Yawning, I slipped on a light pink nightgown. It was strange that I felt tired in my own dream. I made my way over to the chaise by the window and stared outside. Night had fallen, and Helen had just retired for the evening, leaving an oil lamp in my room so I could see. I always wondered how people survived without electricity, but it wasn’t so bad. The small dusting of snow had made a white blanket across the yard.

A soft knock sounded on the door. When it opened, my great-grandmother stuck her head in. Her long, white hair was in a large braid, and she had on a cream-colored nightgown and robe. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”

“No.” I stood and moved away from the window to sit on my bed. “It’s been an interesting day; so much to think on.”

She sat down on the edge of my bed and smiled. “Yes, it has. I’m so glad you’re here. We waited days for your arrival. I was afraid you weren’t going to make it.”

It broke my heart to know the real Adeline had never arrived. I couldn’t imagine how distraught my great-grandparents had been over that. “I’m happy to be here as well,” I murmured. It was a miracle, even if it was just a dream.

“I couldn’t help but notice you spent a lot of time with Mr. Blair.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “He’s different,” was all I could say.

Her brows furrowed. “He is.”

“What all do you know about him?”

She shrugged. “The Blairs are a well-known family. They don’t have as much money as other people around town, but they’re moving up in society. William is new to town. No one knows much about him, other than that his uncle is building his real estate business and William is here to help.”

“You don’t think money and power matter, do you?”

A genuine smile lit up her face. “Not in my eyes. If money mattered, I wouldn’t be married to your grandfather.”

I nodded. “It’s a good thing he had a mind of his own. I guess it runs in the family.”

She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “That’s why I know you won’t rush into a marriage. The Hamilton genes run strong in your blood. All I want is for you to be happy. Marriage isn’t always the answer. You’re capable of taking care of yourself.” Yes, I was. The world was going to change so much in the coming years.

Sitting back in the bed, I leaned against the antique headboard. “Tell me the story about how you and grandfather fell in love. I want to know everything.”

Chuckling softly, she closed her eyes as if she could see it all in her mind. “It was so long ago. My mother was a servant for the Hamilton’s, so I grew up with Andrew and his siblings. His sister, Clara, took me under her wing. She taught me how to read and write. When my mother passed away, I took her job in the house. I was eighteen years old.”

“Wow. I guess it was a shock to everyone when he fell in love with a servant.” Back then, love hadn’t been an option. They’d had to marry within their social status.

She nodded and breathed in deeply, letting it out slowly. “The night of the town Christmas party was when Andrew proclaimed his love for me. Clara dressed me in one of her fine gowns and made me beautiful.” She glanced at me, completely smitten all over again. “The look on Andrew’s face when I walked in, is something I’ll never forget. He walked straight over to me and took my arm, never once letting me go the entire night. His parents threatened to take away his inheritance, but he didn’t care.”

“They didn’t though, right?”

She shook her head. “Eventually, they accepted me, but it was a long, hard road. I had to prove I was worthy of him.”

“How did you do that?”

Her eyes glistened. “I just loved him. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and he for me. His family saw that. I think a few of them were envious of us. Finding true love is rare; if you’re ever lucky enough to experience it, hold on to it and don’t let go. It’s pure magic.”

“I bet it is,” I murmured.

She slid off my bed and cupped my cheek. “You’ll find it, my dear. Have faith. I do.” Her lips grazed my forehead. “Goodnight, Adeline.”

“Goodnight, Grandmother.”

She walked out of my room and shut the door. I climbed under the covers and laid my head on the soft, feather-filled pillow. My eyes grew heavy, even though I was scared to fall asleep, as I would most assuredly wake up in real life. Dreaming about the past was one of the most amazing experiences I’d ever had. After a short time, my exhaustion won out and I drifted to sleep.