Chapter Fourteen

The women gathered the dishes after dessert, and the men stepped outside on the porch to finish their discussion of impending war. The sunlight filtered through the treetops, and the air felt cooler when the women joined them.

“It’s a beautiful evening.” Lawrence looked to the sky. “The breeze is from the north and should cool things off.”

“Why don’t you young people take a stroll down the road,” Adelaide suggested.

“Sounds like a lovely idea,” Beth agreed.

Everyone gathered hats and bonnets before heading down the drive toward the road.

“How long do you plan to stay with Miss Adelaide?” Beth asked Cory. They walked side by side with Douglas next to Cory and Tyler next to Beth.

“Until school begins.”

Douglas turned to Tyler. “Miss Beecher teaches children their ABCs in a little one-room school house.”

His remark sounded condescending, and Cory defended her job. “It may not be as important as your work at the college and preparatory school, but the children think I’m a wonderful teacher.”

“I think it’s marvelous you’re so accomplished, Courtney. I can barely manage to teach a Sunday School class,” Beth confessed. “Sometimes the children are so unruly. How do you manage them?”

“I have five younger sisters,” Cory reminded her. “Anything is easier than controlling their behavior.”

“They’re quite spirited,” Beth agreed. “Didn’t one of them fight with a boy and give him a black eye?”

Tyler chuckled.

“Your father should exercise a firmer hand with your sisters,” Douglas said.

Cory twisted her handkerchief in her hand. Tyler had ignored her, Beth’s delicious pie had emphasized her burnt biscuits, and now Douglas dared to criticize her family. How much was a woman to take in one night? She snapped out her defense. “So my sisters aren’t perfect. Who is?”

Douglas jumped back. He looked afraid. All the weeks of being demure and ladylike undone in a careless shrewish outburst. She needed to apologize, but the words stuck in her throat.

“They’re lovely girls.” Beth’s calm, quiet response neutralized any unpleasantness. She turned to Tyler. “May I take your arm? The road has so many ruts in it, and I’m so clumsy.”

Tyler offered his arm. “You’re the picture of grace.”

Cory should have been grateful for Beth’s intervention, but as Beth leaned into Tyler, all her fury returned. She glared at the back of Beth’s head. She was being far too charming for a casual acquaintance. Did she think Tyler husband material? If Beth knew what she knew about Tyler Montgomery, she wouldn’t be clinging to his arm. She’d run like all the other women in Tyler’s life. But two could play Beth’s game. She turned to Douglas and smiled. “How is your work at the college?”

His face brightened. “Wonderful. Although I have a difficult group of young men. Some of them don’t know how to apply themselves.”

They rejoined Tyler and Beth. “Don’t the students go on break soon?”

“The seniors are taking their exams for college admissions July 10.”

“Don’t you mean college graduation?” Tyler asked.

“No, as an instructor, I teach the preparatory students at the academy. We have forty-four students this year and forty-eight attending the college.”

“What do you plan to do on break?” he asked.

“I plan to pursue personal interest during the interim.”

“What interests are those?” Cory asked.

“Matrimony.” He looked surprised. “Why do you think I’ve been calling?”

“You’re looking for a wife?” Tyler asked.

Cory glared at Tyler.

“There comes a time when a man benefits from marriage.” Douglas puffed out his chest. “After all, marriage is about gain. Both parties should feel they are improving their lives.”

“How will you benefit?” Tyler asked.

“Marriage increases my chances of promotion to a professor.”

“That’s a good reason to get married,” Tyler said.

Cory knew he was being sarcastic. “I think some men cling to any excuse not to marry,” she argued. “They’re content being roguish bachelors.”

“I think if the right woman came along, any man could be persuaded to change his mind.” Tyler patted Beth’s hand. “But it’s the woman who makes the final decision.”

“I believe a man chooses a wife,” Douglas argued.

“You don’t think the woman picks a husband?” Cory asked.

“I believe marriage should be entered into logically and not emotionally,” Douglas said. “Only a man has the temperament to make such an important decision.”

“I’m sure a few women lose a night’s sleep over the same question of matrimony,” Beth replied briskly. “And wonder if they’ve given the correct answer to a proposal.”

Beth’s words sounded like a personal confession. Did she regret turning Douglas down?

“In the South a woman likes to be asked more than once,” Tyler revealed.

“By the same man?” Beth asked.

“That’s ridiculous,” Douglas said. “A woman should know whether a match is suitable and give a prompt answer.”

“But we’re so emotional!” Cory cringed at her outburst. What was wrong with her tonight? She composed herself before explaining. “There are so many factors to weigh and consider when making a match. After all, it is for a lifetime.”

“Yes,” Beth agreed. “A woman needs time to make up her mind. She doesn’t want to have any regrets.”

“True enough,” Douglas said. “As a future professor, I must choose a wife that is not only respectable but will help advance my career.”

“In what way?” Cory asked.

“A professor’s wife has a prestigious position at Western Reserve College. She works with the other wives to promote intellectual and social causes, and of course, she promotes her husband. Although I consider that an easy task for me.” Douglas chuckled in a high pitch like a bird call. “In addition, there are her responsibilities to the staff and the students.”

“Students?” Cory asked.

“The wives are surrogate mothers to the students. After all, they are away from home. They cook for them, clean the common areas, and do the laundry.”

Cory nearly gagged. “For all of them?”

“No.” Douglas chuckled like a bird, again. “There are three dormitories on campus. About half of the students live in them. The others live in private homes near campus.”

“I would think grown men could take care of themselves.”

“They need their time freed up for studying.”

“It’s one thing to care for a husband but a dozen men?” Cory asked. No wonder Beth had turned down his proposal. “It doesn’t leave much time for your wife to pursue her own interests.”

