Mena heard what sounded like crying in the distance and turned to him. “What’s that?”
“Where have you been?” he asked as though she’d not asked her own question. His voice was lower, yet even with his tight hold of her, she didn’t think he’d hurt her. It was all startling, but she wasn’t afraid. He’d sworn he’d not hurt her and until he did, she would trust that.
“Who is crying, Morgan?”
“Allie. Where did you go?”
“Why is my lady’s maid crying?” she asked.
He leaned toward her and said, “Mena, do not test me at the moment. Ralph was to stay with you at all times, and you snuck away after swearing to me that you’d remain home.”
“I didn’t swear.”
His eyes narrowed. “No, but you led me to believe that it was your intention. Am I to make you swear to everything?”
She flinched at his words, at his expression. “Of course not.”
“Where did you go?”
She took a deep breath and knew he was only being this way because he was scared for her. She spoke slowly so that he’d understand. “I went to see my uncle. I couldn’t take Ralph with me, much less Allie. When I see Creed, it is always in private.”
“Why?” he asked suspiciously.
“Because everyone wishes to hurt him, including you. You’ve all forced him into hiding for his life.” She lifted her hands and tried to get him to release his hold, but he wouldn’t let her go. “Let me go.”
“I don’t want you seeing Creed,” he told her. “Not without protection.”
Her pulse slowed to an aching crawl along with her breathing. “I don’t need protection from my uncle. He always has his own guard escort me.”
“I don’t trust him,” he told her.
“I know,” she replied. “But you need to trust me. I am safe with Creed.”
“You’re not!” He shook her slightly, which surprised her.
She widened her eyes. “You need to let me go.” Before you hurt me.
He seemed to see that truth in her eyes and instantly his fingers left her.
Mena started around him.
“I’m not done.”
She started up the stairs. “I wish to know what is the matter with Allie.”
The stairway was silent for a moment, only the sound of their walking and Allie’s tears in the distance.
“I didn’t hurt her,” Morgan said when they reached the next level.
Mena didn’t stop. She simply kept walking until she reached her room.
She found Allie sitting in a chair, her hands covering her face while Ralph stood glaring over her. Then that glare found Mena, raking her over before returning to her eyes.
“You said you were napping.”
Mena walked farther into the room. “I lied. I’m sorry, but I knew that if I told you the truth, you would try and follow.”
Ralph replied, “I’ll know better next time.”
She flinched at those words. She’d broken his trust and that hurt, but all she’d been trying to do was the right thing. She had to protect Creed. No one else would. She had to remember that. She sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do about Ralph’s anger or the pain it caused her and turned to Allie. “Are you all right?”
By now, Allie was looking at her. Her face was stained red with tears. “Oh, my lady, they said that such horrible things could have happened to you. They told me that you could be dead if I didn’t tell them where you were, but I didn’t know where you were. I never know where you go when you do. I told them that, but still they kept telling me you could be dead, like George, laying on the street with lifeless eyes.” Her expression became haunted, and she broke into a set of new tears.
Mena went to her and crouched by her chair. She placed a hand on Allie’s back. “It’s all right, Allie. I’m all right. I’m right here.” Allie never did well under pressure. She’d broken into tears when Mrs. Gale asked how Mena had gained sun spots on her face last year. It didn’t take much to break Allie’s spirits. Still, she was upset that Morgan had done so.
“We didn’t hurt her,” Morgan said from the door.
“I know.” Mena stood and took Allie up with her. “Go to your room and rest, Allie.”
Allie stared at her with wide teary eyes. “Oh, no, my lady. I must attend you. I must stay at your side.”
Mena touched her shoulders and gave her a soft smile. “The best way to attend me is to go to your room. Knowing you are well rested will make me feel the world better.”
Allie stared at her, nodded, and silently left.
Morgan turned to Ralph. “Wait for me downstairs.”
Ralph left the room without looking at her and closed the door.
“Where is Mrs. Gale?” Mena asked.
“She went to see a friend when she thought you asleep.” The accusation was once again in his voice and his eyes.
Mena looked down. She didn’t know what to say. She thought she’d done the right thing, was almost sure she had when she’d done it, but Morgan and Ralph made her feel guilty in a way that was new and yet somehow familiar to her as well.
She always lost the ones she loved most. Her mother, her father, and now if she couldn’t get Morgan to see things her way, she would have no choice but to pick between him and Creed. She didn’t want to be pushed into such a position. She wasn’t sure who she would choose or who she should choose.
She looked up at Morgan, her heart beating wildly. “I can’t take anyone with me when I see my uncle.”
“Then you can’t see him,” he said. “Not after yesterday.” He moved toward her and touched her shoulders gently. The anger had left his eyes and concern replaced it. The look was an expression that was easier for Mena to take in, yet still, his words had said enough.
She remained silent as he went on.
“I know in my heart that Creed arranged that stabbing, I just don’t know why.”
Mena shook her head and said, “I’ll not stop seeing my uncle.”
His eyes flickered with heat again. “You will.”
“I won’t,” she whispered. “Not after all he’s done for me.”
“You will.” He was holding her tightly again. “If Ralph cannot go with you then you cannot go. I’ll not have my wife visiting that man without an escort that I appoint.”
Mena struggled to breathe, to pull air into her lungs, yet just enough made it before she said, “Then I cannot be your wife.”
His expression went blank. His hands moved until they circled her, sliding down her spine until they rested on the small of her back. “You will marry me.”
“Not if I must choose, Morgan. Don’t make me choose.”
He seemed surprised. “You’d choose him over me?”
“I’d choose him over you.” She was still whispering, but her words were not said with any weakness, and she hoped he could see the conviction in her eyes. “I’ve only known you for days. I’ve known Creed for years.”
He pulled her even closer and leaned down to rest his head on hers, still holding her eyes. “But you don’t know him, Mena. You have no clue who this man is. The rags are only given his slightest grievances for print.”