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"Do you think so?" he mocked

"Yes"

"Your plans are quixotically beautiful, but totally unworkable You're asking your father to sell his hoive up hisable to find a respectable position are virtually nil Therefore, he would have to sit at hoive him a handout What about his pride, Alanna? It would break him and in turn it would break your mother"

Her eyes glazed a what Rolt said was true and loath to adentleman and the provider of his family It would kill him to live on her charity

Alanna turned away to hide her tre chin "What's your brilliant alternative?" Sarcas voice

"I could help"

>"He wouldn't accept charity frohtly

"There is a way it could be done without hi aware it was charity," Rolt stated quietly

"How?" Her breath caught, hope rising

"I could arrange for his income from the plant to be increased, if necessary, I can put hi that would supplement his income"

"Could you?" Alanna pivoted, breathing her question

His gaze was level and unwavering, indigo dark and hooded "Yes, I could, I will help him…if you marry me"

Alanna stiffened, motionless for a minute "What?"

"Marry me," Rolt repeated

"It's impossible," she declared with a violent shake of her head "I' today"