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closer, but she backed away. Her heart was suddenly pounding in her chest, and there seemed to be a roaring in her ears.
    “We were just at Hawesworth Castle, Fiona,” Alex said, his expression so gentle as he reached out to finally reclaim her hand. “We went there to give you the good news. Ian is alive. More than that, he has been cleared of all charges. In fact, he’s helped us bring in several traitors and given us information that might lead to more.”
    She kept blinking, as if that would bring the world back into focus, Alex’s strong hand her only anchor.
    Alive. Ian alive. Safe. Innocent. All of them innocent of scandal.
    Still the numbness didn’t dissipate. She rubbed at her forehead, as if that could help clear the confusion. “I don’t understand.”
    With gentle hands, he eased her back into her chair and knelt before her, his hands on the arms of her chair. “I can’t tell you everything. I can’t even tell you where he is. There is still some danger to him, and it is considered better for him to remain in hiding. In fact, you can’t tell anyone about this yet. For his protection.”
    She searched his eyes for deceit, for cruelty. She found none, only compassion, only joy. “But he is safe? He’s well?”
    Alex nodded. “I’m sure he will get in touch soon. He’ll want to introduce you to your new sister-in-law.”
    Fiona gaped like a simpleton. “My, he has been busy, hasn’t he?”
    Alex reclaimed his seat. “In fact…”
    She raised a hand. She didn’t want to know more. She was having enough trouble breathing as it was. “We won’t go back,” she said baldly. “I refuse to expose Mairead to that nasty old man again.”
    Chuffy snorted. “Good sense. Come with us.”
    She knew her eyebrows were halfway up her forehead. “Come with you? Where?”
    If she had expected an answer, she was disappointed. Alex looked at Chuffy. Chuffy gaped at Alex and shook his head. “Forgot that.”
    “You forgot where you want me to go?”
    “We’ll figure something out,” Alex insisted. “The point is, you don’t need to stay here any longer. You should return to your rightful place in society—” His smile blossomed. “If for no other reason than to rub your grandfather’s face in your success.”
    He was still smiling. Fiona’s heart felt as if it were splitting. How did she tell him? How could she ever admit the truth? No matter what he wanted, it was far too late to go back. It always had been.
    She opened her mouth to answer, when she heard the front door slam. A reprieve. She needed to think. She needed to plan. Mairead would give her the chance.
    “It is my sister,” she said, lurching back to her feet. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to her yet about Ian. She…doesn’t tolerate shock well.”
    “You’re certain?” Alex asked, rising as well.
    She was nodding when the library door slammed open. But it wasn’t Mairead. It was a scruffy boy of twelve, bent over, a hand on his thigh, panting as if he’d climbed St. Paul’s. Fiona’s relief evaporated.
    “Well, Tim?”
    “You…gotta come…” He threw an arm wide. “Up the hill. She’s…she’s…gonna do herself harm.” This time he shook his head. “You gotta come.”
    Fiona gave a brisk nod and waved him back. “Get my cloak, Tim.”
    The boy ran out without another word. Fiona turned to the men. “We will have to postpone the rest of this discussion, gentlemen. I must see to my sister.”
    “We’ll help,” Chuffy offered, moving toward the door.
    Fiona grabbed his arm. “You will not. It will only upset her more. If you wish, come back tomorrow afternoon. By then I will have broken the news to her. But for now, I must leave.”
    “But surely you would do better with some help,” Alex protested.
    For the first time since the two men had knocked on her door, Fiona was able to laugh with real humor. “Oh, Alex. I have been handling Mairead since I was in leading strings. Now go on