Chapter 32 #2
Ballantine bade the lawyer farewell with reassurances that he would bring Henry for dinner Sunday next. He turned back to face Charlotte’s questioning gaze and seemed to realize some explanation was in order.
“My son-in-law,” he said. “Married Sally a week ago Monday.”
“Sally?” His daughter, she thought. Charlotte hadn’t heard the name in years.
“Surely you remember her?”
“Yes, of course.” Once or twice, Ballantine had brought her to visit.
She’d taught Charlotte and Simon to play spillikins.
Charlotte had rejoiced to have a friend in the older girl.
But then Mama got sick and Papa closed himself in his study.
Sally Ballantine didn’t return. “I remember her well. Only I thought . . .” She bit her lip.
His daughter had run off with a stable boy years ago.
Charlotte had overheard snippets of the scandal as a child.
“That’s all forgiven and forgotten now,” he said with a swipe of his hand.
Forgiven and forgotten. The words filled her with longing. “That’s wonderful.”
Ballantine smiled. “It’s nothing short of a miracle to have a family again.” His smile faded. “That’s what I want for you, too, my dear.”
Charlotte looked down. Family. A pang shot through her midsection. Yes, she had Edenbrook. But what would she do here all alone?
You don’t have to be alone, her heart whispered. She stuffed the wild hope back down where it belonged. Joshua had made her no promises, nor had he spoken words of love.
Ballantine clasped his hands together, all business once again. “While I’m here, let’s sort out your next steps, shall we? I imagine you’ll find things quite different now that you’re the heiress of a large estate.”
An heiress. Hardly. “A large estate that needs an injection of capital,” she reminded him. She’d still have to count her coins to save enough for the improvements that would make Edenbrook profitable.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s time you joined society again.”
“But Simon is a known rebel. And when it comes out that he is—” She broke off and met Ballantine’s gaze in a moment of shared understanding. “If he doesn’t inherit, people will wonder. I’m certain Deacon Cole knows the truth of it all. What’s to stop him from spreading the tale far and wide?”
Ballantine frowned but didn’t refute her words.
Instead, he sat down across from her and reached out to take one of her hands.
“My dear, you can’t live your life worrying about what people will say.
” A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Trust me. I’ve tried and it brought me only loneliness and regret. ”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Is that what her future held? Loneliness and regret?
He rose, clapping his hands together once as though he’d had an idea.
“You’re a woman of property now and there’s no stain on your parentage.
I’m sure we can figure out a way to sweep those rumors under the rug.
” He paced to the fire. “I’ll speak to my friend Bolton.
His wife would take you under her wing, see you’re properly gowned and all that. Introduce you around.”
“I wouldn’t want to cause her so much trouble,” Charlotte said weakly. What was wrong with her? She’d once dreamed of assemblies and fine gowns. But not if it meant hiding her brother away as though he were a stain on the family. Not if it meant never seeing Joshua again.
“Nonsense.” Ballantine shooed her worries away with a swipe of his hand. “She was once a great friend of your mother’s. She’d love to sponsor a well-dowered young lady.”
A dowry. Was that what Papa intended? Was Edenbrook an enticement to convince some wealthy gentleman to take her on? He’d get Edenbrook. She’d get security. But she wouldn’t have Simon. Or Joshua.
She thought back on the tight-knit Foster family in the bush. Mrs. Norris’s no-nonsense kindness. Joshua’s fearless protection. They didn’t care about wealth or social standing, and they’d helped Simon and her far more than Mama’s society friends ever had.
Unbidden, an image came to mind, and it wasn’t of her in a ballroom or on a fashionable promenade. She was in the woods, inhaling the clear air, surrounded by the quiet murmur of the forest. With Joshua at her side.
A knock sounded at the door and Fulton approached to collect the tea tray. He met her eyes, and his serious look made her wonder if he could sense her turmoil.
He bent his head, stacking the empty cups on the tray. He didn’t speak, but the tune he hummed said everything she needed to hear.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
If the past days had taught her anything, it was to listen to her heart.
And her heart shrank from the future Ballantine described.
She hadn’t come through the fire of fear and loss only to return to her old life of duty, worry, and loneliness.
She didn’t want Edenbrook and a prestigious position in society, not if she had to renounce her brother to do it. She was different now. Refined by fire.
Show me the way. Teach me how to trust . . . and how to be myself.
A lightness invaded her limbs, dislodging the heavy blanket of sorrow. It took her a moment to realize what it was.
It was hope.
“Well, my dear, why don’t you pack a few things. I’ll bring you back to the city today. You can stay with me.” Ballantine smiled as though he couldn’t imagine her making another choice.
What did she want? What had Fulton said? Could be God has something different planned for you.
Suddenly, she had a glimmer of what this “something different” might be.
“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Ballantine. I’ve decided on another course.”
“Fulton?”
Joshua emerged from the bedroom and stopped short. The small figure seated at the kitchen table with his back to Joshua had a shock of red hair that made his heart clench. If he didn’t know better he’d think it was—
“He went to scout the property.” The lad turned to face him and Joshua nearly stumbled. “Wouldn’t tell me what he’s looking for, though.”
The room seemed to sway, and Joshua put a steadying hand on the wall. Was he still fevered? “Henry?” Joshua found his voice. “What are you doing here?”
Henry shrugged. “I came with Mr. Ballantine. Then I recognized Miss Charlotte and decided to take a look around. Figured you might be here.”
Joshua’s confusion grew. “But how . . . ?”