Page 51 of Mail-Order Lady

And this note did appear to be written by Father.

So did that mean Nathan was who he claimed to be? Who this letter claimed him to be?

Robert glanced up at the man. Nathan stood with his weight easy on one hip, watching the mountains to the northwest. There was something in his stillness that read like a man who had waited out worse silences than this one.

Thomas was the first to speak. “I think we need to know him better. Have him stay here so we can watch him. Decide if all he says is true.”

Enoch whirled to face him. “Let him into the house? With our women and children?”

Thomas shrugged. “He can stay in the barn. We’ll watch him. Not let him inside until we’re sure. If we send him away, we’ll be constantly wondering where he is and what he’s doing.”

Exactly.

Robert made himself say, “I’ll ride to Walnut Springs and wire Father. See if we can get confirmation right away.” Though the last thing he wanted was to leave Clara here with a stranger on the property. Could he take her with him? But having her out in the open on the journey might put her in even more danger.

Enoch’s chin dipped once. “Go.” His voice had returned to that flat, controlled tone. Maybe he was finally thinking clearly again. “Pay the extra for urgent delivery. Don’t come back until he answers.”

Robert nodded and eyed Nathan again. “It may be overnight.”

He had to know Clara would be safe before he left her. His brothers would do everything in their power, of course, but… “Are you going to have him sleep in the barn?”

“That’s better than the house,” James said.

“He can lay his bedroll in the yard.” Enoch raised his rifle, as if even the thought of him under a Balfour roof might be cause to shoot him.

Robert nodded. At this rate, he might need to protect Nathan from his brothers more than the other way around. Clara would be safe though. Safer than anywhere else.

He stepped backward toward the door. “I’ll gather my things.” And let Clara know what was happening. If there was anything he could do to put her more at ease, he’d do it.

CHAPTER 15

Clara pressed her palm flat against the wall and strained for any sounds from the men outside.

The great room had been mostly quiet as they all listened. Rose stood at the front window with one hand on the curtain, not quite holding it back, only the smallest edge lifted between her fingers so she could see. Clara stood with Bea and Mandie near the back of the room, little Catherine on her mother’s hip. They’d just marked Catherine’s eighth month, and the babe usually squirmed to crawl on the floor. Even she must sense the tension thick in the room.

They’d been trying to make out words for a while, but now only silence drifted through the thick log walls.

“Robert is coming in.” Rose spun just as the front door opened, and Robert stepped backward through the gap.

He closed the door behind him and turned to face them, his rifle still held up like he thought he’d find another threat in here.

His face formed that tight expression that came when he was worried. Even his eyes weren’t his usual steady, focused gaze. They were wide and white, like he was truly frightened.

A new round of fear churned through her as he approached them. She’d never seen Robert frightened.

“The man in the yard says his name is Nathan Balfour.”

“Balfour?” Mandie edged forward, like she might charge out onto the porch and confront the stranger.

“He claims Father had a previous marriage. Before our mother. A wife and son who died at sea.” He paused. “Or rather, Father was told they both died. The son was taken by pirates and made to be a slave for a time.”

Silence smothered the room. A brother? An older brother? Could that be possible? Clara thought it far more likely that he came as a spy from either her mother or Reginald. Her mother could be this devious and more. Had they asked him why⁠—

“Why is he here?” Rose got the question out before Clara could form words.

Robert’s jaw tightened. “Father sent him. Or so he claims. He came with a letter that appears to be in Father’s hand.” He paused. “It tells the whole story and says Father is coming himself when Parliament rises. That he wants us to receive Nathan as a brother.”

Mandie made a small sound. Maybe distress or disbelief.