Page 33 of In Just a Year
“I didn’t consent to any of this yet,” her father said in a low baritone voice. “What if he doesn’t come back?”
Esther and Gideon turned to the Rabbi as if he’d just popped a second head entirely.
“What do you mean?” Gideon asked with an icy fear in his voice.
“It’s a dangerous journey, son.” Tate exhaled with the depth of sorrow of a man who’s suffered many a loss. “She’s only nineteen now. Can’t this wait until he comes back? If he doesn’t, she’s as good as widowed. She’d be ruined without even—”
“I don’t want anyone else. Ever,” Esther cried, voice wobbling with emotion. “I am ruined.”
“You’re what?”
“I kissed Ben and never ever want to kiss another,” she declared, crossing her arms.
“You’re not ruined. You’re young and infatuated,” Tate said.
“I’m in love and old enough to marry him. As soon as he’s back, I want to be wed.”
Gideon’s eyes followed the exchange and he pinched his lips. “Rabbi, Ben will come back. His entire family is here and the love of his life. Greg will ensure their safe return. There’s no way that he won’t—”
“There’s nothing our friend Baron Stone can do at the House of Lords if his ship sinks or something else terrible happens.” Tate dropped his voice. “If he doesn’t return, your lives go on as before. Hers ends.”
“That’s not true and you know it. And nothing would end for Esther. If she marries my brother, she’ll start a life with the sweetest love imaginable.”
Tate raised his greying eyebrows and rubbed his knuckles together. “I don’t doubt Ben’s heart and his intentions, Gideon. I’ve known all of you boys since you were born. But she’s a girl and if something happens to Ben, as her betrothed, tradition dictates that the next in row—”
“Tate!” Esther exclaimed in shock. “You can’t be serious!”
“I’m just saying that a hasty decision now will affect your life and Nati’s, too.”
“What does Nati … oh no!” Gideon’s voice took on a foreboding tone.
“He’s the last unmarried Klonimus and would be the next in line,” the Rabbi said.
Esther shook the idea off as if were a pesky fly. “That’s antiquated nonsense,” Esther cried.
“Rabbi Solomon,” Gideon spoke with gravitas, “I assure you that we will all step up. All of Ben’s brothers will consider it an honor to look after Esther if anything ever happens to Ben, whether now or in the future. Nati will live his life and forge his path as no more than Esther’s brother-in-law, but if she were to become a Klonimus, she’ll forever have our name and our protection.”
Tate tilted his head back and eyed Gideon as if he were the taller man. Then he turned to Esther, and for a moment, she thought he’d deny Ben’s request. Her heart sank because waiting for Ben was harder than anything she’d done before, and if Tate made her wait even longer, she’d faint. So much grander the elation when he stepped closer and hugged her.
“I will never deny you anything or anyone who can bless your life. You must know that.” He wiped a large tear off her cheek.
She nodded and blinked another tear away.
He turned to Gideon and nodded.
Esther propped herself up on her elbows when she heard a commotion outside the door.
“What happened?” her little sister, Alma asked. News didn’t travel among the families as quickly as they used to.
“I’m getting married.”
“What? To whom?”
“Ben.”
“Klonimus? Pavel’s son?”
“Yes, how many other Bens do you all know that you keep repeating the same question?”
