Eliza pulled back too quickly.
He noticed.
Said nothing.
She began explaining because silence had become unbearable.
“The school board intends to reconsider my position.”
“Why?”
“Rumors.”
“What rumors?”
She hated saying it.
“That men visit me.”
Nathan’s expression hardened.
“They don’t.”
“I know.”
“So does everyone who matters.”
“Apparently not.”
“Who started it?”
Eliza looked away.
Nathan straightened.
“Eliza.”
Her name in his voice.
Low.
Serious.
“Grayson.”
Nathan did not ask which Grayson.
Willow Creek only contained one man wealthy enough to make his surname sufficient.
His jaw tightened.
“Because you refused him.”
She looked back.
“How did you know?”
“People talk.”
“Wonderful.”
“They also notice.”
“Apparently not the correct things.”
Nathan unfolded the contract.
His eyes moved down the page.
Eliza spoke faster.
“If we marry before Monday, the board has no excuse to act.”
Nathan’s gaze lifted.
“They shouldn’t have one now.”
“I know.”
“So fight them.”
“I intend to.”
He looked at the contract again.
“This is fighting?”
“This is surviving long enough to fight.”
That made him pause.
Eliza continued.
“My position comes up for annual confirmation in six weeks.”
“If they dismiss me Monday, there will be nothing left to defend.”
Nathan read.
“Separate rooms.”
“Yes.”
“Separate accounts.”
“Yes.”
“No obligation beyond public marital appearances.”
“Yes.”
“No property claim.”
“Yes.”
He reached the final line.
Then stopped.
Eliza held her breath.
Nathan read it twice.
“At the completion of six months, both parties agree to an uncontested dissolution.”
“Yes.”
A strange expression crossed his face.
Disappointment?
Impossible.
Nathan placed the contract on the table.
Eliza’s stomach fell.
“I understand if you refuse.”
“I haven’t.”
“You haven’t agreed.”
“No.”
She swallowed.
“This was foolish.”
She reached for the contract.
Nathan placed one hand over it.
Not touching her.
Stopping the paper.
“Eliza.”
“I am sorry.”
“Eliza.”
“I should never have—”
“I was going to ask you to supper next Saturday.”
She stopped.
“What?”
Nathan looked uncomfortable for the first time since she arrived.
“I had planned to ask you.”
“For supper?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Now he stared as though she had asked why water was wet.
Eliza’s face warmed.
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
Nathan looked toward the fire.
Then back.
“I have wanted to ask for months.”
“Months?”
“Since the pump.”