“So I kissed him. But then—”
“Youw-what—” Papa stammered.
“—something happened this morning. His banker came, and he’s lost an account. Now he says he needs time to manage things, to recover, but I cannot bear to leave him like this. He won’t ask you for help, but he desperately needs it.”
Papa swallowed hard. He blinked several times, then seemed to collect the thoughts behind his eyes. He seemed uncannily calm for a father who’d just been dealt his daughter’s bleeding heart.
“Forgive me, are we speaking of the same person? Graham ... Mr. Graham Everett?”
I nodded. “I cannot rise above this feeling that he fears he cannot provide for me. I do not need fancy things, Papa. I truly do not. But I think Graham believes I do. I think he isin trouble. And I ... I feel so—” I sputtered, choking on the emotion rising in my throat. “So sad.”
Papa sighed, and I felt his arms encircle me, his head lean down against mine.
“Anna, I am inadequate,” Papa said, his own voice thick but determined. “It is times like this that I dearly wish I had your mother’s ear, her words and wisdom. I do not know the proper thing to say to assure you that all will be well, but I do know that as your father I must speak with Mr. Everett straightaway. I will make this right.”
Our carriage rolled to a stop, and I peeked out my window. We’d stopped in front of a building within the Steine. The very inn where Graham had taken me for prawns. A fresh sob escaped me.
Papa did not wait. He opened our door and jumped out. “I shall get a horse,” he said, a shadow casting over his features. “I’ll return before luncheon.”
Before I could respond, Mariah appeared. She took the steps up and sat beside me in the carriage, offering me a handkerchief to dry my face. In time, she led me to my room, speaking in hushed tones about peppermint tea and a cool rag for my head. She didn’t leave me. She brushed out my hair. Made me eat two crumpets. Then she tucked me into bed and curled up in a chair.
She hummed a gentle tune as she stitched, and somehow between thoughts of Papa riding off and Graham’s worried eyes, I drifted into sleep.
ChapterThirty-Three
Graham
Mother waited until the Lane carriage had disappeared down the drive before rounding on me.
“Why did Anna leave in such a state?” she asked harshly. “Tell me at once before I die of humiliation.”
I stood firm. I could not keep such an enormous secret from my family, not when I was bursting at the seams with problems that concerned us all. But that did not mean I had to tell all three of them at once. I’d start with the obvious.
“Miss Lane did not wish to stay. She was unwell.”
“She was fine this morning, until the two of you returned from your walk.” Ginny’s words were an accusation.
“Whether Miss Lane is unwell or not isnoneofyour concern, Graham,” Mother chided. “She is old enough, she is of age, and by speaking out in front of her father with such force and familiarity as you did—”
“Embarrassing, even for you,” Ginny added, with Tabs at her side.
“I am not a fool,” I said sharply. I left them, moving into the drawing room, but they followed me. Mr. Lane’s expression had said it all—I’d spoken out of turn; I’d spoken toAnna like she was already mine to speak for. I’d attempted to keep some semblance of control over my life, but everything had completely fallen apart. He’d expect an explanation, one that I was not yet prepared to give.
Mother’s frustration settled, and she took my arms in her hands. “She is not yours to speak for, Graham. Not unless you ask her, and she accepts.”
“Wait a moment.” Ginny touched our arms, then laughed in clear disbelief. “Graham, you’re not in love with Anna?”
My shoulders fell in resignation. Why was I fighting against my own family? To save myself from their pity? We were a family. And I could no longer hold the weight of my burdens alone.
Besotted. Every worthless bit of me.
Tabs must’ve noticed the change in me, for she sucked in a breath. “I knew it! I knew it all along!”
“It does not signify,” I said to Mother. “I need more time before I can offer for her. Tom brought unfortunate news this morning. The Bradley account ... It’s gone.”
Mother raised a hand to her chest. “What?”
“What is the Bradley account?” Ginny looked between us, worry creasing her features. “Our savings?”
