He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Shadows draped the room, the single lamp on the bedside table casting a soft glow over Mandie’s pale face. She looked small and fragile propped against the pillows.
Too fragile.
His chest tightened at the sight of her so vulnerable, so unlike the vibrant, determined woman she’d proven to be.
“Are you…” His voice rasped, so he cleared his throat. “Are you well?”
She motioned to the chair beside the bed. “Please sit.”
He hesitated, then crossed the room and lowered himself into the chair, the wood creaking beneath his weight. This close, he could see the faint tremble in her hands where they rested atop the quilt.
The urge to reach out and cover them with his own to offer comfort and strength rose sharp and strong. He curled his fingers into his palms, holding himself in check.
Maybe now she would give him answers, explanations that would ease the knot in his gut. But would the truth only make things worse?
Mandie’s dark eyes met his, a flicker of trepidation in their depths. Then her gaze moved away, settling on some distant point beyond his shoulder. “I…some of my memories returned today. Not all, but…enough to understand my condition.”
His pulse pounded in his ears. “And?”
She drew in a shaking breath, her fingers gripping the quilt. “I believe my deceased husband’s brother, he…he took advantage. Forced himself on me.” Her voice cracked on the last words. “And the doctor confirmed that…that I am now with child.”
A flash flood of emotions crashed through him. What man, what vile, filthy creature would commit such a heinous act? Against his brother’s widow, no less.
Rage seared through him, hot and primal, urging him to violence against this monster. It took everything in him to keep from leaping to his feet. Demanding the man’s name. He would make him pay. See him tortured until his last breath.
But Enoch forced himself to stay seated, to hear what Mandie was still saying.
Her face had grown paler than the white edging around the quilt. “I understand this isn’t what you expected when you made your proposal. I’m aware the offer of marriage is likely no longer open to me.”
She raised her chin, but he could see the tremor in it. “If you would allow me to impose on your hospitality a few more days, until I regain my strength, I would be most grateful. Then I’ll be on my way.”
Her words pierced through the red haze of his fury, dousing it like icy water. She thought he would rescind his proposal? Turn her out because of the vile acts of another?
“No.” The word burst from him, almost too loud.
She flinched, and he took in a breath, then forced himself to speak more gently. “I am so,sosorry that happened to you, Mandie.” His voice broke midway through that sentence, but he pressed on. “Sorrier than I can say. If you haven’t already brought the man to justice, I will gladly do so myself.”
He leaned forward to catch her gaze, willing her to see the sincerity in his. “As for the rest, my offer still stands. I would never hold against you something so awful donetoyou. You’re not to blame in the slightest. And the child...” His throat tightened. “I was raised to believe a child is a blessing from God. A gift to celebrate. To protect and cherish. I’d be honored to do so. For you both.”
Mandie stared at him, her dark eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. “You can’t mean that.” Her voice came out as little more than a whisper. “A child born from such circumstances?—”
“Is innocent.” He cut her off before she could finish the thought.
He reached out and took her hand in his. Such a small, delicate hand against his roughened palm. “This babe has done nothing wrong. And neither have you.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she dashed it away with her free hand. “But the scandal, the shame it would bring on your family…on you. How can I ask you to bear that?”
He tightened his grip on her fingers, willing her to feel his conviction. “You’re not asking. I am.” He held her gaze, letting her see the truth in his eyes. “I’m strong enough to help. To face this with you.” He infused his tone with a bit of that strength. “Please let me.”
Mandie’s eyes searched his for a long moment. At last, she drew in a shuddering breath, her fingers tightening around his. “I don’t know what to say.” Her voice trembled, thick with emotion. “Your kindness, your generosity...it’s more than I could have hoped for.”
He squeezed her hand, a gentle pressure. “You don’t have to say anything. Just know that my offer comes with no conditions, no expectations. I want to help in whatever way I can.”
She nodded, another tear slipping free to trail down her cheek. “Thank you, Enoch. Truly. I…I don’t know if I can accept. Not yet. It’s so much to take in.” Her free hand drifted to her middle, resting there. “But knowing I have a choice, that I’m not alone in this…it means more than you can know.”
His chest tightened at the vulnerability, the tentative hope in her eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to shelter her from all the cruelties and hurts the world had inflicted. But he held himself in check.
She’d had too many choices stripped away. He wouldn’t pressure her now.
