“And . . . so did you,” I realized. “This was the reason you didn’t want me to join you today.”
“Please do not look at me that way,” Damon said.
“You must help them,” I said again but more firmly this time. “This roof will not hold out any moisture. The Turners will become ill. They could die. Damon, think of the baby.”
He pressed his eyes closed for a long moment, and I thought he was seeing reason, but then he slowly shook his head. “I can do nothing more for these people.”
“These people?” Anger boiled inside me. How could he speak so dismissively? “These peopleareyourtenants, Damon.”
“They are my father’s tenants.”
“And one day yours,” I snapped back.
“I know how this must seem to you, but if I were to get down from this curricle and assist those poor souls—” Damon gritted his teeth. “There are forces at work here that you don’t understand.”
“Then tell me.” I wanted to believe that Damon, the kind man I’d come to know these past weeks, who had saved me at the Rumfords’ ball and carried me across the mud puddle and played Mama’s song so reverently on the pianoforte, wasalsoa kind landlord. But the dilapidated home and farm before me provided no evidence. “Please.” I pleaded with him to tell me, totrustme.
“I am not in a position to help them,” he said.
I shook my head, disappointed. “Youarein a position to help, and I must insist you do so.”
“I am sorry, but my hands are tied.” He flicked the reins to encourage the horses forward.
“No!” I grabbed the reins and pulled back with all my strength.
Damon reached as if to retrieve the reins from my grasp, but I held them tight. As soon as we came to a halt, I flung the reins back at him and stood.
“What are you doing?” Damon reached out to steady me.
“Whatyouwill not.” I gathered my skirts, preparing to climb down from the curricle without assistance.
“But it is about to rain.”
“As I am well aware. Please return to your grand home where you will be warm and dry by the fire.”
“Lud, Hannah. Is that what you think I want?”
“What else can I think,my lord?” His proper title sounded like a curse.
Damon swore under his breath, and as I moved to step down, he caught my wrist. “I am content to offer my back, but I will not risk yours. I will assist Mr. Turner with the roof, and you will wait here.”
“I most certainly will not.” I attempted to snatch back my arm, but he held it tight.
“Though quarreling with you is a most enjoyable pastime, I cannot allow you to win this argument.” And he tugged my arm, drawing me back into my seat. “I will work more quickly knowing you’re safe. Please. Wait here.” Damon swung himself down from the carriage and secured the horses to a nearby post.
I frowned at his back as he disappeared around the corner of the house where the thatch was piled. If he thought he’d won this debate simply because he’d managed to speak the last word, he was gravely mistaken. I awkwardly alighted from the carriage. My half boots sunk into the mud almost to my ankles, and I quickly lifted my hem.
“I told you to wait in the curricle.” Damon’s voice was gruff behind me, and when I turned to face him, I found his expression matched his tone.
“You did, but I never agreed.”
Damon gave me a stern look, but he didn’t send me away. Mr. Turner and his family needed as much help as they could get, and Damon knew it. “Thatch,” he finally said. “Carry it from that pile there”—he pointed toward the side of the house—“and bring it to me here on the ladder.”
With a nod, I hurried toward the pile, and Damon went in the opposite direction to the ladder. I retrieved a large bundle, and when I turned back, he was already waiting on the ladder. I handed him the thatch and then turned back to the pile. I tried to move briskly, but heavy mud already caked my hem, slowing me. I held up my skirts as best I could as I gathered another bundle of thatch, but there was nothing for it. I simply could not hold up my hem and carry the thatch at the same time.
A most unladylike idea came to me. Ollie would not approve, but he wasn’t here, and my promptness was more important than my pride at present. I dropped the thatch and bent to tie up my skirt.
With the thatch in my arms once again, I rushed to where Damon descended the ladder.
