Venture (Awarded Silver)

Ellen took off her hat and threw it in the trash can.  The funeral was over.  The lawyer was setting up downstairs, and after the will was read, even the relatives would go home.  Ellen smiled despite herself as she thought of the will.  William O’Hara, her father, had never been a conventional man.

A firm rap on the door brought Ellen back to the present.  “Come,” she responded, not bothering to try to rescue the hat.

“It’s just me, Miss,” Thomas announced, opening the door without so much as leaning in.  “The lawyer says he’s ready.”

“I understand,” she acknowledged.  Then, as the door began to close, she called, “Thomas?  You will accompany me down, please.”  

After a fractional pause, Thomas opened the door the rest of the way.  Young and strong, he didn’t look much like a tutor, let alone the gifted artist that he was.  Not only was he was both, he was also a valued friend, and had been since her father had brought him home almost six years ago.

Stepping into the hall, Ellen waited until he’d closed the door to her bedchamber, and then carefully straightened his tie.  They were friends, strictly, but these days the house was full of prying eyes…  Sighing as she heard her Aunt Bethel approaching, Ellen dropped her hands and took a step back.  Cueing up a smile, Ellen turned to greet the inevitable complaint.

“Ellen,” barked the older woman, “I don’t understand it.  I don’t understand it at all.  When I was your age,” she shook a plump finger at her niece, “I didn’t let the servants wonder who was boss!”

Ellen blinked rapidly, trying hard not to laugh aloud.  “Why,” she asked demurely, “has someone been trying to boss you, Aunt Bethel?” 

“That parlor maid of yours!”  Snapped Aunt Bethel.  “She up and packed all my things.  Without asking!  Told me all the guests were leaving after the will reading.”  Aunt Bethel’s demeanor changed noticeably now, and she reached out to pat Ellen’s arm.  “Of course, I have no intention of leaving you here by your lonesome.”  She shot Thomas a disapproving look – what had her sister’s husband been thinking, bringing a strange young man into the house, right into it, as though he were family?  And then leaving the mess behind when he died.  Well, Bethel wouldn’t have it.  She was going to stay right there and protect her niece’s reputation!  And not in that pokey old guest room, either.  As soon as the will was read, she planned to have her things moved to the Sapphire room.  She’d soon have this house straightened out, she would! 

“Oh, but it would be quite impossible for you to stay, Aunt Bethel,” Ellen responded, trying to sound a little dismayed.  “We’re closing up the house!”  Ellen felt Thomas’ steady gaze on her, and wished she’d had more time to talk to him over the past few days.  “I’m afraid I have urgent business with our representatives in Vega.”

Aunt Bethel’s mouth dropped open at a peculiar angle. 

“We mustn’t keep the lawyer waiting,” Thomas inserted hastily, and taking Ellen firmly by the elbow, propelled her down the hallway.  He’d been assisting her father with his business endeavors for so long that he knew every detail, and was perplexed at her reference to an appointment in Vega. 

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                Mr. Poulton had scarcely set the computerized pad down before Uncle Bertram exploded to his feet.

“This is nonsense,” he sputtered, looking for something to slam his fist down on.  A long-time Judge in the colony, he was used to emphasizing his declarations in this fashion.

Mr. Poulton didn’t even blink.  He’d been expecting the fireworks, had even won a private bet with himself as to who would verbalize their disbelief first.

“It is not nonsense,” Mr. Poulton said clearly, his voice cutting through the excited chatter that had begun.  Mr. Poulton was not a physically imposing man, but when he rose the room fell silent.  “It is the last will and testament of Mr.  William O’Hara, father of Ellen O’Hara.  Miss O’Hara,” he turned to her, “if you will add your signature to that of your father’s, I shall be on my way.”

Ellen acted quickly so that none of the relatives had a moment to protest.  Setting the stylus on the desk beside the pad, Ellen smiled at Mr. Poulton.  That much was done.  To be sure, the storm had just begun, but what a relief to be at last beyond the black clouds and distant rumblings and into the thunder and lightning stage of things!

Turning to Thomas, Ellen held out her hands.  “Welcome to the family, brother.” 

Thomas rose slowly, his face composed, but his eyes signaling his confusion.  “Brother” was not how he would have Ellen thinking of him.  Bypassing her outstretched hands, he boldly folded her into his arms.  “You might have told me,” he whispered reproachfully.

