“I refused him.” Papa’s expression was solemn. “I had anticipated that as well.” “I fear I hurt him.” “He’ll recover.” “You didn’t see his face.” Hannah recalled the way James had looked after he’d risen from the sofa. “He made himself vulnerable to me and I injured his pride.” Her father rubbed her back. “You’ve done him a service,” he said. “Some men benefit from being knocked down a peg. It’s character building.”
