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Her father joined them, glowering around a few last coughs.
Valinda glanced over at the reverend. Oscar Comer was short, paunchy, and a bit older than her father.
Viewing Drake disdainfully, he said, “I came to redeem your soul for aligning yourself with a perverse fornicator and was led to believe you’d be my wife.” There was cold fury in the look he shot at Drake and then her father.
“And she will be,” her father insisted.
Caro gave a tiny disbelieving shake of her head. “Father, do you not see that man standing beside Valinda?”
Her mother stared. She seemed as surprised as Val by Caroline’s show of spine. Unlike the rebellious Val, Caro had always been meek and retiring. “I’m sorry you were misled, Reverend.”
“So am I, but I can still save you from burning in the fires of hell.”
“What happened to your wife?” When she left New York, he’d been married to a quiet woman named Bethany.
“She died a month ago.”
“My condolences. But as you can see, I’m not available to replace her at your side.”
“Renounce him, marry me, and you’ll be saved from the pit.”
“No, thank you.”
Drake said, “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but, Reverend, you should probably leave. Now.”
The reverend bristled but he was in no shape to take on Drake and he knew it. He turned on her father. “The hack that brought us is still outside because your father assured me he’d have no trouble fetching you, and had the driver wait. Since that was misleading as well, I will leave you. Mr. and Mrs. LeVeq, may the lord have pity on your souls. Harrison, I expect my money the moment you return home. Good day.”
Her father jumped to his feet. “Wait! Oscar, we can resolve this.”
“Do you have the money you owe me?”
“No. Not at this moment, but I—”
For the first time, Drake entered the conversation. “How much does he owe you, Reverend?”
“Six hundred dollars.”
The staggering amount stopped Val’s heart. What was it tied to? How long had it been owed? She glanced Caroline’s way and saw her staring off into the distance, her face sad. Her mother on the other hand wore no expression. Val had so many questions.
“I’ll see myself out,” Comer said, and left the parlor.
“Oscar, wait!” Her father scurried after him.
Val asked her mother, “What is this about?”
Before she could respond, Caroline replied bitterly, “Father thinks he’s a slave owner. He planned to sell you to erase his debt, just as he did me. He gambles.”
Val’s mouth dropped.
Caroline turned on their mother and snarled, “How could you let him do that to me?”
Her mother replied softly, “I had no choice. You know how he is. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not enough! My husband was an awful little man. God forgive me but I’m so glad he’s dead.”
Val looked up at Drake. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her an empathetic squeeze.
Caro added, “I told Father I wanted to help him convince you to come home. But truthfully, I came to say goodbye, Val.”
