And because of that, Darius had no business holding Olivia in his arms.
With an apologetic smile, he reluctantly stepped away from her and resumed walking.
Olivia’s pulse wouldn’t stop racing. For a moment, while Darius held her, she thought he’d been about to kiss her. Her whole being had yearned for the touch of his lips on hers, to feel loved once more, even if only for a few minutes.
But he’d stiffened suddenly and pulled away. Now he walked beside her with his hands clasped behind him, as though resisting the temptation to touch her again.
She pressed her lips together. Foolish daydreams, Olivia. He was just being kind, offering her comfort as a friend would do.
She steered the carriage around the corner and continued on in silence, trying to forget being sheltered in his arms.
Finally, he turned to her. “Does the doctor know the cause of Mary’s death? Was it the beating or complications from childbirth?”
“He’s not sure. He’s ordered a coroner’s report to find out.”
“I can’t help feeling somewhat responsible. Perhaps I should have brought her straight to the hospital.” Lines etched his forehead.
“No, you did the right thing. If she had needed the hospital, Dr. Henshaw would have insisted she go.”
He gave her a warm look. “Thank you for saying that. I only wish I could have done more for her.”
“Me too.”
A couple walked toward them on the sidewalk. The man tipped his hat as they passed, and the woman smiled. It occurred to Olivia that she and Darius must seem like a young couple taking their child for an outing.
If only they knew the truth.
“How is Mrs. Bennington holding up?” Darius asked.
Olivia let out a small sigh. “She’s heartbroken, of course. It’s devastating to have one of the first women we tried to help perish that way. It goes against everything we’re trying to do.”
Darius gave her a pensive look. “I’ve often wondered why she chose to start a venture like this at her age.”
Olivia gripped the handle of the carriage tighter. “Ever since her husband’s death, she’d been floundering with no real direction to her days. I think she was looking for something to give her purpose.”
“What about you, Olivia? How did you get involved?”
Her foot caught the edge of a stone and she almost stumbled. Panicked thoughts pinged around in her head. What story had she and Ruth told everyone at the gala? Something about Olivia being at a low point in her life. Oh, why couldn’t she remember?
What would Darius say if she revealed the ugly truth? That she’d been in jail and given birth to an illegitimate child? She shuddered, picturing the disgust on his face if she did. No, she could not allow that to happen.
She licked her lips and attempted a nonchalant shrug. “I’m sure I told you. Ruth took me in when I was in need of a job and homeless.” Her throat cinched closed until she swallowed hard against the lump forming there. “I was grateful for her help and more than happy to join her endeavor.” Olivia could barely breathe. Would he accept her rather sketchy explanation? She could feel the weight of his stare on her face. Heat crawled up her neck into her cheeks.
“I’m sorry you’ve endured such difficulties,” he said at last. “It sounds like God brought you and Ruth together right at a time when you needed each other.”
“That’s true. Ruth has helped me turn my misfortune into something positive. There’s no greater gift than that.”
They walked on in silence, and when he didn’t pursue the topic any further, she allowed her shoulders to relax. “You never really said why you came by. I assume it wasn’t to take a walk with us.” The clicking of her heels on the sidewalk seemed overly loud on the quiet street.
He shifted slightly away from her. “I wanted to make sure the protestors weren’t still harassing you.” He hesitated. “And I wanted to see how you were doing, of course.”
Warm tingles spread through her chest. Had he really come just to find out how she was? “As you can see, I’m much better.” She touched a finger to the smaller bandage at her hairline. “The stitches are beginning to feel itchy, which is a sign of healing, according to Dr. Henshaw.”
“That’s a good thing, then.” He cast a quick sideways glance at her. “Is Dr. Henshaw treating you now?”
“Unofficially.” She gave a self-conscious laugh. “When he heard about my accident, he insisted on seeing the injury for himself. He agreed that the physician did an excellent job with the stitches. Most of the scar will be hidden by my hair.” She smiled, yet Darius did not smile in return.
Instead, he frowned, staring straight ahead. “Are you . . . that is . . .” He pressed his lips into a tight line as though to keep from blurting something out.
“Am I what?”
“Are you interested in Dr. Henshaw?”
“You mean romantically?”
He shrugged one shoulder, his complexion reddening.
“Heavens no. What gave you that idea?”
He turned the full force of his blue eyes on her. “Surely you must’ve noticed the man has feelings for you?”
“Dr. Henshaw?” Olivia slowed to a halt.
“It’s not so hard to believe. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
She gripped the carriage handle tighter. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. He’s always acted in a professional manner.”
“So you wouldn’t go out with him if he asked?”
Olivia’s pulse skittered. Why did Darius seem so interested in her answer? “I don’t think that would be prudent.”
A storm of emotion rose in his eyes. “Olivia, I—”
Just then Abigail let out a squawk, apparently protesting the fact that the carriage had stopped moving.
Olivia tore her gaze from his. “We’d better head back before she gets fussy.”
He blinked. “Right. I have to get back