“You might have said ‘no,’” she laughed softly, hugging him back.  “And it meant so much to Father to have his beloved home and business in capable hands.” 

“And his daughter?”  Thomas dared ask.  He reluctantly released her when she pulled away, but noted the color in her cheeks hopefully.  The tumult around them at that point was too much to ignore, and he turned, calmly, to face the dozen or so people who, for whatever reason, had expected to be rewarded for being born into the same family as William O’Hara. 

“It would seem,” he said firmly, speaking just loud enough to be heard, “that your business here is concluded.”  An honest young man of exceptional character, Thomas did not flinch under the gaze of the disappointed crowd. 

Realizing that they had no recourse, legal or otherwise, relatives shuffled out, muttering to themselves that it just wasn’t fair.  Mr. Poulton closed his case, nodded briskly, and saw himself out, shutting the library door behind him.  Privately, he thought Ellen would have to look long and hard to find a better man than Thomas.

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Ellen took a deep breath and a few steps away from Thomas.  She could see now that it wasn’t going to be easy.  The last thing she wanted was to hurt him…could she make him see?

“I’ve always dreamed of visiting Vega,” she said slowly.  “The spiraling mist columns, the whistling plains…and they’ve discovered a new spice field that will need developing.”  She stared out the window, imagining that if she watched his face, she might change her mind and marry him, a grave injustice to them both.

“It’s too much, Ellen,” Thomas said at last.  “This house has always been your home.”  Stepping towards her, he held out his hands, forgetting that she couldn’t see the gesture.  “Can’t it be our home?”  A man with few familial connections, Thomas instinctively wanted a family of his own, one of which he could be proud.  He could imagine no better partner in such an undertaking than his dear Ellen.

“No, Thomas,” Ellen whispered.  Turning to face him, she shook her head.  “I’m a fool for saying it, but no.”  Studying his face, she watched as he shut himself off.  Looking into his eyes now was like trying to see through blast doors.  “I happen to know that you’re in love with someone else.”

Thomas opened his mouth, startled out of his calm, but could think of nothing to say. 

“Soon you will realize it for yourself,” she assured him, smiling a little.  It was true in a roundabout way.  Her suspicions were based on past observation and confirmed by his hesitation now.  He wanted to love her, but in reality her primary recommendation to his heart was that she was convenient to him.  “I’ll ask only one favor of you, if you will.  I cannot picture myself travelling alone from here to Vega.  I have done little travelling, and never in such a provincial area.  Could you secure a companion for me?  Someone strong and honest, who will keep me from making too many mistakes?” 

“Provincial?” he echoed, hiding behind amusement.  “There’s nobody out there but a few pirates and pioneers.  Law is a distant thing, one that troubles them little.”  Frowning, he stopped himself mid-tirade.  “You will indeed need a protector.”

Ellen wisely chose not to contradict him.  Nothing she could say now would change the way he saw things and she had already said all that she intended  to say on the subject.

“How will you live once you arrive?” he asked, his frown deepening.  “Your father’s will left you only the income from his shipping business.”

“I shall live as simply as possible,” she answered calmly.  “Father bought a house there for me months ago and put it in my name.  And my new wardrobe arrived yesterday.”

“You’ll be leaving as soon as possible, then,” he observed gloomily.

“The sooner the better.  Mr. Poulton will take care of any legal trouble with my relatives, and once I am out of their reach,” Ellen shrugged slightly. 

“I believe I can arrange for you to leave tomorrow,” stated Thomas after several silent moments.  “A school acquaintance is travelling that way and may be just the sort of person you will find useful in developing a new spice field.”  At her unspoken question he elaborated, “He has recently acquired a ship and is looking for a business venture fit for an ambitious Captain.”

Ellen nodded.  That was good information and a far better situation than she’d hoped for.  She didn’t doubt that her father’s old friend, Elias, would know everything about everybody in the entire Vega system, but having an extra ace in the game of life never hurt. 

“Wish me luck, won’t you?” she asked, holding out her hand for a friendly shake.

He took her hand gently in his own, but did not shake it.  “When the solar winds howl about your cabin, draw nearer your warm coat and fear not, bold Traveler, for adventure is nigh,” Thomas quoted Rondstadt’s poem, Living by Starlight, and gently kissed Ellen’s fingers.

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