“I know.” Clover started slowly toward the door, reluctance weighting her every step. “I just hope I can play the game and not give in to the urge to punch him right in the nose.”
“Best to leave that to Mr. MacGregor.”
Clover nodded and stepped out into the hall. She spared one brief glance toward Molly, who hurried off to the kitchen. She hoped Ballard would not leave her alone long with Thomas. It would be impossible to hide her anger for any considerable length of time. Besides, Thomas’s arrival had given her all the proof of his perfidy that she needed.
Thomas was pacing the front hall and lightly slapping his gloves against his breeches. The bruises from Ballard’s last beating were still faintly visible on his face. For reasons she could not grasp, the sight inspired her to remember things about Thomas she had chosen to ignore and forget—things she had shrugged away as mere rumor and unfounded gossip. The one that came to mind most clearly was the tale of John Reardon.
John had trounced Thomas at cards and had been found beaten nearly to death the next morning. Clover doubted that Thomas had done it himself, but she now strongly suspected he had ordered it done.
She took a deep breath, set her face in an expression of forlorn hurt, and cleared her throat, drawing Thomas’s attention. “Good morning, Thomas. I am surprised you would show your face here after your behavior on my wedding day.”
He took her hands in his. “I had to come, Clover. Once I heard the news—”
“What news?” Clover briefly feared that Ballard’s plan to fool Thomas had also fooled the town, and now a new scandal was brewing around her.
“Come, Clover, there is no need to maintain this dignified facade. When I heard that that backwoods oaf had gotten himself killed in a drunken brawl, I had to come.”
“Why?”
“Why? My dear girl, since that callow dog has been murdered, you are again in dire straits.”
“Ah, and you are here to rescue me.” Clover felt a strong unladylike urge to spit.
“My offer is still open. I realize it is not what a finely bred girl like you deserves, but my hands are tied. I assure you, however, that I will be a husband to you in all but name. This will not be some passing fancy where, in a year or two, you will again find yourself alone. Even if we no longer wish to reside together, I will see that you are well taken care of.”
“She already has someone to take care of her,” drawled Ballard as he stepped up behind Clover.
Clover was startled by Ballard’s sudden arrival. She had not heard a sound until he spoke and slipped his arm around her shoulders. Despite her curiosity about how Ballard could come out of the kitchen and move along the hall like a wraith, unseen and unheard, she turned her full attention back to Thomas.
He looked as if he had seen a ghost. His fair skin had turned a sickly gray. It took only a moment for him to collect himself, however, and his abrupt mood change made her uneasy. He glared at her.Still, she thought she saw fear lurking behind his anger.
“You might have told me that he had not died, Clover,” Thomas snapped.
She shrugged. “You gave me little chance to speak. You were too intent upon your own plans.” She shook her head. “I do not know which makes me sadder—that I misjudged your character and actually contemplated marrying you, or that after we have known each other so well, you would plot to hurt me so badly. In my time of need and grief you have thought only of yourself.”
“How can you accuse me of selfishness? I did it all for you, to help you.”
“Help me? Depriving me of my lawful husband, making me the laughingstock of the town, and setting me up to be your whore—all that was intended to help me? God save me from such help.”
“You ungrateful bitch!” Oblivious of Ballard’s presence, Thomas took a threatening step toward Clover.
“Ye are a little too free with your insults, laddie,” said Ballard as he moved to put himself between Thomas and Clover. “Molly has some tea waiting for ye, Clover. I will join ye in a moment.”
“Yes, send the child away,” Thomas hissed. “Those two fools failed to end your wretched life, but I will not.”
“Let us see if ye have the backbone to live up to your threats.”
“Please,” Clover began, afraid for Ballard.
“Go to the kitchen, Clover,” he ordered.
After briefly hesitating while she debated the wisdom of meekly obeying Ballard’s command, Clover went to the kitchen. Thomas was eager for afight. In truth, he was eager to kill her husband. There was nothing she could do. Ballard had to defend himself in any way he could.
“Here, miss,” Molly greeted her as she entered the kitchen. “Sit and have some tea.”
Clover smiled faintly as she sat down at the table, in one of the few remaining chairs. “Where are my mother and the twins?”
“Mr. MacGregor sent them off to the shops.” Molly served Clover her tea, then sat down to have a cup herself. “He felt it best that they were gone when that rapscallion came a-calling.”
