Closing the book, she dashed to the door. “That is enough reading for now.”
“But you’ve only just begun!”
“Later, I promise,” she called over her shoulder as she dropped the book onto a side table.
Grabbing hold of her skirt hem, she tore down the stairs, ran across the front hall, and yanked open the door. The cold December air didn’t stand a chance at chilling her, so fervently did her heart beat in her chest. Was this truly happening? “You have returned!”
“I have.” Bram grinned as he dismounted, hair wild beneath his hat, skin ruddy from the ride, so handsome it hurt to look at him.
A welcome sight, but wholly unexpected. “Why have you come?”
“Several reasons.” He climbed the stairs and stopped in front of her, smelling of winter air and horseflesh. “Do you wish to hear of them out here or inside?”
“La! Some hostess I am. Please, come in.”
The second they crossed the threshold, Penny hurled herself at Bram.
“I knew you’d come back.” She wrapped her arms around Bram’s waist.
“Penny!” Eva slapped her hand against her chest, mortified. “Such manners. You are no better than Jo March.”
Bram merely laughed as he peeled the girl from him and stooped to her level. “Despite what your sister says, I am happy to receive such a welcome.” He straightened, his gaze seeking Eva’s. “I wonder if I might have a word with you?”
“Of course. Penny, how about you see if Mrs. Pottinger would bring us some tea?”
“All right.” The girl bounded down the passage, waving her hand behind her back. “But don’t leave without saying good-bye this time, Professor.”
“I promise.” He grinned.
Eva led him to the sitting room, where Bram pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “By the by”—he peered at her with a mysterious gleam in his eyes—“Mr. Toffit sends his regards.”
She immediately turned lest he see the giveaway smile on her face and gestured to the sofa, rising hope making it hard for her to even think of sitting—and yet she did. It was even harder to keep her tone dulcet instead of all-out giddy. “What were you doing at Mr. Toffit’s?”
“I shall get to that, but first I have something for you.” He handed over several banknotes. “This is merely a good faith deposit for the purchase of your antiquities. The first payment of many to come. In the new year you shall have nine thousand pounds in total.”
Eva blinked. Surely she wasn’t hearing properly. Nine thousand pounds? Ninethousand? She stared at Bram, mouth agape.
Leaning near, he closed her lips with a light touch to her jaw. “It is all yours. With the proper investment of that sum and the additional sales when the excavation continues next term, not only will Inman Manor be restored but you and Penny are set for life. Your sister can attend any school she wishes, and you will no longer be bent over a ledger that will not balance.”
She shook her head, hardly daring to believe this could be true. “Such an amount! You told me the antiquities would fetch a fair sum, but this I can hardly believe.” She rubbed her fingers over the paper, supremely happy and yet also a bit confused. “Wait a minute. Thefirstpayment? What about the thirty pounds you gave me to pay the tax bill? I thought that was from the sale of the relics—or at least from the sale of the ring. Where did you get that money?”
“Pah! You know. Here and there.” He clapped his hands together, then gave them a brisk rub. “Now then, I have more good news. My—”
“Hold it right there, sir.” She held up her own hand as if stopping a wild horse. “You always change the subject when a topic does not suit. You are hiding something. Where did you get the funds for my tax bill? And do not think of spinning some fanciful tale to put me off, for I will not have it.”
“I, em...” He tugged at the muffler around his neck, taking his time to unwind it before coiling it at his side on the sofa. “If you must know, I pawned my watch, but—”
“Your cherished pocket watch?” She collapsed against the chairback. Bram was a man of many secrets, but this one ... “Had I known you did such a thing, I never would have accepted your money.”
“Which is why I did not tell you.”
“Oh, Bram.” Her heart sank as she thought of the many times he’d pulled out that flash of silver and flipped open thelid, of the loving tone in his voice when he’d told her of his uncle’s sweet gifting.
And he’d done it all for her sake.
Tears welled, turning the sitting room into a blur of colour and light.
“Hey,” he rumbled. “Only smiles today.”
