“Were you... let go, for some reason? I promise it shall not jeopardize your situation here.”
“It wasn’t anything like that, sir. What I mean is... One of the men in the house, he made things... difficult for me.”
“Difficult, how?”
She fidgeted, then whispered, “I’d rather not say.”
“Had you no recourse, no friend or relative to protect you?”
She shook her head, once again staring up at the stars. “I found myself thinkin’ of Joseph. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he fled, didn’t he? He ran and ran fast without thinkin’ ahead to the consequences, without lookin’ back.”
“So that’s what you did.”
She nodded.
He grinned wryly. “Joseph ended up in prison, you know.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “I forgot that part.”
“I trust Fairbourne Hall is a better fate than prison. You are treated with respect, I hope?”
“Yes, sir, that is...” She faltered, began again. “Everyone on staff has been very kind.”
He stiffened at her hesitation. Had Lewis trifled with her? “Miss—Nora. If anyone dares... If anyone bothers you, you must not hesitate to tell me. At once. I will”—kill the man—“reprimand severely any man who mistreats you. Do you understand?”
Tears filling her eyes, she nodded, but did not speak.
Dash it.“I’m sorry. I... didn’t mean to upset you.”What an idiot I am.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. My hardships are little to yours. Is your ship lost completely?”
He sighed, looking up. “No, but the costs to repair it will be higher than that star.”
“I’m sorry, sir.” She hesitated. “Was her name... theEcclesia?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“It was the name on your model ship.” She looked sheepish about breaking it over again.
“Ah. Yes—Ecclesia.Latin for ‘church.’ ”
“Clever.”
“I once thought so. But I don’t think myself very clever these days.”
Her profile was painfully familiar by moonlight as she gazed up at the night sky. He was tempted to reveal that he knew who she was, ask why she was hiding, and offer to help her. But would she be mortified to be discovered in such a humbling role? Would she thank him or curse him for exposing her?
He bit his tongue. Why should he want to help her? Had she not proven herself fickle and shallow? But somehow, looking at her now, he saw none of those traits. He saw a shadow of the loneliness he felt inside himself. A quiet desperation to fix something broken. He knew what was broken in his life—his family’s finances, his ship, his sister’s heart... and his own. But what was broken in Miss Macy’s life, and how did running away fix it?
He decided to bide his time. “Nora. You came to our aid—Hudson’s and mine—and I am grateful. If there is any way we... I... can return the favor, you need only ask.”
She looked over at him, pale eyes wide and silvery in the moonlight. She opened her mouth as though to respond, to confide in him, but instead pressed her lips together. Lips he had longed to kiss for years... and heaven help him, still did. Warmth swept through him at the thought of the kiss they had shared, at least in his dreams.
She whispered, “Thank you, Mr. Upchurch.” Once again she hesitated, then dipped her head. “And now I shall bid you good-night.”
She had forgotten to use a working class accent in her final words, but he made no comment. He liked hearing her voice. Her real voice. “Good night, Nora.”
In his mind, he added,“Good night, Margaret.”
