“That does make more sense. It also means Mama and Mr. Nickerson have been hiding this for quite a long time.”Longer than her own hidden marriage to Finn, in fact.She blinked up at her brother, wondering if that helped in her defense.
“That doesn’t excuse your behavior, not one whit.” Reed knew exactly what she was thinking. “The circumstances are very different. Our mother will be wed with the full knowledge and blessing of those who love her. In any case, you want out of your marriage so why try to justify what happened in the past? How could it matter what I think of Bennet?”
Out of her marriage. Yes, of course, because she loved William. Then again, could she honestly say she lovedonlyWilliam? Certainly, some ghost of a feeling existed for Finn, some connection between them that wouldn’t let her stop thinking of him, some spark that sizzled when he was close.
It was wrong! She belonged to William now.
Reed groaned. “If I had a penny for each of your wayward thoughts! Why, I can practically see them in your eyes.” He sighed. “Luckily, I don’t know what’s really going on in that adorable head of yours, or I would be the one who needed to be locked up. Simply stay put, stay safe, and I’ll let you know when you are divorced and Bennet has departed our fair city.”
With a pat on her shoulder, he left.
It might as well have been a pat on her head as if she were a child.
Or a pet.
Rose fumed. Then a dreadful thought entered her brain. Since even the Boston constabulary also knew about Finn Bennet, she had no choice but to tell William.
***
“I’ve caught you at last,” Finn said to Liam as his friend alighted from a carriage and started up his own front walk.
Liam froze, then came forward with a smile. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve dropped by a couple times only to be told you’re out.”
“I do still work at the shipyard. You know that. Moreover, I have social engagements as well.”
Finn couldn’t shake the feeling that Liam had been dodging him. The only reason he was seeing him now was because Liam had been dropped off in front by someone else rather than driving around back in his own carriage and disappearing inside through the back entrance. “I have left a message or two.”
“Really?” Liam’s brows drew together. “I didn’t see them. I’ll have to ask my servants. Someone will be fired.”
“That’s not necessary,” Finn said. “I’m talking to you now.”
“Shall we go in? I could use a drink.”
Finn considered. “No. I can be brief.”
“Is something wrong?” Liam faced him squarely.
“You lied to me. About your fortune.”
Liam continued to look him in the eyes, his nostrils flared, and then he blinked. “Yes, I did.”
“Why?” Finn shot back.
“Because if you knew how I got the money, you’d think poorly of me.”
“Why would that matter?” Finn watched Liam carefully.
He shrugged. “I don’t want you to blame me for theGarrard. We both had friends on board who died. I didn’t want that to happen. I hope you believe me.”
“You stayed behind. Why?”
Liam looked at the paving stones under their feet. “You know as well as I do that ship wasn’t built right.”
“It was builtexactlyas designed,” Finn shot back. “The men built it right. It wasn’t their fault. It was designed wrong.”
“Agreed. I knew that, maybe more than most. The wooden version I made — Christ! It wouldn’t stay afloat in a barrel of water if you dropped in a pebble beside it.”
