Mr. Vanderbilt seemed moved by my declaration. Tears gathered at the edges of his eyes.
“You would really do all that for Eliza and me?”
It broke my heart that he was so unaccustomed to kindness now that he would be so taken aback by my offer. At the same time, it warmed me that I could be the one to bring such kindness back into his life. I just wished that I could do more.
“Of course, I will.”
He smiled broadly, revealing a missing tooth. Somehow, it made him even more charming. I had to smile back.
Suddenly, his smile disappeared, and he took on a serious expression. He grabbed one of my wrists, and I worried that something might have upset him.
“Is something wrong, Mr. Vanderbilt?” I asked.
“No, no. I was just thinking about that dress that you showed me. There are others like i
