She wrapped her arms around herself. “We’ll stay here. Our cottage doesn’t have any apparent damage, and as soon as the town council declares it safe, we’ll leave the camp.”
“Aren’t you going back to London?”
“Not for now.” She gazed up at the stars.
Ethan followed her gaze. London’s smoke and lights covered the starlight. Here it shone in all its silver beauty on Cora’s delicate profile and her porcelain skin.David was right about wanting to see the stars.
“I admire your courage to risk your life to protect others,” Cora said still looking up at the sky, but her tone held a gravity that hinted that something deeper was going on in her thoughts.
“I’ve been trained to fight and kill when necessary. I don’t want to use those skills for the wrong causes. It’s not about courage,” he said. “The decisions we make are always about pain versus pain.”
She tilted her head, and a long curl caressed the gentle line of her jaw. He had to fight the impulse to tuck the wayward curl behind her ear.How curious.
“What do you mean? Pain versus pain?” she asked.
“Staying here and doing nothing is more painful than leaving and facing death. It’s always a matter of choosing what’s less painful.”
“You’re right. The choice always leans towards what causes less pain. The lesser evil.” She shivered although the night was warm.
He dipped his head to see her amber gaze. “What pains you, my lady?”
A flush crept over her cheeks, but it wasn’t a good type of flush. She opened and closed her mouth.
“Apologies,” he said. “I didn’t mean to be so bold.”
“Not at all.” She tugged the shawl around her shoulders. “You gave me a reason to ponder my decisions. I have only to find the courage to do the right thing and ask myself what is less painful.”
“I’m sure you will find your courage.” Whatever decision she talked about.
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Your faith in me motivates me, and your courage inspires me. What happened today, feeling death so close…” She trembled again. “It makes me think about my future and especially David’s future.”
He had to ask. Besides, he would leave soon and not see her again, or for a very long time at the very least. “When we were in the church, I gave you a fright, and you reacted in a certain way.”
“What way?” She lost the colour in her face.
“Reflexively. As someone who’s used to being hit.” There. He’d said it. He’d seen many soldiers returned from the battlefield reacting in a similar fashion, curling over themselves, trying to hide, too used to receiving pain. “And Mrs. Marshall hinted at a difficult situation for you.”
She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth, her lovely features tightening. If she slapped him, he wouldn’t blame her. “I don’t always react like that. It happens, not often, but my situation is complicated.”
Anger tasted bitter in his mouth. He clenched his fists. Roxbury. Not only an arrogant coward but a swine as well.
In for a penny, in for a pound. “Even David?” The question came out like a low growl.
“No.” There was fire in her gaze and ice in her voice. “Never. I’ve never let him touch my son. He’ll never touch him. No matter what I have to do.”
That was a relief of sorts.
“And…” She swallowed. “He doesn’t hit me. Not really. He’s brusque though.”
“But he frightens you.” That would be enough for Ethan to kill Roxbury.
“Yes, he does.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Frightening her was the same thing as hitting her. The result was the same. She didn’t live a full, happy life because of her husband.
He inched closer and lowered his voice. “There’ is a lady in Marylebone. Her name is Mrs. Sterling. She’s the wife of one of my men. She helps women who might be in need of protection and succour. She manages a centre close to her house where she welcomes women who want to leave the past behind. If you need help, please consider that option. Mrs. Sterling is a trustworthy person.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
