“They are not my family,” Ash said, then walked away from his friend.
Reaching the graveyard, he picked up a shovel and began to dig.
“They are, as she is yours.”
“What?” He looked at Baron, who worked beside him. Surely he didn’t mean what Ash thought he did.
“You know what I mean. Don’t act the fool. You care for Dorset Sinclair, and she cares for you. The decision now will be if you are strong enough to take what she offers.”
“There is nothing between us and never will be.” Ash’s heart was thudding hard in his chest at the thought that Dorrie cared for him.
Baron stared at him for long seconds and then nodded. “So be it. If you wish to live your life without her, then of course that is your choice, but I never took you for a coward.”
“I am not a coward, and I will excuse you saying it because you are tired, but don’t think to do so again. We leave here for London soon. Once there, we find Radcliff.”
“As you wish.”
Ash wanted to punch Baron for the look he had on his face. Instead he said, “It is my wish.”
“My mistake. I thought you cared about her and your brother.”
“Why would you believe that?” Ash made himself scoff.
“Because you cannot keep your eyes from her, and I have never seen that look on your face before. Your brother, you have always loved.”
He swore softly beneath his breath but said nothing more. What more was there to say? He could not allow himself to care for her. Even if she was in his head constantly.
He made himself focus as they buried the body and stood with their eyes lowered as words were spoken and tears shed by those who had loved the woman.
Death wasn’t something that bothered Ash. He’d watched families weep over their loved ones dying, and yes, he’d felt their pain, but he’d taught himself to find distance from it. Distance from the pain of loss. Distance from the pain of a beating. He’d felt pain leaving Gus but had put that away inside him. He learned to live in a cold, emotionless state. It had been the only way he’d known how to survive. Now it was normal.
Gus had made him weak, and Dorset would be the same. He’d not been able to afford weakness on Radcliff’s ship; he could not afford it while he hunted him.
“Miss Essex told me the end is in sight,” Mr. Clackers said after he’d comforted the grieving family. He and Ash were now heading to the church to wash.
“Baron also told me this,” Ash said.
“We have been blessed to have him and the Sinclair sisters with us.”
“Yes, they have surely reduced the death toll significantly.”
A scream filled the air. Ash dropped the shovel he’d been carrying and started running. It wasn’t coming from the church but farther down the street.
“Help!”
He headed left. The house was set back slightly from the road. He knew who lived here. The Brunts. The woman with the empty eyes and the big man who had been sick. The man Ash knew was ready with his fists and was a danger to the Sinclairs. He ran in through the door as he heard something breaking.
“You Sinclairs are all witches. You will be burned for what you do!”
His entire body went cold as he found Murray Brunt, dressed in a nightshirt, holding Dorrie with an arm locked around her neck.
“Mr. Brunt, she saved you!” Emily Brunt cried.
“They’re witches. She was here to give you something to stop you giving me sons! I know it’s them that’s kept you barren!”
Dorrie was struggling against the arm, her eyes wide with both fear and anger.
“Let her go!” Ash roared. “Now!”
