“She is resting.” Mr. Lane crossed his legs, then uncrossedthem. Then he sniffed and squared his knees. “We spoke in the carriage. I have been thoughtless on many accounts, Everett. I shall have to earn back her trust. But I will do anything for my daughter.”
Brave girl. She’d already spoken to him. Pride swelled my heart, as did that familiar claim linking me to her. “Mr. Lane, I—”
“I have not had more than the ride over to think this through,” he said, shifting again in his seat.
“Sir?”
“I had the passing thought,” he started, then stifled a laugh, “how dreadfully funny it would be if she was jesting with me, just so I’d make a fool of myself, coming over here, demanding things. Because that would be like Anna, you understand. She has a sharp wit like her mother. Loves to play. She feels things very deeply and must have laughter, or she’ll go mad.”
The very sound of her name gave me a measure of confidence. Enough to face the discomfort of this conversation with her father, no matter his reaction. I drew in steady breaths. Listening. Waiting for whatever Mr. Lane wasn’t saying.
He tilted his head, then crossed his legs again. “Did my daughter kiss you, Everett?”
By George, I hadn’t expectedthat. A rush of blood warmed my face. How did he know? Had she told him? I shifted in my seat, parting my lips, then closing them. He did not seem angry at the possibility. Though neither did he seem particularly pleased. I steeled my resolve.
“She did.”
“Dash it all, that girl.” He shook his head, chuckling at some private thought. “Well? What did you do?”
I washed a hand over my face. Was it not obvious? “I, uh, I kissed her back, sir.”
“No, you ignorant boy. What did you do to make her kiss you in the first place?”
Nowthatwas a reasonable question. “I’ve no idea,” I answered blankly.
“Well, then.” Mr. Lane slapped his hands on his thighs, still amused, but as serious and formal as though we were discussing an investment proposal. “Shall we move to your study?”
Equal parts relief and terror split through me. Relief that he might actually consider an arrangement. Terror at the thought of him hearing just how unworthy I was. “Mr. Lane—”
“We will resolve this here and now, Everett, if you want anything more to do with me. Certainly, if you want the Brighton investment.” He stood, starting to walk toward the foyer.
I shook my head. He had it all wrong. “My relationship with Anna is not connected to the work you and I engage in, sir. I told her I would forfeit the investment, even before—”
He spun around. “Before, what?”
I stood, wiping my sweaty hands on my breeches. “Before Tom Richards came.”
Mr. Lane remained unsurprised. “Your banker.”
“The Bradley account has gone under.” I watched his face fall, then recover with understanding of the whole of it.
I continued, “As it stands, we still made a fine purse. But my family’s lifestyle depended upon those earnings. I cannotspend my savings on land when I must now support my family with those funds. Let alone ...”
“Anna,” Mr. Lane supplied. “I see.”
Did he?
“You love her, then?” He would not meet my eye.
“With everything I am, sir. I have always admired her, but sometimes it is easier to argue with a person than try to see them clearly. She fits with my family like I never imagined anyone could. She is talented, accomplished, intelligent, wise, and kind. I will never love another the way I love Anna.”
He pointed an accusing finger. “You should have told me straightaway.”
“I had every intention. The very moment I had my finances back in order.”
“Do you think so little of me?” he asked, taking a step closer. “That I would not help you?”
“Please, Mr. Lane. Do not take offense by it. I have spent my whole life relying on other people to survive. I’d much prefer to do this on my own.”
