Cassandra’s irritation mounted as Mrs. Towler’s smug expression intensified. She might not know much about family dynamics, but she hoped they were kinder than this to Rachel. Her inability to mask her true opinions had always been a downfall, and she now teetered on the cusp of saying more than she ought. “I must be going. I can see myself out.”
Fortunately, no one had taken her cloak when she arrived. She snatched it from the chair next to her, fixed her eyes on the door, and headed toward it.
But Mr. Warrington stepped in front of her, blocking the way. “You can’t leave alone. It’s far too dark and late.”
“Yes, I can.” She met his gaze, stopping a few feet before him. “I am quite capable of walking home.”
He shook his head. “I do not doubt that, but it is now the middle of the night. No need for you to leave. We can certainly offer you lodgings here.”
“Thank you, no.” She almost laughed at the ridiculousness of the suggestion. “I will take my leave.”
Chapter 9
James stared at Miss Hale, noting her tightly pressed lips and the flush on her high cheekbones. She was angry, and rightfully so. She’d offered them a service, a kindness, and now his mother-in-law’s behavior toward her was inexcusable.
He could not blame Miss Hale for wanting to leave, but he needed to speak with her privately. He now had more questions than answers, and he must ensure that Standish was truly out of his sister’s life. After all, she was the only one who could answer his questions without bias. Complicating the matter further, Mr. Shepard’s warnings of violence and turmoil were fresh in his mind. What if this woman walked home and was attacked?
No, this could not be permitted.
Miss Hale wrapped her cape over her arm and moved around him toward the door.
He stepped forward just enough to prevent her from exiting completely. “Then allow me to call the carriage. There’s no need to walk.”
Miss Hale’s jaw twitched, and fire smoldered as she glared once again toward Mrs. Towler. “If we are to speak of reputations, then returning in the carriage from Briarton Park would not only wake everyone on the high street but severely damage mine. I thank you for the offer, but a carriage is not necessary.”
How could he make her comprehend? “Then I’ll escort you myself. I cannot allow a young woman to be walking alone on Briarton property. There are certain dangers of which you might not be aware.”
Miss Hale tossed her hair away from her face in annoyance. “As Mrs. Towler has so adeptly indicated, the last thing I—or any other young woman, for that matter—would want is to be seen walking alone with a man in the middle of the night.”
Mrs. Towler smirked. “So you do care, then, what others think?”
James ignored his mother-in-law’s ill-timed comment. “I must, in good faith, see you back to the village safely, especially after the kindness you have shown Rachel. Moreover, I would like to ask you a little more about what exactly happened—in private.”
Miss Hale stared at him, and then her shoulders, which had been held in tight defensiveness, slumped slightly. She sighed and adjusted the cloak on her arm. “Very well, for the sake of Rachel.”
Without another word or glance in his direction, Miss Hale exited from the room.
* * *
James did not look at his mother-in-law. He knew she would not approve of his escorting Miss Hale home.
And he did not care.
For Miss Hale alone had answers to their questions that were presently the most important thing in the world.
He grabbed his discarded greatcoat and followed her from the sitting room.
Miss Hale traversed Briarton’s corridors as if she’d done so a dozen times. She swept down the angled staircase and through the darkened great hall toward the main entrance, with swift motions indicating that she could not exit the house soon enough.
And could he blame her?
Without a word he followed her out into the cold, still night. Above them the clouds had cleared and stars twinkled. He’d not even had time to grab a lantern. At least the moonlight was bright enough to light the way. He trotted to catch up and then fell into step next to her. “That was inexcusable. I’m sorry.”
Her pace slowed slightly, but she did not divert her gaze from the path before her. Even in her haste her movements exuded grace. “She certainly has her opinions.”
“My mother-in-law has good intentions, but if she’s angry or disagrees, there is no changing her mind.” He tried to lighten his tone. “We’ve not even been able to retain a butler for longer than a month because of her opinions.”
Clearly not interested in his attempt at lighter conversation, she lifted her cape, shook it out as she walked, and wrapped it around her shoulders.
He didn’t dare offer assistance.
They walked in silence until her cloak was fastened. “A teacher once told me that opinions, thoughts, and actions are the only things a woman can truly own. Everything else is subject to the influence of others. ’Tis one thing for Mrs. Towler to express her anger to me. I’ll likely never see her again. But it’s another matter entirely to take it out on Rachel. I don’t know specifics, but I do know that young women of Rachel’s age require patience and understanding. If you do not offer these, you risk pushing her away forever.”
He could not fault Miss Hale’s brashness. She’d been roped into a difficult situation in the middle of the night, and to intensify the situation, she’d been insulted. Even so, the walk to Anston was not a long one. He needed to keep the facts at hand and find out what really transpired. “Can you tell me what happened? Please. I—I need your help.”
She slowed at his request and expelled a breath, pluming frosty air into the night. “I’m residing at Mrs. Martin’s boardinghouse, and I heard them arguing outside of my window. As far as I witnessed, everything transpired as Rachel said. The young man wanted her to leave with him, and she did not want to go. He began to get violent, so I let him know his actions were being observed.”
“And that’s it?” Miss Hale was quickly becoming one of the most unusual women he had ever encountered. “You just interrupted?”
“Of course.”
“You had no idea who they were! Were you not frightened for your safety?”
“No. I only saw a woman who needed help. Besides, I always carry a weapon with me.”
He stopped walking. “A weapon? Surely you jest.”
Miss Hale shook her head. “I’ve a dagger in my boot this very moment. Do you really think I’d have agreed to walk alone with a man in the middle of the night without one?”
He was not exactly sure how to respond.
“It surprises me that not every lady takes such precautions when out alone,” she continued matter-of-factly. “At the school where I taught, the manservant was a retired soldier who had lost his leg in battle. He was determined to teach every student the art of defense. It was not ladylike, of course, but women must be able to protect themselves. I think we can agree that men do not always have a woman’s best interests at heart.”
Never had he heard a woman speak so openly on this topic. James tried to imagine Rachel, Elizabeth, or even Mrs. Towler with a dagger. It was almost comical, and yet he could see the benefit of such a skill. How would Rachel have reacted differently this night if she had known how to protect herself?