The captain stepped out from the shadows. Not enough to see him in full, but enough for the moon to illuminate the silver-and-sand hair falling past his shoulders. He was arresting, even in silhouette—so much more than Anthony, the excuse-for-a-man he had allowed to insult him.
“You could easily have put an end to Mr. Anthony’s persecution, if you had wished.” She imagined even Emmaus could not have restrained this man if he’d been intent on a fight. “Why did you let him taunt you?”
After a long silence he answered, “Why do you allow him to court you?”
She bristled. “I have not.”
“I heard you tell him you were a widow in need of protection.”
She sucked in chilled air through her teeth. “A gentleman doesn’t eavesdrop.”
“I was merely passing through the courtyard.” He dipped his head. “And what gave you the impression I am a gentleman?”
Sending him a wary glance. “Am I in danger?”
“No.” His voice softened. “And it was not my place to ask such an impertinent question. What is between you and that man is none of my concern. Consider me chastised.”
He did not sound chastised in the least.
“I did notallowAnthony to court me. I repeated his words to me.”
“He told you that you were in need of protection?” Anger vibrated through his voice. Anger he barely contained. “In an overt threat?”
She nodded.
“I hadn’t considered—”
Her huff interrupted him. “Of course you hadn’t. No man can understand what it is to be a woman alone. To need escort or approval for the simplest—”
“I’ve been imprisoned,” he interrupted back. “You cannotimaginewhat I understand, Lady Cheverley.”
The edge in his voicerendered her mute.
“Would you explain?” he asked more softly.
“The duke is not yet well, and I haven’t the authority to oust Mr. Anthony or Lord Thomas. Mr. Anthony is serving as the steward. Lord Thomas is Thaddeus’s guardian per my husband’s will. The rest are their invited guests.”
“Can’t you depart? Turn to someone for help?”
“I cannot leave...not without abandoning—”Blast!She hadn’t expected the swell in her throat. The sting in her eyes.
“Without abandoning what?” he whispered.
“Without abandoning my son’s inheritance. Without abandoning my husband’s”—her voice cracked—“home.”
Thatwaswhy she could not leave, wasn’t it? Because leaving meant abandoning all hope. And some small part of her expected Cheverley to return.
Some small part of her had even hoped—she eyed the captain and then shook her head.
“I...” He stopped. “I see.”
Did he? She doubted. “And you? I asked a question, and you have yet to answer.” She did not even care how petulant that sounded. “Why did you suffer Anthony’s taunts?”
“You could say I lost a battle to win the war.” He tilted his head. “The humblest are often underestimated.”
“But why? Why bother engaging him in the first place?”
“He made me angry on your behalf—sitting there, acting as if he had every right to claim what—” He twisted his shoulders—not so much a shrug as a sign of discomfort. “You—through Emmaus—gave me shelter.”
