12

The streets of downtown Beaumont, Texas bustled with activity. Lumber for the railroad was in great demand, and a seemingly endless supply floated down the Neches River daily. Towering mansions surrounding the outskirts of the city reeked of wealth. Lumber and rice barons owned the town, and Eliza Broussard’s father was one of them.

Frederick stepped out of the cab and paid the driver. Five steps led up to the front door of the town house where the Broussards stayed when not at their country estate. Frederick rang the bell and waited.

After a few moments a plump little housekeeper opened the door. Her uniform was starched and pressed to perfection. Upon seeing Frederick, her cheeks rounded to tiny brown apples. “Mr. Chessher.” She stepped back allowing him entrance.

“Hello, Rachel.”

“I was wondering when you was going to be here. The train running late?”

Frederick began shrugging off his overcoat. She helped ease it off his shoulders and folded it over her arm.

“Uh, yes, there was a slight delay. A few stray cattle blocked the tracks.”

Rachel shook her head. “Oh, my heavens. Them cows sure can be a problem.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.”

“I’d rather they be on a dinner plate than the railroad track.” Rachel laughed at her joke.

Frederick smiled halfheartedly.

Rachel narrowed her eyes. “You all right, Mr. Chessher? Can I get you something to drink, maybe some tea, or a cool glass of lemonade?”

“Oh, no thank you, Rachel. Please inform Miss Broussard of my arrival.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Chessher. I’ll let her know directly. You can wait in the parlor.” She gestured toward the seating area, his coat still draped over her arm. Then she toddled up the lavish marble staircase at a fast clip.

Frederick walked to the parlor. He sat next to a large picture window looking out onto the street. Gazing at the passersby, Frederick mentally checked off the tasks he needed to do at the law firm. Had he neglected anything Mr. Logan had asked of him? He certainly hoped not, but having left town so quickly he wasn’t sure.

A woman passed in front of the window holding onto the arm of a tall man with brownish colored hair. Blonde curls flowed out from beneath her wide-brimmed hat. He shook his head to remove the uninvited image of another head of blonde curls from his mind. But it was useless; her face was permanently emblazoned there.

Frederick drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. He then pulled his watch from his waistcoat and looked at the time. An unwelcome wariness overcame him, and his guard came up. Why did Eliza see fit to keep him waiting at his every visit? Was his time not as important as hers? He hammered the armchair with his fist. Who does she think she is making me wait like this? I have an important position, and deserve better than to be treated this way. “Well…that’s it.” Frederick stood to leave.

Eliza entered the room. “Frederick, darling, I see you’ve arrived safely. Your message took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you for another week.” Eliza stopped halfway down the stairs.

Her southern drawl didn’t charm Frederick as it once had. In fact, it sounded fake. And she would not apologize for making him wait. He met her and offered his elbow. “Eliza.”

“Thank you, Frederick.” Eliza linked arms and sashayed down the stairs. “Even though your visit is unexpected I’m glad you’re here. This gives us more time to discuss our plans.”

Frederick escorted Eliza to a table with two chairs in the parlor. “Our plans?” He questioned.

“Why yes, you silly man. Our engagement plans, of course.”

“Oh?” While Frederick wasn’t surprised at Eliza’s boldness, he was astounded at this presumption. He took a seat in the other chair.

“Rachel!” Eliza hollered toward the door. “Come into the parlor at once!”

Frederick startled.

Rachel rushed through the door to Eliza’s side. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Rachel…fetch a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses for Mr. Chessher and myself.” Eliza spoke to the woman in a contemptuous tone.

Frederick looked at this woman, the one he’d considered marrying. Then he glanced at Rachel. He’d never met a housekeeper with a sweeter disposition. Why did Eliza treat her with such disrespect? And why had he never noticed this about Eliza before? He crushed thoughts of Sarah and her kindness to everyone.

“Yes, ma’am, Miss Eliza. I’ll bring it right away.”

“See that you do.”

Rachel scurried out of the room.

Had he been so infatuated with Eliza that he never realized how rude and demanding she was with the servants?

“Now back to our conversation. Whenever you do finally get up the nerve to ask me to marry you, I already have everything planned. Our engagement party will be the event of the season.” Eliza picked up a small candy dish from the table and took a sweet treat for herself. “Candy?” She offered the bowl to Frederick.

“No thank you.”

