Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

5 Courting

Vivian was confused, she thought Ruby told her there was only one brother in the family. Though it could be a common last name. She didn't even know much about this man; but something in the way he expressed himself told her he was of high standing.

"Nice to meet you Reuben Wright," she told him. " My name is Vivian Martin"

"Ah! the martins," he nodded to himself. "I've herd of you before. That's quite a beautiful name you have"

Her eyebrows rose in awe, "where from"

"You're father has a nasty habit of talking business with my uncle. They get along, but not so much. My uncle doesn't really like him," he mused. "He thinks he's a prick"

Vivian shrunk back in disappointment, embarrassed by her father. Reuben took notice of this and immediately apologized for bringing it up. "There's no need," she looked up at him, "I'm surprised you dare come up to me knowing what your uncle must think if he saw us together, talking. Who knows, I might corrupt you with my own ideas."

Reuben Wright laughed, his eyes gleaming under the diamond chandeliers, hanging from the walls. "you're a woman, an eccentric one at that. Those worries of your couldn't possibly have any further reason to corrupt anyone. I mean that with the upmost certainty." 

"You seem to uphold a lot of faith in me"

He smirked and turned his head towards a portrait of man poised by his work and staring off into the distance. "These are facts, tested, preached. It is woven into the very fabric in this world of nasty business, you couldn't possibly understand."

"Could I try?" she asked.

Reuben glared at her innocently. "I wouldn't want you to corrupt yourself, dear Vivian. You seem too pure and innocent for the complexity of stocks and bonds. As I assure you you don't want to know,"  He paused.

"I would, actually," she replied.

He silently stared at her for a moment. "There is something about you that surprises me"

"I am my father's child, there are many surprisingly qualities about me that you do not know- an interest in the financial holdings of a small business being one of them."

"I'd love to tell you more about it, Vivian, if you allow me," Reuben said. He gestured outside to a grand garden; a brick trail stretching beyond them. There lay wooden benches at the very end of the gravel path that encircled around a bundle of Ruby roses.

During the mid-19th century, men and women searched for an ideal relationship based upon high expectations of a demanding society. If a man or woman did not posses desiring qualities, the opposite sex may dismiss the person as an unsuitable mate. Women in particular had one main role in life, which was to marry and take part in their husband's interests and business. Her place was in the home, on a veritable pedestal (if one could be afforded), and emphatically not in the world of affairs. Before marriage, they would learn housewife skills such as cooking and cleaning. If they were wealthy, they did not always learn these tasks because their maids primarily took care of the household chores.

In Charles Petrie's article, "Victorian Women Expected to be Idle and Ignorant," he explains exactly what a man was looking for:

1. Innocence was what was to be demanded from the girls of his class. Women must not only be innocent but also give the outward impression of being innocent. White muslin was quite common, typical of virginal purity.  Clothes were then usually worn with delicate shades of blue and pink next in popularity.

2. Women were preferred to lack in opinion and not defy a man's authority; in short, recognition of female inferiority to the male

3. From infancy all girls who were born above the level of poverty were expected to have a dream of an successful marriage before thrust their eyes, for by that alone was it possible for a woman to rise in the world. If a women did not meet all the expectations listed, she would end up spouseless.

For the time being the thoughts slipped Vivian's mind, as Reuben openly shared his complaints surrounding his "co-partnering" with his uncle. Vivian was right, she was quite bored after a while; but the idea of knowledge was far too exciting. At one point they grew tired of walking, and stopped.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Vivian asked, pointed towards the starry night sky. "If you look closer you can see shapes, and images that turn into stories."

He looked at her and smiled.

"I have a person I'd like to introduce you too, who might bear interest to some of your thoughts and theories," Reuben said at last. As they made they second trip around the garden he took her back inside.  "I must introduce you to him"

"Who is this man?"

"He's my Nephew, Jasper."