When Washington Burned

Chapter 6

Mrs. Rutherford felt quite encouraged after the Independence Day celebrations. Ella's dance card was full, she dances, she smiled, and she had not become with any of the potential suitors. Mrs. Rutherford was further encouraged to see Ella reestablishing a friendship with Miss Sinclair, and though Mr. Sinclair did not request a dance. One could hardly be bothered when Mrs. Rutherford was sure she saw other highly sought-after bachelors with their eyes on Ella and not the fireworks.

Mrs. Rutherford anticipated flowers, calling cards and a house full of suitors after the successful evening. Ella, for her part, felt quite excited after the Fourth of July dance as well, but unfortunately not in the same regard as Mrs. Rutherford. Ella had found renewed motivation in her writing. She never had any sort of opinion regarding her articles, aside from father. Finally, she felt as if she was writing for an audience. She wished she could have asked for more input from Mr. Dashwood. She kept rethinking what he had said to her "under researched and one-sided." Those critiques seemed a bit unfair, and without further insight from the critic all Ella could do was re-examine her previous articles and spend twice as much time and effort in writing the new ones. She did ask her father for his thoughts; however, he simply appeased her, reassuring that he would not publish them under his name had he found anything lacking.

When it came to suitors, renewed interest emerged with gentlemen calling the very next Miss Rutherford came when her mother called. She sat politely, if not completely uninterested and impatient to get back to her writing. Slowly one by one Ella discouraged each new/old suitor and in less than a month's time, much to her mother's exasperation, no suitor - aside from Mr. Gibson- remained interested. Some doubly vexed for seemingly being duped by her pretty face twice.

Mrs. Rutherford was never one to allow herself to come to emotions but was once again at her wits end. Thus, in an act of desperate cruelty, Mrs. Rutherford, finally opened their home and Ella's matrimonial future to Mr. Gibson.

Ella would have never made the conclusion that her mother planned to proceed with Mr. Gibson. Assuming it was a ruse, an idle threat, or a minor punishment for disposing of all the other suitors. It was not until Ella observed her mother spending nearly an hour inquiring after him and his family, encouraging him to call again soon, and setting a date for dinner with the family that Ella became genuinely concerned.

It was the next day when Mr. Gibson arrived, a large bouquet in hand, and Mrs. Rutherford began discussing dowry that Ella realized that her mother unmistakably meant it more than a ruse. Upon hearing the words 'betrothed" Ella was sure her heart stopped. Her ears whooshed and though she could see her mother's mouth moving in conversation, nothing more was heard. Though dizzy, she sat still on the sofa. With her vision blurry she closed her eyes, her mind blank. Eventually coming to with Mr. Gibson now seated beside her.

Mr. Gibson, sweating and smelling of tobacco gaped at Ella, an eager smile across his face. Ella could not bring herself to look at him or her mother, stared unblinking at her hands, studying the ink stains, tears building up in her eyes.

Mrs. Rutherford excused herself, for a reason Ella was unable to hear, with her heart beating so loudly in her ears that she was sure Mr. Gibson would likely be able to hear it. Once her mother departed Mr. Gibson drew closer to Ella on the settee, facing her and leaning in. She sat stone-faced as a statue, her eyes fixed on her hands lying on her lap.

"I knew it was only a matter of time, I needed to simply wait out the others. Your spirit is not for everyone Miss Rutherford or rather Eleanor as I soon will be able to call you," Mr. Gibson cooed, now sitting so close they were touching.

"Let us not get ahead ourselves Mr. Gibson," Ella stammered, surprised she was even capable of forming these words. She scooted over as far to the end of the settee as she could.