Helpless
He thrust the letter into his pocket and told himself angrily that he had never given her the slightest idea that he was into her. She had been Felicia's friend and later it had seemed only natural that she should take an interest in Felicia's motherless child. He had been grateful to her and had valued her help in the difficult months after his wife's tragic death, and later when friends began to hint that he should marry again, he had found her a protection against the obvious machinations of other mothers of eligible daughters. He had supposed, a little wryly, that even a matured widower with a difficult daughter was made attractive by wealth and a brilliant reputation, because he ranked high in his profession and made a great deal of money.
He did not believe that Bethany was in love with him, but he knew well enough that she was over thirty-five and wanted a marriage and top position in the society.