She swallowed.
"I had a little money my mother left me personally, enough for a journey if I was careful. I packed a trunk, took the papers, and left before dawn."
Silas studied her.
She continued.
"I traveled west without telling anyone where I intended to settle. When I saw your advertisement, I thought..."
She stopped.
Silas waited.
Eleanor looked up.
"I thought a man willing to admit that marriage would require hard work might be more honest than the men I'd known."
Her eyes filled.
"Then you wrote that you wanted a partner, not a servant."
Silas swallowed.
She smiled sadly.
"I didn't know whether I could become the woman you needed. But I wanted the chance to try."
For a long moment, Silas sat without speaking.
Then he looked toward the letter.
Finally, he said, "You should have told me about Graves before the wedding."
Eleanor nodded.
"I know."
"Especially if your father has the power to interfere with the ranch."
"I didn't know about the note."
"I believe you."
The answer surprised her.
She looked up.
Silas continued.
"But your father was searching for you. You knew he'd try something."
She lowered her eyes.
"Yes."
He leaned forward.
"Eleanor, I don't want a marriage where we keep our worst fears hidden until somebody else shouts them across a room."
Her throat tightened.
"Neither do I."
Silas nodded.
For a moment, he seemed troubled.
Then he pushed the folded letter back toward her.
"We'll find out what can be proved."
She stared.
"About Beatrice?"
"About everything."
He looked toward the dark windows.
Then back at his wife.
"And tomorrow, I'll show you the ranch accounts."
Eleanor blinked.
"Why?"
"Because you're my partner, aren't you?"
Her lips parted.
Silas raised one eyebrow.
"That's what we said in church."
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then she smiled through tears.
"Yes."
He nodded.
"Good."
Then he stood.
For a moment, he seemed enormous beside the fire.
He offered his hand.
Eleanor took it.
He helped her rise.
Then he spoke quietly.
"One more thing."
She looked up.
"If your father believes owning a debt means owning the man who owes it, he's about to be disappointed."
Eleanor almost laughed.