Page 74 of Mail-Order Lady

“I guess we’d better get inside.” He straightened, but couldn’t bring himself to let go of Clara. He’d keep her tucked at his side forever if she would stay here.

But she turned toward the front door. “I need to check on Kate.”

When he followed her inside, the main room had filled with bodies. Their entire family, even Mrs. Wang. Even Thomas and Kate had come back downstairs, with Kate settled on the settee next to Rose, holding little Catherine in her lap.

He glanced at Enoch, who stood by the window with his rifle, a permanent fixture in his grip these days. “You were all listening from the kitchen?”

Enoch nodded.

“We thought you might need us.” Rose’s voice held an apology. “And then you seemed to be managing.”

Robert nodded toward Clara. “She was managing.”

A flush crept up her neck, making her even prettier. “It wasn’t…” She didn’t finish. But she had been the one to carry the conversation with her mother, and had done it masterfully. He should have helped, but social small talk was so far out of his depth. It had seemed wiser to listen for any signs of her mother’s true purpose in coming.

Mandie moved to sit in one of the upholstered chairs. “What do you think your mother really wanted?”

Clara’s fingers twisted together in front of her. “I don’t know. She said she wanted to part on good terms before returning to South Carolina.”

“Do you believe her?” James leaned against the wall near the fireplace, arms crossed. The look he sent almost seemed like he was aiming his censure at Clara.

Robert sent him a glare. “Whatever she wants isn’t Clara’s doing.” And he wouldn’t let anyone make her feel guilty over it.

James dropped his arms, his eyes widening. “Of course not.” He blinked, then turned to Clara. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean⁠—”

She waved the suggestion away and shook her head. “I know you weren’t implying…” She let out a breath. “I don’t know what she wants. It might be just what she said. She wanted to part on good terms.”

The hesitation in her voice showed her own doubt. Maybe if her mother hadn’t asked to come back, Robert might have believed it. Though traveling all the way from Fort Benton in stagecoach and wagon, just to say a proper farewell that could as easily be written in a letter… That still seemed a stretch.

The floorboard at the top of the stairs creaked, and all of them glanced that direction.

Nathan stood at the landing with one hand on the banister, testing his weight against the first step.

He was still so pale, and his eyes had turned to deep hollows. He’d attempted to tie back his hair, though he needed a thorough washing.

But he was upright. Awake.

“Easy.” Thomas moved to the foot of the stairs. “Should you be up yet?”

“Doctor said the fever broke. I’m on the mend.” Nathan took another step down, gripping the railing with both hands now. “Didn’t say I had to stay in bed till I grew roots.”

Robert bit back a grin. This man might be a Balfour after all.

Nathan made it down every step, and when he reached the floor below, he turned to face them. His breathing came hard, though he looked like he was trying not to show that part.

Mrs. Wang pointed to one of the upholstered chairs. “Come sit.”

Nathan didn’t argue, just trudged toward the seat she directed. He was a big man, even with his shirt billowing. At least Enoch’s height. They needed to see he got a proper bath and haircut soon.

First things first, though.

Nathan settled into the chair with a carefulness that made Robert’s chest tighten. They’d had no control over his sickness, but so far, they weren’t taking care of this long-lost brother the way Father had likely intended.

He moved to sit in the chair nearest Nathan. At least he could try to appear at ease around the man. Make him feel included.

Nathan’s gaze swept the room—that constant motion he had, like he had to know everything happening. “I saw those people leave out the window. Who were they?”

Tension slipped back into the quiet. Why was he asking such questions? There was still so much they didn’t know about him.