Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“And what do your people say about this news?” his mother asked, arching one eyebrow.
“We came here first, Mrs. Granville. I believe my family will support me as they have all my life. My father even flew for the first time to watch me receive my doctorate in biomedical engineering.”
“Yes, yes. You definitely took advantage of all your scholarships,” Mrs. Granville allowed.
Beau started to talk and Maisie squeezed his thigh, asking for him to allow her to address this statement she knew was intended to shame her.
“You are correct, Mrs. Granville. I was able to achieve everything by studying hard and using the intelligence I was gifted with. Anyone can apply for every scholarship I received. I had no social or political sway with those awarding the scholarship.”
“I’m sure Beau would have qualified for some of the scholarships, but we didn’t feel it was right to take money from the less fortunate,” Mrs. Granville stated.
“Thank you. Hopefully, whatever he could have applied for was awarded to a worthy recipient,” Maisie said meaningfully.
“I think we’ve gotten off track,” Beau interrupted before his mother could needle Maisie any more about receiving money for school. “Would you be interested in attending the more formal reception in DC?”
“It would look very bad if we didn’t,” his mother pointed out.
“Wonderful. We’ll look forward to seeing you there. I’ll send the details to your social secretary, Mom.” Beau stood up and Maisie bounced up to her feet immediately.
“Son, I want to talk to you about that bill you’re sponsoring,” Beau’s father said. “Let’s go to my office.”
Maisie watched Beau do everything he could except being rude to his father as he maneuvered him away, leaving the two women alone. She looked at Mrs. Granville and smiled. Why not try kindness first?
“Thank you for inviting me into your home.”
“You will ruin my son’s career. Is that what you want?”
“I love your son, Mrs. Granville. I have for years.”
“A Granville simply doesn’t marry a Woodson. It’s not done. Your people live in squalor.”
“My relatives are poor. They do the best they can. My mother’s house was spotless. We always had food and clothing.”
“And your mother is gone now.”
“She is. I miss her very much. Mom would have celebrated our wedding. She knew how much I care for Beau,” Maisie shared.
“Very touching. What do you want?” Mrs. Granville demanded.
“I don’t understand. I’m not asking anything from you,” Maisie assured her.
“Fifty thousand dollars for you to disappear. Think what that could do for your father.”
“You’re bribing me to break up with Beau?” Maisie asked in disbelief.
“I have the money here.” Mrs. Granville opened a drawer in the side table and withdrew a bulging, large, sealed envelope. “Take it and find your own way through the world.”
“My own way through the world,” Maisie repeated, shaking her head. She knew Mrs. Granville would never understand how hard Maisie worked to get herself where she was.
She stood. “Thank you for your hospitality. Please let Beau know I’ll wait for him at the car.”
“It will never work, you know. Beau will tire of slumming with you.”
Maisie bit her lip as she turned around. It wouldn’t accomplish anything to tell her future mother-in-law exactly where she could shove that fifty thousand. Retracing her steps through the elegant house, Maisie tried to control her expression. From the reaction of the help who darted out of her way, she didn’t do a very good job of it.
The driveway was empty when she walked out the door. Maisie sat on the wall of a decorative planter as she waited for Beau.
A courier vehicle appeared and honked. A man ran down to the car and handed him an envelope. It happened in a flash and the man was gone. That witch! She’d sent the money to her father.
She needed to get there before he could do anything with that wad of cash. Looking at the doorway, it was still empty. She stood rooted in place for what seemed like forever before she acted.
Slamming the front door open, she retraced her steps, walking past a stunned Mrs. Granville and heading through the doorway where Beau had disappeared. She found him drinking scotch.
“I need to leave now. Beau, can I borrow your car?”
“I’ll take you wherever you’d like to go,” he assured her, setting the scotch down and standing.
“Thank you. Can we go now, please?” Maisie reached out a hand to him, needing his touch.
Without asking a word, Beau nodded to his father and linked his fingers with hers. He took a different route to a side door, bypassing the library and his mother. His sedan sat close to the exit. Within seconds, they were in the car and on their way down the tree-lined drive.
“Where are we going?” he asked as they reached the entrance.
“Your parents sent my dad fifty thousand dollars in exchange for me disappearing,” she said in a monotone that summed up all the turmoil inside her.