Heart of Eden (Colorado Hearts #1)(11)
He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her hands. “You know I’m always happy to help in any way.” His green-flecked blue gaze held her spellbound. “Once we return, opening bank accounts may prove difficult for you and your sisters. Husbands usually do that. But I’d be honored to introduce you to my banker. My whole family has been with him for years. With our recommendation, he’ll be open-minded, I’m sure.”
“You’re a godsend, Lesley. I’m so thankful you took the time off to accompany us.” Her heart welled with sadness. She hadn’t yet been able to express how the news about her father had affected her. That would take far more time to come to terms with.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything more I can do?” His gaze searched hers. “Lawyers are notorious for their twelve-letter words. I’m sure Mr. Glass is no exception.” His smile was warm. “If you’d like, I’d be happy to explain anything that seemed confusing.”
Lesley. So steady. So reliable. He didn’t mean to make her feel inferior. And if she were honest, the prospect of never being in Mavis’s situation was so appealing as to outweigh such minor aggravations. Lesley had money he wasn’t afraid to spend, and he often did so—on her. In a life with him, there’d be no scrimping, no mounting debts. Was that so wrong to want?
Am I the only one who sees the world for what it is? A place that requires struggle to stay alive.
Without warning, several of Velma’s favorite sayings popped into her mind: “Being poor quickly gets old.” “Marrying above her status is the only chance for a woman to improve her lot.” “It’s just as easy to fall in love with a man who has as with a man who hasn’t.” “Having an empty coffer when the debtor comes to call makes an old woman out of a maiden.”
Belle vowed that if she could control her thoughts, she’d never think of that duplicitous woman again.
She forced a smile. “Just your being here means so much. All we need is some rest and time to talk things through. Thank you for understanding.”
He pressed his cheek to hers and then proceeded to his room at the end of the hall. She was grateful he wouldn’t be far. The trip from the lawyer’s office to the sanctuary of the hotel’s four walls had taken less than a minute, but that was long enough for her to notice the abundance of men watching them from all four directions. Even with Lesley at her side, the curious glances were unnerving.
She’d never be comfortable living in such a place—“rustic,” as Lesley called it, and with so few women. She’d seen him notice the fine layer of dust on her shoes and the sandy grit on her fingers. No matter her father’s wealth, this town was the antithesis of everything she’d done to improve her social station.
The sooner we’re out of Eden, the better.
The five of them stood like mannequins in the center of the room.
“Katie, Lavinia, come over here.” Belle patted the tall, quilt-covered bed. Their faces looked wan and moist, the shock still apparent in their expressions. “Climb up. And you too, Emma. Come over to this side, where there’s plenty more room.” She circled the bed and put out a helping hand.
We’ll get through this moment, this hour, and then decide the best course of action. How could Father have expected us to stay here now that he’s gone?
If Belle had to decide this moment, she’d take the fifteen thousand dollars and return to Philadelphia as quickly as possible. Her insides trembled at the thought of so much money. Enough to last a lifetime. Enough to make her swoon right now.
And for each of us. How generous Father had been. Even after waiting for years to hear from us, to no avail.
Mavis sat in one of the chairs by the window, rubbing the end of her absent finger through the padded finger of her glove—a habit when she was troubled. Lavinia untied the ribbons under her chin and held her latest creation in her hands, staring. Unable to afford buying new, she’d refashioned the same headpiece over and over. Katie nibbled her lips. Whereas Emma’s dimple usually looked so attractive, strain lines now marred her pretty face. Belle’s heart ached to see her sisters so out of sorts.
“We mustn’t worry,” Belle said, sitting in the other chair. “I know you all hurt as deeply as I do thinking Father believed we had betrayed him. We didn’t know the truth.” Guilt pushed down on her shoulders. “If we’d known, we would have come right away. There’s no question about that.”
She glanced around the dead-quiet room. All gazes were lowered to hands or the floor, or eyes were simply closed.
“We must be pragmatic. Father wouldn’t want us to fall apart now, thinking about his feelings. We’re Brinkmans. As strong as he was. As strong as Mother had to be to protect us.” In reality, she wanted to collapse in Lesley’s arms and cry for a year. And still, she knew that would do little to fill the deep hole she felt in her soul.
“I don’t understand,” Emma whispered, reclined on the pillow, her arm thrown over her eyes. Strands of her hair had fallen free from her French twist; the color reminded Belle of strawberry frosting. Emma worked in a wool-and-fabric store in Philadelphia, and deeply loved the owners. They’d taken her on as a daughter when she’d needed the connection most. “What did Mr. Glass mean, Father sent us letters and money?” She lowered her arm and sat up. Her crinkled brow of worry was one Belle was used to seeing from her sensitive sister. “Could our aunt and uncle really be that despicable? I just can’t, just can’t . . .”