She forced the hurt feelings down. Deep, deep down to some hidden place where she might eventually pull them out and analyze them. But for now, this was a stranger who’d done right by her.
Whether his offer to marry her had been fueled by a desire for her fortune or not, it did not matter.
Besides, he had every right to wish for some sort of payment for the noble act he’d undertaken.
It showed he was sensible, really.
She tilted her chin up higher. “I do not know that my father would honor the dowry he’s promised to Everley. But I know he would ensure that I was well settled. And once he learned of the circumstances leading to the…the…”
He arched his brows. “The marriage?” he offered.
She nodded. “Once he understood that you’d saved my life, I am certain he would…provide handsomely.”
She thought. She hoped. She bit her lip. Oh drat, what if he didn’t?
Her father was not a warm man, and they had never been close. He took pride in having a beautiful, marriageable daughter who could ensure a good match.
But if she couldn’t?
What value did she have?
She looked down at the table as the truth hit home.
She had none.
Not to her family, at least.
Perhaps Mr. Calloway sensed the change in her, because he sighed from across the table. “Let us shelve all talk of compensation and marriage for the time being, shall we?” His voice sounded weary. “For now let us just focus on the task at hand, which is to keep you safe from harm.”
She nodded, her throat still too choked to speak.
“Come,” he said, his voice sounded far more normal—all gruff and low and at ease as he came to stand. “We shall visit your School of Charm and ensure that they understand your predicament. I’ve already told Tolston to meet us there.”
She felt a smile tugging at her lips as she lifted her gaze. “It could not have been difficult to convince him. Lord Tolston will find any excuse to spend time with his future wife.”
He smiled in return and she felt warm all the way through at the affection in his eyes.
The awkwardness from a moment ago was gone, and they were back to being…
Friends.
Allies?
Oh, whatever they were, they were back.
11
Rupert tried not to notice the whispering that was taking place on the other side of the door.
Miss Grayson smiled kindly. “Do not mind the girls, they are just curious.” She glanced over at Delilah. “And worried.”
Delilah looked away.
“Tolston and I will only tell them as much as you wish to let them know,” Miss Grayson said to Delilah.
Delilah sniffed, her haughty expression speaking volumes—to Rupert, at least. She was uncomfortable with Miss Grayson’s kindness, unused to being the object of concern.
“Whatever you please,” Delilah said stiffly. “I leave it to your discretion.”
Tolston, who’d arrived at the same time they had, looked to Delilah as well. “We will get to the bottom of this, Miss Clemmons.”
She nodded, but her confidence was feigned. He could not blame her. Rupert had been trying to affix a crime to Everley’s name for years and had never made progress. What were the odds that they could do so now, with her wedding date looming in the not-too-distant future?
Miss Grayson reached a hand out to Delilah but seemed to think better of it and snatched it back. “Should we not tell your father? Your stepmother?”
Did Delilah have any idea how much her silence gave away? How her eyes spoke volumes even when she kept her mouth shut.
She did not believe they would care, or maybe she just was not certain they would believe her. Either way, every time her family had been mentioned, she’d drawn into herself in a way that made Rupert want to rage.
He could handle her anger, he now knew how to soothe her when she was frightened, but this… Her withdrawing into herself, not trusting the people around her with her emotions—it drove him mad.
Specifically, it made him want to rail against the person or people who had instilled this level of distrust. Who had raised her to be a veritable hermit crab. All hard shell on the outside, and a soft underbelly she was terrified to expose.
Miss Grayson and Tolston were waiting patiently for her to answer the direct question about her family, perhaps not realizing what a sensitive topic they’d touched upon.
When he could stand it no longer, Rupert answered on her behalf. “I’ve advised Miss Clemmons to keep this business as confidential as possible for the time being. As her father is sick and ought not to suffer undue stress. I believe it would be for the best if we wait to speak to him until we have conclusive proof.”
He looked over and found Delilah staring at him, her expression inscrutable.
He turned back to the others. “We’re only sharing this information with you because we may need your help to keep Delilah’s reputation intact,” he said.
Miss Grayson nodded. “Of course. We will do whatever you need.”
Delilah stepped in with the details of the message she wished for Miss Grayson to send to her home. That she had decided to stay at the school for a while to see her friends.
“Of course I will send that,” she said, concern tightening Miss Grayson’s pretty features. “But…to stay at the home of a bachelor, unchaperoned…”
“It is not ideal,” Delilah said, her tone dry. “But it is where I am safe.”
Rupert wasn’t certain, but he suspected his chest puffed to double its size at that show of confidence that he could keep her safe.
He would.
He had no doubt of that. He’d give his life before he let any harm come to her.
But the fact that she knew it too—that was a boon to his pride.
Once Miss Grayson was appeased and had gone off to her writing desk in the corner to compose the missive,
