Daniel sent the statement to the county constable.
He also ordered the railway agreement suspended.
The news reached Oak Haven by way of the village post office.
Arthur responded by inviting Lord Weatherby to dinner.
He believed that a marriage between Clara and a titled man might restore the family’s standing before the creditors acted.
Lord Weatherby arrived in a glossy carriage with a powdered footman and a face that had never been troubled by self-doubt.
He was nearly twice Clara’s age and spoke of his horses more warmly than he spoke of women.
Clara endured the evening with a practiced smile.
Then she overheard her father promise Weatherby that her dowry would include a share of the eastern meadow.
She knew enough now to recognize the lie.
The following morning she came to the bakery alone.
Emily found her sister standing beneath the awning, trying to protect an expensive bonnet from the rain.
“May I come in?” Clara asked.
Emily moved aside.
Mrs. Pike brought tea without being asked and tactfully disappeared into the kitchen.
Clara sat on the edge of a chair.
“Father says you have turned the servants against him.”
“Mrs. Bell was dismissed for telling the truth.”
“He says you want to take the house.”
“I want what Grandmother left me.”
Clara twisted her gloves.
“Lord Weatherby thinks the meadow belongs to Father.”
Emily watched her carefully.
“Did Father tell him that?”
Clara nodded.
“He promised it as part of my settlement.”
“He cannot promise property he does not own.”
Clara began to cry.
She did so quietly, which frightened Emily more than the dramatic tears she had shed throughout childhood.
“I thought marrying him would save us,” Clara whispered.
“I thought if I did everything they wanted, Mother would finally be pleased.”
Emily sat opposite her.
“Do you want to marry him?”
Clara shook her head.
“He barely listens when I speak.”
“Then do not marry him.”
“You say that as if I can simply refuse.”
“You can refuse.”
“Father will be furious.”
“He is furious whenever anyone tells him no.”
Clara wiped her face.
“I was cruel to you.”
“Yes.”
“I repeated things Mother said because it made her laugh.”
“Yes.”
“I did not think about what they did to you.”
Emily felt the old temptation to comfort her sister before she had finished speaking.
This time she resisted it.
“Then you can begin thinking now.”
Clara looked up.
“Will you help me?”
“I will help you find a safe place if you choose to leave.”
