed mustache. “Mr. Poe, while I respect your character for coming to discuss this issue with me, you must understand that matters of choosing the most competent suitor are not so easy. Though you seem like a fine young man, I worry you are too young for making this commitment while you are still so undecided and unemployed.”

“Sir, I will prove to you that I am not so young and undecided—”

He stands up. “I take faith, not in words but in actions, Edgar.”

He waves his hands for me to rise and walks to the door.

I go to the door and he opens it wide, as Elmira peeks down from the landing.

“I will prove myself to you, sir.”

He gives a wide smile that doesn’t reflect in his eyes. “Good then, please come back once you have done so.”

The soft closing of the door feels as though it’s been slammed shut.

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I can’t leave without hoping Elmira might come out to see me. I pretend to walk down the road while her brothers stare from the porch, but as soon as they go back inside I make my way to the tobacco barn. The humidity rises and sounds of summer come early. The heat and cicada song makes me sleepy and I doze off, trying to forget the day’s difficulties. Hands shake me awake.

“Edgar, I’m here.” Her voice tears me from dreaming in an instant and I jolt upright.

“I’m awake.”

She smiles as I clear my eyes.

“It went well, didn’t it?” My humor makes her crack a brief smile.

She sits beside me. “What will we do?”

I take her hand and try to catch her eyes with mine. “Do you have faith in me?”

She blinks and nods.

“I promise I will stop at nothing to rise in this world. I will make myself worthy of your company.”

I hold both her hands in mine. “There is nothing more valuable than your heart. And I would lose my own if you decide to gift it to another.”

Tears spring from the sparkle in her eyes, tears sent by something deep within. She can only nod. Emotions seem to choke her voice.

“You must promise me, my Elmira. You will only be mine, and you will wait for me.” Tears brim on edges of my lids.

She blurts sweetly, “I promise this time, Edgar.”

I pull her to me and the rivers of our tears line up as I take the slower kiss I’d been wishing for.