The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis

instantly, making my brother’s death senseless.”
    â€œForgive me, Miss Dunn. That was a cruel thing for me to say in light of your loss.”
    â€œNo, I often question my motives in wishing Alfred hadn’t stayed behind. But in the end everyone must behave in keeping with their personal moral code.”
    â€œDo you believe in predestination—that at the moment we are born our destiny is determined, including the circumstances of our birth, who we marry, what tribulations we suffer, and ultimately how and when we die?”
    Amanda didn’t answer immediately. She chewed a bit of her sandwich as though chewing the idea in her mind and then set the food down. “I suppose so, but I also believe God gives us free will. Then we’re eventually judged on what we did with the choices given us.”
    â€œGod gives us enough rope to hang ourselves with?”
    â€œIf that’s what it takes to learn our lessons, then yes. The more a person examines the circumstances of their life, the more they realize someone other than them is in control. There’s too much serendipity, too many coincidences.”
    Nate yearned to ask about the serendipity of their meeting but didn’t dare. “At least your trip to Wilmington allowed for a visit with your sister. She hasn’t been home since her marriage?”
    Amanda shook her head. “I suspect Jackson wouldn’t permit it for fear Abigail wouldn’t come back. And knowing that my father despised him for sneaking around behind his back, he refused to accompany her to England.”
    â€œâ€˜Despise’ is a strong word. I’m sure Mr. Dunn regretted any words uttered in haste.”
    â€œPerhaps. I hope Papa came to terms with Abigail’s newfound happiness in America. But Jackson married her without letting us participate in her wedding. Abby packed a bag of traveling clothes, left a letter for Mama, and boarded the next clipper. It was as though Jackson stole something valuable from my father.” Her smile was brief and unconvincing.
    â€œA woman isn’t a personal possession.”
    â€œTrue, but Abby was just a girl of seventeen, not a woman. Jackson was far more worldly and sophisticated at twenty-three. Abigail and I had been sheltered and protected, and we were ignorant of willful men. After she left, I continued to remain sheltered, probably more so.” Amanda picked up her sandwich with both hands. “Listen to me ramble on. Life has turned out well for my sister. Judging by what I’ve seen, Jackson is a devoted husband. I’m sure Abby hasn’t a single regret other than not saying goodbye to Papa.”
    â€œMrs. Henthorne isn’t alone with that particular cross to bear.” Nate regretted his admission as soon as the words left his mouth.
    â€œDo you share that particular burden, Mr. Cooper? Did your father pass after you’d left to make your fortune on the seacoast?”
    â€œNo, his death was the reason I came. Nothing remained for me in those lonely hills. But I won’t let you change the subject to my uneventful life. Continue the saga of your grand adventure. After you booked passage on a ship, were you forced to keep seafarers at bay with a broadsword and hidden pistol?” Nate finished his sandwich in another three bites.
    â€œI didn’t travel alone. My maid accompanied me. And the distinguished captain made sure none of his crew came within ten paces of us. We dined at his table along with the first mate. The captain roped off a section of deck for our private use during fair weather, but we remained in our cabin most of the time. It was oppressively dull but truly nonthreatening.”
    â€œYou have a maid who serves only you?”
    â€œWell, yes. Helene is a widow. She agreed to travel because she yearned to see America.”
    He brushed crumbs from the counter onto his freshly swept floor. “What exactly does someone like that do? I