Oliver buried his hands in his trouser pockets. “I’m perfectly capable of providing for a wife. But I would never want to be responsible for causing a rift in your family. And so I ask if all you would withhold is your financial support, or if you’d also refuse to speak to her. To visit her? To allow her communication with your mother?”

“I hadn’t given it any thought.”

Because he hadn’t thought it would be an issue. He’d thought the moment Oliver learned she wouldn’t come with a dowry he’d lose interest. He’d thought, seeing the size of his house and knowing of the bills that had once stacked up on his desk, that he could be categorized quite simply as a money-grubber.

Oliver lifted his brows. “Well, think about it, if you would, my lord. Because I’m in love with your sister. I think she could be quite happy living here, but I don’t think she could be happy without you and your mother in her life. So, if you intend to take that away, then I won’t speak up. I’d rather lose her than let her lose you.”

Telford would be wondering if it was a ploy. A play. A bid for his respect that would lead him to relent on the monetary side as well.

But it wasn’t. And the more he considered it, the more he’d surely see that. Because all he’d have to do was say a few words, and Oliver had just promised never to declare himself. He had nothing to gain here but Libby herself. And everything—absolutely everything to lose.

26

Our Lord is the opposite of that. He has created a universe of order and rules—but He himself is so much bigger. So full of mystery.”

The words kept replaying in Libby’s mind as she held Mamm-wynn’s hand in her own. She hadn’t meant to catch that exchange between Bram and Oliver, but how was she supposed to have closed the door when she’d heard her brother state so baldly that she had no use for God? When she’d been so shocked at hearing the words from his lips that she couldn’t help but hold the door an inch open to hear Oliver’s response to it?

When the question of whether he was right pounded ferociously at her heart?

How had he even known that? She’d never breathed a word of her doubts to anyone at home. Never given voice to her questions, not until she came here. She hadn’t wanted to disappoint Mama by asking such things, and Bram—she didn’t frankly know how Bram felt about matters of faith.

She has no use for God.