“Oh, Frederick, Delia and I have been shopping for everything a new bride could possibly need.”

“Delia, your girlfriend from school?”

“Yes, of course, silly.” She grimaced at him. “Honestly, Frederick, what other Delia do we know?”

Frederick overlooked the condescending tone she used with him.

Rachel hurried through the doorway. She held a large silver tray with a pitcher of lemonade, two glasses and a dish of delicious looking cakes. “Here you are, Miss Eliza, some nice, fresh lemonade, and cakes.” Rachel sat the tray on the table and picked up a glass and the pitcher. She began pouring the lemonade as Eliza’s poodle ran into the parlor barking viciously at Frederick. Startled by the intrusion, Rachel spilled lemonade on herself, the silver platter, and her employer.

Eliza shrieked and flailed her arms about, showering Frederick and the poodle with drops of lemonade.

Rachel removed a small towel from her apron and dabbed at the liquid on Eliza’s arms.

“Look what you’ve done, you…you idiot!” Eliza screamed at Rachel. “And stop touching me with that filthy rag. Go get a clean towel.”

“I’m so sorry, Miss Eliza!” Rachel ran from the room.

Eliza continued holding her arms away from her body. The little poodle dog sneezed and then shook, sending lemonade flying from his fur.

Frederick removed his glasses and wiped the sticky liquid from his face.

“Oh, my poor Penny Poo. Did that bad woman get lemonade on you, my precious?”

“It wasn’t her fault, Eliza. If your dog didn’t despise me this might not have happened.”

Eliza glared at Frederick. “It looks like she got you too.”

“I think this might have come from dear Penny Poo.”

Rachel rushed into the parlor with three fresh towels. She handed one to Eliza, and one to Frederick before kneeling to wipe Penny’s fur.

“That will be all, Rachel…thank you,” Eliza said begrudgingly.

Rachel stood and nodded her acknowledgement.

The poodle commenced with her verbal attack on Frederick.

“Rachel, please take Penny with you on your way out.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rachel scooped up the barking menace and left the parlor.

“Now then, what were we talking about before all the commotion started? Oh, yes, I was telling you about Delia and the engagement party we’ve been planning. If someone would stop wasting time and ask me to marry them, that is.”

Frederick crossed his legs and folded his hands. “Yes, you definitely need an engagement in order to have an engagement party.”

“Oh, Frederick it will be so wonderful. The party’s theme is Paris, France! Doesn’t that sound marvelous?”

“Oui, oui.”

Eliza didn’t acknowledge the terse sarcasm in his answer or look at him as she gushed about the party she was planning.

And suddenly Frederick realized he had never been an integral part of their relationship. His role was Eliza’s silent partner.

“And we won’t have to worry about a thing. Papa will pay for everything…when you ask me, of course.”

At some point Frederick stopped listening to Eliza prattle on. His mind had traveled a great distance away, to a rustic ranch house on a quiet peninsula to the west of Beaumont.

“I’ve been thinking about our honeymoon too! Delia says we should go somewhere exotic. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful way to begin our romance?”

Romance…sunbeams shine down on the front porch. Cattle are lowing softly in the distance. The door slowly opens.

“And after we return from our honeymoon we can buy that house that’s for sale down the way from Mama and Papa. Mama said Papa has already inquired about it for us!”

Then she steps out onto the porch. She turns her head at the sound of a horse’s soft nickering. Her natural beauty is illuminated in the evening light.

“Oh, and best of all, I spoke to Papa, and he has made arrangements for you to sign on at the law office he uses right here in town. You are going to be Papa’s personal attorney!”

A brisk sea breeze blows. Her long, golden tresses float around her porcelain face. She twirls around to face the wind. Her flowing green skirt dances in the breeze.

“Isn’t this all so exciting, Frederick?”

She breathes deeply, and brushes blonde locks away from her face.

“Frederick! Are you listening to me?”

Frederick blinked and snapped his gaze toward Eliza. “What, what? Yes, I’m listening to you.”

“You haven’t heard a single word I’ve said.”

“Of course I have. You were talking about all the plans you and Delia have made.” Frederick pasted on a smile.

Eliza’s eyes grew wide, and her lips thinned to a tight line. She rose from her chair and stared at Frederick before huffing out a breath. Without a word, she stomped toward the door.

“Eliza, wait, don’t leave!”

But she was gone.