Page 22 of Inventions of the Heart

“We should always get our own way.” Jilly plunked her hands on her hips. “We’re very smart.”

Zane snorted. “So I’ve been told and told. When you smile at the same time, you’re alike as two raindrops. Now let’s get back to work.”

“WHAT IS IT, EDGAR?”Margaret, her voice dripping with disdain, stood from the love seat. Laura stood at her mother’s side.

Caleb was a little surprised Beaumont had the nerve to follow them into the morning room when he knew he’d be the main topic of conversation.

Caleb had heard all about how Mrs. Stiles ... or no, Mrs. Beaumont ... maybe he oughta call her Mama—or Margaret —Marge maybe. Maggie. It was early yet. He’d figure it out.

She’d told them about her trusty fireplace poker. Caleb wished Laura had it at hand now.

Instead, the women had Nick and Caleb. And sadly, Caleb knew from his misspent youth that he would be up to the task of protecting them.

Caleb had seen the cold, angry side of the man in the front entrance. There was none of that now. Yet something about Beaumont struck Caleb as ... wrong.

Caleb’s misspent youth included reading people very well, and he was still good at it. Reading Beaumont, Caleb braced himself for a pack of lies.

Beaumont, with none of the angry stiffness from earlier, came around the sofa where Laura had sat with her mother.

He settled into a chair at an angle to the sofa, his right side to the unlit fireplace.

Caleb saw Laura stiffen. Margaret bristled. Caleb didn’t have to be told that Beaumont was sitting in Laura’s pa’s chair, and neither woman liked it.

“Having Laura come home has opened my eyes to how awful I’ve been, Margaret.” Beaumont’s voice was calm, kind, etched with regret.

He was good. Caleb would give him that. But not good enough to fool anyone, least of all Caleb with his experience with swindling.

“Please sit down. Please let me have my say.”

Margaret frowned, but she retook her seat. Laura sat beside her.

Caleb glanced at Nick and saw no dawning trust, which was what Beaumont was aiming for.

Deciding not to waste time with a scheme, Caleb rounded the sofa and took the chair that most likely belonged to Laura’s ma.

“Beaumont.” Caleb heard the hostility lacing his voice and fought it down. He started again as Beaumont, all genial good nature, turned his attention to Caleb.

“Yes, what is it?” Before Caleb could speak, Beaumont raised one hand to halt him. “But before you tell me, I want to apologize. I saw Laura with a husband of her own choosing and realized I had run mad.” Shaking his head, Beaumont went on. “I hope someday to earn your forgiveness, Laura, and the forgiveness of your sisters. But for now, I’ve come in here to tell you I’ve seen the error of my ways. I’m leaving.I can only believe it will be a relief to you all. I will write to you, Margaret, and spell out how I let myself get so far beyond any bounds of decency. Maybe in time, with plenty of people around you to make sure I stand by my pledge, you will give me another chance.”

Then with a gracious gesture—which looked good but struck Caleb as a king giving his lowly subject a chance to speak—Beaumont said, “Go ahead.”

Caleb forced himself to relax, to pray, to search for the right words. Because before anything, he was a man of faith. “Edgar, Laura and I plan to make our home here for as long as God leads us to do that.”

“Welcome. Having one of her daughters back will be a comfort to Margaret.”

“Listen to me, Edgar, for just a few minutes.”

“Of course.” Again, the king granting the subject a few words.

Caleb had to fight to keep from clenching his teeth. “I wasn’t always a man of God. I had a stretch in my life when I was a man very much like you.”

Margaret gasped and clutched Laura’s hand.

Laura patted the tight grasp and smiled.

She knew what he was doing. He was trying to lead a man to God.

“Because of those years, I can recognize a liar when I hear one, and I’m hearing one now. Not that Margaret would ever trust you anyway.”

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