Summers Bluff

Calhoun Morgan,Esq.

The front door chime sounded and Emma heard the voice of their nearest neighbor, Cal Morgan, her father’s solicitor, who had come to call. She knew that he had been aware of her since she had been sixteen, as he had tried to court her, and again when she was nearly seventeen, but she had not cared for him, and that was certainly putting it mildly. For all the manners he had always displayed, she knew he wasn’t what he seemed. He had changed of late and had noticeably become much more hardened in his tone toward her, and more impatient with her refusals of marriage offers, while being soft-spoken and polite in front of her parents.

Hypocrite! she thought, while stamping her foot. If only papa would find another solicitor! She knew that Cal had either changed, or more likely, now that she was grown she was seeing him as he really had been all along. His momentary politeness when he had been in front of other people would not have stood the test of a courtship, of that she was certain! Her papa hadn’t had much to do with Cal, as he had always dealt with Cal's father for all of his legal needs, but could probably see right through him, nonetheless. Certainly he didn’t know about the proposals, as she hadn’t wanted to even acknowledge them. Yes, she knew Morgan was not the fine, upstanding, Southern gentleman he was purported to be. In truth, she had no idea what kind of man he really was, and felt that if she were favored from above, she would never have to find out!

She determined to make her escape out of the morning room by the French doors onto the verandah, but before she could, she heard Jesse May saying, “Yes sir, Mista Morgan. Miss Emma surely is ta home. She’s yonder in the morning room with her flowers. I’ll just take you in.”

“No need, Jesse May, I know the way. Go back to your chores now.” The gull of the man! Emma thought. She had not heard his footsteps stop at that exchange, so she could just imagine his long strides closing the distance between them before she could reach the doors. Sure enough, he called out, “Why, Miss Emma, a lovely morning, isn’t it. And what a picture you make, you with your flowers and all!” he gushed. When she merely nodded her acknowledgment of his presence, he continued, “I just came by to inform your father that I will be by later this afternoon to fetch them to Savannah to catch the steamer. Should be fine weather for our trip up North.”

Emma was taken aback. “Our trip?” she countered. “Are you telling me that you are to accompany mama and papa to Philadelphia?”

“That’s right I am,” Cal answered, with a smug, self-satisfied look. “You know I am a patient man, Emma,” using her given name alone without the required ‘Miss’, nor her permission to do otherwise. “But, I have asked you several times now to do me the honor of making you mistress of Morgan’s Bluff, so while you are considering it, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for me to meet your Philadelphia relatives, and be of whatever assistance I can to your folks on the trip at the same time.”

She could not even respond to him, as she was speechless with impotent fury at his presumption as to impose himself on her parents, and her other Philadelphia relatives, to say nothing of assuming that she would even think about considering a proposal from him! He hurried on, undauntedly, “I also think it a fine idea to replenish some of my own treasures that was lost to the enemy during the war. I wouldn’t want you to feel my home inferior to what you are accustomed.”

What nerve! He is going to try to sweet talk mama and papa and all the Callaways so that they will all want me to marry him! I don’t know what it is about him, but there is a darkness that is just wrong, she thought, as she fiddled with the flowers. I have never trusted him! Finally finding her voice, she said, “Well, I surely will inform papa of your message. I pray you all have a safe trip.”

“Yes, indeed! I wouldn’t want anything to happen to any of us now, as you and I are sure to be coming to an understanding, if you will,” he seemed to sneer.

At that she could no longer control an outburst. She looked at him thinking, Like I would sit across the breakfast table from you every morning for the rest of my life, not to mention other things I would have to do! Wanting to shout at him, instead she quietly, but firmly, replied, “Sir, I have never led you to believe that I am entertaining the proposals of marriage that you have given me on a few occasions now. In fact, I have discouraged you at every turn! We are not close to an understanding unless you have finally come to understand that I will not marry you!” she finished, furious to the point that her voice trembled.

“Come, come, my dear. You are overwrought. What with your parents leaving you here while they are gone, you have worked yourself into somewhat of a frenzy, I fear.” She responded with, “Mr. Morgan, I have not worked myself into anything. I am clearly, and as simply as I know how, telling you that I refuse your proposals. All of them! Please refrain from ever mentioning this to me again as I will take it as an affront, should you be so inclined. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to burden papa with all of this.” With that she flounced from the room before she could see the look of fury and pure hatred that twisted his face. Had she but seen that, she would have known that he would never take no for an answer!