Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson Page A

deal since coming to reside in this house.”
    Lydia felt a wave of shock wash over her at Marston’s defense. He had never offered her any consolation or acceptance. He and Mitchell had treated her with cruelty and oppression over the years, and she had never expected any such support.
    As if reading her mind, Marston turned back to Lydia. “I am particularly sorry for my part. I’m afraid I desired only to please my father, and because of that, I acted in a manner most unbecoming a gentleman.”
    Lydia frowned. She didn’t know what to say and so said nothing. The others seemed taken aback by Marston’s comments. They sat in silence, as if trying to figure out if this were some sort of game being played out.
    “We are hoping you can understand our position,” Mitchell said.
    Releasing the back of the chair, Lydia gave a brief nod. “I think I understand it very well.”
    Marston got to his feet. “I believe we have imposed long enough.” Mitchell and Jeannette followed him to the door, with Evie slowly sipping the last of her tea before rising.
    Marston Gray had baffled Lydia completely. He had started out the conversation demanding as usual, only to apologize for twelve years of ugliness. Funny how people believed that casual words of apology could somehow erase all of the pain and suffering they had caused.
    Lydia heard Evie approach and turned to face her. Evie had never been cruel to her but had often found herself forced to go along with her siblings. “I’m sorry that life here has been such a grief.”
    “I’m equally sorry for you, Evie. I’m sorry that you had to grow up without the love and affection of a mother . . . or father.” She wanted to comment on knowing that Evie hadn’t found these things in a husband’s love, either, but thought it might be unkind.
    Evie nodded and reached out to take hold of Lydia’s hand. “I hope you will go far away from here. You deserve to have a happy life. I hope and pray my brothers will leave you in peace. It isn’t as if they don’t have plenty of their own money. They might have to reorganize their lives a bit and make new plans for their future, but honestly, neither one will suffer all that much.”
    “I am glad to know that,” Lydia replied. “I hope the same is true for you and Jeannette.”
    “Oh goodness, my husband has more money than he knows what to do with, and while Jeannette may have to learn to curb her spending, perhaps she will still wear the latest fashions.”
    Lydia smiled. “And that is truly all that will matter to Jeannette.”
    Evie grinned in return. “Well, that and her social standing. I suppose if somehow it is determined that without Father’s money she is less than desirable in the upper classes of this city, she will suffer most heinously.” Evie walked to the door and pulled on her gloves. She turned and looked at Lydia as if realizing this would be the last time she would see her.
    For a moment Lydia met Evie’s gaze, uncertain what to say. She didn’t want to share any detail that might cause problems for her departure the following day. “I hope you will be happy,” she finally murmured.
    A shadow seemed to pass over Evie’s countenance and then was gone. She smiled. “I hope you will be, too, Lydia.”
    There was something of a farewell in her tone that made Lydia sad.

    Gerald Lytle was a companionable sort of man. Standing only a little taller than Lydia, he was stout and well muscled and a good conversationalist.
    “I am glad to meet you, Mrs. Gray. This trip is one I have often dreamed of taking.” He paused and lowered his gaze just a bit. “I hope you don’t mind my saying so.”
    Lydia was touched by his concern that he might somehow have breached etiquette with his comment. “Of course not. I’m quite happy for your company. I was uncertain how I would make the journey on my own.”
    “I’ve wanted to take the train west since the tracks opened last year.” His animated tone actually