He tipped the glass against his lower lip and then savored the burning sensation the amber liquid created as it slid over his tongue and trickled down his throat. He finished the glass and then poured another. What could Ellert want? Their agreement had been completed, the papers had been signed, and Ellert’s bank draft had been deposited in Jonas’s bank account. Did Ellert call upon all the men who owed him money? Jonas attempted to quiet his fears with some simple explanation. Perhaps Ellert had other business in Rochester that required his attention. Yes, that must be it. He was paying a simple social call since he was in the city. Jonas threw back the contents of his glass and swallowed hard before returning the bottle to its hiding place. Instead of worrying, he should be pleased that Ellert had requested a social appointment.
There was nothing to fear. He had five years before his note to Ellert would come due. Granted, he had no formal plan for how he would repay the funds, but Jonas had to trust that eventually everything would work out for the best. The liquor warmed his belly, and his hands relaxed as he leaned his head against the leather chair. Everything would be fine.
Jonas didn’t know how long he’d been napping in his chair when sounds of an argument interrupted his sleep. He strained to listen but couldn’t hear well enough to discern the voices. He pushed away from the desk, raked his fingers through his hair, and plodded to the door.
“What’s all the commotion out here?” he called. Was it Sophie? “Yes, of course,” he muttered. That girl was always creating havoc. When no one responded, he used the noisy sounds to direct him. He came to a halt outside the parlor doors. Paul and Sophie were in the midst of a disagreement, and it seemed Fanny and Amanda were spectators for the event. “Exactly
what
is going on in here?”
Sophie turned on her uncle and sent an icy glare in his direction. “This has nothing to do with you, Uncle Jonas. I am having a discussion with my husband.”
“If you don’t want my interference, I suggest you keep your voices down. I would think you could control your wife, Paul.”
“
Control
his wife?” Sophie fired. “I am not a servant that is employed to do his bidding, Uncle Jonas. I am a woman with a mind of my own.”
“Yes, we all realize you insist upon making your own choices, even when they’re to your own detriment.”
“I believe I can deal with Sophie without your interference, Jonas.”
“Deal with me?” Sophie stomped her foot and glared at Paul. “What is that—”
The doorbell rang and interrupted Sophie’s response. Jonas waved at his relatives. “If we could please maintain a modicum of dignity, it would be appreciated. Before I knew all of you would be here this evening, I invited a business associate and old friend to join me for supper.”
Paul beckoned to Sophie. “Perhaps we should leave. We can continue this discussion at home.”
“There is nothing to discuss. If you want to see Elizabeth, you can come to the island.”
Jonas sighed. He had better things to worry over than where Paul would visit his child. “Answer the door!” Jonas called to the butler when the doorbell rang for the second time. “And I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. Amanda, you can act as hostess since your mother is absent.” Jonas didn’t fail to note Fanny and Sophie glaring at him before he exited the room to greet Ellert.
Jonas hastened to explain as he led Ellert into the parlor. “Some members of my family arrived home unexpectedly earlier today. I’m certain you’ll enjoy the pleasure of their company while we dine.”
“Why, I’d be delighted. During the years I lived in Rochester, I don’t believe I ever had the pleasure of meeting any members of your family. This is a genuine pleasure.”
An undeniable hint of satisfaction shone in his guest’s eyes as Jonas introduced him. Though Jonas couldn’t guess why, Ellert appeared inordinately interested in chatting with Paul as well as the three young women. Thankfully, the butler entered and announced dinner before any of them made an inappropriate remark. Now, if they would simply eat their meal in silence, all would go well. The effects of his scotch had worn off, and his nerves were on edge. He could have downed another drink before Ellert’s arrival if Sophie hadn’t been in the parlor squabbling like a fishwife.
“And where did you purchase yet another new gown?” Paul inquired as they prepared to exit the parlor.
“You need not worry. I didn’t spend any of your money,” Sophie rebutted.
While Mr. Jackson escorted Amanda into the dining room, Jonas stepped between Paul and Sophie. “Would the two of you
please
cease this bickering for the duration of the meal? I care little what you do once you are out of my house. But I am entertaining a guest and expect your cooperation. Now, go in there and act like civilized adults.”
