“Well…I was younger back then. Around your sister’s age. So, I confronted them about it. I accused them of being murderers. Perhaps I raised my voice a bit. The next thing I knew, I was accused of being hysterical. My mother told me they had to put me in the convent for my own good. Just until my nerves were better.”
“What else do you know?”
She hesitated once. “They were having an affair. I don’t know how long it had been going on.”
The Duke rolled his eyes. “How trite. Anything else?”
Helena pursed her lips. She wasn’t sure she should say anything about her uncle’s threats. If she spoke them aloud, the Duke might confront him with that information. If he did, Charlie was in danger.
The Duke did not care about Charlie.
She shook her head. “I don’t know anything else.”
“Have they ever met with other people at Downfield Manor? Unsavory types?”
Helena lowered her head and shook it.
“Did you overhear any other conversations?”
She shook her head. “No, I have told you all I know, Your Grace.”
He sighed. “Very well, then. If that is all you’re willing to tell me, that is fine. Once you’re done with breakfast, my coach driver can take you wherever you like.”
She blinked in surprise and then stared at him, stupefied. “I beg your pardon?”
He crossed his legs and favored her with a challenging look. “You heard me.”
“You would just… throw me away like that? What happened to protecting me?”
“I promised that I would not harm you; I have not. And I promised that I would protect you in my house. I never said forever.”
Helena’s breath came short. A slow, hot rage curled in her chest. “You really are heartless,” she whispered.
Silas remained unmoved. “Sentiment does not change facts.”
She clenched her fists. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? By taking me from St. Margaret’s, you’ve made me a target.” Her voice rose. “My uncle will send men after me. He cannot allow me to speak. He will kill me before he lets that happen. My mother will ensure my silence. And my brother?—”
Her throat closed, but she forced the words out.
“I am not safe anywhere. You think throwing me into the streets solves your problem? It only paints a target on my back.”
Silas didn’t even blink. “I can pay to place you at an inn, but beyond that, I have other responsibilities.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “You?—”
The door flew open.
“Absolutely not.” Amelia stormed into the room, her small frame radiating outrage. “You arenotthrowing her out.”
Silas growled. “Amelia. Get out.”
She ignored him completely and strode toward Helena, standing firmly at her side. “You can’t send her away, Silas. She has nowhere to go.”
“That is none of your concern,” he said coldly.
She threw up her hands. “Of course it is! You cannot just pluck a woman from a convent, bring her here, and then discard her like an unwanted pet.” Amelia turned, glaring at him.
Silas’s eyes darkened, his patience snapping. “I am not discarding her. I am offering to place her elsewhere, where she can find her own way.” His voice was steel, a sharp warning that would send most people retreating.
