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It was hard to contain such white-hot anger—yet it must be done, at least for the moment. He couldn’t very well pummel Trestwell in the pressing crowd. He really shouldn’t do so outdoors either for Eva’s sake, and yet Bram shouldered his way through the mingling gala attenders, schooling his face to some semblance of pleasantry when all along fury shook every muscle. Hopefully Eva would be detained in the dining room until he served Trestwell the comeuppance the scoundrel deserved.

He gripped the front doorknob and forced a calmness to his movements he certainly didn’t feel. Cold night air slapped him in the face as he stepped onto the drive, which he welcomed. He could do with some cooling down.

The driveway curved in a large circle, a grassy expanse at the center. In summer, the ornate fountain in the middle of the lawn would be flowing with sparkling water. Tonight the barren plaster held nothing but the drape of Trestwell’s coat on the bottommost tier. Trestwell scoffed at his approach while busily engaging in rolling up his sleeves.

Leaving behind the pea gravel for sturdier turf, Bram plowed his fingers through his hair. He sucked in a deep breath as he approached the man, the sharp bite of air momentarily clearing his mind. Yes, such a tormentor ought to take a fist to the jaw, but was he really the one to mete out such justice? Perhaps he should get the law involved. And what would Eva think?

He glanced at the event hall, golden light spilling out the windows. She’d worked hard to make this fundraiser a success. A walloping on the front lawn wouldn’t sit well with her or the donors she’d hoped to impress. While he’d love nothing more than to see Trestwell writhing on the ground, taking him down here and now could ruin the entire evening.

Though it killed him to do so, Bram held up his hand in peace. “Listen, Trestwell. This is not the time or place. Put your coat back on.”

Trestwell crouched, fists raised. “I knew you’d turn yellow. But it’s too late now. Defend yourself or take a beating. It’s all the same to me.”

“We are no longer lads given to fisticuffs. Just be a man and apologize to Miss Inman for putting her in danger. That is all I ask. And if one more thing happens to my dig, I will hunt you down.” He turned away, the ebb of wrath making him weary to the bone.

Fingers dug into his shoulder, spinning him around. Trestwell’s thick brows gathered like a squall line on his brow. “You have no idea how much I’m going to enjoy this.”

“Did you not hear a word I said? This is highly inappropriate. I will not fight—”

“What is going on out here?” Light footsteps rushed across the pea gravel.

Bram swiveled his head to see Eva running pell-mell toward them, her skirt bunched in one hand, part of her carefully crafted hairstyle now loose and flopping against her cheek. At least this provided the opportunity for Trestwell to apologize and put the ugly balloon incident behind them.

“Good timing, Miss Inman. Mr. Trestwell here has—”

Something hard rammed into his gut, stealing his breath. Instant nausea rose. So did his fist. Ignoring the pain, Bram cranked back his arm and swung a right hook. His knuckles connected with Trestwell’s nose, the cartilage giving beneath the blow.

With a grunt, Trestwell stumbled aside, one hand reaching for the fountain to shore him up.

Eva swooped in between them, arms held out like a constable. “Stop it!”

Protecting his gut with a crooked arm, Bram shook out his hand as he sidestepped Eva, every nerve on high alert. Who knew what the enraged man would do next.

“This isn’t finished, Webb.” Blood oozed through Trestwell’s fingers as he probed his broken nose. “This isn’t finished at all.”

“Yes, it is. I will have nothing more to say or do with you, and if you come after me, Miss Inman, or the dig in any way in the future, I shall press legal charges. Is that understood?”

Trestwell’s upper lip curled as he wheeled about. Slinging his coat over his shoulder, he stalked toward the carriage yard.

Finally able to let down his guard, Bram doubled over, catching his breath while nursing his sore gut.

A light hand rested on his shoulder. “You are hurt.”

“I am fine.” But a groan slipped out, belying his words.

“You are most certainly not! Let’s get you inside. You need to sit down.”

He straightened like a rheumy old man, putting on a brave front to calm the concern in Eva’s voice. “I merely needed to catch my breath. Do not fret.”

“Do not fret?” She flailed her arms. “What am I supposed to think when I am told by a guest that two men are on the front lawn bent on brawling? This is a fundraiser, Bram, not a ringside match. If those people in the hall were to witness flying fists, it would have spoiled the whole evening.”

“I know, which is why I never even took off my coat. It was foolish of me to give in to Trestwell’s baiting. I allowed anger to rule over common sense, and for that I am truly sorry.” He drew in a deep breath, shoving down the remaining pain. “Will you forgive me?”

A great sigh deflated her, an incongruous sound with the merrymaking filtering out of the event hall. “Yes, I suppose I must. You were only defending yourself, after all.”

“Thank you.” He dipped his head.

“I am curious, though.” She stepped closer, her pale blue eyes searching his face. “What sort of legal charges could you bring against Mr. Trestwell for a mere blow to the belly? What else has Mr. Trestwell done?”

