“No, not yet. I want those envelopes opened, without them looking like they’ve been opened if possible. There may be something in them that, once I see it, would lead me to something else here in this house. Once I leave, we’ll never get anyone back in here.”

She held up the flat of her hand. “I’m leaving very soon. I very much doubt I’ll still be here tomorrow morning. I don’t like being here and”—she barely moved her lips, hoping not to be overheard—“Rachel was right. Mr. Hawkins is frightening. Open the envelopes so I know what’s in there. I intended to do that after Mr. Hawkins went to sleep tonight. Wyatt comes to my bedroom every night and—”

“He does what?” Kevin’s voice wasn’t a bit quiet on that question.

“Hush.” Molly shoved Kevin’s shoulders. “Nothing wrong is happening between us. He comes to my window to see if I’ve found anything, then he sneaks through my room.” She checked for Mr. Hawkins again. “And sleeps in a nearby pantry, so he’s close enough to hear me if I need help. But today I decided I’m done.”

She gripped Kevin’s wrist tightly and thought of how Mr. Hawkins had gripped her arm. And what had he been about to say when Win and Kevin had arrived? Yes, there was no more decision to make. Her time here was up. “I haven’t been hurt, but he’s a frightening man.”

“I’m going to go find Wyatt and give him these envelopes. We’ll look at them right now. Can you go into the study with Win and Hawkins? I don’t want her alone with him.”

“He won’t like me in there. I’d be forgetting my place. He’s very particular about how he treats servants.” Her eyes grew wide. “You should hear how he talks to Wyatt.”

Kevin’s brows arched. “And Wyatt puts up with it?”

“Go. And get back here. I’ll take coffee in. I think he’ll accept me coming in to serve him.”

Kevin kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be back in five minutes. I didn’t see Wyatt when we rode in. If he’s not to hand, I’m not going hunting.” He ran out of the kitchen.

Molly picked up the coffeepot and set it on a tray. She added delicate china cups and saucers, white with blue flowers, as pretty as anything Molly had ever seen. Then she headed for the study, determined to interrupt even if nothing was going on.

“Pa, can I have these pictures?” Win looked at the small portraits of her grandmother and grandfather. She recognized her grandmother. It shocked her to realize she’d held the memory of the fine old lady all these years. Her heart warmed until it was nearly hot.