“I would hope her interests were the same as mine,” Douglas replied.

“It gives a woman a unique opportunity to participate in her husband’s work.” Beth studied Douglas. “They can truly be partners.”

Cory looked from Beth to Douglas. Maybe she was wrong about the reason for Beth’s refusal. “Shouldn’t two people marry because they’re in love?”

“Is that how you plan to choose a husband?” Beth asked.

Cory didn’t answer. She wanted to marry for love, but she had to be practical, too.

Douglas filled the void in conversation. “Romantic nonsense is not part of the equation. Marriage is too serious a commitment to be based on emotions. That’s why a woman should not clutter her mind with frivolous drivel.”

“Do you believe in romance, Beth?” Tyler asked.

“I am a great fan of Jane Austen,” she proclaimed. “I think she wrote the most wonderful romance novels. I’m reading Sense and Sensibilities now.”

“Nonsensical fluff,” Douglas dismissed. “How does reading a novel like that improve your mind or character?”

“It has nothing to do with improvement.” Beth smiled broadly. “It’s like sunshine on your face or the sound of laughter. It’s for pure enjoyment.”

“I like reading, too.” No one paid attention to Cory’s confession.

“I know Austen’s works are reputed to be a great accomplishment for a woman, but as a man, I prefer more serious readings,” Douglas countered.

“I think we should allow the ladies their simple pleasures in life,” Tyler said.

Cory counted on her fingers. “Between the cooking, cleaning, laundering, ironing, sewing, canning…”

Tyler’s laughter interrupted her list. “I’m exhausted, Miss Courtney.” He turned to Beth. “I see the house ahead. Can you make it, Beth?”

“Your strong arm has taken the burden from me.” Beth released his arm as they entered the yard. “I thank you for lending it.”

“Any time,” Tyler answered.

Cory stared daggers at the two of them. Why was Tyler being so nice to Beth? And so familiar? Did he flirt with all women the way he had been flirting with her the past two days? He had called her Miss Courtney and ignored her except for a few crumbs of attention. Didn’t he like her anymore? Maybe he didn’t care for her at all. He’d played with her affections until the next woman came into his life. He was a cad.

The Reverend Davis was loading the pie basket into his carriage. “We better return home before dark.”

Tyler helped Mary and Beth into the carriage.

“Aren’t you coming?” Mary asked Tyler.

Tyler looked confused.

“I asked them to drop you at the Red Pony Tavern,” Adelaide said. “That is where you’re staying? Unless you’d rather walk the mile down the road.”

Tyler climbed in next to Beth. “I hope I’m not crowding you.” The Reverend Davis urged the team of horses forward.

Cory heard Douglas talking, but her attention was on the receding carriage with Tyler and Beth looking cozy in the back seat.

“I was hoping to have some time alone with you.”

Cory spun around to face Douglas. Was he going to propose now? She looked for Adelaide, but she had retreated into the house. All his talk of logic and common sense toward marriage had cooled any interest in becoming Mrs. Douglas Raymond. But maybe he was right. He had shared the benefits marriage would provide for him. She thought of the advantages marriage would provide her. She would have a roof over her head along with a dozen young men. She would socialize with intellectuals, but they would never think of her as an equal. A teacher of ABCs is how Douglas described her. But was that enough to turn down a proposal?

Marriage for love was all good and well except when the man you loved was riding away with another woman. Tyler had brazenly flirted with Beth all night right in front of her. She’d prove her heart wasn’t broken by accepting Douglas. She smiled warmly. “We’re alone now.”

He cleared his throat and ran his fingers under his collar. Shy and nervous. Would he find the courage to kiss her? She needed to know how it felt. She smiled and leaned forward to encourage him.

“I am looking for a wife. I think I made my reasons quite clear tonight. I want to clarify my decision is not based on anything personal.”

Cory stepped back and frowned. Marriage was the most intimate relationship between two people. How could it not be personal?

“I know I have called several times, and the pursuit of making a match was sincere, but I was unaware of your family’s background.” He cleared his throat, a habit that set Cory’s nerves on edge. “Attending Yale, I am quite familiar with the Beecher family. Their political support of abolishing slavery is something I cannot overlook. If we were to make a match, I would require you to give up your family’s politics and support mine.”

“I believe many at Western Reserve College sympathize with abolitionists,” Cory argued. “I don’t think my family’s beliefs would jeopardize your career.”

“But I would want my wife to support my viewpoints. All of them. Any disagreement would be looked upon as a weakness on my part. You need to be clear about your duty to support me completely. I hope I have not wasted my time considering you for a wife.”

Wasted your time! A jumble of words collided on her tongue. All the Sundays she listened to his arrogant boasting was a waste of time. Complimenting him on idiotic statements as if they were pearls of wisdom was a waste of time. Thinking he had the potential to be a loving, caring husband was a waste of time.

“Cory!” Adelaide stood on the porch. “It’s late.”

Douglas patted her shoulder. “I will give you some time to think over my requirements.”

Cory didn’t need any time to consider whether or not to become a mindless, head bobbing puppet of Douglas Raymond.

“Perhaps this will help with your decision.”

Before she could react, he kissed her on the mouth or a close proximity. It was wet and made her shudder with repulsion. She wanted to wipe the dribble from her chin but forced her hands to remain limp at her sides until he was astride his horse. Her swipe became a wave when he turned his head to say good-bye and rode down the drive.

She had her answer. Even if she was willing to forsake all her dreams and plans to meet his requirements, she could never marry Douglas. If she couldn’t even bear a kiss from him, how would she endure intimacies required between a husband and wife? She only craved one man’s touch, and he was enjoying a cozy ride with Beth.

She burst into tears.