Janet Barton - A Home for Her Heart

She really hadn’t had a bad day until she’d found out she’d been ordered to have dinner with her aunt and her father. Her father wanted to see her. Was that really so bad? She did love him. And besides, it was just for the evening, not the whole weekend. “Not so much a bad day... Perhaps it’s my own attitude making me so—”

“Downcast?”

She should be ashamed for giving that impression to anyone. There were much worse things in life than having to change her plans to spend time with family. “Maybe a little, but not anymore.”

When she got off the trolley at its stop just a block from her aunt’s apartment, she turned to the driver and smiled. “Thanks for making me realize I have absolutely nothing to be downcast about.”

His face fairly beamed. “You’re welcome, miss. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you. So am I.”

By the time she knocked on her aunt’s door, she was looking forward to telling her all about the happenings at Heaton House.

The door opened and her aunt’s maid, Amanda, smiled. “Miss Elizabeth, it’s wonderful to see you. Mrs. Watson and your father are waiting for you in her study.”

Her heart sank. She’d hoped for some time alone with her aunt. “Thank you, Amanda. It’s good to see you, too. Will you let them know I’ll join them as soon as I freshen up?”

“Certainly.”

Elizabeth hurried down the hall and let herself into a room her aunt had decorated just for her. It was beautiful and she loved the view of the avenue below and even a bit of Central Park. But she didn’t have time to enjoy that view right now. She hurried to choose a gown for dinner. There was a new yellow silk dinner gown hanging in her wardrobe. She quickly selected it. She never had to worry about packing for an overnight stay. Her aunt kept her wardrobe filled with the latest styles—so much so that Elizabeth had been able to give clothes away to those less fortunate.

She was blessed in so many ways and she had no right to feel put out by a visit from her father. She sent up a prayer, asking for forgiveness for being upset by his unexpected visit. She also prayed that she wouldn’t show her frustration to her aunt and father.

She made quick work of freshening up and hurried to the study. Her aunt, Beatrice Watson, must have heard her footsteps as she met her at the door.

“Elizabeth, it is good to see you as always.” She enveloped her in a hug and whispered, “Thank you for coming on such short notice, dear,”

“You’re welcome, Aunt Bea,” Elizabeth whispered back.

Her aunt was an elegant middle-aged woman with sparkling blue eyes and blond hair always done up in the latest style, and she’d always been ahead of her time. Like Elizabeth’s mother, she’d been raised to think for herself and make her own decisions—but would have, even had she not been encouraged to. Elizabeth knew this because she took after them both and her father had never encouraged her to be an independent woman. It wasn’t a trait he admired.

She looked past her to her father, who’d crossed the room and quickly gathered her in his arms to give her a quick hug. His hair had more silver in it than it had the last time she’d seen him.

“Elizabeth, my dear, the older you get, the more you look like your mother. I’ve missed you.”

“Thank you, Papa. That is quite a compliment. It’s good to see you, too.” And it was. She did miss him. But he traveled so much and she’d missed him back home, too. And now she loved her life in New York City and had no intention of going back to Boston to live.

“Dinner is ready, ma’am,” Amanda announced.

Elizabeth’s father offered both women an arm and escorted them into the dining room. After seating her aunt first and then her, her father took a seat across from her and adjacent to her aunt, who was at the head of the table.

“Charles, will you please say the blessing before Amanda serves us?” The maid stood just inside the door between the kitchen and the dining room and bowed her head.

“Of course. Our Father in Heaven, we come to thank You for our many blessings and we thank You for the food we’re about to eat. Amen.”

Short and to the point, as usual. But he did love the Lord, Elizabeth was sure of it. And he loved her—even though he rarely said it or knew how best to show it.

Amanda began to serve them and Elizabeth turned to her father. “Papa, what kind of business did you come to New York on?”

“Investment business, my dear. Nothing to bother your pretty head about at this point in your life.”

Elizabeth exchanged a glance with her aunt. Would he always think women were to be seen and not heard in the matter of business?

“And hopefully you’ll have a husband to worry about it before the time comes that you might need to.”

There it was. The real reason he’d come to the city. He thought she should have been married several years ago and that was the reason he’d sent her to her aunt in the first place—well, that and the fact that he was upset with her for breaking her engagement to the man he’d handpicked, no matter that the man was only after his money.

“I want you to come home, Elizabeth. There’s a young man I want you to meet.”

“Papa, I’m sorry, but I’m not looking for a husband to take care of me. I like my life just as it is right now and I have no intention of moving back to Boston.”

She watched as her father and her aunt exchanged glances and thought she saw her aunt give a little shake of her head as if telling him not to push. At least that was what Elizabeth hoped she was trying to tell him. Dear Aunt Bea, she’d come to her defense on more than one occasion.

Her father’s face flushed and he took a sip of water before speaking again. “Elizabeth, I didn’t ask you to move back. But I would like for you to come home for a visit soon.”

“It is hard to get away from work, Papa.”

“Surely you could come there for a weekend, same as I’ve come here.”

“Maybe one of these days, Papa.” Elizabeth was afraid to go back to Boston for a visit—afraid he wouldn’t let her return. And yet, she was a grown woman, he couldn’t keep her under lock and key forever.

“Perhaps we could go together, Elizabeth,” her aunt offered.

Elizabeth flashed her a look of gratitude. If her aunt went with her, she’d make sure they both came back to the city. She nodded. “Perhaps we can plan something.”

“Good. Let me know when and I’ll make plans for entertaining the two of you when you come. Just don’t wait too long.” He glanced from one to the other, looked down and then added, “Please.”

Elizabeth’s heart softened toward him. She couldn’t remember him ever saying please to her. She had a feeling her aunt had been coaching him, or maybe he’d actually changed since she moved to the city.

“We’ll plan it and let you know the date, Charles,” Aunt Bea said.

“Thank you. I’ll look forward to your visit. I’ve several people I’d like you to meet—”

“Now, Papa—”

“Elizabeth, I didn’t say marry, although there is one young man I think you might actually like and I’d like you to meet him. Just meet him.”

“It certainly won’t hurt to meet an eligible young man, will it, Elizabeth?” Aunt Bea asked, looking at her, as if imploring her to agree and not cause a stir. Her father was here only for the night and Elizabeth supposed she should give in. After all, it was her aunt’s home and she was the one who helped enable Elizabeth to live the independent life she loved. “I suppose it wouldn’t, Aunt Bea.”

But she certainly didn’t have to look forward to it. Still, for the moment her words seemed to pacify her father and he went on to change the subject. She breathed a sigh of relief and joined in the conversation.