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“I will not ask you again.” Mr. Coventry took a step forward, reaching for her arm. “Return indoors and wait until I am finished with this worthless woodcarver.”

She tried to pull her arm away, but her father held tight, pulling her forward. Edward’s desire to protect her surged through his body, a raging fire consuming his every thought.

“Release her,” he spoke as calmly as possible.

Mr. Coventry turned livid eyes on Edward. As if Heaven helped him, he could almost see the man’s fist flying toward him just before it occurred. In swift movements, Edward pushed Miss Coventry out of the way as gently as possible, ducking in time for Mr. Coventry’s blow to sail through the rain.

“Father!” Miss Coventry cried out in despair. “Stop!”

Mr. Coventry did not listen, attempting to hit Edward again, but Edward jumped away with arms raised in defense. He refused to engage in a physical fight with Miss Coventry’s father. He loved her too much to hit him back.

Shouts came from across the wet grass as Mrs. Coventry, the elder Miss Coventry, and the butler rushed forward.

Mr. Morley was a large man, and Edward’s heart thumped in his ears. Edward would not stand a chance between both him and Mr. Coventry.

“Jacob!” Mrs. Coventry shouted out toward her husband. “What is going on?”

Mr. Coventry stopped advancing on Edward, though his fists clenched tightly in front of him. “I am defending the honor of our daughter!”

The others came to stand just behind him, eyes wide as they glanced from Edward to Miss Coventry.

“This does not need to escalate further, sir,” Edward said, raising an open hand toward Mr. Coventry as if to tame a wild animal. “If you will but listen to what your daughter has to say.”

Moments ticked by, the tension as dense as the rain clouds above until Mr. Coventry’s fists lowered. He glanced at Marianne, and Edward held his breath before the man spoke again.

“Get on with it then.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Marianne’s control of the situation had unraveled before her very eyes. How had things escalated so swiftly? How had everything fallen apart so tragically? Her stomach contorted alongside her heart.

Mother watched her with confusion, Beatrice’s eyes rounded with concern, and Father looked at her with such disgust, she feared she’d never earn his favor again.

“I’m so sorry.” She brushed the rain from her cheeks with the back of her gloved hand. “I’m sorry for all of this. I never intended…” She shook her head. The time for regret had ended. She needed to be open and honest for the first time in her life.

Slowly, she moved to Mr. Steele’s side, taking his hand once more in hers. “I love him.”

Mr. Morley turned away with wide eyes, no doubt wondering if he ought to be there for such a conversation. Beatrice’s mouth gaped open, her eyes flying to Mr. Steele as Mother let out a gasp. Father merely blinked mutely in a clear attempt to hide his own shock.

“But-but how?” Mother stammered. She blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “Marianne, I do not understand.”

Marianne paused with a glance at Mr. Morley. Clearly, the servants had been speaking with Jane and Jane’s sister. She did not blame the girls for sharing what had occurred, but she did not wish to give them more to gossip over.

Mr. Morley seemed to catch on to her concern, and he turned to Father. “Are you well, sir?”

Father nodded and waved him away. “Yes, please ensure Mr. Steele has left nothing behind in the library. He will no longer be employed here.”

Mr. Morley hesitated a moment longer, a wary eye on Mr. Steele, then he returned indoors.

“Father, you cannot expel Mr. Steele,” Marianne said at once. Her explanation could wait, Mr. Steele’s future could not.

“I can, and I will.”

“But he has done nothing wrong—”

“He has broken my trust in you, Marianne!” The pain cracked his voice and cut through her core.

She drew in a steadying breath. “No, he did not, Father. I did that on my own. I sought his friendship first. I asked him to accompany me to Wells for the assembly. I fell in love with him.”