Before the Scarlet Dawn - By Rita Gerlach Page 0,2
squeezed his hand. “But I failed.”
“Ah, it is good of you, but silly. Women will never be admitted into Oxford or Cambridge. You must read and study on your own at home, as you always have.”
“Yes, Papa.”
“But not too much, for all a girl needs to know is how to run a house, and you will not find that in the pages of books.”
She cocked her head. “Hmm. I do believe I might. But more importantly, love should run a house, not just head knowledge or skill. Now, tell me what Mr. Langbourne has written.”
Matthias sighed. “You have been offered a proposal of marriage.”
She glanced at the letter and did not let on that she had overheard some of the conversation. “Really? Again?”
“He tells me he will come into his inheritance soon. He says his situation at present is three hundred pounds a year. Later, he will have one thousand pounds yearly for the remainder of his life. For he has been named heir of Havendale, instead of his cousin Hayward Morgan.”
“I suppose that is because Mr. Hayward left for the Colonies.”
“Against his father’s wishes.”
“Hmm. He is a bitter man to cast off his true son.”
“We are not to judge. Whatever his reasons, Langbourne will own Havendale someday.”
Eliza screwed up her nose. “I hear Havendale is unbearably cold. I would not want to live there. And . . .”
He lifted his hand and patted hers. “Have you had any other proposals that exceed this offer?”
“No, Papa. But do not expect me to live with a man I do not care for. Surely he does not love me.”
“He says he likes you.”
“I cannot accept him.”
With a wheezing breath, her father drew himself up. “You will have to deal with him. You will be the one to say no, not I. I wish I could say he is my choice of husband for you, but I am unconvinced of anyone being good enough for my Eliza. However, if you do not have a husband soon, and I should leave this world, you shall be alone and no doubt fall into poverty. That grieves me too much to think of.”
Her father’s expression grew thoughtful, and Eliza knew to be patient. She stroked his arm in an effort to comfort him. “I could go to Stephen.”
Her father shook his head. “He is in the King’s army. He would not be permitted to take you. This—” and he held the letter up for her to see, “might be for the best.”
“I will pray, Papa, that the Lord will give me the answer I need. After that, I will reply to Mr. Langbourne.”
“Langbourne is not a bad-looking man, and he has the means to take good care of you. I know you do not know him well, for you have barely spoken two words to him in all your life. But knowing one another comes in time, and love will follow.”
Eliza frowned. “But why would he choose me?”
“For your pretty face and that beaming smile of yours, which would captivate any young man. You are healthy in body, mind, and spirit. Your price, dear daughter, is far above rubies.”
She shook her head. “I doubt the health of my mind and spirit matters to Mr. Langbourne, Papa.”
“Just consider the offer, child. You might thank me one day for my advice, as you stand over my grave.”
Stunned, she could not hold back a whimper at his mention of his grave.
The following afternoon, Eliza saddled the dappled mare kept in the single stall in the stable behind the house. She inhaled the rich scent of hay and lifted her face to greet the sunlight that shot through a hole in the roof.
Before she could lead the horse out, she heard her name and turned to see a horse and rider draw up outside the stable door. Langbourne, dressed in taupe riding clothes and black boots, dismounted. Since the last time she had seen him, he had put on several pounds, and his sandy hair peeked out from under his hat in wiry strands.
He leaned against the frame of the door and tapped his riding crop against his thigh. “Your father has, more or less, consented.” His voice sported a tinge of arrogance. “But what about you, Eliza? Have you accepted my offer?”
“No, and not a moment to dwell on it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I do not love you.”
“Love? That should not matter, at least where you are concerned. I do like you exceedingly, even though I’ve never said it before now.”