He
followed her into the room, settling stiffly on the sofa. “Why would I not come? After all, I wouldn’t want to miss seeing my fiancée.”
Heidi’s head jerked at the disdain in his voice, as she rested on the edge of the chair across from him. Her heart thudded and her stomach clenched. She hadn’t been prepared to face Clarence yet with her decision, but since he sat before her, now seemed like the right time to speak.
She cleared her throat, and raised her chin. “Clarence, I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve given this some thought, and. . .decided to break off our engagement.” There, she’d said it. A sense of relief flooded her, but her smile faltered as Clarence leaned back in the chair and grinned at her.
“I don’t think so, my dear.” He brushed a bit of lint from his coat.
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t arrange our marriage with you. Your parents and I decided everything. They know what’s best for you, my dear.”
Heat rose to her face at his arrogant words. “I don’t care who you made arrangements with, Clarence. I have decided to not marry you.”
He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowed. “You are merely going through a phase, Heidi.” His calm demeanor slipped as he stood and paced in front of the glowing fireplace. “For some benighted reason, you think being on your own here is what you want. You’re not smart enough to know what you want, and you certainly don’t know what’s best for you. Furthermore, you think Michael is your savior.” He stood in front of her, leaning over, his hands fisted on the arms of her chair. “I told you what kind of a man he is.”
She’d never seen Clarence so angry, and his attitude frightened her. His eyes burned with fury, and his lip curled with scorn. Suddenly, she wished Mrs. Wilson were home. Her fiancé did not behave as a man with a bruised heart refusing to accept a betrothed’s rejection. Clarence was enraged. For someone who intended to marry her in name only, his reaction made no sense. He leaned closer, causing her to press deeper into the chair.
“He paid a whore to leave town,” he shouted. Moisture from his mouth sprayed across her face.
“I’m back,” Mrs. Wilson called from the front door.
Clarence stepped back and adjusted his coat. “This discussion isn’t over, Heidi. And don’t fool yourself into thinking it is.” He turned toward Mrs. Wilson, a bright smile on his face as she entered the room carrying several packages. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Wilson.”
She regarded him with wide eyes. “Who are you?”
He approached her, and bowed slightly. “I’m Clarence Manfred, ma’am. Heidi’s fiance’.” With a glance at Heidi, almost daring her to dispute it, he added, “I will see you later, my dear. I understand we’re attending a supper and dance at the church.” Nodding at her, he turned and left the house.
“I didn’t know you were engaged,” Mrs. Wilson called over her shoulder as she carried her parcels to the kitchen.
Stunned, Heidi remained silent. What in heaven’s name was that all about? He made arrangements with her parents, so she had to marry him? Her fear slowly turned into anger. How dare he refuse my decision. With shaky legs, she stood and headed to the stairs. Before she reached the first step, all the air in the room seemed to disappear as the familiar tightness crushed her chest. She turned and made her way to the kitchen, gasping.
“Oh, dear. I believe you’re having a breathing attack.” Mrs. Wilson took Heidi by the hand and led her to a chair. “Just sit right there, dear, and I’ll heat the water for you. Where do you keep your medicine?”
“My room,” she rasped. “Top…of…dresser.”
“I’ll get it, you sit there.” Mrs. Wilson slid a kettle over the burner on the large iron stove. Poking the fire, she added more wood and then hurried from the room.
Heidi raised her hands above her head, as Michael had taught her. The sound of her wheezing filled the room. Calm. You must be calm. Don’t think about Clarence now, think only pleasant thoughts. Sunshine, and furry little kittens.
“We’ll have you fixed up in no time.” Mrs. Wilson bustled back into the kitchen, took a bowl from the shelf and added a pinch of the Belladonna.
Heidi concentrated on relaxing her muscles. After a few minutes, Mrs. Wilson poured the hot water into the bowl and placed it on the table. Heidi lowered her hands, and pulled the bowl toward her, inhaling deeply of the healing steam.
“I think once you’re feeling better, you should lie down for a while.” Mrs. Wilson patted her hand.
Heidi nodded, beginning to feel the effects of the medicine. Her lungs expanded with a deep breath, and her tense muscles relaxed. However, the strain of the last half hour had brought on a raging headache.
“I have a pie in the oven.” She said as she accepted the cloth Mrs. Wilson handed her to wipe her face.
“How much longer? I’ll remove it for you.”
Heidi glanced at the clock. “Another twenty minutes.”
“You go on upstairs and rest. I’ll finish up down here.”
Heidi rose, and slowly made her way upstairs. Once in her room, she lay on the bed, her eyes closed. Although fatigue washed over her, she couldn’t stop reliving the scene with Clarence. Surely he couldn’t force her to marry him. And in her surprise at his attitude, she’d never gotten the opportunity to question him about the things he’d said about Michael.