Филиппа Карр - Midsummer's Eve

"Yes, it's true.”

"There is one little point which needs clearing up. There is still Cador. It will now come back into your possession. How will you know I am not marrying you for Cador?”

"I'll take the risk," I said. "And frankly, I can only rejoice that you may want it so much that you are ready to take me with it.”

"That's a fair offer. Now I have something to tell you. Luke Tregern raised money with Cador as security. It's mortgaged up to the hilt. Some of the money which Luke Tregern amassed will be retrieved no doubt. But not all. Cador will not be in the sound financial position which it was before all this happened. I'll tell you something; I secured the greater part of the mortgages. So you could say that instead of your bringing Cador to me I am bringing it to you.”

I was astonished. I had been warned that a great deal of harm had been done to the estate during Maria's possession. I knew that Bob Carter was going into the accounts with Rolf, but I had not realized to what extent it had suffered.

Rolf took my hands and said: "There is only one thing for you to do now and that is get well ... just as quickly as you can.”

We were silent for some time.

Then he said: "Annora, there is nothing else, is there? No other misapprehension, no other misunderstanding?”

"No," I said. "Nothing.”

"We'll be married in Midsummer. That will exorcise the ghosts.”

"Then there will be another Midsummer's Eve to remember," I said.