Hopeless Romance

13.2 | The Accomplished Woman

"Do you doubt my sister's accomplishments, Miss Addie?" Mr. Crandall asked, his tone sharp and accusatory. Addie turned to meet his piercing gaze, discerning the fierce protectiveness he held for his sister in the depth of his clear, dark eyes.

"Not at all, Mr. Crandall," she replied calmly, her voice steady. "I merely question the narrow criteria by which we judge a woman's worth. Miss Thea's accomplishments are undoubtedly impressive, but I believe many women possess talents and strengths that are equally valuable, even if they don't fit your traditional mold."

Mr. Crandall's expression softened slightly, though his resolve remained firm. "I see your point, Miss Addie. However, society's standards are not easily changed."

"Indeed," Addie acknowledged, "but that doesn't mean we shouldn't challenge such antiquated norms. If we do not, if we persist in imposing these extraordinary standards upon all women, I worry that you men will achieve little in your quest for a wife, presuming you regard marriage as an accomplishment." Mr. Forsythe chuckled next to her. Mr. Crandall's expression was inscrutable. She returned to her book, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction at having voiced her thoughts.

"Do you think so poorly of your own sex, Miss Addie?" Ms. Meredith asked her, prompt Addie to meet her haughty gaze.

"Quite the contrary," she replied. "Women create, preserve, and cultivate life which makes us quite accomplished by design." Mr. Forsythe grinned with amusement and approval as she spoke and Mr. Crandall had stopped writing as he listened to her. "Even so, I've never met a woman as accomplished as you and Mister Crandall describe."

"It's no wonder," Ms. Sophia countered. She and Addie glared at each other. "In such a quaint town I mean," she clarified though Addie knew her intent behind her words. Ms. Meredith smirked.

"Perhaps," Addie said with a smirk. "I'd love to meet such a woman. She'd certainly be a fearsome thing to behold." Mr. Forsythe giggled again. Ms. Sophia's smirk dropped and she returned her focus to her stitching.

"Brother, do you think me to be accomplished?" Ms. Meredith asked after a moment of silence. Another moment of silence passed as the ladies awaited his answer.

"Why yes, Meredith," Mr. Forsythe said with a devilish grin. "I'm certain I've never met another woman who could accomplish packing all of her belongings for a month's trip."

"William!" Ms. Meredith exclaimed. Addie raised the book to hide her smile and urge to laugh.

"Although Cousin Sophia comes in a close second," Mr. Forsythe added before chuckling. Sophia scoffed.

"I suppose that is a small kind of accomplishment," Mr. Crandall teased, trying to hide his smirk. Those words were familiar to Addie. After ruminating over them, she realized they were Mrs. Joyner's words from the last assembly when insulting Martha to uplift Tiana. Addie's lips tightened as she surmised Mr. Crandall was mocking her stepmother.

"You must excuse my brother, Theo," Ms. Meredith stated as she walked past Mr. Crandall, her shadow once again obstructing the view of his letter. "He lives to tease me as you know well. I'll have you know, Brother, that Lady Thea once referred to me as such in conversation at her glorious estate. I believe you were there, too, Mister Theo. You remember, don't you?"

"Vaguely," Mr. Crandall said nonchalantly. Addie smirked.

"I was both honored and humbled by such a compliment from her ladyship," Ms. Meredith boasted, hopefully waiting for Mr. Crandall's gaze to meet hers though it never did. "Of course, I'd never boast to be as accomplished as someone of Miss Thea's caliber."

"But perhaps more accomplished than...others," Ms. Sophia said, glancing at Addie before looking at Ms. Meredith. "You're far too modest, Cousin." Addie noticed Mr. Forsythe discreetly roll his eyes. "Accomplished women are indeed a rarity, Miss Addie," Ms. Sophia said as if Addie hadn't heard the beginning of the conversation a moment ago.

"So I've gathered," Addie said with a forced grin.

"Rare in beauty, manner, talent, grace, poise, and essence," Ms. Meredith expressed.

"Not to mention she must also be of good family and class," Ms. Sophia said while looking at Addie. Addie returned her attention to the book, not wanting to accidentally mumble something again that she couldn't take back.

"And what about wit? A sense of humor? Surely those things are also important," Mr. Forsythe said.

"Oh, hush, William," Ms. Meredith replied dismissively, believing her brother to be joking.

"He's correct," Mr. Crandall with his back to Ms. Meredith. "Beauty, manners, talent, grace, poise, essence, and pedigree are lovely, but more common than not, Miss Meredith." Ms. Meredith looked dumbfounded and awkward. "The rarity you speak of is only found in a woman who possesses those qualities in addition to wit, intelligence, and humor. All of which she would have learned by extensively reading, listening more than she speaks, and not taking herself too seriously."

Addie closed her book, her irritation reaching its peak. "My goodness, Mister Crandall," she remarked, returning eye contact. "How ever does this 'accomplished woman' find the time to eat or sleep or breathe for that matter?" Mr. Crandall looked with a confused expression. "Or perhaps you could enlighten me on the subject, Miss Meredith?" she asked, eyeing Mr. Forsythe's sister. Mr. Forsythe laughed.

"Miss Addie, your wit is positively delightful," Mr. Forsythe said cheerfully. "I do enjoy it." They smiled at each other.

"Why thank you. Although I suppose it is only a small kind of accomplishment to Mister Crandall," she teased, sporting a smirk at Mr. Crandall who looked at her with a mix of confusion and admiration. They stared at each for a moment, Addie trying to make sense of his expression.

One of the servants entered the parlor and nodded to Ms. Meredith. "My word, it's time for tea," Ms. Meredith said, breaking the silence. Mr. Crandall, Ms. Sophia, and Mr. Forsythe stood, preparing to head for the dining room. Addie remained seated hoping they would leave without paying her any mind.

Mr. Forsythe stopped upon noticing Addie and returned to the sofa. "Miss Addie, won't you join us?" he asked with a welcoming smile. Addie noticed Mr. Crandall, Ms. Sophia, and Ms. Mederith looking at her.

"Oh, I don't wish to impose any more than I already have, Mister William," she claimed. "I'm perfectly fine staying here until my family arrives. They shouldn't be much longer."

"It's no intrusion at all, Miss Addie," Mr. Forsythe said, standing over her. "We'd love for you to join us for tea." Casting a glance at the other three, Addie harbored doubts about Mr. Forsythe's assertion. The uneasy expressions of Ms. Meredith and Ms. Sophia did not escape her notice. Their reluctance to have her there would only serve to make tea time even more unbearable than enduring their company in the parlor.

Setting her book aside, Addie edged closer to the front of her seat. "Perhaps I ought to check on Tiana—"

"Miss Addie," Ms. Meredith interrupted, moving Mr. Forsythe out of the way and now standing over Addie with a cunning smile. "I'm sure Miss Tiana isn't any better or worse than she was in the last half hour. Please," she said, grabbing Addie's hands and pulling her to her feet. "Join us." Addie felt unsettled by Ms. Meredith spontaneous gesture.

"Of course," Addie said, knowing that refusing would only make her appear asocial and aloof. "Thank you." Ms. Meredith linked her arm with Addie's, guiding her toward the exit. As they departed the parlor, Addie observed Ms. Meredith and Ms. Sophia sharing knowing smirks, trailed by the gentlemen. A sense of foreboding washed over Addie, leaving her with a feeling that the afternoon tea would not bode well.