Page 46 of The Wise Daughter
“As do I.”
“Then we are in agreement.”
Aaron chuckled. “Must you always have the final word?”
A playful half-smile lit her face. “Only when I am right.”
Life with Nora, he was certain, would never be dull. They walked together in silence until they were under a blue sky brushed with thin streaks of clouds. Aaron sensed something unspoken still weighing on her mind.
“What else is troubling you, my dar–” He cleared his throat. “My Nora?”
When she looked at him again, her eyes were flashing hurt. “Was the meeting with my father and Mr. Cornell everything you hoped it would be?”
What was that tone? What was that look? Wasn’t he doing the honorable thing by making their engagement official? It protected her as well as him.
“Yes. I’m very well satisfied.” He waited to see whether she would clarify what was so upsetting to her.
They weaved their way through the gardens toward the paddock. They were almost to the stables, and still Nora hadn’t said anything more on the subject.
“Nora. I wish I could guess at your thoughts, but in this instance, I don’t dare. Won’t you explain to me what you are unhappy about?”
She lifted a shoulder as if it were a small matter. “You and my father were discussing my future with a solicitor I’d never met before while I was left roaming the corridors.”
“Nora, you’ve placed your life in my hands. I take that responsibility very seriously. My only aim was to protect you. I was trying to be a gentleman.”
“I would like to know what that marriage settlement says. I have no dowry, nothing of any value, but you certainly do. Naturally, you need a marriage settlement to protect yourself as well.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. He followed her around the paddock where a stablehand was walking the mare with the bulging belly.
“Nora, can‘t a marriage settlement protect us both? We can bring the solicitor back if there is anything we need to amend. Because of the unusual nature of our engagement, I had to be very precise about what you and your father will receive if you ultimately refuse me.” He couldn’t entirely keep the bitterness out of those last words. He hated acknowledging that she was still making up her mind about their engagement, or more precisely, about him, but it was the truth.
She baffled him by turning cherry-red and covering her face with her hand.
“What did I say, Nora?”
“Nothing. Only, I wish to be consulted when my future is at stake.”
Aaron ran his hand down his face. Why was this such a mess? He didn’t think she had meant to convey the desperation in her words, just as he hadn’t meant the bitterness in his. Of course, she would feel this way. She was always so composed and graceful, so strong, that he sometimes forgot how much the changes in her life must have hurt.
“I think I understand now, Nora. You’ve recently lost your home. You were dragged here by your father. Our engagement was arranged with hardly any time to think about it. Little wonder you feel robbed of choice, but I want you to understand, I have no notions of controlling your future. I leave it entirely in your hands.”
At first, she only stared at him. Then her eyes pinched shut as if she would cry. She covered her mouth, and perhaps inwardly, she did cry, but no tears fell. Instinct told him to hold perfectly still, to let her have this moment. Even the breezes hushed, and the leaves stopped rustling.
“Thank you, Aaron. That means a great deal to me.” She inhaled deeply. Her features smoothed, and the determination Aaron had come to expect from her returned. “Let us waste no more time. I’m ready for our ride. Thieves can’t hide forever.”
Yet again, he wondered why she was so intent on solving his thieving problems.
From the paddock, they soon reached the stables where Locket and Aaron’s horse were waiting for them. A stablehand Aaron recognized from the meeting rushed forward.
“Hello again, Hill.” Nora offered a smile. “I was expecting to see our friend, Mr. Ruthers. Is he here?”
Aaron had to admire her for remembering the stablehand’s name. He only remembered it after she used it, despite having met the man less than an hour ago.
“I’m sorry, Miss Lacy. Ruthers asked me to take care of things. I’m not sure where he is at the moment.”
“Was that before or after the meeting I called?”
Hill hesitated. “He asked me to take care of things not long before your summons came. He didn’t say much. Seemed to be in something of a hurry. I’ll be sure to tell him everything he missed.”
