“I Feel Sorry for the Man Who Marries Her,” He Said — By Autumn, He Was the One Saying the Vows
Chapter 6
The engagement was not announced immediately.
Clara wanted time.
Daniel agreed.
They spent the summer learning what life together might actually look like.
They argued.
They laughed.
They worked.
Sometimes Clara became stubborn.
Sometimes Daniel became proud.
Neither pretended otherwise.
One Sunday, they visited the village church.
Afterward, an elderly woman approached Clara.
“I heard you were going to marry Mr. Whitmore.”
Clara smiled.
“Perhaps.”
The woman looked concerned.
“He is rich.”
“I know.”
“And you’re not.”
“I know that too.”
The woman whispered:
“People will talk.”
Clara glanced at Daniel.
“He already knows what people say.”
Daniel smiled.
“I’ve said worse myself.”
Clara laughed.
The woman smiled.
“Then perhaps you’ll be all right.”
But not everyone approved.
Daniel’s uncle Edmund confronted him outside the mill.
“You cannot marry that woman.”
Daniel stared.
“Why?”
“She has nothing.”
“She has a farm.”
“Barely.”
“She has more courage than most men I know.”
Edmund’s face hardened.
“You’ll embarrass this family.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“No.”
“You’ll regret it.”
Daniel looked him directly in the eye.
“I already regret something.”
“What?”
“That I once sounded like you.”
Edmund’s expression changed.
Daniel walked away.
