“She’s well. I believe we finally chased off Francis Beck for good.” Stuart sat back in his chair, pleased with himself and yet wondering why he’d mentioned this to Jeremy.
“Beck?” Jeremy gave him a puzzled expression. “Why, he’s older than our father.”
“Indeed.” Stuart closed his mouth before the words he wanted to say fell out.You should have been there. It was your duty to chase off your sister’s unwanted suitors.Goodness knew how many useless men bent on courting Ruthann he’d turned away before she married Nate. Charles was busy with his own growing family; it should have been Jeremy’s responsibility to see Norah had visits from decent men.
Would he have considered Stuart a decent prospect?
Nowthatwas a ludicrous thought. And here he was, thinking it. Even as Nate asked Jeremy whether he had enough to eat and decent clothing to wear, Stuart couldn’t shake the thought of courting Norah from his head.
His thoughts about Norah had been verging away from friendship into something else lately, but he was hardly courting her—although it would certainly please her mother. And he certainly would never do anything that would put her reputation at risk.
Well, aside from looking very cozy with her on the street yesterday, but that was for a very good reason.
“Stuart paid a visit to the depot yesterday.” Nate’s words yanked Stuart’s attention back into the moment. “He spoke with Mr. Rose.”
Jeremy’s face remained impassive, but sadness seemed to spark in his eyes, drowning that empty look he’d carried in with him. “How is he?”
“He’s well.” Stuart leaned forward, laying his arms on the table. “I asked him about you.”
Jeremy raised his eyebrows. “Why would you do that?”
“Because your sister is entirely convinced that you’re telling her the truth. And she’s determined to prove it.”
Jeremy stared at him a moment, and then slowly shook his head. “You can’t let her do that.”
There it was.
Stuart glanced at Nate, who looked just as confused as Stuart had felt since his first visit to Jeremy. “And why, pray, can’t we?”
Jeremy sat back, silent, his arms crossed.
“I know there’s something you aren’t sharing with us. Norah does too. And you know her—she’s bullheaded enough to follow that belief to the detriment of everything else in her life. You’d save us all a lot of time if you’d give us a good reason for your claim of innocence.” Stuart paused and waited for an answer.
But none was forthcoming.
Stuart pressed his lips together, irritation with Jeremy boiling up from inside. He clenched his hands on the table. “From where I sit, you’re guiltier than sin.”
“I did nothing wrong that night.”
Stuart threw his hands up. “Why should we believe you? The entire town thinks you killed that man.”
Jeremy frowned. But still, he remained silent.
“Right. Forget I ever tried to help you.” And with that, Stuart stood suddenly, his chair scraping against the floor.
The guard in the corner started forward, looking ready to toss Stuart out the door. Stuart raised his hands, muttered an apology to the guard, and sat again, half-turned away from Jeremy. If the man couldn’t tell the truth to his friends, he wasn’t someone Stuart wanted to spend time with, much less worry about day after day.
Nate’s mouth formed a straight line as he looked away from Stuart and back to Jeremy. He leaned forward, dropping his voice. “It’s clear you’re keeping something from us. I don’t know why, and I don’t know what it is. But if it’s something that will ease your sister’s mind, I suggest you share it with us. Else she’ll spend the next twenty-eight years fretting over you and forgetting to live her own life.” Nate paused. “And I don’t think that’s what you want for her.”
Jeremy closed his eyes while Stuart looked at Nate with new admiration. He’d known just what to say to get a reaction from Jeremy.
But would it be enough?
“I never meant to hurt anyone.” Jeremy opened his eyes. “Least of all my friends and family.”
Given how many times Jeremy had dusted him off like an irritating housefly, Stuart was disinclined to believe his old friend had thought of anyone besides himself.
“And that railroadman?” Nate asked quietly.
