Chapter Thirty
“Y es, Aunt Bessie?” Ada stepped toward her. Alfred and the others had filed out with solemn looks.
“Are you sure he’s the right man for you?”
Ada sank onto the chair that Alfred had just occupied. It was still warm, but she was on edge and couldn’t lean back. Her feet crossed, she wrung her hands and blinked into the fire. It was a genuine question. Simple really. Except that her feelings were so complicated that she didn’t know how to answer.
“If it takes so long, girl, I’m afraid I know the truth of your heart.”
“No, it’s not that, Aunt Bessie.”
“You must speak frankly now or lose the chance. You came to me seeking freedom. Can he give that to you?”
“I don’t know that he can.”
“You got your trust back just now. The money is yours. No husband shall stifle your control over your own life.”
“There’s not much left in my trust and I’m afraid I didn’t manage to get enough money for Alfred’s down payment after all.” Tears filled her eyes and Ada thought the light was altogether too bright. “It’s not enough.”
“Mr. Silvers was here last night,” Aunt Bessie said. “He gambled, shall we say, beyond his means. I know what you’ve done. It was courageous, I must say.” She gave a flick with her hand, the wrinkled fingers stretching and collapsing again. “You won us a good deal. You’re the best puffer I’ve ever had, Ada.” She leaned forward. “Silvers had a choice between pawning off his daughter or relinquishing the papers of your trust to me after your victory.”
“Charlotte?” Ada couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“I can tell you that I’d much rather manage the details of your trust than try to find a husband for that brat.” She shuddered. “And it seems that her father knew. He handed the trust over to my solicitor before Titan escorted him to the magistrate. Mr. Silvers’ cards are dealt.”
Ada’s heart soared. “The trust isn’t depleted?”
“No. It’s all yours as soon as my solicitor files the papers. Twenty thousand pounds with interest.”
“How much interest?”
“Two hundred percent.” Ada would have fainted if she hadn’t already been seated.
“You are free!” Aunt Bessie took her hand. “You can buy a house—an estate—and live out your life as you like.”
The Black Widow seemed to expect a euphoric reaction. Instead, Ada burst into tears.
“Child, I must say, I expected a different response, but I understand your tears.”
“I don’t,” Ada sobbed. “I’ve been hoping for my money back. I wanted to escape the Silvers, but now… I don’t understand what I’m feeling.”
“You are in love, child.” Aunt Bessie spoke softly. “Do you want to marry Dr. Stein?”
Ada nodded and accepted an embroidered handkerchief from the elderly lady who had gone from a stern queen to the tone of a grandmother. “I can’t imagine life without him.”
“What’s the problem then?” Aunt Bessie put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m letting him out of the deal in return for the double wedding, Ada. But he’s going to have to find another sponsor.”
“I destroyed his dreams. I never meant for him to choose between his career and me. I wanted to step away but…”
“Darling child, one does not step away from true love. Even if it has a sudden onset as I suspect was the case with you. Love must be cherished and nurtured. He’s no idiot and I knew he wouldn’t step aside as soon as you peeked out from behind my room divider.”
“But his practice, his career.”
“Let me tell you something about money, now that you are an heiress, Ada. If invested properly, it grows. What you may consider a fortune today, darling child, is but a seed. With a little help, however, from a seed, a forest may grow!”
And with those words, Aunt Bessie advised Ada on how to secure the down payment with her trust as collateral.