“Elizabeth, you need to pace yourself,” his father counseled, speaking over her. “You can’t wear yourself out planning this wedding.”
“I won’t, I promise,” his mother said. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
Caleb reached for his fork and knife. “All I want is Simone to stand up with me in the front of the chapel. Nothing else matters to me.”
His mother snapped her fingers. “I should go speak to our cook now about the menu for the luncheon,” she stated. “Anette, would you care to join me? I could use your opinion.”
“As you wish, Mother,” Anette said.
After his mother and sister departed from the dining room, his father leaned closer to him and asked, “Why are you truly marrying Simone?”
Caleb furrowed his brow. “I beg your pardon?”
His father gave him a pointed look. “You have been tellingus for years that you have no desire to marry and suddenly you get engaged. With no warning. Why is that?”
“It was unexpected, but not unwanted, I assure you,” Caleb said.
“Why Simone?”
Caleb placed his fork and knife down and turned towards his father. “Does the reason really matter?”
“I suppose not, but you better be sure,” his father replied. “Taking a wife is not a decision to be taken lightly.”
“I am aware.”
His father reached for his glass and took a sip. As he placed the glass back onto the table, he asked, “Do you love her?”
“Father—”
He cut Caleb off. “Do you love her?” he repeated.
Caleb clenched his jaw, knowing he didn’t have a straightforward answer for his father. “I can’t explain precisely what I feel for Simone, but I do care for her. Is that not enough?”
“Marriage is hard enough, even when you like the person,” his father said. “But love binds you two together. Without it, you both will go in different directions.”
“I understand.”
His father lowered his voice. “I don’t pretend to know how you spend your time, or what you got yourself into, but I do believe it is honorable. You saved me, and this family, from ruination when you helped me out of my predicament.” He paused. “I can’t help but wonder if Simone is involved in what you do.”
“I can’t say?—”
His father put his hand up, stilling his words. “I just hope you aren’t going about this alone. You deserve someone to love you, and help you, in whatever it is that you are doing.”
Caleb leaned forward and said, “I like being alone. I prefer it, actually. But that is how I knew Simone was different,because for the first time, I wanted someone else’s company more than my own.”
“If that is the case, I am happy for you, Son.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said, leaning back. “Now about Mother…” His voice intentionally trailed off.
His father chuckled. “I will see what I can do, but you know how she gets.”
“I do, and that is what concerns me.”
The butler stepped into the room and met Caleb’s gaze. “Mr. Morrish has arrived. I have shown him to the study.”
Caleb pushed back his seat. “Thank you.”
His father gave him a curious look. “Why is our solicitor here?” he asked. “Did I miss a meeting?”
