“What did he say?” Ginny demanded.
“What shall we do?” Mother added.
And that, indeed, was the question.
ChapterThirty-Four
Anna
I awoke to the rustling of paper.
Papa was sitting in the corner chair, hidden behind a newspaper, with a cup of tea and an empty plate on a table.
I hadn’t meant to fall asleep. I cleared my throat and sat up, looking around the otherwise perfectly arranged room. Sunshine beamed across the polished wood floors, and the little clock on the mantel read well into the afternoon.
Papa folded his paper and set it aside, then sat straight, eyes finding mine. “Annie, my love,” he said softly. “I’m so glad you were able to rest. How are you feeling?”
“My throat is dry,” I said, and he quickly poured me a glass of something and handed it to me.
I sat on the side of the bed, feet perched on the wooden frame, and took a long gulp. Wine.
“Thank you,” I said. Had he seen Graham? He seemed happy, but for what purpose?
His lips twitched into a smile, then he shook his head. “I am still in disbelief that I leave you foroneweek and absolutely everything changes.”
“I could say the same of you,” I retorted with another long drink of wine.
Papa pursed his lips and stood, moving to sit adjacent me on the bed. “I spoke with Mr. Everett. Your feelings are indeed returned. Unfortunately, he remains adamantly opposed to my help.”
I set my glass on a little table within reach. “What can I do?”
Papa shrugged, then patted my hand. “He desires to solve this problem on his own.”
His pride might compel him to solve his problem on his own, but his heart? His heart was locked with mine, and we were better together. “I want to be with him. I want to be beside him. Is that not the point of loving someone? To walk through hardships together?”
“It is,” Papa vehemently agreed. He smiled a quiet sort of smile; the look of someone whoknewhardship, of a man who hadn’t left the side of his loved one through the very worst sorrow imaginable.
“Then, please, Papa. What can I do?”
Papa drew in a deep breath, leaned his head back, and looked toward the ceiling. After a moment, he nodded simply. “Go to him. Stay with him.”
My shoulders sagged as I weighed that option. Could I?
“It will be a burden, financially. And he did not ask me.” Though I loved the idea. More than anything.
But what did Grahamneed?
Money.
I had money but not enough to compensate for his loss long-term. Not to mention the fact that he’d never accept itfrom me. Not even if we wed tomorrow. He was that determined to pull things together himself.
No, if I went to him, I’d have to have a plan. A solid enough foundation so we could start a family. And it had to be my choice, my life to merge with his.
My investment.
I moved to the edge of the bed, feet touching the floor as I straightened with purpose. It was an impossibility. I had no idea the details nor the terms, but—
“Papa, I hate to be crude,” I started, turning toward him. “But what about my dowry?”
