“What is it?” she asked.
He shut his eyes and let out his breath on a shaky sigh before he asked, “Did I make a mistake in bringing Morgan Banfield here?
She clamped her mouth shut and clenched her fingers so they would no longer shake. It didn’t work, of course—now it was her entire hand shaking. Her entire body.
But she fought to remain calm. She didn’t want Hugh to see how moved she was by that question. By the fear that question invoked. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said at last.
He lifted his eyebrows. “I’ve seen you two together several times since his arrival.”
“We’re…we’re working on the garden. Of course we must be together. You asked him to help me. That’s…all there is to it.” She tried not to think of Morgan kissing her. Hugh would read something on her face if she did that. He knew her so well.
“Is it?” Hugh leaned in closer. His voice was so gentle. “Lizzie?”
She froze, for that was the tone of voice he’d used when she was a little girl and he knew she’d done something naughty. She had learned not to lie to him because he always seemed to know the truth. Because she respected him enough not to do so.
But Hugh was protective. Even more so since that terrible incident with Aaron. If he knew that she and Morgan had connected far more deeply than mere conversation about a garden, Hugh would surely sack him. And she didn’t want that. More to the point, Morgan didn’t deserve it. He’d been respectful of her boundaries. He’d never forced anything on her.
Today, she’d been the one to start the kissing, hadn’t she? At least the last time. So she couldn’t, in good conscience, do something that would cause Morgan grief.
“Hugh,” she said with a swallow. “You are seeing things that aren’t there.” She took her brother’s hand. “I-I wouldn’t do anything untoward that would cause you anguish again. And Morgan Banfield has a certain reputation that should…scare me.”
Should. And did. But also drew her. She had to question if that made her weak, but she ignored it. This was not the time to analyze her secretly wicked soul.
Hugh nodded. “I suppose that is true. You’ve avoided any man of questionable reputation since…well, since before.” She sensed his relief and it cut her to the bone to know she’d worried him. She had done that once before and seen his pain as a consequence. He’d tortured himself for months after her fall. He’d almost ruined everything with Amelia as a result.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “I’m protective, as you know. Amelia has tried to break me of the habit, but I only…I do love you, Lizzie. And I only want your happiness and security. That is always on the top of my mind.”
She smiled at her brother. This man who had raised her with such a loving heart. Seeing his worry drew her up short when it came to Morgan and those kisses. Perhaps she had gone too far, not just for herself, but when it came to those who cared for her.
“I know you always have my best interest at heart,” she said. “And I adore you for it.”
He seemed to shake off the worry, probably for her sake as much as his own. “You say they have the gazebo framed out. I’m very curious what all you’re doing in the garden. Will you tell me about it?”
She pushed thoughts of Morgan away. “Why don’t you walk with me and I’ll show you?”
Hugh nodded. “I’d love that. Lead the way.”
She did, taking him back to the garden she’d recently abandoned. To both her relief and her disappointment, Morgan was already gone. That meant she could focus on her brother. And try to forget the longings Morgan had awoken in her.
In the end, they were dangerous for them both. And it was probably time to have a conversation with him once and for all about ending whatever bond they were forming.
Morgan stood in the parlor, staring at the note he’d received earlier in the day. Since parting with Elizabeth in the garden hours before, he had been more focused on the threat that note contained.
He had enemies, of course. His wild ways had resulted in bad gambling losses…and wins…and a plethora of grumbling husbands from all corners of the country. It had also resulted in broken relationships. People he’d once been close to whom he had betrayed and harmed. He flinched at the idea, self-loathing filling him along with the memories.
In the end, though, his bad behavior meant he had no idea who might be threatening him. Or over what.
He only knew it was a reminder that he might try to find respectability, but there would always be a past to catch up with him.
“Chickens will come home to roost,” he muttered as he tossed the note into the flames and watched the words be devoured. “And the past can never be fully overcome.”
“That sounds ominous.”
Morgan turned and sighed as Robert entered the parlor. He was alone, so there was no buffer to be had between Morgan and his brother. At present, he thought they needed one.
“You would know,” Morgan muttered, and stepped away from the fire so his brother wouldn’t see the last remnants of the threat. It would be fully ash in a matter of seconds.
