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“Yes, Mama,” I said.
“He may not be able to walk away,” Mama said.
I teared up, thinking of my dear Papa and his love for me. What he would do for his daughters seemed to have no limits. “Mama, it’s so kind of you and Papa.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to help you,” Mama said. “We remember very well what it’s like to be young and in love.”
“I love him, Mama. So very much. Regardless of my feelings, though, I want him to have a good life. If he makes any other choice but to help his family, I fear he will not. Guilt and regret will plague him all his days. What kind of foundation would that be for a marriage?” I fluttered my fingers toward the window. “Anyway, it appears he’s made his choice.” I winced, remembering the way he’d held her hand.I’d still have my work,I told myself.My family, too.There would be many happy days ahead, just none of them would be with James.
“Looks can be deceiving.” Mama came to me and kissed the top of my head. “You must have faith, my darling. God knows what he’s doing. Whatever is right for you and James—it will unfold as it should.”
“How can you be so sure?” Delphi asked, still sounding sulky. “Thus far he’s made a real mess out of things.”
“Delphia Barnes, you are never to take the Lord’s name in vain or speak of him that way.” Mama’s gaze remained fixed upon the couple outside the windows, and her tone didn’t match the sharpness of her words. “Not in my house.”
“I’m sorry, Mama.” Delphia bowed her head and covered her eyes with her hands.
Mama knelt and gave me another kiss, this time on the cheek. Her cotton skirt cascaded around her as if invisible fairies had placed it just so. My mother, the queen, I thought. To be obeyed and revered.
“Adelaide, darling, look at me.” Mama raised my chin with her cool fingertips. “I know you’re hurting, but you must never despair. Whatever comes will be the right thing for all of us.”
I nodded, as if I believed her. I knew differently. James had made his choice, and it was right for everyone but me.
“Delphia, you will stay here until supper and stay out of trouble,” Mama said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Delphia said.
My mother left, closing the door behind her. Delphia turned to me and held out her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.”
“It’s all right.” I nestled against her and let the tears flow. “As long as you’re here, I can bear it.”
“I will always be here.” She stroked my hair and let me cry.
19
JAMES
In the sitting room,one of the maids dabbed at a cut on Lena’s hand. I looked up to see Quinn standing in the doorway. She walked over to where we were sitting on the couch and told the maid to leave us. “I’ll take care of this, thank you.” She took the damp cloth and peered down at Lena’s cut. “This is just a scratch, really, but it’s best to clean it.”
“Thank you,” Lena said. “Mrs. Barnes, I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
Quinn set aside the damp cloth. “It’s all right. It seems the Barneses have disrupted your life as well. On behalf of Delphia, I’m sorry. She’ll be apologizing to you separately.”
“She doesn’t have to. I know why she did it. I’m not worth worrying over.”
Quinn cupped Lena’s face, her eyes searching. “Young lady, you must learn to love yourself, even when it seems impossible to do so.” She dropped her hands back onto her lap. “These circumstances are not entirely your fault.”
“They are, though. I’m going to have a baby.”
Quinn blanched white. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. “All the rushing? It’s because of the baby.”
“James knows now, and we’re calling off the wedding,” Lena said. “He loves Addie, as you probably know. There don’t seem to be many secrets around here. I’ll leave as soon as I can, Mrs. Barnes. You won’t want my kind to stay for long.”
“Who is the father?” Quinn asked, glancing over at me for the first time.
“Not James.” Lena told her about the man she loved and how her father had forbidden them to be together. “When I told him about the baby, he came up with the idea of marrying James.”
“What does your young man have to say about all of this?” Quinn asked.
