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What would the Honeysetts think of her? They were sure to throw her out now.

Mrs. Honeysett stepped forward first, her lips in a grim line. Then she came to stand beside Morvoren and wrapped her arms around her. “Yes. We do still wish to ’ouse ’er. And we’ll do so for as long as she wishes to be with us. For Morvoren be our family now.”

Poppy was quick to join on Morvoren’s other side, pumping her head up and down and lacing her arm through Morvoren’s.

Their actions were enough to undo all of Morvoren’s defenses. Had Uncle not been there, watching her every move, she would have crumbled to the floor in a weeping mess. These women, they were everything she’d ever wished for in a family. Even though they now knew of her connection to Uncle, even though she’d not told them herself, they were still willing to defend her.

But Trevik…

She hesitated, willing herself to keep her eyes off of him. He didn’t need to make a stand in regard to her. He was the last person who owed her anything.

Still, he stood by the door, watching Uncle with a dedicated gaze.

“Well,” Uncle said with a heavy sigh, “it would appear that you have found some loyalty in these rats.”

Morvoren raised a lip, about to speak out in protest for his cruelty, but he pushed on.

“It is a shame, though,” he continued, “for now that you’ve found a family of your own, I fear I’ll have to take you from them all the same.”

No. No, he was bluffing. He couldn’t take her from them. He would never be able to move past Trevik.

“You see,” he said, “I was going through my belongings after you left, and I discovered a few missing coins from my possession. I assume you took them?”

Her heart thudded mutely in her ears. She had taken them, counting them as payment for all he’d ever done to injure her. But of course they would come back now to haunt her.

When she remained silent, Uncle stared hard at her. “You are aware of what the punishment for thievery is, are you not, Miss Hollow?”

Her throat tightened as if on cue. She was more than aware.

But surely Uncle was jesting. To threaten a hanging for a few coins? That was not an idle warning any longer. “I can give ye back your money, Uncle,” she said, her voice quivering.

“All of it?”

She hesitated. “Yes.”

“At this moment?”

He was calling her bluff. She bit her cheek. “Half of it now. Half of it later.”

Uncle sucked in a breath, as if truly disappointed, but Morvoren knew it was all part of the act. “Shame. If it was all of it—”

“We’ll pay the other ’alf.”

Trevik’s deep voice cut through Uncle’s like a ray of sunshine, and Morvoren’s heart stumbled to the floor, rolling straight toward Trevik. But he wouldn’t pick it up. He’d already done enough.

“Do you know how much she took?” Uncle asked.

“Don’t matter,” Trevik returned.

Morvoren ducked her head, humbled at his willingness to help her, even after everything.

Uncle’s eyes shimmered. “Hmm yes. You do have an admirer, Miss Hollow. So your trickery strikes again.”

No one responded. All ears remained on Uncle to see how he’d respond to their offer to pay Morvoren’s debt.

She wasn’t surprised when he slowly shook his head. “I think my niece would learn her lesson better if she paid the debt in full herself.”

Morvoren raised her chin, refusing to allow him to see her cower, though her insides churned.