Free The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble Page B

windows. The fine blue rug had been imported from Persia. The bed linens were of the finest silk.
    Her mother’s lips trembled. “My father built this house, and I was born here. I don’t know how I shall bear this.”
    “I–I have my job,” Katie said. When her mother’s face didn’t change, Katie realized how ridiculous that sounded. Her meager earnings would never support this household. The servants, the upkeep. Not even with additional hours.
    “We could sell the haberdashery, I suppose,” her mother muttered. “Perhaps it is worth something. It is the only shop in town. Surely someone would like to own it.”
    “When Papa recovers, he’ll know what to do.” Her father always had a plan. And he would recover. “I shall go to the hospital and check on him this morning. Perhaps I can discuss the situation with our solicitor tomorrow,” Katie said.
    “The thought of it gives me a sour stomach,” her mother said, leaning back against the pillow. She focused her gaze on Katie. “Bart Foster is still pressing his suit, is he not?”
    Katie heard the hope in her mother’s voice and could see where this was going. “Yes, he is. I . . . but I don’t know him well yet, Mama. I have not thought of marriage.”
    Spots of color came to her mother’s face, and her grip tightened. “I’ve groomed you for a respectable marriage, my dear. You’re twenty-five, past time for marriage. You have no better prospects.”
    Katie nodded, but acid burned the back of her throat. Bart was handsome enough, but her pulse didn’t flutter when he took her hand or paid her a compliment. But did that matter when she’d always been expected to make a suitable alliance? She couldn’t bear to see her parents spending the rest of their days in a hot flat over the garment factory. Not if it was within Katie’s power to attend to the matter.
    Her mother glanced away. “Bart has approached your father about a partnership at the haberdashery. An infusion of new stock and new energy would save it.”
    Their maid, Lois, appeared in the doorway. “Miss Katie, Mr. Foster is here. He heard about your papa.”
    Katie tried to ignore the hope in her mother’s face. “Bart is here? Show him into the parlor, please.” Katie pushed her loose hair away from her face. Though she’d dressed, she hadn’t taken time to put up her hair or wash her face.
    Pink rushed to her mother’s cheeks. “Put on your blue dress and pinch some color into your cheek. And leave your hair down. I know it’s not proper, but your curls are very fetching. Men are quite fond of seeing a woman’s hair down.”
    Heat ran up Katie’s neck. “Under the circumstances, I thought this gray one most appropriate. I’m sure he’s here to offer his assistance, Mama. Besides, I couldn’t marry without a suitable engagement.
    A year at least.”
    “You must , Katie,” her mother said, flinging back the covers. She staggered from the bed and gripped Katie’s shoulders. Her eyes held a feverish glint. “It’s the only answer. You’re attracted to him anyway.
    He holds so much power and wealth.”
    Katie tried to twist away, but her mother held her firmly. “But what if he finds out who I really am?” If people knew she wasn’t really Inez Russell’s daughter, would her friends all desert her?
    “How could he possibly find out? My dear sister knows better than to show her face here after all these years.”
    “She might hear of my marriage and come back to demand money.”
    The idea had plagued Katie most of her life. She never wanted to see the woman who had abandoned her again.
    “Just let her try!” Katie’s mother stepped back and dropped her hands to her sides.
    “I wouldn’t want to humiliate Bart.” Or to face such disgrace herself.
    Her mother’s face softened. “I’ve often wished we could wipe away the memories you have of your early years with Florence. I did the best I could to salve your wounds with love.”
    “You’ve been a