“They say alcohol forces a man to speak the truth.”
Etta shook her head. “Men often lie and boast when they’re well into their cups. He was angry at something else, and that anger made him cruel.”
“Anger from the past has kept him cruel in life. I know that now.” Laura waited as Etta did up the buttons. “Sadly, I can hardly bear the sight of him. I hope things get settled soon.” She looked into the cheval mirror and frowned. “Yet settling them will probably see him hanged. How can I live with that?”
“None of it is your fault, Laura. Besides, Will loves you. I’m sure of that. Just as I’m sure you love him.”
“I do. But I fear it as much as I rejoice over it. There’s so much wrong.”
“But not between you and Will.” Etta turned Laura to face her. It was totally out of character for the older woman but seemed quite motherly. “You are a good woman of God, Laura Evans. Do not let the devil whisper lies in your ears.” They heard the knocker on the front door downstairs. “That will be Will,” Etta said, dropping her arms. “Now, calm your heart, and go have a wonderful evening and tell that young man how much you love him.”
Will greeted her warmly and came to offer his hand as Laura walked down the last few steps.
“You look beautiful.” Admiration filled his expression.
Laura had dressed carefully in one of her finer dinner gowns. The cream-and-emerald dress complemented her auburn hair and pale complexion.
“Thank you for saying so.” She took up her wrap, and Will helped her drape it on her shoulders.
Etta Duffy stood to the side of the door. “Laura, I will most likely be gone when you get back,” she explained. “So just let me say good night to you both.”
Laura nodded. “You should just go now. I don’t want you to be here in case Mr. Snyder shows up sneaking around. Tell Mrs. Murphy I said she could also leave. Father won’t be back anytime soon. I heard him tell Mr. Grayson not to pick him up from the club until nine.”
“Thank you,” Etta said. “I hope you have a wonderful time together.”
Laura glanced at Will, determined to be joyful. “We usually do. It’s something I’ve come to count on.”
Will took hold of her arm once they were outside. “Are you all right?”
“It’s been hard,” she admitted. “I’ve hardly seen Father.”
“A couple of the clerks at the store were commenting on the change in his demeanor. I think the new developments have made him feel threatened.” Will drew her closer to his side.
“Not receiving the appointment for governor was an irritation to him to be sure,” Laura said, remembering things her father had said. “I feel certain that he thinks he can use you to get rid of the man. I don’t know what he has planned, but from what he said when he was drunk, I fear it won’t bode well for either of you. Will, I think he means to get us married so that I will inherit your fortune when he kills you.”
“You’re probably right, but try not to fret. We have a plan in place. We’ve wired Governor Campbell as well as the president himself. They’re working with us to get this resolved.”
“But Father has so many men working for him, and we don’t even know who they are.”
He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry. Edward and I have already considered that. We’re not going to let him get the best of me. Have no fear.”
“Father is cunning, and he doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he gets his way.” Laura’s voice broke, and she fought for control. “It would devastate me if something happened to you.”
He slowed their walk, then stopped altogether. “I don’t want anything to happen to you either. I wish you could stay with the Vogels for your safety, but we can’t raise your father’s suspicions.”
“I don’t think he’ll hurt me, Will. He has plans for how I can repay him. Until that is done, he’ll leave me alone.”
“I pray so. I pray for you constantly. You’ve become themost important person in the world to me.” He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
Laura was awash in emotion. “After my first encounter with love and deception in Paris, I never thought I would want to fall in love again. I prayed for years, asking God to guard my heart and keep me from feeling those things again. But now ...”
“Now you’re feeling them again?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“And you’re glad it’s that way?”
Laura was amazed that he so easily read her heart. She gave a nod. “I am. It’s not the same at all. Before, I was a child, and my thoughts were very immature. I don’t think I understood anything about truly loving someone.”
