“I had last-minute business here,” Aidan said curtly without even looking at me. “Maybe I could forgive the disobedience, but I cannot forgive her carelessness.” He spoke as if I was invisible. “Her only job is to look after my daughter and she cannot even do that. She is an irresponsible chit.” He paused to draw a breath. “I knew it was a risk to bring her from New York after she deceived me, but I never expected this. I cannot imagine the awful things that might have happened to my daughter. It was an unforgivable lapse on Miss Sweeney’s part, and she deserves the harshest punishment. I shall expect her to leave my employ at once and return to New York.”

Aidan refused to look at me. He was right to be angry. Everything he said was justified. Mayflower put her arm around my shoulders, but I gently shook her off. I wanted to be alone in my misery.

When we reached the car, Manuel was waiting for us.

“Take them directly to Dallas, Manuel, and make sure they are safe inside the house before you leave.”

“Sí, señor,” said Manuel.

Aidan stood watching us as the car drew away, his lips tight in fury. I looked back at him for a moment, then I slid down in my seat and closed my eyes. For a while Lily sat sullenly beside me; then she moved closer and put her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder. It was as if she knew as well as I did what would be the consequences of this day.

Mayflower tried to comfort me, assuring me that she was to blame.

“No, Aidan’s right, Mayflower,” I said in a low voice. “I should never have let her out of my sight. I should have gone into the café with her instead of sitting gazing up at the hotel, wondering which room was his. I was too busy with my fantasies to pay attention to the child.”

After a while Mayflower spoke again.

“And what was this lie you told Aidan in New York?”

I wanted to tell her it was none of her business, but I was too weary to fight. Instead, I recounted the whole story. Mayflower let out a sigh.

We lapsed into silence for a time. Lily had fallen asleep, her soft breathing a comforting sound, like a purring cat. I was left with my own thoughts.

“He won’t change his mind this time, Mayflower,” I said at length, expressing my worst fears. “He’ll send me back to New York. And I deserve it. Aidan is a good man, and he has principles that he will not betray. He expects everyone to live up to them.”

* * *