A Headstrong Woman(100)

Jonathon looked down into her upturned face and wanted to kiss her, might have had they not been interrupted. A throat cleared behind them and Alexandria jumped back; her cheeks flooded with color.

“I thought you might like some warning so you could change, Alex, someone’s coming this way,” Sparky informed her.

“Thank you, Wesley,” she said and hurried into the house. Jonathon met Sparky’s questioning gaze. “My intentions are honest I promise,” he raised his hands raised in defense against the young man’s penetrating gaze.

“They’d better be,” Sparky said as he turned and left the porch. Jonathon turned back to his own thoughts. He felt uneasy about leaving Alexandria alone with someone approaching but if he was going to town, he needed to go. With a sigh of resignation he turned and went for Raven.

***



Alexandria shut the door to her room and leaned against it a moment before moving to change. Should she go through with this crazy plan or call it off before it was too late? She shook herself into action. There was no time to consider it. Someone was coming down the drive and she needed to be dressed appropriately if she was going to receive them.

She quickly stripped her work clothes and stood in indecision in front of her chifferobe. If she chose a more formal morning gown she would be forced to call for help and there wasn’t time for it, she decided and pulled on her underclothing before dressing in a pale green tea gown with a white floral print. The pooched front was of darker green satin and the sleeves loose from the elbow over a sheer under sleeve. The back had a Watteau train that fell loose from the neck. She stepped into her slippers and quickly coiled her braid into a crown on her head. It would have to do, she decided as she started down the stairs where her sister was answering the front door.

“I’m sorry, but Alexandria isn’t in the house at the moment, Mr. Price.”

“I’ve just returned, Anna; thank you,” she said as she stepped to her sister’s side. Anna nodded and returned to the kitchen.

“Mrs. Morris, it is of the utmost importance that I talk to you,” Tristan’s expression was one of agitation.

“Come in,” she led the way to the parlor. She claimed a seat and waited for Tristan to claim the one opposite her.

Instead he paced.

“Mrs. Morris, I had hoped to give you some time to recover from losing your husband and to approach you slowly, but in light of… in light of what I’ve learned that apparently isn’t an option. What is this, why did you place this ad?” Tristan handed her a clipping of her ad. Alexandria sighed. She hadn’t expected the people in her own community to learn of this.

“Mr. Moody is threatening to foreclose because I’m a single woman. I could marry him and the whole situation would be cleared, however…”

“I’ll help you get a lawyer,” he offered.

Alexandria was already shaking her head. “I appreciate that, Mr. Price, however, I’ve spoken with a lawyer and the sad truth is, not many judges will side with a woman.”

“Then I’d like to respond to this ad, Alexandria. I can provide well for you and Lilly,” he offered as he came to kneel before her.

Alexandria’s eyes widened. “I’m flattered truly, however, I can’t… that is, we don’t share the same values,” she tried explaining.

“I’ve been attending church as you know and have come to respect your beliefs, Mrs. Morris.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Price; I can’t marry you,” she told him.

“Think about it, Alexandria; I can rescue from this if you’ll let me,” he said as he stood.

Alexandria followed him to the door and saw him out. She frowned as she walked to the kitchen.

“What did Tristan want?” Anna asked.

“To propose,” she mumbled as she chewed her lower lip.

“Tristan proposed?” Anna’s hands stilled in the dough she was kneading. “What did you say?”

“I turned him down. He wants me to consider it.”

“Are you?”

“I could never marry Tristan,” she sighed.

Alexandria worked with her sister and Millie, Lilly on a stool helping as they worked on lunch and baking. After lunch, Alexandria started on Jonathon’s birthday meal.

“What are we fixing?” Anna asked.

“His favorites,” she replied as she started battering chicken.