He frowned. "Do you think that's a good idea?"
"Nay, but I must try to calm her down."
"Come back here if she gives you trouble."
Calla nodded and hastened into the corridor. At the room they shared, Elena's sobs reached her through the door.
Calla entered, thankful she hadn't barred it. "Elena—"
"Leave me be! I never want to see you again. Traitor! You knew I loved him and you had to steal him away."
"I didn't steal him away."
"What would you call it, then? You were… in his bed… naked!" She burst into tears again. "You are naught but a trollop."
Annoyance blazed through Calla, along with no small amount of guilt, but she didn't regret one moment of the time she'd spent with Rebbie. Something stunning happened every time she was with him.
"What happened when he rescued you? You were alone with him for days," Elena said. "No doubt sleeping with him every night."
Unable to tell the girl the truth, but at the same time, not wanting to lie, Calla kept her lips sealed.
"You stole him away from me!"
The girl couldn't understand she'd never had Rebbie to begin with. Nor did Calla possess him. No one did. He was his own man, and he was powerful enough and wealthy enough to do whatever he pleased. "I'm sorry.'Twasnever my intention to hurt you."
"Well, you did. You're no better than a wanton tavern wench."
Callabit her lip and stared down at her clenched fingers. Elena's words were too close to the truth for her comfort. She had seduced Rebbie, not in a tavern, but an inn… and only to save her own life. She couldn't tell Elena that, for the girl would never understand. She'd been spoiled, sheltered and overprotected her whole life. She had never known any hardships, and Calla hoped she never faced anything more painful than what she was going through right now.
"Pray pardon," Calla said. "I hope you can someday forgive me."
Elena sniffed and blew her nose on a handkerchief. "Are you going to marry him?"
Calla shook her head. "He certainly hasn't asked me."
"But if he did?"
"I know not."
"You would," she said, then burst into sobs again. "Do you love him?"
Not wanting to lie to her cousin, yet also uncomfortable talking about her feelings, especially to the woman who'd wanted to marry him, Calla shrugged.
"You do," Elena accused with disgust. "You love him."
"We don't always get to choose who we love."
"I don't want to hear your words of wisdom. I want to be alone."
"Very well." Calla stood and moved toward the door. She supposed she could slip back toRebbie'sroom and sleep there.
A loud knock at the door startled her.
She opened it to find Elena's father and mother waiting there. Barclay looked like a dark thundercloud.
"What's going on in here? What's the ruckus?" He entered the room, his wife following, and approached Elena, weeping on the bed.
Calla had forgotten their chamber was next door. Elena would no doubt tell her father she'd caught Calla inRebbie'sroom. She didn't want to be alone when those two confronted her. Barclay might become angry enough to strike her. She quickly quit the room and closed the door behind her. She rushed along the corridor.
