It was lawful the day it was made, and it is lawful now. And this court finds no fraud in it whatsoever. Only, if I may say so, a good deal more honesty than the petitioner brought to these proceedings. Eleanor's breath left her in a rush. Clara made a small sound and buried her face in Eleanor's side, but the judge wasn't finished.
As to the matter of the water, Judge Puit went on, "That's a separate question, and not strictly before me today. But this court has now heard sworn testimony from multiple witnesses that Mr. Whitaker has represented his intent to seize and monetize a water source this valley has used by long-standing custom for 30 years. That's a matter of significant public interest, and I intend to refer it to the territorial authorities for a full examination of Mr. Whitaker's lending practices and his dealings regarding that creek.
He looked at Charles. You came here today to take a man's ranch, Mr. Whitaker. Instead, you've handed this court every reason to take a very close look at how you've built your fortune. I'd retain a better lawyer if I were you.
You're going to need one. The gavel came down, and the room erupted, but this time it was not the hungry noise of a crowd watching a woman destroyed. It was something Eleanor had not heard aimed at her in longer than she could remember. It was the sound of people on her side. Charles Whitaker left through a side door his sister Prudence sweeping out ahead of him with her powdered face gone gray, and neither of them looked back, and Eleanor found she had no wish to watch them go.
They had come to prove she was worthless, and instead they had stood in a public courtroom and been shown in front of the whole county exactly whose worth had failed the test. But it was not the ruling that undid her. She had braced for the ruling, had let herself hope for it, had imagined the relief of it through 30 sleepless nights. What she had not braced for, was Ezra Henderson. He found her in the emptying hall, still turning that hat in his hands, and he stood in front of her, looking like a man unsure whether he was owed thanks or a scolding.
Mrs. Carter, he said, I want you to know I didn't stand up for you today. Not exactly. I stood up because I was tired of being afraid. And you showed me what it looked like to stop.
He swallowed. But I reckon Whitaker is going to call my note now out of spite, and I'll likely lose my farm for it. So I You won't lose your farm, Nathaniel said. Henderson turned. Nathaniel had come up beside Eleanor Henry on his hip.
Clara at his side, and his face was set in something quiet and certain. That creek runs free, Nathaniel said. It's run free 30 years and it'll run free 30 more. My hand to God. But if Charles Whitaker calls your note out of spite, you come to me, Ezra.