“When are you going to stop making decisions just to spite me?” his father retorted.
“Dad, my decisions have nothing to do with you. I’m doing work that I love. Please accept that so we don’t have to keep having this conversation.”
“And the same thing is true of Jeanette? You really care for her?”
“You know I do. I want you and Mother to get to know her. She’s very important to me. So are you, whether you believe that or not. I’d like us all to get along.”
His father sighed heavily. “I want that, too. I just had such high hopes for your future, as did your mother.”
“Dad, I’m working toward the future I want. It’s a perfectly honorable one, even if it’s not the one you would have chosen for me. That’s what matters. And I’m with a woman I love, a woman who makes me happy.”
“Even though she’s not one of us?”
Tom laughed. “Because she can’t trace her ancestors back to English royalty or whatever the hell matters so much to Mother? Come on, Dad. Mother’s always been a bit of a snob, but not you.”
Silence fell for a moment, then Mr. McDonald spoke, his tone weary. “You’re right. I have no room to talk. My ancestors worked hard for what they achieved and then my father nearly squandered everything with his drinking, his gambling and his affairs. I’ve spent my life trying to restore what he almost lost. It wasn’t about the money. It was about our reputation. That’s all I care about, Tom. I want our good name to continue, to matter in Charleston the way it once did. Your mother took a huge risk when she married me after all my father’s scandalous behavior. I promised her she’d never have cause to regret it. Lately, she’s been embarrassed to show her face.”
“Given the amount of entertaining the two of you seem to be doing during the holidays, she can’t be too embarrassed,” Tom replied. He hesitated. “Dad, Jeanette’s been hinting that there were things you and Mother had been keeping from me, things that would explain why all of this matters so much to you. Is this it? Is it because of Grandfather?”
“He nearly ruined us, not just our finances, but our reputation,” his father said. “I know you think all the things your mother cares so much about are frivolous, but they matter because we’ve had to fight so hard to get them back.”
“I see.”
“Do you really, son?”
“I think I’m starting to.”
“Cut your mother some slack, okay?”
“If the two of you will cut us some,” Tom agreed. “I love Jeanette. I intend to marry her, if she’ll have me.”
“Please, don’t do this, Tom. It will kill your mother.”
“Only if she refuses to take the time to get to know Jeanette. In the end, that will drive us away,” Tom said. “I guarantee you that. Dad, I’m sorry about what Grandfather did, but it has nothing to do with me. It was in the past. I’m sure people have forgotten all about it. I’ve certainly never heard a word said against him.”
“Because your mother and I didn’t want you or your sisters to know. We did everything we needed to do to live down the mess my father had created, and eventually people forgot or at least allowed us to put it behind us. You have a legacy you can be proud of. A lot of the credit for that goes to your mother for taking a chance on me.”
“Dad, I’ve always been proud of you. I don’t always agree with you and I can’t live my life to please you, but that doesn’t negate the way I feel about you.”
His father’s expression was weary as he gestured around the room. “All of this was supposed to be yours.”
“I don’t need it,” Tom said gently. “I’ve found what I need. I have work I enjoy, a woman I love.”
“And you won’t reconsider?”
Tom shook his head. “No. This is the life I want. Can you please try to accept that?”
“I’ll try,” his father replied, sounding defeated. “Go on back to the party. It’s almost time for dinner. Tell your mother I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Dad, I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. I really am.”
“Don’t be. I know better than most that a man has to choose the path that suits him. My whole life has been spent trying not to take the one my father took.”
Tom stood beside him, hesitant. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
His father smiled ruefully. “I’ve weathered worse setbacks than this one. Go on now. I’ll be right along.”
As Tom reached the door, he called out to him. “Son?”
“Yes?”
“Just so you know, I like your young woman. I’d hoped that you’d find someone right here in Charleston and I felt I had to try to make that happen, but in the end this is your decision. Jeanette has backbone. If you do decide to marry, I hope you’ll be as happy together as your mother and I have been.”
As Tom stepped outside, he saw Jeanette just going back inside the other room. He followed, and when Jeanette tried to slip inside, Tom caught up with her.
“You heard, didn’t you?” he demanded.
She nodded. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I went outside to get some air and I heard raised voices.”
“I’m sorry about some of the things my father said.” He smiled. “You did hear him say, though, that he likes you.”
“I heard. It actually means a lot, because I know how hard it was for him to say it.” She smiled brightly. “Now all I have to do is win over your mother.”
“We could do that another night,” he suggested. His gaze held hers. “Want to get out of here? This house suddenly seems unbearably stuffy and overcrowded.”
Jeanette was tempted, but good manners dictated they stay. “I’d love to, but I don’t think we should. Your mother will be offended. That’s no way
