Mr. Berkley took a rapid step back. “I’m not—”
“Don’t come near Violet or Hyacinth again.” Sterling didn’t realize he’d shifted his coat aside and gripped the handle of his revolver until Mr. Berkley’s gaze slid there. “Stay away from them, do you hear me?”
Mr. Berkley seemed to swallow hard. “I don’t have a choice about them working at the dancehall. I shook on the deal with Claude.”
“Unshake the deal.”
“I can’t. I signed the offer this morning.”
“I don’t care if you signed a note in blood.” Sterling’s voice rose with his anger. “You resolve your own problems like a man instead of cowering behind your daughters.”
Mr. Berkley had the decency to finally look chagrined. With a shaking hand, he tugged at one of the undone buttons on his shirt. “Maybe you can loan me the money, Sterling. For old times’ sake.”
Sterling didn’t know the amount Mr. Berkley owed but guessed it was substantial if he was in trouble enough that he’d sell out his own daughters.
“Please, Sterling. I promise I’ll repay you.” Mr. Berkley grabbed Sterling’s arm, revealing overlong fingernails that were lined with grime.
What had happened to bring him to this point?
Something in the man’s expression told Sterling that owing gambling debts wasn’t a new problem, that he had a history of the trouble.
If so, why hadn’t Violet ever told him about her father’s issues?
Sterling had the feeling the story was complex, had even been embarrassing. Even so, that didn’t excuse her for not telling him. Was it possible he’d never given her the opportunity to be open? Had he been so enamored with her that he’d glossed over deeper issues? Had he pushed them too fast and, in doing so, neglected having more meaningful conversations?
A strange tremor worked through his chest. All this time he’d been blaming Violet for ruining their relationship. What if he’dhad some responsibility in the demise too? What if he’d played a much greater role than he’d realized?
Had he done something to unknowingly push her away? He hadn’t thought about that possibility before. Even if his actions hadn’t alienated her, he had to admit he hadn’t facilitated openness with her. If he had, wouldn’t she have felt more comfortable coming to him and talking about what was wrong instead of running away and hiding all that she felt?
Sterling stared at Mr. Berkley for a moment longer, the tremor spreading throughout his body. Yes, he’d been blaming her for everything and hadn’t considered how he may have been insensitive or callous to her.
“If you loan me the money,” Mr. Berkley said, the desperation back in his voice, “I’ll make sure Violet marries you this time.”
Sterling shook his head. “No. I don’t want Violet back, especially not like that.” Like a piece of livestock going to the highest bidder. “The truth is, you’ll have to figure out how to pay off your debts on your own, without my help, and definitely without Violet’s.”
Mr. Berkley’s shoulders slumped. “Of course. You’re right. You’re right.”
“Then you agree that pressuring your daughters to work at the dancehall is despicable?”
Mr. Berkley nodded, almost sadly. “Yes, it’s quite despicable. And I shouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“That’s right.” Sterling prayed the man was sincere. “You’ll call off the deal?”
“I have to. It’s not fair to my daughters.”
“You need to rip up that offer.”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Sterling released a tight breath, the tension starting to ease from his muscles. Maybe he was helping Violet today bygetting Mr. Berkley to recognize the error of his ways. Hopefully, now she would be able to return home and be safe.
He still wasn’t sure where she’d gone off to. But once he tracked her down, he’d reassure her that her father was apologetic and wouldn’t hand her over to anyone in a scheme to pay off his debt.
Without another word to Mr. Berkley, Sterling turned and made his way back to his horse.
The clouds gathering in the west were turning darker and more ominous. Where had Violet gone? That was the bigger issue at the moment, especially with snow on the way. The other issue was whether or not he ought to keep looking for her or let her go.
Certainly, after coming to town, he’d done more than his fair share. It was time to get back to work and put her from his mind.
