Charity took a breath and began.
“My sisters are Augusta and Matilda,” she said. “Augusta is sharp and stubborn and has disliked my uncle Edward since childhood. Matilda is quieter, but don’t mistake quiet for weak. She sees more than people assume. They’ve been living at our father’s estate near York since our parents died.”
Charity continued.
“My uncle Edward is a Viscount, but he lives beyond his means. He has charm and connections and very little cash. He came to us at the end of our mourning period and told me he intended to arrange my marriage to Robert, so the inheritance stays close. Of course, I have told you this before, but in case you forgot. Robert is… obedient,” she said carefully.
“And you do not think he’s involved in what happened to you.”
“I cannot be certain,” she sighed. “But the real person to look after is my uncle. He may pretend to welcome your protection while looking for ways around it, and then attempt to isolate my sisters from me if he can.”
“He won’t isolate anyone while I’m present,” Duncan said harshly.
“That brings me to what I need from you,” she said. “When we arrive, I want you to leave my uncle to me.”
“Explain.”
“If you step in too early, he will make it into something that it is not. We must be strategic,” she sighed. “If I speak first, I can make it as plain as possible. I am leaving. I am under your protection. My sisters are coming with me. He is not to interfere.”
“And if he does interfere?” Duncan said.
“Then you step in. But please, not before.”
“It will depend on his behavior,” Duncan said at last. “If your uncle behaves with civility and sense, you speak, and I listen. If he crosses a line, I will not stand by while an English viscount thinks he can threaten what is under my protection.”
“Under your protection,” she echoed. The words alone sent a shiver down her spine.
“Aye,” Duncan said.
“I don’t belong to you.” Charity was suddenly having trouble speaking.
“You do now.”
Charity’s lips pressed together. She didn’t argue again, because arguing would only feed the heat already in her face.
Instead, she nodded once, as if accepting a compromise she hadn’t fully agreed to.
And as they rode on, the road stretching toward England, she kept her eyes forward.
Whatever Duncan was, he was the one thing standing between her sisters and Edward’s hands.
And if he insisted on calling herhisto make that protection real…
Charity hated how her cheeks warmed again at the memory of the word.
Well, there was nothing that she could do about the matter.
“Careful now, mind the step.”
Charity had barely shifted forward before Malcolm’s hand appeared in the carriage doorway. She was so tired her bones felt hollow, as if the road had rattled the strength out of her hour by hour. The inn’s lantern light spilled across the yard as they had stopped to rest for the night.
She reached for him on instinct, then stopped when he noticed that Duncan had stepped forward.
Without saying a word, he simply replaced Malcolm. One gloved hand braced against the carriage frame while his other settled at Charity’s elbow.
“I said I can manage,” Charity muttered.
“Aye,” Malcolm said from somewhere behind Duncan. She could almost hear the grin in his voice.
