Father.He must have peeked through the window to see if she was visiting with Mrs.Jerden and saw her with Ezekiel instead.
Ezekiel clasped her elbow and guided her to the piano bench before she sank completely to the floor.“Nora, who is it?”
Relief warred with panic.Father might not harm her like Winston, but he’d caught her at a piano with Ezekiel’s arm wrapped around her before she’d had the opportunity to introduce even the idea of Ezekiel to him.Musicandcuddling a strange man definitely broke his rules.The storm beating against the door was nothing to the lashing words that would pelt them next.
She regained her feet and pushed Ezekiel toward the kitchen.“You have to leave.Now.Out the back.”He remained rooted in place.“Please.My father’s home.He can’t know you exist.”
Ezekiel glanced at the window where Father scowled.“I think it’s a little late for that.”
“Please leave.I’m not ready for him to meet you yet.He’ll hate you without even giving you a chance.”
“Nora, I’m not running away, and the longer we leave him outside, the angrier he’ll be.We’re all adults capable of civil conversation.”
“Capablemight be overly generous.”
He gave her a scolding grimace before striding to the front door.
Nora had never been one for fainting, but she wished she were.Blacking out had to be better than this nightmare of Father finding her like she hadn’t a care for his rules.“You can’t tell him you have any connection or interest in opera.No matter what he says or asks, don’t tell him.”
“I’m not going to lie.”Ezekiel flipped the lock.
“Then don’t speak, but please—”
The door flew open.
If Ezekiel hadn’t caught it with his hand, he’d have met Father with a bloody nose.
Father stormed in, all fire and brimstone.
Tristan must have been part guard dog, because he launched into an attack on Father’s leg.By the howls that ensued, claws were involved.Father shook his leg, attempting to dislodge the beast.Unrelenting, Tristan propelled himself upward.Father tried to pull him off but failed.
“Fish, Tristan!F-i-s-h!”Nora called, but not even the promise of his favorite treat deterred him.
Ezekiel grabbed Tristan around the middle and took the brunt of the next attack.
“Tristan, no!”Nora yanked the lap quilt from a nearby chair and wrapped it around the cat as she pulled him away from Ezekiel.
Tristan hissed, not at all pleased to be restrained, but at least he settled and merely grumbled at her for interfering.
“Not quite the welcome home you were expecting, eh, Mark?”Mrs.Jerden cackled from behind them.“Come to the kitchen.Coffee’s brewing.”
“What is going on here?”Father barked.
Nora did her best to erase all emotion from her face, but as cold as she felt, she doubted any color remained to give her the unaffected air she desired.
“There’s no need to be such an ogre.”Mrs.Jerden folded her arms.“Just because I wasn’t in the room doesn’t mean I wasn’t a good chaperone.Nora and Mr.Beaumont were perfectly well-behaved during their visit.Their entire courtship has been above reproach.”
“Courtship?”The single strained word escaped.
Ezekiel stepped forward with a hand extended.“Ezekiel Beaumont, sir.It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Father pivoted to the wall hooks, snatched the only men’s coat and hat, and shoved them at Ezekiel.“Leave and don’t ever come near my daughter again.”
“But you don’t even know me yet.”
“Exactly.”
“If you will but give me the chance—”
