Page 49 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

Back in Ezra’s study, he said, “My loan is secured by your Hollyoak House and I plan to sell that as soon as possible after I take possession. My bank and my attorneys are working on that as wespeak.”

“But that house is to be the school for my workers’ students. I’ve been preparing that for some timenow.”

“Then you’ll be toolate.”

“But I’ve made every scheduled payment on time. Certainly, you can’t cancel the note just like that? There has to be a grace period where I have the opportunity to pay off the loan after notification. Is that notstandard?”

“That’s as may be with a conventional loan, but if you read our loan agreement, you will find that does not apply in thisinstance.”

“Ezra, please. In memory of yourdaughter…”

“John, don’t you dare play that card with me.” Ezra came from behind his desk and charged up to John, threateningly. “You promised to care for her and youfailed.”

“Those were circumstances beyond anyone’s control. You knowthat.”

John charged ahead. “Then for the sake of your granddaughter. Please, Ezra, just give me three months. By then I will have sold my wool and I can pay you back in full at thattime.”

“No. Unless you agree to twenty-five percent interest on the entireloan.”

“Ezra, that is unreasonable and unfair. But I will pay you twenty percent interest instead of the five we agreedupon.”

“Very well, but six weeks, not three months. I need that money urgently and that is the longest I can extend the loan. And I insist on twenty-five percentinterest.”

John knew he was backed into a corner. But perhaps he could work something out in the meantime. At least he would not lose the second house justyet.”

“I agree,” John quietlyagreed.

“And how is my granddaughter? I regret we’ve not seen her for a year and a half orso.”

“She’s thriving. I’ll have a portrait made of her and will send you that. And, of course, you and Hester are always welcome to visit her at anytime.”

Ezra went back to his desk and wrote something out. He finished and offered it toJohn.

“The revised agreement. Sign it, and remember it’s due, and to be paid in full, by the date on this document—end ofOctober.”

“I understand. And now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s a long ride back to Haverford. And it’s a late start as it is. And thank you both for putting meup.”

Ezranodded.

* * *

It wasa fraught ride back to Haverford House. John’s mind swirled with possible ways to solve his problem. But no matter in which direction he looked, he could not think of a way to save his secondhouse.

John had built the house, especially for Annabel because she felt Haverford House was too large, impersonal, and cold. She wanted something smaller, more comfortable and homey. And John had used all of his free resources to build that house for her. He had named it Hollyoak, as the house was surrounded by a grove of fine old oaks, and, at the back, Annabel had planted a number of Holly bushes—a plant she loved so much—saying it represented their lives—with the red berries of passion and the thorns of ever changingtime.

John could not bear to move into the house after Annabel died, and he actually delayed finishing the building it until he decided to use the house as a school for the workers’ children. And now, unless he could repay the loan, he would lose the house forever when Ezra soldit.

Once home, John spent the next several days inventorying all his possessions to see if there might be something he could sell to raise the payment. The six weeks Ezra had given him were not enough time to sheer the sheep and sell the wool. And even if he did accomplish that, it would probably not be enough with the added interest he had agreed topay.

He spent weeks searching the estate to find objects of value but, although the house had many fine objects, none were of significant value to warrantselling.

He, again, contacted his bankers who,again, refused his request for a loan. He knew Aunt Clarissa had money from her husband, but he had no idea what her capital was, and quickly decided against approaching her with his problem. However willing she might be to help him if he asked, he was loath to do anything that might jeopardize hersecurity.

And so, he had to admit, he was at his wit's end. He sat at his desk in the library and realized he would need to reconcile himself to the fact that he would lose Hollyoak, he would lose the precious gift he promised his wife, and he would lose the school he’d planned to create for hisworkers.