Love's Rescue by Christine Johnson Page A

hands behind his back and brow drawn. She’d learned many years ago never to interrupt.
    He stopped at the chair opposite hers and rested his deeply veined hand on the back. Four years had changed him. His frame was thinner. Gray peppered his brown hair at the temples. His strong chin still poked from between the sideburns, but his jaw had developed jowls.
    As an attorney, he never spoke in haste. Today was no different. He tapped his fingers on the chair back for some time before launching his opening volley. “I did not expect to see you arrive here in such a state.”
    A stranger might assume he meant her disheveled appearance, but she knew he referred to her marital status. Father had made his expectations quite clear over the years. She was not to return to Key West except as a bride.
    Elizabeth fixed her gaze on the mantel clock. “When I learned of Mother’s death, I had to return.”
    “By the time you received my letter, she’d been in the grave over a month. There was no need.”
    “But there is. You need me. You and Charlie.”
    He waved off the sentiment as if swatting at a mosquito. “As I told you, we are doing perfectly well. If I had need, I would have summoned you.” He sat in the opposing chair, knees mere inches from hers. “You went to Charleston with but one objective—to marry well. It was your mother’s dearest wish.”
    A knot formed in her throat. She’d never wanted to disappoint her mama, but marriage was so . . . final. She jutted out her chin. “I cannot marry without love.”
    “Love will come with time and better acquaintance. I understand you rejected suitors after a single interview.”
    “One or two. I knew at once that they were of questionable character.”
    “Questionable character?” He hopped to his feet. “How can you know a man’s character? You are young and inexperienced. The wrong sort can mislead and take advantage of you.”
    “I believe I have good judgment.”
    His scathing look said otherwise. “I have sheltered you from the worst of society and placed you in the capable hands of your great-aunt.”
    Elizabeth kept silent on that last.
    “You cannot realize that there are many who would pretend love merely to take advantage of your good name.” He sighed.“Perhaps I should have listened to your mother. She wanted you to know why it was so important that you marry well.”
    Elizabeth held her breath. No one had ever explained this.
    “You are heir to a small fortune, Elizabeth.”
    She gasped. “Fortune? From where?”
    His gray eyes softened. “With your mother’s death, her inheritance passes to you. Do you understand now why you must be careful? Why you must trust my counsel?” He placed a protective hand on her shoulder. “I will guard you against fortune seekers.”
    Elizabeth struggled to grasp this startling news. “Mother had an inheritance?”
    “Through your grandmother. The inheritance passes from mother to daughter, provided certain conditions are met.”
    “What conditions?”
    “The heiress must marry a man approved by the family.”
    Elizabeth’s spirits sank. Rourke would never meet with the family’s approval. “Do you mean Grandmama, Aunt Virginia, and Uncle Jonathan? They are the only ones left on Mother’s side.”
    “Correct. They make the decision.”
    She swallowed, but the knot would not leave. “Is that the only requirement?”
    “It is.” His cheek ticked, a sign that this conversation bothered him. “Surely you now understand why you needed to stay in Charleston. There is no one of sufficient quality in Key West.”
    Her emotions twisted and tumbled like a sheet in the wind. “There are many fine gentlemen here.”
    “No, Elizabeth. There are at most one or two. If you will not have them, you must return to Charleston.”
    “But you and Charlie are all the family I have. I couldn’t bear to be parted from you.”
    He turned away, but not before she saw him blink back a tear. “Do you know the risk you