“I’ll not say a word,” Sophie hissed in return.
Jonas tugged on the corner of his vest as he made his way to the head of the dining table. Amanda was seated to the right of Jonas; Paul took the seat to his left. Sophie sat between Paul and Fanny. Mr. Jackson had taken the chair beside Amanda and was making an unsuccessful attempt to engage her in conversation.
The silence around the table was deafening. Jonas was accustomed to his wife leading the dinner conversation while he simply enjoyed the food. Tonight, however, it appeared he’d be required to perform this social duty. “Do tell us what brings you to Rochester, Ellert.”
“I had a few business matters that required my attention, but let’s not discuss business during this fine meal.” He smiled at Amanda. “Perhaps your daughter could regale us with a story or two. Won’t you tell me about your plans, Miss Broadmoor?” His gaze settled on Amanda’s left ring finger. “I don’t see any evidence that an immediate wedding is in your future.”
Amanda stiffened. “I have no interest in discussing that particular topic, Mr. Jackson.”
Jonas chuckled, hoping his laughter would lessen the impact of his daughter’s strident response. “Amanda envisions becoming a doctor.” Jonas grinned. “Her application for medical school wasn’t approved, so she’s been helping one of the local doctors at the Home for the Friendless.”
Ellert shook his head as if in disbelief. “Why, I would think any university would be pleased, even proud, to have such a beautiful and intelligent woman in their numbers.”
“I’m certain the school would have been delighted to have such a brilliant student if her application had been received in a timely manner.” Fanny leaned forward and flashed a look of hatred at her uncle.
Jonas flinched at his niece’s tone and her angry stare. Did she have knowledge about what he’d done? Foolish thought! He’d burned that letter from the school. Hadn’t he? He attempted to recall exactly what he’d done with that missive.
Ellert’s attention remained fixed upon Amanda. “So you’re training with another doctor, but you’d prefer medical school. Is that correct?”
“I don’t wish to discuss my education at the moment, Mr. Jackson. You and my father must have far more interesting topics you’d like to discuss.”
“My daughter and nieces have been at Broadmoor Island. They left during the cholera epidemic and have returned to Rochester for a shopping trip. They’ll be leaving in a day or two. Isn’t that correct, Amanda?”
“That’s correct. However, the outbreak of cholera here wasn’t a true epidemic, Father. In truth, Rochester lost few lives. There is no comparison to the epidemic of 1852. Uncle Quincy said that epidemic was a genuine tragedy. If the city would enforce the sanitation codes, we’d have far fewer worries of disease.”
Mr. Jackson chuckled. “You have a daughter who is intelligent beyond her years.” He turned toward Amanda. “I will tell you why those codes aren’t enforced, Miss Broadmoor. It is because high-powered men are willing to grease the palms of those in authority in order to bypass the rules.”
Amanda arched her brows. “Men such as yourself, Mr. Jackson?”
Mr. Jackson placed his palm against his chest. “
Me?
No, Miss Broadmoor. I don’t even own property in Rochester. But your father could affirm that I speak the truth. Couldn’t you, Jonas?”
Jonas shifted in his chair, annoyed by Ellert’s snide remark and irritated that the conversation had taken a turn he didn’t like. “I’m sure there is truth in Mr. Jackson’s comment. However, I don’t believe I could produce a list for you, Amanda. Now, if we could discuss something of greater interest to all of us, I think that would be wise.”
“There’s always the weather,” Fanny remarked while feigning a yawn.
A stifling quiet hovered over the dining room like the stillness before a storm. With each bite, Jonas worried that Amanda or Fanny would say something to irritate Ellert. Fortunately, Sophie had maintained her vow of silence—out of anger either at Paul or at him. Jonas cared little as long as she didn’t speak.
The moment they’d completed their final course, Jonas pushed away from the table and suggested Ellert join him in the library for brandy and a cigar. The sooner he could get Jackson away from family members, the better. Although Ellert gave only a nod to the other guests at the table, he kissed the back of Amanda’s hand and said he hoped they’d soon meet again. He couldn’t hear his daughter’s response or the rest of what was said, but Ellert chuckled when he finally stood and followed Jonas from the room. Jonas hoped his laughter was a good sign and that Amanda hadn’t offended the man. She certainly hadn’t been herself at supper this evening. He’d need to speak to Victoria. Obviously their daughter needed further training in proper etiquette.
