Free An Unconventional Courtship by Becky Lower Page A

races?”
    “Yes, Mother. It was the first day Theo and Jane met each other, and they’ve been seeing each other since.”
    “Well, I declare, this is most confusing.”
    “Yet that’s the way of it. Theo’s heart is elsewhere. Even if it weren’t, he has another whole year of schooling at Harvard before he can even think about finding a job and supporting a family. I don’t want to wait two or three more years to marry. Especially when the man in question pales in comparison to George Fitzpatrick.”
    “Does Mr. Fitzpatrick know of your feelings?”
    “Well, of course not, Mother. You’ve trained me well. He is aware I’m interested in seeing more of him, but he doesn’t yet know I’ve given him my heart.”
    “Good girl. Keep him guessing until he gets to the altar and wonders how it happened.”
    “That’s exactly why I’m so nervous today. I can’t wait for his interview with Papa to be over and for our future to begin.” She stood again and picked up her pacing where she’d left off.
    Her mother reached up as Charlotte walked past, and tugged on Charlotte’s hand. Charlotte then plopped into the seat beside her mother, who placed an arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. She melted into her mother’s embrace as they both realized life would never be the same for either of them.
    “My firstborn is all grown up and will soon be having babies of her own. It’s a wonderful, and wistful, moment in my life. Your father will be disappointed that it’s not Theo, but I truly like George.”
    “I won’t be going far, Mother. George’s work is here in New York. We’ll buy a house on the other side of the park, and you’ll be able to see your grandchildren every day.”
    “But this house will be empty without you, Charlotte. You just wait until your own children start to marry and leave home. You’ll feel the same way.”
    As they sat with their heads brushed up against each other, Charlotte thought of her future the way her mother was seeing it. She had years before her own children would leave home. She first had to have some. And she couldn’t wait to get started.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    George sat across from the tall, imposing man who was Charlotte’s father. Even at his home, the man was properly attired in a waistcoat, a frock coat, and a cravat. George tried to match his air of indifference, but was doing a rather poor job of it. Yet who could blame him? This man, Mr. Ashcroft, held George’s future in his hands. Other than a few meetings at the bank, George knew little about the man and his beliefs.
    Maybe Mr. Ashcroft was biased against men who went right into business rather than obtained a degree from a prestigious university. Maybe he thought his daughter was too young yet and wanted her to wait to marry. Perhaps Charlotte had told him she wasn’t interested in George and to turn down his offer. Maybe Mr. Ashcroft had another man picked out for Charlotte to wed. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his handkerchief while he waited for the man to speak. He needed answers.
    “So how long have you been working for your father?”
    That was the man’s opening question? George was in real trouble if he had to immediately defend his capability to take care of Charlotte. He put his handkerchief away and made eye contact with Mr. Ashcroft.
    “I’ve been working at the bank for over a year now. My father’s been schooling me in what I need to learn in order to take over the reins someday. I seem to have an affinity for numbers.”
    “Always appreciate an enterprising young man. And I must admit, the investments you’ve recommended for my daughter’s trust fund have been working out well so far. I have a couple of young men who hold the same fine qualities as you in my shipping business, and I’m keeping an eye on them. Unlike your father, I have no sons, so I’ve been counting on Charlotte to marry someone who is interested in my business and can take over for me someday. Someone such as Theo