Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

T hree weeks and one day from the first reading of the banns would have been near torture to wait, if her mind hadn’t been occupied with other matters. Each morning, she approached her father with the same question, “Are there any developments on the search for Mr. Crane?”

Her father responded much the same way, a disappointed shake of his head as he reviewed the morning news.

“He could not have traveled far. Not in this storm.” The lines sounded rehearsed, but only because she had repeated them every morning for the last week. Since the day they’d discovered Mr. Crane’s treachery, Mother Nature had tormented Emerald Falls and the surrounding villages with another blizzard and an overwhelming fog that made travel difficult.

“We will find him. Do not concern yourself.”

Eleanor bit her bottom lip. She knew her father had assisted in the search for James that fateful night. She also knew he was in the forefront in leading the search for Mr. Crane, but restoring James’s good name and saving him from debtor’s prison had been Lord Montefeltro’s doing.

“Father,” Eleanor said, her back straight and her shoulders taut. If she didn’t make the request, she would never know his answer. “I wish for you to reconsider my dowry.”

Her father slowly folded the newspaper and placed it next to his empty plate. He picked up his cup, noticed it was empty, then set it down and refilled it with tea. The delay in his response nearly sent her into a flurry of explanation. But she willed herself to wait, knowing if she backed down now, she would never ask again.

“I visited with Mr. Bailey yesterday while you were at the modiste. He is determined to marry you.”

Eleanor frowned at her father. “What would have caused you to doubt?”

“I expected an engagement two years ago, yet I was disappointed to find I was wrong.”

Heat rushed into her cheeks as she dropped her gaze to the table. “It was a misunderstanding. All has been forgiven between us.”

“Yes, he explained his folly. Accepted responsibility for the entire situation, which I didn’t expect.”

Eleanor lifted her fork, pushing the fruit on her plate from one side to the next. “I had fault in what happened as well. He asked for my hand, and I did not answer. My hesitation contributed to the ending of our first courtship.”

Her father took a sip of tea and slowly placed his cup on the saucer. The clattering of the dishes reverberated through the silence of the dining room. “Mayhap it was for the best. Trials, such as this serve to remind that every union faces its share of challenges. The manner in which the couple surmounts these trials is what truly defines a marriage.”

“Then you are no longer disappointed in my decision to end the engagement with Lord Montefeltro?” Her voice shook as she asked the question. If her father was still unsettled over her choices, she could hardly expect him to reconsider the dowry.

She knew Montefeltro had resolved the bulk of James’s financial stresses, but she didn’t know how completely. Her dowry, twenty thousand pounds, would be more than enough to take care of remaining debts and allow James to retrench.

“I have always liked James Bailey. He has shown himself to be a man of honor, especially when it comes to those within his care. His devotion to you is unmatched. If he can bridle his temper, he will prove to be an even better man.”

Eleanor slowly lifted her head, hoping she had understood her father correctly. “I have only seen his temper once. The moment he thought I had betrayed him.”

“Did you betray him?”

She instantly shook her head. “I have only ever loved James. My heart belongs to him.”

Her father nodded as though he were considering all that had been said. “Lord Montefeltro has proven himself to be an honorable man. But he admitted his intentions toward you were not based upon love. Your union with him would have been a business transaction. But with Mr. Bailey, you will be cherished, which is exactly what I wish for you.”

“Then you have reconsidered?”

“I have. With the security Lord Montefeltro provided and your dowry, you and your future husband shall be well situated. Although, I have a feeling Bailey will spend the rest of his life repaying the generosity shown to him by improving the lives of his tenants and those in Emerald Falls who have need of help.”

A laugh of happiness escaped, forcing her out of her chair. She’d always known her father to be fair. She ran to the end of the table and threw her arms around him, resting her head upon his shoulder. She tightened her embrace as he patted her back. “Thank you, Papa.”

“I do not deserve your thanks, not yet. When we discover Mr. Crane and bring him to justice, I will expect another embrace.”

“Then you shall have it now,” David said as he entered the dining room. His nose and cheeks were red, and he rubbed his hands together to combat the chill. “Crane was discovered this morning. It seems he lost his way in the storm. His frozen corpse and his horse were found in a ditch.”

Her father grunted his approval. “The money?”

“Recovered. Lord Montefeltro and Mr. Kaye returned it to the bank.” David busied himself at the sideboard as he piled food upon his plate.

“What of James? Has he been informed?” Eleanor was desperate to leave Dove Hall to be near James’s side. Although he was well on his way to recovery, the physician had suggested he stay indoors until all threat of a recurrence with his fever had passed.

“Against the advisement of everyone involved, upon receiving the news, James left Granville House to visit Crane’s parents, to offer his condolences and any assistance they may need with the burial.” David shook his head as he sat at the table. “My opinion was to curse the bounder and his family. They certainly did nothing to aid in the search for the deceitful thief.”

Eleanor didn’t wait to hear any more talk of the situation. She kissed her brother on the cheek before rushing out of the dining room. It would take very little time for her to finish dressing so she could leave for Granville House. Not only did she want to congratulate James on the recovery of his inheritance, but she yearned to be near him and remind him of how ardently she admired him.