She looked up, eyes brimming with unshed tears, and her fingers tightened on his. He gave her a gentle tug and, to his surprise, she came to him without resistance, curling against him, her head on his chest. He held her close, her heart beating next to his, his lips on her hair.

Words seemed clumsy and intrusive. Instead, he stroked her cheek and kissed her hair, the scent of rosemary and lavender reminding him of his mother’s herb garden in faraway and long forgotten Virginia.

He prayed the moment would never end.

But she gave a shuddering sigh and stiffened. Reluctantly, he let her go and she pushed away from him, running her hands down her face.

‘I must look a fright,’ she said with a laugh that sounded forced.

‘You do, but—’ He stopped himself. There were three words he had not said to any woman before and he could not say them now. To say ‘I love you’ would change everything.

‘Thank you for your concern, Caleb,’ she said. ‘I will be fine in the morning. It is best to find these things out. Imagine if …’

Imagine if she had found out the truth after she had married Barnwell?

‘I am grateful to you for showing me that letter,’ she added.

‘It is Sissy you have to thank, not me,’ Caleb said and regretted his words as her eyes widened.

‘Sissy? How did she …?’ Realisation dawned and the colour faded from her face. ‘He—he availed himself?’

Caleb did not reply. He could not bring himself to tell her that Barnwell had abused Sissy in more ways than one. That would be a truth too many.

Adelaide put out a hand to the mantelpiece. ‘I wish he were dead,’ she said with such vehemence, Caleb drew a breath.

‘I broke his nose,’ he said.

A smile caught at the corner of Adelaide’s mouth. ‘Did you? I’m glad. I hope it hurts.’

Caleb glanced down at his own skinned knuckles. ‘If he wants a doctor, he will be out of luck.’

She looked at him. ‘Why are you here, Caleb?’

‘I was worried he might come here. He was in a terrible rage.’

She shook her head. ‘No. He had already said all he needed to say to me for now, but what can I do if he chooses to stay in Maiden’s Creek? He threatened to destroy me, Caleb. Worse, he threatened to take Danny from me. He’s Danny’s father. He has the right …’ Her voice shook and for a long moment, she fought back the tears that threatened again.

He shook his head. ‘I suggest you go to bed and try to sleep. We can talk in the morning, Adelaide.’

She took a shuddering breath. ‘If I can in this heat.’

‘I can stay …’ he began and indicated the day bed.

She shook her head. ‘Go home. I will be fine.’