Trenton seemed taken aback, likely by Jane’s beauty and her calm yet determined demeanor, and apparently did not know what to say in response.
“I — I’m sure it’s fine,” he eventually stuttered out. “I should take her back now.”
“That’s hardly advisable, sir,” said Jane. “She should not move for at least a couple of days, until she has healed enough. There is still concern that infection could set in, and I would not like to chance it.”
“A couple of days? You would like me to leave her here for days?”
“You object? Do you find something amiss with her care here?” Finlay asked, rounding to face the man, his scowling face wearing his displeasure in the man’s countenance toward them.
“She should be with her father,” the man finally said, raising his nose into the air as if to prove he was somewhat better than them, despite the fact he stood at least a foot shorter than all of the men. Even Peggy was inches taller than he.
“I think, sir, we have ascertained that she is no better off with you than with us,” said Kyla, rising to face Trenton. “We, at least, provided her care when she so greatly needed it. My own father may not be particularly warm toward me, but at the very least when I myself was injured, he was at this doorstep as soon as he heard. Now, why do you not visit your daughter? If it seems she has not felt well treated, then you can determine together what is best to do.”
The man seemed as if he wanted to say something in return, but instead nodded at her, and Adam silently led him up the stairs, down the hallway to his bedroom.
“She’s staying in here?” he asked after Adam pushed open the door to let him in first. Trenton must have noted the masculinity of the room.
“She is,” Adam said in a tone that brokered no argument.
“Father,” Rachel’s sleepy voice barely reached the door from across the room. “You came.”
“I did,” he said, coming to stand next to her. “Are they treating you well?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, looking up at him, bemused. “Jane tended my wound ever so expertly, and I am already feeling much better.”
“Good,” he said, before running a hand over his balding head. “I should never have let you come. Women have no place in such a land.”
“I do not believe I am the one to blame in this situation, Father,” she said, seeming to gather all the dignity she could while lying in a bed facing him. Adam stood at the door, not leaving but neither entering the room. “What does Vincent have to say for himself?”
“He feels the same, that had you not been with us, none of this would have happened.”
“Nor would it if he had not been such an idiot!” she said in exasperation. “Why must men always project their blame elsewhere?”
“Do you feel safe here?” he asked, ignoring her sentiments on the man he so foolishly was considering for her husband.
“Of course I do,” she said, surprising Adam. “You need not worry about me here.”
“Fine,” he said with a sigh. “As soon as you are able to, you will return to Darfield Keep and stay put until it is time to leave. Understood?”
“Yes, I can agree to that,” she said, then seemingly wanting to be rid of him, added, “I am tired, however, Father, if you wouldn’t mind leaving me be for a time?”
“Yes, I shall be gone shortly,” he said with a nod. “Goodnight then, Rachel.”
“Goodnight, Father.”
As he brushed by him, Adam told him in a low voice that it was too late and too dark for him to return to Darfield this evening, but that he was welcome to stay overnight and would be accompanied back in the morning. While Trenton did not seem pleased, he agreed.
Adam took one last look at Rachel as she turned over in the large, wide bed and seemingly quickly fell into a deep sleep. He shut the door and led the man back down the stairs.
8
Hardwick Trenton rose much earlier than usual, having gone to sleep without the spirits of which he typically partook with the rest of the company he was keeping. The bedchamber he had been given had windows covered in only a light, fine mesh material, and the moment the sun hit his face, he came out of bed with a shock.
He began wandering the halls, but the house was quiet. At first, he thought the rest of them were still sleeping, but then soon realized they were already outside, working in the yard. It seemed they had animals to attend to. How fortunate he did not live with such responsibilities, he thought with a sigh of contentment at the life he had built for himself.
He had tried many a business, with both failure and success, but finally he had found one that seemed to be turning consistent profits, with more on the horizon. He was fortunate his partner, Sullivan Andrews, had the intellect to understand the inner workings of the power plant. Hardwick focused on what he knew best, and that was forging relationships with the other businessmen who could help them profit.
Hardwick opened the huge doors of the front vestibule, finding himself outside, and he began to search for one of the men who could return him to Darfield before they left on the hunt without him. He saw the man, Adam he believed his name was, pass into a small shack in the corner, and he made his way over. The Highlander exited the building before Hardwick could reach him, but curiosity got the better of him. He pushed open the door and began to look around the small, dark room. He saw no one,
