families have been going on for centuries.
My father isn't doing anything wrong. In fact, he's been extremely
patient with me. I asked him for a year's grace, and it was my hope
.
. . my dream really, foolish though it was . . . that I could make a
go of it here. I wanted to purchase land with my inheritance from an
uncleţ" "And make enough to support your parents in the style they're
accustomed to? " "No, you've jumped to the wrong conclusion. My
parents are quite elderly. They were in their forties when I was born,
" she explained.
"But they aren't set in their ways. If the ranch could support them,
they could leave England and come to me. Isn't that adventurous of
them?
You'd like my parents, Daniel. They're very practical, and you'd have
that in common."
"You're not old enough to be shouldering such responsibilities."
"Age doesn't have anything to do with it. The day I was born my future
was determined."
"Why? " "Because I was born a lady."
"I know you're a lady, " he replied, smiling.
"No, you don't understand. I was born Lady Grace Winthrop. The title
carries certain responsibilities, and I would shame my parents if I
didn't honor their wishes." Daniel was intrigued by the vast cultural
differences between the two of them. What was important in England
didn't matter at all in the United States.
"Titles don't mean anything here."
"I know, " she said. "What is important here? Money? " "To some, "
he allowed.
"What's important to you? " "Honor."
"But that's exactly what I was trying to say. My honor is at stake. I
must do the right thing."
"A man's word is more important in the United States than his position
in society."
"Being responsible is extremely important to me, " she countered. "I
have specific duties."
"Like getting yourself hitched to a man with money and power? " "If it
will help my family, then yes.
" "You don't like it much, do you, Grace? " She refused to answer
him.
"No, you don't like it much at all, " he said. "You wouldn't have
asked for a stay of execution if you agreed with your parents. Do you
love the man they've chosen for you? " "I'm sure I'll learn to love
him. He seems a decent sort."
"Seems decent? " She blushed. "I don't know him well. In fact, I've
only met him once.
I was introduced to him at a charity ball, and I'll admit he didn't
make much of an impression on me. I shouldn't be talking like this,
should I? " "There's nothing wrong with being honest, " he told her.
"You must have made quite an impression on him."