Part 6 (1/2)

”That sounds swell,” she bubbled.

”Sweet Lenora,” Mother began one morning several weeks later. ”Dear girl, it has come to my attention that you might have eyes for this Swain boy...”

Lenora nearly fainted when she heard her mother say that. It was true, but how could she know? She felt a wild mixture of guilt, fear, and anger in the pit of her stomach. After all, they hadn't done anything. Well, except for hold hands twice...

Josef! It must be Josef, she thought. Mother must have him spying on me.

She tried to articulate an answer for her mother and was surprised at the unemotional tone she mustered, ”Mother, we go to school together...we've done nothing untoward.”

”Yes, I'm sure that's true, Lenora. You wouldn't lie to your mother, dear heart, but I felt I should warn you about these things...”

”Oh, of course, yes, Mother,” Lenora said. She halfway listened while her mother spoke about a lady's character, their station in society, and blah, blah, blah...

”Of course, you are almost seventeen. So, I have decided to let you meet a young man whose position is worthy of your hand. I've arranged for him to escort you to the Fall Fair this Sat.u.r.day.”

”Oh,” Lenora said, shocked by this turn of events. A blind date arranged by her mother? She hoped her feelings weren't apparent. What about poor Charlie? ”Why, who would that be, mother?”

”Jakob Schmidt,” Mother replied promptly.

”Why, Mother, I've never seen Jakob Schmidt. He doesn't even go to school...” She had heard about the Schmidt family-everyone had. They were known publicly for their wealth...and discussed in whispers for how reclusive they were.

”That's because his parents want the best for him, dear. He has private tutors-all from the best universities: Yale, Harvard, Princeton.”

”That sounds just fine, Mother,” Lenora replied hastily. She didn't want to arouse any more suspicion in her mother about Charlie. She just hoped that Charlie would understand her predicament.

But Charlie didn't understand.

He pretended that he did. When Lenora told him that she was going out with Jakob Schmidt to the fair only to appease her mother, he mustered the spirit to keep his head up as he said, ”Of course, Lenora...whatever you think is best.” She was impressed by his equanimity, evidence of his fine upbringing, but his eyes couldn't conceal the pain. Lenora bit her lip, looked away, and pretended she didn't see it.

They had continued to meet at school the rest of the week, but their conversations felt artificial and forced. They lacked the flame that had been burning so brightly before.

Now it was already Sat.u.r.day and Jakob was going to arrive any moment to escort her to the fair. She had thought he would arrive earlier-the sun was already sinking below the horizon-but he had not, which was just as well, since it meant less time she had to spend with him.

It was fully dark before there was the expected knock at the door. Josef magically appeared to allow Jakob entry and she got her first look at this boy n.o.body had ever seen.

He was a living cliche: tall, dark-haired, and handsome. Icy blue eyes gazed out at her from beneath a head of well-manicured hair. His clothes were impeccable, which was no surprise considering her mother's tastes.

The eyes were the real problem. They were simultaneously riveting and unnerving. She found it hard to look away, as if some malevolent force, or power, compelled her to look into their smoky depths. They stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Finally, she forced herself to look away by reminding herself about Charlie.

”Lenora, it's a pleasure.” He took her hand and kissed it. His lips were cold.

”Charmed,” she replied, trying to be demure. Inside, however, she was already dreading the coming night.

On the surface, Jakob was a gentleman, his manners flawless. When they parked his car, he jumped out and dashed to her side to open the door. He offered his arm as they walked. He led her around puddles. He listened politely if she had something to say.

However, it seemed like a performance, a bad performance, mechanical and poorly rehea.r.s.ed.

Underneath the polished exterior, there was something very dark. It almost felt familiar in a way. The smile on Jakob's face couldn't hide the steely, cold glint in his eyes. There was something not right about Jakob Schmidt...

And she couldn't stop thinking about Charlie.

”So...you don't go to school.”

”No. My parents are very fastidious about every aspect of my education.”

”Carlisle High School isn't good enough?”

”It's good enough for some pursuits. My parents just have a...different...plan for me.”

”What might that be?” She knew that she was pus.h.i.+ng the boundaries of acceptable conversation-working and careers were a man's world-but she couldn't help herself.

”Running my father's company. It has...international...requirements.”

Lenora almost snorted at that, but she told herself to be good. After all, Mother could make life difficult if she offended her acquaintances. She decided to make an honest effort to be pleasant.

Lenora and Jakob played a few games, danced a little bit, and had some of the food offered at the various booths. If she were with Charlie, it would have been fun. With Jakob, it was drudgery and she was counting down the minutes until she could leave.

Charlie watched Lenora and Jakob from the grove of trees that lay adjacent to the fairgrounds. He wished he could hear what they were saying, but it was too far away, and he didn't want to risk being seen.

So, as they moved in between the booths and activities, Charlie followed them with his eyes. What he saw left him both relieved and rea.s.sured-Lenora was obviously not having a good time. The casual observer wouldn't notice it, but Charlie had really come to know Lenora's little nonverbal cues.

Charlie remained in the shadows, away from the people and crowds, so as not to draw attention. He was very cautious; however, there was one scary moment when he thought he might have been seen.

Jakob and Lenora had just started dancing. Charlie saw Jakob's hand move down Lenora's back-far down her back-during the slow number, and he was immediately outraged. ”I'll kill him,” he murmured under his breath.

As soon as the words came out, he saw Jakob lift his head and look in his direction. Charlie hugged the tree to his left closely, deep in shadow, and felt certain that Jakob couldn't see him. It was much too dark and much too far.

Jakob smiled broadly in Charlie's direction and the hair on Charlie's neck stood up. He watched Jakob lower his face to Lenora's neck as they danced.

It was agony to watch and do nothing. The hours pa.s.sed slowly.

”I think it's probably time for us to leave,” Jakob announced.

Lenora tried not to appear as excited as she felt. ”Oh, yes, I suppose it is getting late. Mother gets worried...”

”Of course she does,” Jakob replied.

They started walking toward Jakob's car. Lenora felt as if a weight were lifting off her chest. She would soon be free from this prison without bars!

When they reached Jakob's car, they went to the pa.s.senger side and he opened the door for Lenora. Just as she was about to get in, he pushed it shut and smiled at her.

”I've changed my mind. I don't think I'm taking you home yet.”

”What?” Lenora asked. She had never been spoken to this way.

”You heard me, you uppity girl. Who do you think you are? Who do you think you're talking to?” He grabbed her upper arm and smiled when Lenora grimaced in pain and fear. Then he shoved her backwards into the door of the car.

Lenora began to walk away, but Jakob grabbed her again. She struggled and he slapped her, hard, across the face.