After Ellert lit his cigar, Jonas poured two snifters of brandy and handed one to his guest, who sat down in one of the leather chairs near the library fireplace. Jonas held a match to his cigar and puffed until the tip fired bright orange. “I do hope you enjoyed dinner. My family can sometimes be . . . shall we say, less than affable.”
“No need to apologize, Jonas. I’m not easily offended by the social set. You’ll recollect I was generally snubbed by Rochester society during the years I lived here.”
“Were you? I don’t seem to recall.” Jonas took a sip of his brandy and hoped it would calm his nerves. “So have you come to Rochester to invest in a new business?”
“No. Merely checking on a few of my holdings, and I thought I’d see if you were taking steps toward repayment of your loan by Christmas.”
Jonas startled and met Ellert’s intense gaze. “Christmas? When we discussed the contract, we both agreed that it would be five years from this Christmas—Christmas of 1904 was what we said.”
“You’re right. We did mention a date that was in 1904, but if you’ll read your contract, I believe you’ll see that your loan comes due this Christmas.”
“That’s impossible!” Jonas said, jumping to his feet. He set his brandy on the corner of his desk. With his cigar clenched between his teeth, Jonas pulled open his desk drawer and retrieved a file. With trembling fingers, he dropped the file onto his desk and riffled through the papers. When he’d finally located the contract, he pulled it from the pile and waved the white pages in the air. “Here it is!” He dropped to the large leather chair behind his desk and traced his index finger down the page.
When he reached the middle of the second page, Jonas ceased reading and looked up. A gleam of satisfaction shone in Ellert’s eyes. How had this happened? In the past, Mortimer had reviewed Jonas’s contracts. But Mortimer was dead, and Jonas had quickly perused the pages. He’d had no reason to doubt the terms would be exactly as they’d discussed.
“But you knew I thought it said 1904,” Jonas croaked. “What would you have done if I’d noticed the incorrect date?”
Ellert shrugged. “If you’d objected or if you’d had a lawyer read the terms and protested the provision, I would have been required to reassess the terms. However, you didn’t, and the contract is valid.”
“I can’t possibly pay you by Christmas. Why, I won’t even have the issues surrounding Fanny’s inheritance settled by Christmas. Be reasonable, Jackson.”
“You owe the money, and I intend to collect in a timely manner and according to the terms of the contract.”
“Surely you understand I’m in an extremely difficult place right now.”
“Indeed, I do. I understand difficult situations better than most, Jonas. You played a large part in one of the most harrowing times in my life.”
Jonas picked up the glass of brandy and downed the contents before returning to the chair beside Ellert. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He waited for the brandy to quiet his fears.
“Don’t you?” Ellert took a puff on his cigar and blew a smoke ring into the air. “Then it was completely insignificant to you that I was forced to sell my family home in order to repay a debt I owed you years ago?”
Jonas raked his fingers through his hair and forced himself to think back to the loan he’d made to Ellert, but he couldn’t recall ever forcing any man to sell his home in order to repay a loan. He shook his head. “You have me confused with someone else.”
“No. It was
you
, Jonas. I sold my family’s home to pay your debt.”
“But I didn’t force you to sell. I didn’t know—”
“Of course you didn’t. I wasn’t about to let you know!” He sipped the brandy and placed the glass on the table between them. “Selling my family’s home caused me a great deal of pain, Jonas. I believe it is only fair that you suffer the way I have suffered. You’ll have to part with something you love in order to meet your obligation to me.”
“But I can’t let anyone know the details of the situation,” Jonas protested. “Not only that, but I can’t touch any of my properties.”
“What of the Broadmoor Island estate?”
“It’s bound by legal terms to remain in the family. Currently there are other members who hold shares in the property, but none of whom could afford to buy out my portion.”
“And what of your home—your business affairs?”
“As I stated, I cannot let anyone know what has happened, or my reputation will be ruined and there will be no hope of me reclaiming my fortune. I can’t even suggest selling this place for a smaller home without my wife and sons questioning me. Besides, you know full well it wouldn’t come close to paying off what I owe you.”