Hell, shewasgoing to chastise him.
They walked together into his study and Agnes paused by the door, still wringing her hands together. “I have something difficult to tell you, and I hope you will not be…I hope you will not be…”
Adam fumbled for his handkerchief and offered it to her. She took it and blew her nose. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. You’ve seen enough of that in your life, sir.”
“Nonsense, Agnes,” he replied softly. “What is upsetting you?”
She collected herself. “I am afraid I must leave you and the children.”
Chapter Eight
His housekeeper’s words came at him as if through a tunnel filled with echoes. “Leave us? Why, Agnes? You’ve been with us forever.”
“I have indeed, Mr. Coates, and my years with you have been good ones, the best of my life. I love the children like they were my own, I do. But I have a chance to live in my own house now. I’m to be married.”
Adam had to sit down. “Married? To whom?”
“To a man from Maccan, sir. We’ve been meeting every Wednesday at the market in Amherst.”
He took a moment to digest this news. “I noticed you’ve been late returning. I thought you were simply taking more time for yourself.”
“Well, I have been, sir.”
“Yes, of course you have been. He’s a good fellow, is he? Dependable? Trustworthy? I won’t have you marrying any dangerous or unscrupulous character.”
“He’s a good man, Mr. Coates. A widower like you. He owns his own farm.”
Adam leaned back in his chair as the news settled upon him. “The children won’t be happy to see you go.”
“Nor will I be happy to leave them, but I will visit often. I promise you that.”
Adam stood. “I suppose congratulations are in order, then. I’m happy for you, Agnes. You deserve every joy life brings you.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her. She buried her face in his chest and wept.
“When will you be leaving?” he asked, his own voice trembling.
“The end of the week.”
“The end of the week? So soon?”
“Yes, sir. I thought it a good time, since Madeline is here and taking such good care of things.”
“But she’s not staying. She’s leaving in a few days.”
Agnes blew her nose. “Yes, but I doubt you’d have any trouble convincing her to stay, if you explained the situation.”
“I’ve already offered her a position, and she’s dead set against it. And she’s headstrong, Agnes. Surely you’ve seen that.”
“I have, but she’s only headstrong in the face of what she doesn’t want. And shewantsto stay here.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just know. Any fool can see it.”
“Any fool but me. Honestly, I’ve tried to convince her.”
“I reckon you’ll have to try harder, sir.”
