Enoch’s jaw clenched. The snake was smooth. He’d give him that.
Mrs. Sinclair’s gaze swung back to Mandie, who stood wrapped in her own arms, looking small and vulnerable against the door frame. The sight of her like that—alone and doubted even by her own parents—made Enoch want to stride up those steps and pull her against his side.
“Amanda.” Her mother’s voice came gentler now, but also carried an edge of doubt. “We can discuss all of this on the way home. Perhaps you can stay with your cousin Margaret at the plantation in the country until after the baby arrives. No one need know there was any...irregularity. We can smooth this over.”
The words hit Enoch like a physical blow. They were going to sweep this under a rug and ship Mandie off to hide her shame—while Clayton walked free. The injustice of it sent fire racing through his veins.
But it was Mandie’s reaction that twisted his gut. She looked…hesitant. As if she might actually be considering their offer. The thought made something cold and desperate claw at his chest.
Did shewantto go with them? These people who’d brought her attacker straight to her, who questioned her word even now?
But they were her parents. Her family.
No matter how poorly they’d protected her, blood ties ran deep. He understood that pull—the desperate need to belong somewhere, to be wanted by the people who should love you the most.
“I…” Mandie’s voice was barely audible. “I don’t know.”
Clayton stepped forward, his expression the picture of wounded nobility. “Amanda, my dear, if I’ve somehow given you the wrong impression?—”
“Stay back.” The words tore from Enoch’s throat before he could stop them. He moved to block Clayton’s path completely, every instinct screaming at him to protect what was his.
Except she wasn’t his. And if she chose to leave with them, she never would be.
The realization hit him like a physical blow. He’d spent so much time building walls to protect himself from loss that he’d never allowed himself to consider what he might be losing bykeeping her at arm’s length. James had tried to tell him. Now—when it might be too late—he finally had to face his loss.
James stepped up beside him, his own expression grim. “Perhaps we should let Mandie make her own decision without pressure from anyone.”
Clayton’s mask slipped for just an instant, revealing a flash of irritation before the concerned expression returned. “Of course. Though I think we can all agree that Amanda needs the support of her family during this difficult time.”
“Support?” Enoch spat the word. “Is that what you call bringing her attacker to her refuge?”
Mr. Sinclair finally spoke, his weathered face creased with confusion and growing anger. “Now see here, young man. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but Clayton is?—”
“A liar and a villain.” Enoch’s voice cut through the man’s words like a sword. He was done with politeness, done with letting that snake charm his way out of consequences. “Your daughter fled halfway across the country to escape him, and you brought him right to her.”
Clayton’s face flushed with righteous indignation. “Sir, I must protest this slanderous?—”
“Protest all you want.” Robert moved to flank Enoch’s other side, his usually gentle demeanor replaced by something far more dangerous. “But we’ve seen what your presence does to Mandie. That’s all the proof we need.”
Thomas stepped forward as well, completing the wall of Balfour brothers between Clayton and the porch. “Seems to me a real gentleman would respect a lady’s wishes and leave when asked.”
Clayton’s composure finally cracked, his charming mask slipping to reveal the cold calculation beneath. His sneer swept over the four of them. “How touching. The lady found herself some frontier protectors.” His lips curved. “But this is a familymatter, and Amanda will come to her senses once she’s away from whatever influence you’ve exerted over her.”
“The only influence we’ve exerted”—Enoch kept his voice steady—“is showing her what it means to be treated with respect.”
Mandie’s sharp intake of breath drew every eye. She stood straighter now, her chin lifted with a resolve that made Enoch’s chest tighten with pride and fear in equal measure. When she spoke, her voice carried across the yard with crystal clarity.
“I’m not leaving here.” She descended the porch steps slowly, her emerald dress rustling with each measured movement. “I won’t hide away on some plantation to spare the family from scandal.”
Her mother’s face went pale. “Amanda, be reasonable. Think of your reputation. Think of the child.”
“I am thinking of my child.” Mandie’s hand moved to cover her middle. “Which is why I won’t put either of us anywhere near him.”
Her gaze fixed on Clayton with unmistakable revulsion. “You want to know the truth? Clayton cornered me in my parlor and insisted I marry him. When I refused his proposal, he forced himself on me on the very sofa where my husband used to read his evening papers.”
The raw honesty in her voice cut through the afternoon air like a blade.
Clayton’s face went ashen, then flushed dark red.
