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her face.
    “Good morning, Miss Appleton,” Charles’s voice boomed behind her.
    Winifred froze, her heart sinking. No! Charles could not see her like this! Frantically she tried toclean up the mess, but the goo only smeared more as she tried to clean it.
    “Miss Appleton?” Charles stood behind her, searching for her reflection in the glass. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes.” Turning toward him, she shrugged. “Someone objected to my presence. One would think eggs too costly to waste in such a manner.”
    Her words were joking, but Charles was appalled by the remnants of yolk still plastered on her cheek. “Who did this to you?”
    His outrage surprised her, as did the fury glittering in his black eyes. He looked as if he would rout the hoodlum himself and beat him to a pulp.
    “It doesn’t matter, Charles,” she said quickly. “I’m sure whoever it was is gone. The reporters went looking for him to try and get the story—”
    “What!” The light in his eyes blazed out of control, and his jaw tightened furiously. “They didn’t help you, but went after him, so they could write about it in the paper! By God, I will see them in jail first! Gallagher! Where the hell is that guard?”
    “Right here, sir.” A burly policeman ambled up from the hallway, a cup of coffee in one hand and a sweet roll in the other. “Did you need something?”
    “Yes.” Charles took a step closer to the man and said through gritted teeth. “Get rid of those reporters on the steps, and make sure they do not return. Someone assaulted Miss Appleton. Find the man. I want to press charges. If I come in tomorrow and those wretches are back, I am holding you personally responsible!”
    The officer jumped, nearly spilling his coffee. He opened his mouth to explain. Charles did not wait for his reply but grabbed Winifred’s hand and began dragging her down the hall.
    “Mr. Howe, this is ridiculous. I am fine,” she protested, but he ignored her. Taking her into his office, he whipped out his handkerchief and dipped it in water. Pushing her hands aside, he insisted on cleaning her himself. Feeling humiliated, she stood like a little girl while he scrubbed her face.
    “There.” He examined her face and was satisfied. “I think I got it all. I cannot believe someone would do such a thing.” His eyes narrowed. “Winifred, perhaps we should reconsider your working here. You should not be subject to assault.”
    Panic welled up inside her. He was considering terminating her! “It was just an egg! I am not at all hurt. Really, Charles, there is no sense getting into a tizzy over this.”
    “What if it had been a rock or a physical attack?” Charles’s eyes blazed. “There are a lot of people against women stepping out of their roles as wives and mothers. Tensions in the city are running high, particularly with the suffragettes agitating. Things could escalate.”
    “I am sure it was just a prank, nothing more,” Winifred said smoothly, surprised at the passion in his voice. “I think this incident was only for the benefit of the reporters. Usually I miss them, since I arrive early, but they must have figured out my schedule. Now that they are gone, there is no reason for anyone to bother me. Please, Charles, let us just forget the whole thing. I am certain it won’t happen again.”
    “I am not so sure.” He gazed into her hazel eyes as if considering the matter deeply. “I do not suppose I can convince you to give up because of one egg, but if it happens again, we will discuss it. I certainly do not want you walking to work anymore. If you cannot take your carriage, then I will supply cab fare. I will not be moved on this, Winifred. Otherwise everything else is off.”
    She nodded, relieved that he had relented about her position. “Yes, Charles,” she said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I will be more careful.”
    He looked down at the slender white hand resting on his dark coat. Something changed in his expression,