He tucked away the stray curl hanging against her cheek, the silkiness of it doing much to soothe the frayed ends Trestwell had unraveled. “Besides trespassing—for it was not the curse on the land that has been causing all the setbacks on the dig—it seems our balloon ride the night of the bonfire was compliments of the man.”

Eva angled her head. “What do you mean?”

“He cut the rope. I was told as much by one of the guests inside who witnessed the event.”

“But...” The curious scrunch of her nose vanished, replaced with a fire in her eyes and flames on her cheeks. “We could have been killed!”

“Thank God we were not.” Ever so gently, he rubbed her upper arms, hoping to calm the same rage that had shook through him and now made her tremble.

“How dare he? How dare that man risk our lives!” She whirled toward the carriage yard.

“Eva, what are you about?”

“To finish the job you started.” One of her hands flew in the air. “That man deserves a good pop on the nose and then some.”

Eva had seen a wide leather belt snap once, flying off a steam-powered thresher and nearly taking off the head of a nearby farmhand.

She was that belt.

Until Bram pulled her back around, his fingers a vise on her arms. “Enough, Eva. We are finished with Trestwell. His absurd vendetta is his own burden to bear, not ours.”

“But I am not finished!” She wrenched from his grasp. “He needs to know what he did was wrong.”

“Deep down, I believe he does. God puts a moral code in us all, does He not?”

She snorted, wholly unladylike yet completely unstoppable. “Richard Trestwell’s conscience was seared long ago. He is a manipulative schemer who expects to get his way in everything.”

“Yes, he is, but...” Bram huffed a sigh. “Perhaps his conscience is buried beneath layers of deceit and bitterness, yet it is not beyond redemption. Harsh words and flying fists will not change his heart. Only God can do that. Besides, giving in to Trestwell’s provocations only grants him power over us, allowing him to dictate our actions and emotions. I will give him that power no longer. What about you?”

She rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled by the truth in his words, and not just a little bit missing his touch. He was right, of course. It was childish of her to think anything she said would instantly change Mr. Trestwell’s villainous ways.

“Fine.” It was more of a groan than a word. “But that does not mean I am not still angry.”

“You have every right to be, and yet, perhaps, Trestwell does not deserve all our wrath.”

“What do you mean? Of course he does!”

“Maybe, but we must consider his motivations. Yes, there may be some minor jealousy or downright pettiness, but that is not enough to make the man go out of his way to break the law. There is something bigger going on here. I suspect he was paid off to commit such skullduggery. He has always been insatiably greedy for a coin or two.”

“By whom?” she demanded.

“I do not know—yet.” Bram flashed a grin, his teeth white in the flickering light from the driveway torches. “You know, your nose crinkles in the most charming way when you are fiery like this.” He ran a light touch down the length of her nose. “And there is the slightest quiver at the bottom of your chin, which I find quite attractive.” His finger brushed over her lips—inducing a shiver—and made a home on her chin. It was all quite delicious.

But she turned away her face. “You are just trying to make me feel better.”

“Mm-hmm.” The sound rumbled in his throat as he crooked his knuckle and directed her face back to his. “Is it working?”

My, my. Was it hot out here? Despite the chilly evening, heat radiated off her in waves—or was it from him? Either way, she was completely helpless to look at anything but his enigmatic grey eyes. “You are quite the dichotomy, sir.”

“How so?”

“On one hand, you are a fearless defender of justice, ready to take on any challenge that comes your way, even if that justice requires you to allow a man to walk off and let God deal with him. And on the other hand”—she leaned closer, fully drawn in by the spark of pleasure in his gaze—“you have an uncanny ability to make me forget all my worries with just a few words and a curve of your lips.”

Lips she had no business fixating on, yet here she was.

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Miss Inman.”

“It is not flattery if it is the truth.”

“In that case, then, you are doing an excellent job of it.” He pulled her to him, his breath mingling with hers.

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you, Eva.”

Eva gritted her teeth. Again with an interruption at the most inconvenient time? She turned to face Lottie marching across the lawn.

“What are you two doing out here? The gala is inside.” Lottie’s gaze bounced between her and Bram, questions galore in the tilt of her head.

And Eva couldn’t blame her. It surely must look as if she and Bram were engaged in a tryst. “I was informed by a guest that Mr. Trestwell had challenged the professor to a bout of fisticuffs. I came out to break it up.”

“He didn’t! Though I cannot say I am surprised. Obnoxious man.” She stamped her foot against the turf. “But we will have to speak of it later. You must return to the gala, Eva. Dinner is ready to be served.”

“Then you should run along, Miss Inman.” Bram smoothed back his hair with a swipe of his palm. “I will slip in after a few moments. I think you and I have provided enough tongue-wagging fodder for one evening.” He winked.

Lottie giggled. “I’ll say.”

Oh bother. Eva joined her friend’s side, more anxious than ever about making the gala a success. Thus far, she’d been sorely neglecting the guests.

As they crossed the drive, Lottie singsonged beside her, “I wonder if I shall hear wedding bells come spring.”

“Pish. How absurd.”

“The way you two have been looking at each other?” Lottie looped her arm through Eva’s. “I’ll be surprised if you make it till spring.”

