Kiernan came to a halt a foot away, his jaw still rigid. “He’ll look weak if he allows someone like Torin to break away from his gang. If he doesn’t punish Torin in some way, then he’ll risk other men defying him.”
Torin had already explained all of that to her. In fact, she’d learned through some of the people she’d shared the tenement with during her first days in St. Louis that no one left their gangs. It was seen as disloyal, ungrateful, and even traitorous. Those who tried to break away didn’t last long. Their bodies were usually found drowned in the Mississippi.
She couldn’t let that happen to Torin. If it was within her power to keep him from danger, then she had to do it.
“Is there anything we can be doing to keep Torin safe?” She threw the question out to Kiernan even though she already knew the answer.
She’d either have to marry Shaw or someone else. Even that was no guarantee of saving Torin.
Kiernan latched a hand on to her arm. “You can do your best not to be seen until I find another place for you to hide.” He started to tug her off the pier.
She held herself back. “I have to wait here for Bellamy.”
Kiernan released her as if she’d suddenly turned hot to the touch. “Why are you waiting for Bellamy?”
“He went to get Torin so we could have a meeting. I don’t rightly know why. But with Shaw in the area, maybe they’re wanting to speed up the plans to get me married.”
Kiernan peered around the perimeter of the pond, his eyes narrowed upon every detail. “It’s possible.” He took off his hat, ran his fingers through his auburn hair, then rubbed at the back of his neck.
He was silent for a moment as more raindrops plopped against the pier. His expression held an unusual gravity that sent a strange tremor through her.
Finally, he dropped his hand and blew out a tight breath. “It could also be because of what happened last evening.”
“What happened?”
He didn’t meet her gaze. “When Shelia came over and we told her I was matched.”
“You mean whenItold her.”
“I didn’t disagree with you.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Regardless, she went home and spread the news, so now everyone believes I have a match.”
“I’m sorry, Kiernan.”
His eyes flashed to hers, the dark blue turbulent. “I’m meeting with Bellamy today, too, so he can help me figure everything out.”
What would Kiernan do next? The question begged to be asked, but although she’d grown more comfortable around him after spending so much time with him recently, she still wasn’t bold enough to pry into his plans with Bellamy. Or maybe she was a coward and afraid of what Kiernan might say.
He palmed the back of his neck again and stared out over the pond, the smooth surface broken by the raindrops. “I’m afraid that’s not the worst of the rumors.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Someone saw us together last night, didn’t they?”
His eyes held an apology. “No. It’s worse than that.”
“Worse?”
“Shelia also spread the rumor that I’ve been...” Kiernan’s expression became pained. “That we’ve been...”
Her stomach clenched at what she knew was to come.
A flush worked its way up his neck. “She told everyone that I’ve been having a dalliance with you.”
“Mercy.” Heat surged into her face too. “Whyever would she do such a thing? ’Tis malicious. Cruel, even.”
“She’s not usually a malicious person.” His whisper was laden with distress. “But she also likes to have her way.”
“She’s wanting you to keep loving her even though she has Liam?”
“Maybe.”
