“Lass, Thomas didnae leave ye here alone. I did. I discounted Thomas as a real danger because he was far away and I didnae give Big Jim’s threats the weight they deserved.”
“Neither did I, but I do not blame myself. Neither should you. For mercy’s sake, Ballard, we are dealing with a madman. Our only error was in not realizing just how mad Thomas is, or how doggedly he would pursue us. Now we can see that in his madness, he has centered all his efforts on us. He is convinced that he must defeat you. Lord knows why. ‘Tis impossible to follow such twisted reasoning. You have become his personal demon and he will not stop tormenting us until he has vanquished you. You cannot be blamed or faulted for not anticipating that.”
Ballard lightly traced a scratch on her cheek. “I saw ye come back looking so bedraggled, knew ye had been through a harsh ordeal, and was ashamed thatyet again ye had had to face such danger alone. I didnae feel worthy of touching you.”
“Yes, you did seem to be acting in a particularly thickheaded way.” She met his sharp glance with a sweet smile.
“I was riddled with guilt. It can cloud a mon’s thoughts.”
“You have nothing to feel guilty about. You were coming after me; I could see that. What else could you do?”
He shook his head. “God help me, I have made your life a real misery.”
“Whatareyou muttering about?”
“Ye turned to me for help. ‘Tis why ye proposed. And what have ye got? Ye nearly drown on the way here, ye get chased by a bear, nearly struck by lightning, and now my enemies are after ye.”
“They are my enemies too,” she said, but she could see that he was too caught up in his own thoughts to listen.
“And I have forced ye to put away your pretty gowns and wear calico.” He took her hands in his. “And look at your wee hands. ‘Tis a wonder ye can abide speaking to me.”
“Ballard, do you think me so shallow that I have naught to do but fret over the condition of my gowns and hands?”
“Nay, lass. But everything is different for ye now.”
“Ballard, I have no complaints and you are to stop wallowing in self-pity and blame. Right now.”
He smiled faintly. “Are ye giving your husband an order?”
“I am, and I was sorely tempted to give you one or two when I arrived.”
“Oh, aye? Such as?”
“Such as please hold me,” she whispered and then grimaced. “I wanted a hug. I wanted a big welcome.”
“And I just looked at ye.”
She nodded. “It sounds a bit weak, but I wanted to hide in you for just a little while because I was afraid and tired and sore.”
“It doesnae sound weak, lass. I wish I hadnae acted like such an idiot. Is it too late now?”
“Well, with a little effort you could make amends.” She patted the mattress next to her. “Come to bed, Ballard.” She almost laughed at how quickly he acted upon her invitation.
He gently pulled her into his arms. “Are ye hurt badly, loving?”
“Sore, but that could be as much from the rescue as the capture.”
“I dinnae seem to be doing much rescuing meself,” he murmured, stung again by his inability to keep her safe.
“Poor Ballard,” she teased, then grew serious. “‘Tis all up to you now, though.”
“I ken it. I will get him, Clover. I will put a stop to this.”
For a while they just held each other. Clover knew it would be some time before she completely recovered from her ordeal. Now she was deeply afraid—for herself and for Ballard. Even being in Ballard’s strong arms could not completely dispel that fear. She was pleased that he was no longer holding himself apart from her, however. They needed to be together now. It was the only way they would have a chance of beating Thomas Dillingsworth.
“Clover?” Ballard kissed her cheek. “What is in the box on the dressing chest?”
She smiled. Several times in the last few minutes he had glanced at the box her mother had brought in to her. It held the money from the sale of their belongings in Langleyville. Ballard had been curious, but he had restrained himself from peeking. She wondered how he would react when she told him what she planned to do with the money. She knew he wanted Willie to be free of Morrisey as badly as she did, but money was hard to come by.
