Page 93

“Thank you.”

“But understand something. Sarah will not be hurried. I do not want her to feel pressured into marrying too soon. You will let her decide as to when.” Then as an afterthought he added, “and if.”

“I would not hurry her.”

“Good.”

Edward paused.

“You have known her a long time. That is precisely why you must be careful. Do not assume you know what she wants because you remember who she was.”

Henry nodded.

“I understand.”

“Then I have no objection.”

Henry rose.

“Thank you.”

At the door Edward called him back.

“Henry?”

He turned.

“If you hurt her, you will have to answer to her mother.”

Henry smiled.

“I am more frightened of that than of you.”

“Quite right.”

It was late when Henry exited the room. He did not know that Sarah had earlier seen her father follow him into the library and was now anxiously listening for him to climb the stairs to his own quarters. When she heard him on the stairs, she quietly closed the door of her bed chamber behind her. He had done it. She got under the covers, but sleep was a long time coming.

Elinor had also noticed the men’s absence. She found Edward alone in the library.

She closed the door behind her.

Edward looked up.

“He means to court her.”

Edward was silent for a moment. “Yes, I thought as much.”

“There is something to be said for him having known her since they were children,” Edward said. “He understands her temper, which is no small recommendation.”

“Nor her stubbornness.”

“Especially that. And he listens to her. I have been watching and listening. He does not merely wait for his turn to speak. He knows when she is teasing him, and when she is serious. And when he looks at her…” He smiled. “There is no mistaking what he feels.”

Elinor was quiet.

“However, I have no intention of giving my approval merely because a young man happens to be in love with my daughter. He must be worthy of her.”

“And is he?”