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the honesty of my friends and family.”
    â€œBut of course they will tell you that,” he said, shaking his head and giving a little tsk ing sound. “They are telling you what they believe is best for you. And perhaps they are concerned that . . . well, given your closeness to Mr. Ackerman, other men might believe you have compromised your virtue. Perhaps they are pushing you to marry Mr. Ackerman because they are worried that no other man might have you. However, for me, none of that is important. I love you, Abrianna. If you’ve made mistakesin the past, I will not hold them against you. I simply plead for you to give me a chance to court you.”
    â€œMr. Welby!”
    He’d gone too far. He could see it in her eyes. That tiny spark of fire suggested anger. He stood and put on his hat. “Please know that if I’ve overstepped my bounds in what I said, I apologize. I didn’t mean to allow the conversation to take an indiscreet turn. I will, instead, take my leave.” He paused a moment and gave her his saddest look of longing. At least he hoped that’s how it played out.
    â€œI shall always regret you. I don’t even know how to find the will to go on if you are unwilling to change your mind. I will, however, wait to do anything rash for one week. If after that time you are still of a mind to forget me, then I shall seek the necessary means to put you from my mind.”
    Abrianna shot up at this. “Grief, Mr. Welby, you are worse at making me feel guilty than Aunt Miriam, and she’s quite accomplished. You mustn’t allow yourself to think such dire thoughts. I would advise you to get spiritual counsel. I realize our little church is currently without a pastor, but there are the elders and of course other churches with strong men of God.”
    â€œOh, there you are, Abrianna,” Flora Ledbetter called out but came up short as she spied Mr. Welby. “Excuse me. I didn’t know you had company.”
    â€œIt’s quite all right.” Abrianna looked at him and then to Flora. “Miss Ledbetter, this is Mr. Priam Welby.” She turned back to Welby. “This is Miss Ledbetter. She is a new student to the school. Perhaps you might get to know her better when you attend the monthly receptions. Although my aunts will have her behind the refreshment tables for some months to come,you might actually be able to strike up a conversation across the punch bowl.”
    â€œMiss Ledbetter, I’m charmed to meet you.” Priam gave a little bow. “However, I don’t believe I will be attending any more receptions.” He tried his best to sound utterly hopeless and defeated. “I bid you both . . . good-bye.” He paused for measure and added, “I mean good day.”

    Abrianna wasn’t at all sure if Mr. Welby was serious in his thoughts of ending it all, at least that was the implication she’d assumed. He didn’t come right out and say he would kill himself over her, but he did speak of delaying rash action.
    â€œIs he a friend of yours?” Flora asked.
    â€œGoodness, no. He was to have courted me, but that was prior to my realizing that I was in love with Wade.” She watched Welby’s carriage leave the grounds and go slowly down the street. Turning away, she shook her head. “What a perfectly complicated man.”
    â€œHe has rather large ears,” Flora said.
    Abrianna looked at her as if finally finding a kindred soul. “Exactly my observation. I’ve said that on many occasions, and while I would not refuse a gentleman merely because of the size of his ears, they are a terrible distraction. That along with his dark eyes. They seem to be set apart rather far.”
    Flora nodded. “I agree. He dresses nicely, however.”
    â€œOh yes. Mr. Welby is a most fashionable gentleman.” Abrianna tried to forget the scene that had just played out. Surely he