The final say

The tip tap of ladies’ high heels rang through the Conservatory breezeway and the fabric of Anne's chemise dress swished behind her as she marched with stern intention. “These things take time Anne! Oh, please don’t make a stink!” James shuffled behind, flinging benign comforts to calm her. “Things are already cattywampus with your father’s estate…couldn’t you just wait a month? The money will come through! Does it really make a difference?” Anne turned on her heels with a serpentine stare, “A difference? Oh James, it makes all the difference!” Mr. Bane didn’t like people bursting into his office. James stood in front of the door, blocking her way. “The Board is in the middle of a meeting! This isn’t the best time!” “On the contrary! If the Board is present, this is the best time!” It was the first time she looked at him squarely. Her face toward his, he melted, at a loss for words. She reached behind him and thrust open the door. Presenting herself to a smokey room filled with men at a table. “Miss Hibbert! What a surprise!” There was no look of annoyance on Andre Banes face, but instead a mouthful of niceties. “Gentleman, you remember little Anne! All grown up of course!” The men looked on lugubriously as though she had interrupted something quite serious. “Anne we are sorry for your loss…truly.” His tone imposing pity. Anne brushed aside the attempt of formalities, “James tells me that the Board will not “allow” me to sell my shares! Is this correct?” Mr. Bane looked at James disapprovingly. “Well, James should mind his words, shouldn’t he?” The phrase ran through Anne’s ears like a silent whistle. “Mind his words? Well now, don’t expect that from me!” “We would appreciate your agreement to hold your shares for a months time. Provisions must be made for the board to purchase the shares.” He waved his hands over his words as if a decree had been made. Still Anne pressed, “Mr. Bane, I don’t care if the board buys it or not! I don’t want to spend months minding preferences and unnecessary formalities! I want to be in my own apartment and done with this place by the end of the week! I have already received a generous offer!” “Oh…who?” He looked around the room to the other members. Anne stood her ground a moment longer, “I don’t see that it matters, so long as conservancy and botanical preservation are paramount…” Still the silence lingered on, with a discomfort so thick that even Anne felt pressed to speak into it. “Hugh Balcree. From the San Francisco Chapter.” The room shifted. Mr. Watkins poured another drink and Bane exchanged a glance with Mr. Carlyle. James looked down, hiding his eyes from Anne’s keen stare.