Dearest Darling by Andrea Downing

Author:Andrea Downing [Downing, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western, Small Town
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2014-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The moon emerged in the sky before it was even dark, a slice of orange with a dusting of stars to accompany it. Emily fastened her wrap about her, and Daniel bent to fetch the traveling rug and hand it across to her. He liked this time of day, jobs done, fatigue slowly seeping through his bones, satisfaction at the day’s work. Although, today there wasn’t much of that.

More stars sprinkled through the opal sky, the clip clop of the horse a rhythm to which his heart beat. She spread the blanket out across her knees before stretching and, with a minute flick of her hand, threw it across his legs as well.

Neither spoke.

The sky paled into a white-gray with black hills before them, the chill deepening. If he were honest with himself, he would have liked to gather her to him, feel her head droop on his chest once more, know what lay ahead in the warmth of the cabin. But it couldn’t be. Couldn’t be.

“Now what?” she said at last, a hint of resignation apparent.

“Tell me something. Something I don’t understand. Your father left everything to Wilfred, to your brother?” The idea blossomed within him, a small plant that was taking root.

She sighed. “That’s not what I meant. I meant, what happens to me now?”

“I know what the heck you meant. But I’m asking this. Wait a minute and we’ll discuss what happens next.” When no reply came, he tried again. “So, your father left his entire estate to your brother?”

“Yes.” Short. Sharp. Final.

“What did the will say? His last will and testament?” He kept his tone even, enquiring.

“I don’t understand what you mean. That’s what it said—Wilfred inherited everything. As far as I know, that was it.”

She was obviously tired and fed up, annoyed with him, annoyed with everything. Yet he persisted. “But you read it? Surely, you read it, or it was read to you.”

“No. Why would I? Wilfred said—”

“Wilfred. Wilfred! I’m not asking about Wilfred. I’m asking what you know. What the will said.” He couldn’t keep his anger out of his voice. As much as he tussled with it, it was there. Would always be there where Wilfred Darling was concerned.

“What are you getting so excited and upset about? This doesn’t concern you! As I said, Wilfred told me Papa had left everything to him. Papa was English. They leave everything to the sons. It’s their natural way, and the daughters they hope to marry off. Only I didn’t marry.”

He looked away to calm himself, his exasperation rising. “But surely they leave something for a dowry?”

“I suppose. Perhaps. I never really thought about it. But Papa did not. Perhaps he believed Wilfred would provide something. I never really thought about or considered the matter. I didn’t like the men who were thrown at me. And I assumed Papa believed I was past the age when men sought me out. I had made my debut years ago and was past the age most girls marry.

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