He had? A tiny part of Florence’s heart rejoiced at this news. But nothing could undo the fact that he’d stolen her grandmother’s home in the first place. He’d still lied to her. Returning the house didn’t undo any of that.

“And what is the catch?” her father asked.

“There is none,” Clay said. “I am righting a wrong. I shouldn’t have taken it.”

She frowned. He was doing this out of the goodness of his heart?

Understand that my motives are never pure. I’m as selfish as they come.

Those had been his words on the night they met. There had to be something he hoped to gain by giving up his revenge and returning the house. “Why?” she whispered.

Clay shifted and his eyes met hers for the first time since she’d walked in. “Because I hurt you.”

Ah. He hoped to gain her.

Especially when I foresee both gentlemen trying to win the two of you back.

How had Justine known? Florence’s chest fluttered yet she smothered the silly emotion. “While I appreciate the gesture, it is in vain. Still, you owe me answers and I mean to have them.”

The edges of Clay’s mouth lifted slightly. “Duncan, I’d like a few moments alone with your daughter.”

“Absolutely not.”

The words were said with such finality that Florence knew her father wouldn’t change his mind. Still, she had to try. “Daddy, please. I want to put this all behind me, and the only way to do so is to get answers.”

“Florence, let me do my best to protect you. His answers do not matter. This is not the man for you.”

“Just like how Chauncey was the man for Mamie?” He winced but she didn’t apologize for it. She hated to bring up her sister’s situation but their father had been wrong in pushing Mamie to marry Chauncey, who’d turned out to be a masher of the worst sort.

“Florence,” Mama said, a hint of censure in her voice. “That was unnecessary.”

“I disagree,” she argued. “You need to let us make our own choices, even if you and Daddy don’t agree with them. Things are different now. It’s not like when you were young.”

“It’s not that different,” her father said. “We also had criminals looking to seduce innocent young ladies.”

“Oh, Duncan,” Mama said. “In case you haven’t noticed, he’s already seduced her. And, if you don’t let her speak to him now she’ll merely sneak out to see him later. Wouldn’t you rather have her here than out on the streets after dark?”

Mama and Daddy exchanged a long look. They seemed to communicate without words, a lengthy conversation only the two of them understood. Finally, her father sighed. “Fine. But I’m leaving the door open and I won’t be far.”