"Why are you here? Is that any way to greet family after I've come all this way to check on your welfare? His smile was oil slick. When I heard you'd married so suddenly, so soon after arriving here, I was concerned. Such haste suggests desperation, doesn't it?
Or love, Ethan said quietly, stepping forward. You must be the cousin Clara's mentioned, the married one who propositioned her. Charles's face flushed. I don't believe we've been introduced. Ethan Walker, Clara's husband, the real kind with vows before God and everything, not the back alley arrangement you had in mind.
How dare you? How dare I? Ethan's voice dropped dangerously. You drove my wife from her home with lies and slander because she wouldn't warm your bed. I'd say I'm being remarkably civil considering.
Charles's composure cracked slightly. Clara, surely we can discuss this privately, family business and all. We have no business, Charles. Whatever you came for, the answer is no. Ah, not even to protect your father's reputation.
Charles pulled out a leather folder. I have letters here, documents that could be interpreted in very unfortunate ways. Your father's medical practice involved some controversial treatments, especially regarding female hysteria. It would be such a shame if certain interpretations reached the newspapers. Clara felt sick, but before she could respond, Sophie appeared in the doorway.
Mama Clara, is everything okay? Everything's fine, sweetheart, Clara said steadily. Go find Mrs. O'Brien. But Sophie, with a child's instinct for tension, stayed put, moving to stand beside Clara and taking her hand. The simple gesture seemed to give Clara strength.
"Publish whatever you want, Charles," she said. "My father was a good man and a brilliant doctor. His treatments were progressive, not scandalous. And even if you twist them into something ugly, it doesn't matter anymore. The people here judge me by my own actions, not Boston gossip.
You think this frontier nobility act makes you better than you were? Charles sneered. You're still the same prideful girl who thought she was too good for what I offered. No, Clara said firmly. I'm not the same.
That girl was alone and frightened. This woman has a husband who respects her, a daughter who's learning to love her, and a community that's accepted her. You have no power here, Charles. We'll see about that. He turned to Ethan.