Read Online Once We Were by Aundrea M Lopez - Free Book Online

“As if we aimed the ship for the first iceberg we found and poured a shot of brandy.”
    “ I should have never told you. Forgive me. Please, don't get worked up about this. You're in no condition for that,” Cora told him. “Every tragedy has its dark side. I'm sure the nonsense will fade away in time. Please don't worry about it.”
    “ I don't care about them right now,” Ioan said. “I never asked if you were alright?”
    “ I'm fine,” Cora told him. “I can't thank you enough. I figured the least I could do was stay here and make sure they didn't give up on you, but it will never be enough.”
    “ It's more than you imagine,” Ioan said quietly. “And Beatrice?”
    Cora shook her head regretfully. “We're still looking for her.”
    A knock sounded at the door. “Mr. Saier, you're awake,” the doctor said. “You've improved. Definitely seeing a little color back in your face. Then again, you have this lovely lady attending to you. A man can't help but blush in her presence. If all goes well, I shall have you discharged in no time. Now, what did I come in here for? Oh yes! I have a visitor waiting in the hall for you, Mr. Saier. A Mr. Edward J. Spruce? He claimed to be an old friend. I have a strict policy about letting in strange persons with all that chaos going on outside, but he insisted.”
    “ Send him in,” Ioan replied without enthusiasm.
    “ Right away,” the doctor said. “Miss, if you will follow me. There is a matter in the visiting area which needs your attention.”
    Mr. Spruce strolled into the room with hat and walking stick. He was a gentleman’s gentleman. Everything old Mr. Saier valued in high class, and everything young Mr. Saier wished to escape. “Master Ioan Saier. Have you learned your lesson?” he remarked. “Not many escape death with that grin on their face. Next time you won't be so lucky.”
    “So you found me.”
    “ As if it were that difficult,” Mr. Spruce answered, pulling back the curtains to glance at the protestors outside. “I thought you might need some companionship of the legal sort. I don't know what's gotten into the post lately. Your father has written you numerous letters. He never received a reply.”
    “ I didn't write one.”
    “ Pity. And what of my letters regarding the recent death of Mr. Saier?”
    “ I don't think I wrote back either.”
    “ And the ones explaining the transfer of his estates into your inheritance?”
    “ I believe we've established that I don't respond to letters.”
    “ A wise man would keep them safely stored.”
    “ Oh, is that what he does with them?”
    Mr. Spruce sighed. “Then you should have no problem disregarding this particular one. It's from the U.S. Senate Inquiry, commissioned by Senator William A. Smith, requesting that you share your experiences surrounding this disaster. However, considering the mania going on outside, I would recommend that you kindly reject their request and remain silent until the tensions have cooled. You don't need this kind of vexation.”
    “I understand your concern, my most grand, kind, highly esteemed mate. The salt of the earth. A hell of a grand chap,” Ioan replied. Mr. Spruce rolled his eyes. “However, it is selfish on my part to reject them, if it helps the committee prevent something like this from happening again. No one should have to witness such disasters at sea.”
    “ Well, I can't say that I didn't expect you to say that, but I would have you at least reconsider nullifying our contract. You will need legal guidance if things get heated in public.”
    “ You know I have nothing against you, Mr. Spruce. You've served my father for years and are right good at what you do, but I won't change my mind,” Ioan informed him.
    “ For your sake, I pray you do instead of throwing away your inheritance and good name. Of course, you're only thinking about what's in your head now. You're still a strong and capable man but what about your future? What happens when