Sister Frances cleared her throat, voice lowering slightly. “You have a young sister, do you not, Your Grace? I imagine you understand how… dangerous the world can be for girls of a certain age.”
Silas’s smile froze. A subtle shift in the room followed.
He rose, slowly, without raising his voice. “Indeed. I amveryaware of the dangers.”
There was nothing overt in his tone, but the warning beneath it was unmistakable.
Sister Philomena took a step back, sensing it. Sister Frances stood her ground—barely.
“Well,” Silas said calmly, “you’ve had your audience. I suggest you return to your convent. Immediately.”
Sister Frances tried to recover her authority. “We serve God, Your Grace.”
“Then pray you continue to do soelsewhere,” Silas replied, his voice still even. “Because if you come near anyone under my care again, especially my sister, there will be consequences. Of that, you may be certain.”
Neither woman replied.
Silas gestured toward the door.
The footman appeared almost instantly, summoned by the unspoken command in the Duke’s posture.
“Please escort the sisters to their carriage,” Silas said. “Make sure they leave the grounds.”
The nuns said nothing as they were led away.
Silas sat back down with a sigh, shaking his head.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door and he straightened up.
“Yes?” he called out.
The door opened and his sister Amelia stuck her head in. “Is it safe?”
Silas nodded. “They’ve left.”
She stepped into the room, closely followed by Helena.
Silas gave a sigh of exasperation. “What are you doing here? What if they come back?”
“Are you saying they can traipse through your house without your permission?” Amelia said.
Silas narrowed his eyes at his sister. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
“We saw them ride away through my window before we came down.” Amelia said.
Silas’s gaze shifted to Helena. She’d been very quiet during this exchange, and he was curious as to why. He quirked an eyebrow at her, but she kept her own eyes lowered and never said a word.
Amelia reached out and held her hand. “Helena will be all right, won’t she?” she asked anxiously.
“I said I would protect her, didn’t I?”
Amelia immediately relaxed. “You did.”
“I’ll protect you too. You do know that, don’t you?”
Amelia giggled. “Of course I do, silly. You’re my brother. You always take care of me.”
Silas nodded and tried to smile, though he was still seething from his conversation with the nuns.
