She squirmed in her seat. What was she supposed to say to that? “I reckon I got what I deserved.”
“I reckon you did.” He withdrew a cigar from the box at his side. “There was something about the man that didn’t set right with me from the first day I laid eyes on him. I’m still waiting to hear from my agent, but I’m sure he’ll dig?—”
“There was one more thing.” Her chest tightened. She had to steer this weasel off course. This was her chance. What to say? Devon was depending on her to get it right. “I wouldn’t necessarily trust your agent.”
“You don’t know anything about my agent.”
“I know what I overheard Dev—Reynolds saying to Miss Perfect.”
“What?” He leaned forward.
“That he has men inside your circle. That he’s here from Confederate headquarters. Spying on you.”
He shot up off the desk. “Spying on me?”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you.”
“And why the devil not?”
“He made it sound as if you weren’t to be trusted. Which is rather funny coming from Mr. Two-Timing Liar.” She bit her lip.Please let this be the right thing to do,Lord. For Devon’s sake. “They…Confederate headquarters suspect you of keeping some of the cotton for yourself. Selling it off and using it to buy all those acres you’ve been snatching up. They sent him to investigate.”
“What?” His hands clenched. “How dare they? Did he mention any names?”
“Not that I heard.”
“And to use a scum like him!” He paced, strangling his unlit cigar between his fingers. “You heard him say all of this to her? Why would he tell that stupid girl his business?” He jerked to a halt right in front of her. Legs wide and hands on his hips, he towered over her.
Morning Fawn scooted against the chair back and gazed into his razor glare. This was the moment that counted—she had to sell the story. For Devon’s sake. “He was bragging to her. Pressing for more than kisses, from what I could tell. Maybe also wanting her to help with digging up information.”
“What did she say?”
“She put off the helping part, but things got kind of quiet and muffled. I couldn’t see. But I was ready to leap through the bushes and scratch her face off. Then I accidentally stepped on a stick. Reynolds jumped up. I took off running because I didn’t want him to see me in this get-up and know I’d gone to all of this trouble for him.” She sniffled. The lie and half truths sat rotten in her belly.
He worked his jaw as if trying to puzzle it all out in his head.
“I didn’t know if I should tell you.” She fiddled with her worn cuff. “If you were really stealing from the Confederates… Not that I care that much for the war, but people worked hard to harvest that cotton.” She squirmed. The binding around her chest bit into her flesh. “But then again, the warriors from my village stole from the whites, and it was counted as honorable.”
“I can assure you, I’m not stealing.”
“I figured Reynolds and those higher-ups were probably wrong.” She cast a glance his way and stood. “I need to getheaded home. I snuck off. I’ve got to get back before they discover I’m missing.”
“No.”
“No?” Was he going to try and hold her? He didn’t believe her?
He eyed her appraisingly. “You’re nothing like I thought you were. I have been mistaken in how I’ve attempted to court you.”
“I understand I have broken your trust.” She coiled her hair and inched toward the door. “I’ll make up an excuse to my uncle about why you stopped calling, and I’ll ask them to return Ebony to you.”
“My dear Beth, you greatly misunderstand.” He stepped toward her. “You’re exactly the woman I want to court. Only, I have been going about it as if you were a light-headed damsel in need of a man’s protection and catering to your every whim.” He puffed out his chest. “I see now that you’re more of an equal.”
A compliment she actually cared about. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Moyer.”
“Honest praise, and it’s Nick.” He might as well have had fox ears, the way he eyed her. “I’ll personally escort you home after I’ve procured you decent clothing and had a servant girl look after your feet. I’ll tell your uncle you came to see me. That I’d invited you but hadn’t realized you’d attempt the journey without an escort. I’ll apologize profusely and assure him we had a proper chaperone at all times. As proof to him, I’ll have one of my servants ride back with us.”
She blinked at him and took a step back. “I have my own clothes and Ebony. I just need to get back to them. Maybe your servant could give me a ride. Then I could find my own way home.”
“And get in trouble? Or risk danger on the return trip? I wouldn’t hear of it.”
