“Correct. You called me mad.”
“And my opinion has not changed. I imagine you believe that marriage will remove you from Miss Headley’s crosshairs. What evidence do you have to support that?”
“Only that she’s never had an affair with a married man. Never showed any interest in one. She doesn’t pursue what someone’s already claimed. She covets what she thinks willtweak her father’s nose but not what will force his hand to disown her.”
“He would do that?”
“I don’t know. She thinks he would. That works to Victor’s benefit. It keeps Victorine from acting too rashly.”
“And shooting was not a rash act? Why isn’t she in jail?”
“I didn’t press charges, and Victor never learned of it. I left the house without assistance and the cabdriver waiting for me took me to the hospital. I have always assumed Victorine had a plausible explanation for staff brave enough to inquire. The shot wasn’t loud, no one saw me leave, so there is a possibility that there were no questions.”
“Your family?”
“Took it in stride.”
“Why do you think she’s coming here?”
“Not because she wants to kill me.”
“I agree. So why?”
“She wants a marriage proposal. She indicated that was what she was expecting to hear when I broke it off.”
“So if you’re married, you can’t very well propose to her.”
“That’s right.”
Lily pressed three fingers to her temple and briefly closed her eyes. “I believe I have the beginnings of a headache, Mr. Shepard.”
“I’m sorry. Can I get you something?”
“No. You can tell me how this would work exactly. You have a plan, I suppose.”
“I do. You and I will take the train to Liberty Junction, where we’ll have lunch at the Boxwood Hotel. We will introduce ourselves as Mr. and Mrs. Shepard to anyone who asks, and after we take a leisurely walk through town, we’ll catch the late afternoon train and return to Frost Falls. People in Liberty Junction will believe we are married and people here will learn we eloped.”
“That’s your plan?”
“It probably needs refining.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And you have to agree. It hinges on that.”
“I’m glad you realize it.” Lily kept her gaze steady on Roen. He did not look away. She suspected it was easier forhim than it was for her. Her heart was racing. “How do I benefit if I agree?”
“I am encouraged you haven’t said no.”
“That may be, but it is not an answer to my question. You never considered that I might ask for something in return.”
“You’re right, I didn’t. I suppose I was relying on your compassion.”
“Not a good idea, Mr. Shepard.” She tilted her head to one side. “Well?”
“Tutoring,” he said.
Lily’s brow puckered. “How’s that again?”
