Victoria appeared in the doorway, followed by two broad-shouldered men. She smiled in that self-confident way they’d all come to recognize.
“Where have you been?” Judith got to her feet. “We’ve been worried.”
“Well, you needn’t ever do so again.” Victoria looked over her shoulder at the men behind her. “My trunks are upstairs. Turn left, and then the first room on the right past the bath.” The men nodded and took off up the stairs.
“Wait just a minute, fellas,” Patrick commanded. The men stopped. “What’s this all about, Victoria?”
“Today I received my freedom from Judith. Abraham Ruef and Arthur Morgan arranged for a judge to make me free of your guardianship. My inheritance was released, and I am moving to a hotel. Arthur secured me a suite of rooms there, and I won’t have to live in this abhorrent little house any longer.”
Judith shook her head. “Do you have proof of this?”
“I do, but none that I feel inclined to show you. I don’t owe you anything, cousin. I am a woman in my own right. I have a lawyer who will happily sue you, should you try to impose any of your restrictions on me.”
“This house still belongs to Caleb Coulter,” Patrick reminded her. “So before ye have yer goons traipsin’ upstairs, ye’d do well to get Miss Coulter’s permission, since he’s absent.”
“I say good riddance,” Camri said, putting aside her napkin. “Let me show you the way, gentlemen.” She got up and brushed past Victoria without another word.
Judith remained in place. “I’m sure you realize by now that Arthur Morgan is under arrest.”
Victoria laughed. “He was detained but not arrested.”
“What?” Micah jumped to his feet. “What do you mean, he wasn’t arrested?”
Kenzie took hold of his arm. She felt a tremor run through her. Of course Arthur wouldn’t be arrested. He was wealthy and could pay his way out of anything. Especially when a corrupt government was otherwise preoccupied with the city’s resurrection.
Victoria laughed. “Honestly. Did you think you could defeat a Morgan?” She shook her head. “You have no idea what that man is capable of. The two men who held you hostage told the judge they alone were responsible. They assured the judge that Mr. Morgan was in no way their acquaintance nor their employer. They threw themselves on the mercy of the court, explaining that sheer hunger and loss drove them to their woeful deeds.” She offered a smug smile before adding, “Arthur is happily dining with Abraham Ruef this evening to discuss filing charges against you all for your terrible treatment of him this morning.”
“Of all the nerve!” Micah declared and looked down at Kenzie. “Are we never to be rid of this miscreant?”
Kenzie didn’t want to add to Micah’s discomfort, so she merely shook her head. “It’s not important. We needn’t let Arthur or Victoria ruin our happiness.”
“What’s this about ruined happiness?” Camri asked, returning to the dining room as the two men carried Victoria’s trunks to the door.
“Apparently Mr. Morgan is free from responsibility in holding Micah against his will,” Judith told her. “He’s even considering suing us for our part in rescuing Micah and having him arrested.”
Camri looked at Victoria askance. “I’m sure once Caleb returns, he’ll be able to manage all of this easily. Mr. Morgan isn’t the only one with friends.”
“Friends can’t accomplish what money can. Arthur has enough wealth to see you all ruined,” Victoria reminded them.
Judith crossed the room to her cousin as the men stomped back upstairs. “You might remember that I have plenty of money now, myself. I won’t let you or anyone else cause problems for this family. Now, take your things and go. I hope in time you will mature into a woman half as noble as our grandmother, but I have my doubts.” She grabbed Victoria’s shoulders and turned her without warning. “Leave. You may wait in the car for your things.” She gave Victoria a hard push, which caused the younger woman to gasp.
“And you claim to be such a good Christian,” Victoria said sarcastically as she moved toward the front door.
Judith shook her head. “No, not at all. I’m a sinner saved by grace. Nothing more. If not for the love of Jesus in my heart, I would do more than show you the door.”
Victoria paused and glanced over her shoulder. Apparently Judith’s look of fierce determination was her undoing, and the younger woman hurried from the house without another word.
Judith went back to the table and took a seat, while Patrick waited in the hall until the last of the trunks had been delivered from upstairs. He locked the front door and returned to the dining room just as Micah sank back into his chair beside Kenzie.
For several minutes, all they could do was look at each other in stunned silence. It was hard to look back on the day and all that had happened without feeling a sense of disappointment in the news that Arthur was free. Kenzie wanted nothing more than to see him pay for his treatment of Micah. What if he’d ordered Micah killed? How could she have ever survived that pain?
They all slowly began eating again, but there was no real enthusiasm or conversation. No doubt everyone felt the same way Kenzie did.
Lord, we need Your comfort and guidance.
Kenzie glanced at Micah and could see the tic in his cheek. He was so angry. No doubt he had thought catching Arthur in the act would assure legal justice.
Calm his spirit, Lord. Help him to see that none of this matters anymore.
