Adam held his arms out to Bethany who wriggled free of Greta’s grasp and went over to him. It surprised Greta because Bethany was usually shy around strangers.
What Adam did next shocked Greta—he bounced her on his knee and sang a song to her. It sounded like a sea chanty, with lyrics about the deep blue sea and ships being docked.
Bethany giggled.
Rhea sighed, “Aw.”
Sam smiled proudly.
As they played with Bethany, Greta wondered what would happen next. Surely, they didn’t expect Adam to sleep in her house and definitely not with her. She had no idea what the plan was, but she was nervous about it.
As usual, Rhea sensed Greta’s worry. “We thought it best if Adam stayed at our house until the two of you become better acquainted.” She looked from Greta to Adam. “Then we’ll see what should be done.”
Greta breathed a sigh of relief. It must have been loud, for Adam looked at her, and his forehead crinkled into a frown.
Rhea stood and gave Bethany a farewell kiss and hug, and Sam did the same. “We’ll be going home now,” she said. “Adam, you can stay a few more minutes. I think you and Greta might have some things to talk about.” Rhea looked at Sadie who was standing quietly by the stairs. “Would you take Bethany up, now?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sadie said, taking the child by the hand.
Greta sighed again. It was just like Rhea to take charge, as usual.
When Adam and Greta were the only ones left in the room, she felt uncomfortable. She had to tell him about the annulment. She was sure he’d be relieved.
Adam turned to her and said, “Why did you pretend to be someone else today at the cemetery? Do you enjoy playing games with people?”
“I recognized you. I saw you in church a few times before you went to sea, so I knew who you were, and you took me by surprise. I don’t usually play games, but I wasn’t sure what to say or do. The shock of seeing you was why I fainted.”
“I’m prepared to step into Seth’s place. I’ll be a good husband to you and loving father to Bethany.” He gave a slight chuckle. “I think I love her already; she’s adorable.
“I’ll court you slowly. I don’t expect any intimacy until...well, we’ll see how things go.”
“I think you should know that I’ve hired an attorney to void our proxy marriage,” Greta said, looking at the floor.
Adam stared at her. He frowned again. “Why would you do that?”
Greta played with the folds of her dress. “You were at sea, and I didn’t think you’d ever come back, and if you did, you wouldn’t stay. I’m young, and I need a life. I’m a lonely widow who yearns to be loved, and I want to give Bethany a family life one day.”
“Is there someone else involved?” he asked.
“I’ve had a few offers to be courted, but I’ve refused them. I can’t even think about other men until I’m single again.”
“I see,” he said. “I agree with you: you deserve better than you’ve had since Seth has died.”
His words surprised Greta.
Adam continued, “I’m disappointed, of course. I’ve actually come to look forward to being a family man, but if you want an annulment, there’s not much I can do about it. I would like to be on your list of men who wish to court you. In fact, being Seth’s brother, I’d hope my name would be at the top of that list.”
“There isn’t a list,” Greta murmured. “There’s just one gentleman who’s interested, and he knows he has to wait until the annulment is final.”
“Until then you’re still my wife, right?”
Greta nodded.
Adam stood. “Then, I have every right to court you before the annulment is final.”
Greta stood to face him. “Why do you want to do that? I thought you’d only agreed to the marriage because of family duty.”
“I made Seth a promise today at the cemetery, and I aim to keep it, or at least, do everything in my power to keep it.” He walked to the doorway of the parlor. “No need to see me out—I’ll find the way.” He turned and disappeared from her line of vision.
Greta listened to his footsteps in the hall and heard the door close behind him. He seemed sincere, but marrying to keep a promise to Seth wasn’t the basis for a marriage. Her heart still beat heavily when she looked at him. Her heart remembered him.
~~~~***~~~~
Adam didn’t know how he felt. He supposed that anger was the best fit. He wasn’t pleased at the games she seemed fond of playing, both at the cemetery and purposely leading him to believe the maid was his wife. Still, he hadn’t seemed disappointed when he’d looked at Sadie—she did have a nice smile. He’d been ready to accept her as his wife. Maybe now he wished Sadie had been his wife. It was just as he’d always thought: beauty was only skin deep, and he found Greta’s personality lacking.
While he agreed she deserved a better life, he thought that a woman of better character would have at least given the marriage a try before voiding it as if it had meant nothing to her. He was home now, and willing to trade his sea legs for land legs and a family.
He shrugged and prepared for bed. He should be glad, now that he could return to the sea he loved, but something deep inside him was hurt by Greta’s wanting to annul their marriage.
She was a beautiful woman, he had to admit—he could see why Seth had been attracted to her—but he needed to discover what was beneath her physical appearance before he could write her off
