A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino Page B

meeting with Robert, would you humor me? His mother buys my finest wool and I am sure it would be much contentment for her to have another woman in the household. You would always be well provided for. As children you were fond of each other. Could you not be happy with him?”
    Mary leapt to her feet, hands on her cheeks. “No, I could not! Fondness is not love, Papa. How many times have we discussed this very thing? I do not know what happened. We grew up, I suppose, but he disgusts me now and I cannot feign otherwise. And don’t you see what a dolt he is? He lives with his mother because he cannot fend for himself.”
    â€œThat’s not true, my girl. She operates a substantial business and it behooves him to remain in her household and work for her. But I see the clouds form in your eyes. I must think on these things before I will give my answer. You think of this as a way to avoid a marriage to Robert, but you do not see the unhappiness that awaits you. That troubles me greatly.”
    Lizzie went to Mary and embraced her. “Father, please remember that if she marries Mr. Horton, she will be close by. I planned to wait to tell you this, but Ezekiel and I shall have another babe. It would be comforting to me to have her close by when it is born.”
    â€œWhy, Elizabeth, how grand. Another child? You please me, truly.” He came to hug her and hugged both daughters.
    â€œLizzie—that is so wonderful. Papa, I would be so unhappy to not be here when she needs me. I know it is difficult for you to understand this, but if Mr. Horton desires to marry me, it is his sons that he is thinking of. I know that. He is desperate to have someone help him. You know that is not uncommon. ’Tis a bit amazing he has waited all these months.”
    He drew back and looked at her. “’Tis no reason to marry him, my girl. Indeed, quite the contrary.”
    She looked up at Lizzie and shook her head, then turned to Papa. “But he takes delight in me, he appreciates that I am well-read, and he even desires to teach me cooking. He finds me a blessing with his sons.” She looked at her hands, folded in her lap. “And I love him.”
    He studied her with a look of disbelief. “I think he might find it charming in the beginning to have a wife that he might train, but you must realize it might get tiresome for him at some point.” His gaze went to the window. “I do not mean that in an unkind way. You are my baby girl and I truly want what is best for you.”
    Did he want to ignore what she had just told him? That she loved Barnabas? “This is best for me. This is my chance for a family. I must tell you, though I desire your approval, I shall marry Mr. Horton, even if you withhold it.” She leapt to her feet and fled the room.

    John listened to her retreat, her skirts swishing as she ran up the stairs. She’d never spoken to him in that manner before. It frightened him a little, but he loved her too much to withholdfrom her what she wanted so desperately. He knew what he must do. Give his permission as well as his blessing. Allow Mr. Horton to court his daughter. On the morrow he must send a message to Mistress Haskins. It would be a bit embarrassing, but she was a good friend. She might be disappointed—she thought of herself as a mother to Mary already—but it would not ruin their working relationship.
    He would send a message as well to Mr. Horton, giving permission for the courting to begin. Elizabeth sat staring at him. “You are quiet, my dear, I forgot you were there.”
    â€œI’m not sure who I should be more worried about. You or her?”
    â€œWell, my dear, against my better judgment, I shall allow Mr. Horton to court your sister. How I wish your mother was still alive. She would know what to do far better than I.”
    He ran his fingers through his hair. The burden of raising his daughter without a wife had certainly not been