“You’re doing quite a bit of suggesting, Mr. Paxton.”
Her cool, mocking voice made him quake with renewed rage at her damned interference. He raised his fisted hand. “See here, you’ve no right to interfere. She’s nothing, do you hear? Nothing, merely a dirty little slave.”
“And you, sir, are a dirty pig.”
“I can do just as I please with the slaves. The girl was waiting for me in the garden. She wanted it.”
“No, missis, no. It was Josh.”
Byrony ignored the girl’s pitiful cry, her eyes fastened on Paxton. “Now, sir, I have a suggestion for you. You will be gone from Wakehurst by morning.”
He drew himself up to his full height. “You giving me orders, Mrs. Hammond? A woman doesn’t give orders. And from what I’ve heard, you and your precious husband are about as friendly as birds and cats. I fancy Mr. Hammond just might give me this little trollop for my trouble. He likely wants to take her himself first. Why else would he move her into the big house?”
“Because, you stupid fool, she’s a child, and like most men who have the slightest claim to honor, I tend to protect children.”
Byrony whirled around to see Brent standing in the open doorway, his eyes as cold as his voice.
“She’s a slave, damn you, Hammond. I’ve always had my pick of them. You know how they are, hot and ready for a man—”
Byrony heard a roar of fury. She saw Josh hurl himself past Brent.
“Dammit, Josh, stop.”
She saw Brent grab the huge black man’s arm with such force that it jerked him around. For an agonized moment, she thought Josh would strike Brent to get to Paxton.
She blinked at the very brief struggle. Josh was held firmly, his arm twisted behind his back, panting with pain and rage.
“He’s not worth it, my friend,” she heard Brent say quietly to Josh. “I’ll handle it, I promise you.”
Brent turned his attention to Paxton. “I believe,” he drawled, “that I heard my wife give you a suggestion.” He paused a moment, then continued in a very soft voice, “Consider it an order. You will be gone from Wakehurst by the morning, Paxton, or I’ll kill you. Do you understand, you scum?”
“Just where do you think you’ll find another overseer? Don’t be a fool, man. The little slut is nothing.”
“No, Josh,” Brent said quietly to his friend, feeling his rage at the overseer. “Actually, Paxton, I’m a bit disappointed that you could be so stupid. You see, I’ve just begun to dig into your activities. I would have preferred to see you in jail for your cheating. But no matter. Not to see your ugly face again will have to be enough. Byrony, keep your rifle pointed at him until I give Lizzie my jacket.”
Byrony stood quietly as she watched Brent walk to the cowering girl and cover her with his jacket. She heard him say very gently, “You’ve no reason to be scared now, Lizzie. Everything will be all right.”
“You’re a stupid fool, Hammond. What man lets a woman tell him what to do?”
Brent smiled, actually smiled. “You know, Paxton, you’re becoming a complete bore. I have a suggestion for you now: shut your mouth and start packing. I intend to remain here until I see the last of your dirt.”
“Brent, I—” Byrony paused as her husband’s eyes met hers.
“You will return to the house with Lizzie and Josh. I will see you in a couple of hours. Go now, Byrony.”
He sounded abrupt, angry, and she didn’t understand him. But she felt too grateful to him to worry about it at the moment.
“Yes, Brent,” she said only. Lizzie scurried to stand beside her, but Byrony was looking at Josh. “You will accompany us back, Josh. I need your protection.”
The big man looked undecided, his black eyes darting back to Paxton.
“Please, Josh,” Byrony said again. “Brent will handle everything.”
The bedroom was bathed in early-morning light. Byrony doused the lamp, then returned to her chair to wait. She’d slept a bit during the long night, only to jerk awake after a few minutes, straining to hear Brent.
When she finally heard his steps in the corridor, she jumped to her feet.
Brent walked into the bedroom, drawing to an abrupt halt at the sight of his wife.