Chapter 109 - Hundred And Nine
"It’s all right, Father," Eric said, his voice a calm, reassuring presence in the tense dining room. "We are just worried about you."
Delia nodded her head in agreement, her gaze still fixed on her father with a deep, sincere concern. "That’s right, Father. And that is why we came up with a solution to help you. A way to lessen your burdens." She looked at Eric, a silent signal passing between them. "Eric and I discussed it, and we found a way to help."
Henry looked interested, a flicker of his old energy returning to his tired eyes. "You two did?"
Delia nodded. "It is about the Ellington Textile Establishment."
The name of the family business hung in the air. Augusta, who had just been lifting a spoonful of soup to her lips, choked, the rich liquid catching in her throat. She coughed violently into her napkin.
Delia continued as if she hadn’t noticed. "I was thinking that you should give it to me to handle, Father."
Augusta wiped her mouth, her face pale with shock, her voice coming out in a rushed, strangled sound. "W-what? Give you what?"
Anne, who had been sullenly pushing her food around her plate, looked up, her own expression one of pure, utter disbelief.
"But Augusta is already handling the day-to-day affairs," Henry replied, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Yes, Father, I know," Delia said, her tone reasonable and calm. "But the workload is too much for her to handle alone, especially with you being so unwell. I can be in charge of the dye sections. I have a great deal of experience there. She can continue to take care of the textile aspects of the business."