Elena’s handwriting.
Corrections.
Edwin’s initials approving.
“Copied?”
Edwin said nothing.
Avery sat.
Then Reverend Pike testified.
Room changed.
He admitted false statement.
Church money.
Margaret’s clarity.
Original deed.
Edwin looked as if he wanted kill him.
Then Sarah’s letter and mother’s letter admitted with supporting records.
The judge read.
Finally Caleb testified.
Vane’s attorney smiled.
This was target.
“You married Elena Whitaker after learning she possessed valuable land.”
“Yes.”
“Convenient.”
“Yes.”
Murmur.
Caleb continued.
“Convenient for getting her out of father’s house.”
Attorney smiled.
“You expect court believe you have no financial interest?”
Avery stood.
“Document already admitted.”
Judge handed.
Renunciation signed.
Attorney’s face shifted.
Caleb had disclaimed.
“Could be performance.”
Caleb looked.
“Then I’ll sign again.”
Laughter.
Judge silenced.
Attorney pressed:
“You paid for bride.”
“I paid her father because he threatened to marry her to your client.”
“You profited from marriage.”
“No.”
“You expect us to believe you married a woman of her unusual… condition purely from altruism?”
Elena went cold.
There it was.
Even courtroom.
Body weapon.
Judge frowned.
Attorney continued before stopping himself.
Caleb stared.
“Finish.”
Attorney said:
“Her size.”
Caleb’s voice remained calm.
“What about it?”
“Was it not a factor in why her father accepted your offer?”
“Ask father.”
“I’m asking whether you considered her desirable.”
The room held breath.
Avery rose.
“Relevance.”
Judge looked.
“Counsel?”
Attorney said:
“Undue influence and motive.”
Judge allowed narrow.
Caleb looked directly at Elena.
Not attorney.
He said:
“Yes.”
The attorney blinked.
“Yes what?”
“I desired her.”
Elena’s face burned.
Murmurs.
Caleb continued:
“Before land.”
“Before wedding.”
“Before I knew value.”
“When?”
“Four years ago.”
“Why?”
Caleb finally looked at attorney.
“Because she made a merchant reweigh flour for widow.”
Someone laughed.
Judge almost smiled.
Attorney irritated.
“So you claim romance.”
“I claim she is woman I admired.”
“And now wife.”
“If she chooses.”
That phrase changed room.
Attorney frowned.
“She already wife.”
“Legally, perhaps.”
“Personally, that is hers.”
Elena’s eyes filled.
The judge looked at Caleb longer.
Then dismissed.
Finally Elena testified.
She walked to stand.
Every eye followed.