A Most Unsuitable Match Read Online Free Page A
Author: Stephanie Whitson
Daniel have your future all planned out. I can’t seem to see past peeling paint and dirty windows. Mother never really pressured me about anything. She definitely didn’t encourage ambition. Then Papa died and we just . . . I don’t know. We just existed together, I guess. I couldn’t imagine leaving her alone, and then after her accident . . . and now . . .
“I haven’t a beau, I’d probably be a terrible teacher, and I hate to sew. But I have to do something, Minette. I can’t just . . . exist in that house. That’s what I’ve been doing for months now. Resisting Mr. Vandekamp’s advice and wandering through the days like some listless character in one of the novels I’ve been reading.” She paused. “It’s like I’ve lost myself.”
Minette was quiet for a moment. Finally, she smoothed her dimity skirt and said, “Why don’t you begin by asking Daniel or Papa to look into the business matters for you? I know Daniel’s just begun his career, but Papa says everyone agrees he has a very promising future, and while Mr. Vandekamp may not be inclined to want to discuss business with you, he’d have to take a man seriously.” Minette’s voice warmed with pride as she said, “Daniel negotiated excellent terms for Papa’s next shipment to Montana Territory on the Delores . With Otto Busch. And you know that man’s reputation.”
Fannie knew. Stories about Otto Busch had rippled all along the river and up from the St. Charles landing and into the dining room of every family involved in any business that relied on the treacherous waters of the Missouri River.
Otto Busch had once hired two men to chase down roustabouts who’d abandoned ship midvoyage in protest against harsh treatment. Busch had them hauled back on board and— Well, Fannie had never been allowed to know the rest of that story. But she knew the men finished the trip. Sparring and winning against Otto Busch said a lot about Daniel’s business acumen. It could, however, also mean that Mr. Vandekamp would see Daniel as competition for the Rousseau Line accounts. Which would make him angry. Imagining herself the object of Mr. Vandekamp’s anger made Fannie hesitate. “I wouldn’t want to impose on Daniel.”
“Meaning you’re afraid.”
“I am not afraid of Hubert Vandekamp. Exactly.” Fannie’s voice wavered. “I’m just . . . confused.”
Minette stopped the swing with her foot and reached for Fannie’s hand. “Who wouldn’t be confused with everything that’s happened to you lately.” She put her hand on Fannie’s arm.
“But you’re smart. And you’re going to be all right, Fannie. Truly. You’ll see.”
“It’s easy to seem smart when the biggest decision you have to make is the color of your next ball gown.” Fannie swallowed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m groping about inside a dark cloud. I know that sounds dramatic, but sitting at Papa’s desk this afternoon and making the list of things I need to attend to—” She broke off.
Minette squeezed her hand. “Maybe Mr. Vandekamp has been trying to be thoughtful. Maybe he didn’t want you having to deal with painters and gardeners and a bustle of activity around the house until you had time to come to terms with your loss.”
Fannie resisted the idea of sour-faced Hubert Vandekamp being thoughtful. Still, he’d known Papa and Mother since before Fannie was born. “I suppose I should at least give him a chance to explain what’s been happening before I call in reinforcements. Thank you, though, for offering Daniel.”
“I’d do anything for you, Fannie. You know that. I owe you . . . so much. You gave me back my life. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“Don’t be absurd.” Fannie shook her head. “The Missouri School for the Blind gave your life back, not me. It was obvious you were going to be all right from the first time you came home on holiday from that place.”
“Not true,” Minette insisted. “I was confused
“I haven’t a beau, I’d probably be a terrible teacher, and I hate to sew. But I have to do something, Minette. I can’t just . . . exist in that house. That’s what I’ve been doing for months now. Resisting Mr. Vandekamp’s advice and wandering through the days like some listless character in one of the novels I’ve been reading.” She paused. “It’s like I’ve lost myself.”
Minette was quiet for a moment. Finally, she smoothed her dimity skirt and said, “Why don’t you begin by asking Daniel or Papa to look into the business matters for you? I know Daniel’s just begun his career, but Papa says everyone agrees he has a very promising future, and while Mr. Vandekamp may not be inclined to want to discuss business with you, he’d have to take a man seriously.” Minette’s voice warmed with pride as she said, “Daniel negotiated excellent terms for Papa’s next shipment to Montana Territory on the Delores . With Otto Busch. And you know that man’s reputation.”
Fannie knew. Stories about Otto Busch had rippled all along the river and up from the St. Charles landing and into the dining room of every family involved in any business that relied on the treacherous waters of the Missouri River.
Otto Busch had once hired two men to chase down roustabouts who’d abandoned ship midvoyage in protest against harsh treatment. Busch had them hauled back on board and— Well, Fannie had never been allowed to know the rest of that story. But she knew the men finished the trip. Sparring and winning against Otto Busch said a lot about Daniel’s business acumen. It could, however, also mean that Mr. Vandekamp would see Daniel as competition for the Rousseau Line accounts. Which would make him angry. Imagining herself the object of Mr. Vandekamp’s anger made Fannie hesitate. “I wouldn’t want to impose on Daniel.”
“Meaning you’re afraid.”
“I am not afraid of Hubert Vandekamp. Exactly.” Fannie’s voice wavered. “I’m just . . . confused.”
Minette stopped the swing with her foot and reached for Fannie’s hand. “Who wouldn’t be confused with everything that’s happened to you lately.” She put her hand on Fannie’s arm.
“But you’re smart. And you’re going to be all right, Fannie. Truly. You’ll see.”
“It’s easy to seem smart when the biggest decision you have to make is the color of your next ball gown.” Fannie swallowed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m groping about inside a dark cloud. I know that sounds dramatic, but sitting at Papa’s desk this afternoon and making the list of things I need to attend to—” She broke off.
Minette squeezed her hand. “Maybe Mr. Vandekamp has been trying to be thoughtful. Maybe he didn’t want you having to deal with painters and gardeners and a bustle of activity around the house until you had time to come to terms with your loss.”
Fannie resisted the idea of sour-faced Hubert Vandekamp being thoughtful. Still, he’d known Papa and Mother since before Fannie was born. “I suppose I should at least give him a chance to explain what’s been happening before I call in reinforcements. Thank you, though, for offering Daniel.”
“I’d do anything for you, Fannie. You know that. I owe you . . . so much. You gave me back my life. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“Don’t be absurd.” Fannie shook her head. “The Missouri School for the Blind gave your life back, not me. It was obvious you were going to be all right from the first time you came home on holiday from that place.”
“Not true,” Minette insisted. “I was confused