“Of course, my lady. I
haven’t told them anything yet.” Woods left.
“Look, Evan,” Sophie said. “I don’t want to worry our parents, and I don’t want to violate Ally’s confidence. I don’t know how they would feel about her writing…well, you know.”
Evan agreed. He would do nothing to hurt Alexandra. She’d been through enough.
Sophie continued, “I hate dishonesty, so I think we should tell them the truth—minus Ally's involvement. I need to protect her.”
Evan nodded. “Yes, that seems prudent. I truly had no idea that my business was publishing the material, and the culprit is now dead. We’ll tell them of your kidnapping and my being shot.”
“Do you suppose Ally went to your establishment to exonerate herself? To find out who was behind this?”
He nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. Why didn’t I believe her? This is all my fault.” He cupped his head in his hands, his heart threatening to break.
“It’s not your fault, Evan. We both know Ally has her own mind.”
He looked up at Alexandra’s sister. Sophie was quietly brave in her own way. Nothing like Alexandra’s passionate strength, but still courageous despite what she’d been through. He had newfound respect for his—he hoped—future sister-in-law.
“We can’t tell them why Ally went to your business,” Sophie continued.
Evan nodded. “We’ll just say she went to the shop to check on something for me while I was laid up, and she found evidence— Oh, I hate lying.”
“As do I,” Sophie said. “But I don’t think we have a choice until we’re able to get the truth out of Ally.”
* * *
After several hours of talking, Iris had calmed down enough to take to her chamber for a few hours.
“We’re fine, Mama, I assure you,” Sophie said again and again.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t take care of the girls better, Father,” Evan said, his head bowed.
“It doesn’t sound like any of it was your fault, Evan,” the earl said. “I’m just glad everyone is all right. I must see to my wife.” He strode up the stairs.
Evan stood with his cane. He was exhausted and filled with disappointment in himself. He had strived to look after Iris’s daughters, and he had failed miserably. And he’d fallen in love with one of them. Once Alexandra was able, he would speak to her and beg her forgiveness. Even if she wouldn’t take him back, at least she would recover. That was the most important thing.
He took to his own chamber and slept for the rest of the day and well into the night.
* * *
Ally woke the next day to find her mother at her side.
“Mama?”
“Yes, my darling. We returned yesterday. My God, what did that barbarian do to you?”
“It’s all right,” she choked out. “I’ve endured…worse.”
Iris nodded. “I know you have, Ally, and I’m so sorry.”
“There was nothing you could do, Mama.”
“I did what I could. Please believe that.”
Ally’s heart filled with love. For once, she truly did understand what her mother had endured to keep her and Sophie as safe as possible. “I do believe you. Truly.”
Iris’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought these days were over. I thought…”