Now, sitting beside the mountain fire, she wondered whether the entire conflict had been arranged.
Whether Helena's objections had been designed to make Nathaniel appear noble.
Whether the marriage had been planned before Clara even knew his name.
Elias listened without interrupting.
When she finished, she stared into the flames.
"I was such a fool."
He shook his head.
"No."
She looked at him.
"I married a man who wanted property I didn't even know existed."
Elias leaned forward.
"Clara, a man who spends months deceiving someone is responsible for the deception."