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His heart bled acid. “This is because of that consarning Genealogical Society, isn’t it?”
She looked taken back. “What do you mean?”
Lies, lies, and more lies.Why did everyonelieto him?
“You know exactly what I mean.” He closed the distance between them, and Beth all but fled. “I know you’ve been meeting with them.Don’t lie to me. You’re leaving because this house is tamed, and I’m not some fancy wizard. There’s nothing fun in your boring life anymore, so you’re quitting.”
Hulda’s eyes widened. Cheeks tinted carmine. “Howdareyou make such asinine assumptions! And how dare you judgeme, when you just spent the last thirty-six hours chasing some hussy across New England!”
“Hussy?Hussy?” The acid blazed into fire, melting his fingertips and choking out his air. “If she’s a hussy, then what does that make me?”
Hulda flushed darker. Pressed her lips into a hard line.
“Huh, Hulda?” he pushed. “Because I’m every bit as guilty as she is.”
Gripping the strap of her bag, Hulda pushed past him and scooped up the suitcase. “I don’t have to listen to this. I’ve no contract with you.”
“Contract!” he barked. “Why don’t I help you with your self-righteous tirade, eh? I’m a bastard, too! An unemployed, sex-mongering, unmagical bastard. Hardly good enough for the likes of a pretentious housekeeper, if I say so myself.”
She spun on her heel. “You insolent, horrible man! Don’t pin your shortcomings on me or anyone else in this house!” With that, she marched for the door.
“Leave, then!” he bellowed after her. “Leave, just like everyone else does!”
She slammed the door.
The pyre burned hot and cold. He felt like a loaded and cocked gun; he needed somewhere to fire. Spinning, he punched the wall hard enough to crack it... and to send white-hot pain racing up his arm.
The portrait behind himtsked, and the wall resealed itself.
Pinching his nose, Merritt dropped onto the first stair and sunk his elbows onto his knees. “Just like everyone else does,” he whispered, and squeezed his eyes closed so tightly no tears could escape.
Hulda could not remember the last time she’d been soangry.
It was embarrassing to have been caught in her escape by Merritt—Mr.Fernsby, that was—but why should she have to explain herself? It was no lie that BIKER wanted her return. Myra had pushed for it more than once. And what did he care? Heaven forbid something disrupt his comfortable life!I’ve just gotten used to you,he’d said once. A person wasn’t entitled to service merely because he was “used to” it.
And his assumptions about her and the Genealogical Society... how utterly crude. He knew she’d gone there to get information forhim. His words had been vile and confusing. What had fueled him to act in such a savage way?Just his true colors, perhaps.
In an odd way, she was grateful for the argument. Anger was easier than dolefulness, humiliation, despondency. She clung to anger.
She managed to dial her mood down to simmering by the time she arrived at BIKER; the moving company would deposit her things in her temporary apartment, until Myra sent her to Nova Scotia. Lugging her empty bag up the stairs, Hulda was relieved to see her friend standing over Miss Steverus’s desk, looking through a file. The secretary herself was away at the moment.
Myra glanced up at her approach, then jumped from her chair, a grin splitting her face. Hulda couldn’t help but return the smile.Oh, to be appreciated.It was a cool balm to her wounded soul.
“You’re back!” She eyed the bag. “Are you here to stay?”
Hulda nodded, a gesture that gave her the utmost satisfaction. “You’ll be pleased to know I considered what you said and decided you were right. I’m ready for whatever assignment you need me for, even filing.” Anything to keep her busy.
Myra clapped her hands before embracing Hulda. “I’m so glad. Oh, it will be good to have you around, if only for a little while. I’m expecting news from London any time now.” She paused. “Hulda, are you all right? I’m reading—”
“Please, don’t.” Hulda put up a stalling hand while scrambling her thoughts, tucking away the sore ones and replacing them with meticulous descriptions of the office. “I know you can’t help picking up on strong thoughts, but please... I’ll explain later.”
Myra frowned. “Of course, if that’s what you want.”
Relief tickled beneath her skin. “It is.”
Myra collected the folder. “I need to compare this to some findings. It should only be a minute. Do you mind waiting?”
“I might see to unpacking.” Hulda patted her bag.