Rolling her eyes, Eva opened the front door. Better to leave that prediction outside, where she may or may not pick it up to consider on her way home later that night. She crossed the foyer, and inside the receiving hall, she retrieved a handbell from a side table.

“Attention, ladies and gentlemen.” She gave the bell a hearty ring. “Attention!”

The buzz of conversation lulled to a low drone as faces turned her way. “I am pleased to announce that dinner is ready to begin. You may all make your way into the dining room now, and after we eat, please remain seated for a few short words from Mrs. Quibble and Mr. Heathridge, our guest speaker for the evening.”

A herd of skirts and suits moved toward the dining room door. Eva turned to Lottie before her friend joined the throng. “Where is Penny?”

“She’s in the ladies’ retiring room with Mrs. Mortimer.”

Oh dear. The woman was no doubt filling the girl’s head with the prospect of enrolling in school immediately.

“Thank you, Lottie.” Eva doubled back to the foyer, then padded down the passageway. Perhaps she ought not have brought Penny along tonight. The girl had been out of sorts ever since Eva hadn’t allowed her to wear their mother’s old mink stole, for it was dreadfully out of date. What an evening this was turning out to be.

With a sigh, she entered the first door on the left, and a waft of violet toilette water nearly knocked her backward. The room was a lavish space with its flocked rosebud wallpaper and scrolled trim along the ceiling and baseboards. Gas lamps burned merrily, bouncing light off gilt-framed mirrors. Mrs. Mortimer sat on a padded bench next to Penny.

“Ah, the lost is found, or so my brother would say.” Mrs. Mortimer laughed as she pushed up from the velvet seat. “Your sister is here now, Miss Penny, and so I shall leave you, though it has been a delight to visit with you so intimately.” Stooping, she pinched Penny’s cheek, and—miracle of miracles—Penny didn’t flinch away.

Instead, her sister patted Mrs. Mortimer’s hand. “You don’t have to leave on my sister’s account, Mrs. Mortimer. I am sure she would be more than happy to leave me in your care for the rest of the evening.”

“Penny!” Eva gasped.

“Oh, the capricious words of youth. Does the body good to partake of such stimulating dialogue. Keeps you on your toes, eh, Miss Inman?” She fluttered her fingers at Eva, then patted Penny on the head. “Do not be too hard on your sister, dear. She has a gala to run.”

“Yes, she is often quite busy of late,” Penny grumbled.

Eva ground her teeth. Of all the impertinence.

“I shall see you at dinner, Miss Penny.” Gathering her hem, Mrs. Mortimer strolled over to Eva and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I spoke to her about the school for the blind. Please rethink your stance, for I believe she is willing to give it a try.” Then louder, “Until later, ladies.”

The woman swept from the room, leaving Eva with every muscle clenched. Truly, she shouldn’t be so annoyed at Mrs. Mortimer’s offer, and yet for whatever reason, it just did not sit well.

She crossed over to Penny and sank onto the bench’s velvet cushion. Though the evening had barely begun, she was weary of it. Regardless, she reached for her sister’s hand and forced a pleasant tone. “I understand you are cross with me, sister.”

“I am.” Penny pulled away her hand. “It seems every time I turn around, you’re off somewhere with the professor.”

That stung. It wasn’t as if she’d chosen to break up a fight between two brawling men. She shoved her fingers into her pocket and ran her thumb over the smoothness of Bram’s rock. “Your words are patently untrue, and I think you know it. I am not trying to get rid of you in order to spend time with Professor Webb.”

“I know, but it sure feels like it sometimes.” Penny scuffed her toe along the carpet. “You’ve been so occupied these past few months, I hardly think I matter anymore.”

“That is not true either. You mean the world to me.” She pulled her sister into a sideways hug. “I have you here with me now, do I not? We are sisters. Nothing will ever change that.”

“No, but as Mrs. Mortimer says, things do change, and she thinks I’m ready to go off to school. Even the professors have told me what a quick mind I own and that I ought to think about school as well. You know, spread my wings and all that. Maybe it is time for something different for me, something more than just being your sister.”

Eva scrunched her brow. “What are you saying?”

“I shall be thirteen in a couple of months. Perhaps it is time I grew up.”

“Not too quickly, I hope. Though it may seem otherwise to you, I am not ready to let you go into the world.” She pressed a kiss to the crown of Penny’s head.

For a moment, Penny leaned against her just like old times, then pulled away and rose to her feet. “Well, I know what I am ready for. The samples I tasted were good, but I am hungry for more. Shall we go to dinner now?”

“Brilliant idea.” Though she used a pleasant tone as she looped her arm through Penny’s, Eva’s heart weighed heavy. No harsh words had been exchanged, and yet something had shifted in their relationship—or more like had been shifting ever since Bram and the team had arrived. But did the blame for that really land at his feet? Penny was no young girl anymore. These growing pains were only natural, and Eva had no idea how to navigate them. There was one thing she did know, however. Change was on the horizon.

A change she wasn’t sure she’d like.