He did not like itat all.
He sought out Sister Mary Francis at once.
“What has happened?” he asked without preamble.
The lack of surprise in the nun’s expression told him she had expected the question.
“It is nothing that has not happened before,” she said, though her tone suggested she took little comfort in the familiarity.
“That is no answer,” Frederick replied.
She regarded him for a moment—then sighed, her composure slipping just enough to reveal her displeasure.
“There was a young soldier,” she said. “British. He had been paying her attention these past weeks.”
Frederick’s jaw tightened. “And?”
“He is to leave,” she continued. “He wished… a token to remember her by.”
Frederick understood at once. “And she refused him.”
“Quite firmly.”
A flicker of approval stirred—quickly replaced by something darker. “And so he sought to persuade her otherwise?”
Sister Mary Francis’s lips pressed thin.
“He laughed at her,” she said. “Told her no one would ever marry her. That she belonged nowhere—that she was neither English nor Indian—and that the best she might hope for was to find a protector, not a husband.”
“Did he—” Frederick swallowed hard. “—force her?”
She shook her head. “No, praise God. His speech, however, was still quite vile.”
Frederick’s jaw clenched. “Where is he?” he growled.
The nun’s gaze sharpened. “I would not tell you, even if I knew.”
“He insulted her,” Frederick said, his voice low with barely restrained anger. “He attempted to take what was not his—and when refused, he chose to wound her further. I will not—”
“You will not make this worse,” she interrupted, with quiet authority. “If you challenge him, if you draw attention—what then? You will be arrested? The Company will inquire? And where will that leave her—or the rest of us?”
Frederick froze.Blast.
He knew she was right.
That did not make it easier to bear.
“I am tired of it,” he said at last, his voice rough. “Tired of standing by. Tired of being unable to protect the women I lo—”
He broke off.
The word lingered, unspoken. Sister Mary Francis narrowed her eyes and regarded him shrewdly.
“—the women I care for.” He faltered, then shook his head in frustration. “I can do nothing for them.”
“Well, there isonething you could do.”
Frederick looked at her sharply. “What?”
