on her tightened. “I’ll see her settled,” he whispered, then looked up and met Caroline’s gaze once more. “Do not leave.” He had to explain. He had to make her understand. He could not allow her to believe what everyone else liked to believe.
Not her.
She was different.
She needed to know the truth.
He needed her to know.
His little mouse gave no more than the barest imitation of a nod, but it would have to do.
“Miss Glass?” Pierce said over his shoulder to his daughter’s governess, who still stood quietly behind him. “Would you see Miss Hawkins to the drawing room?” Then his gaze returned to his little, grey mouse and became imploring. “Do not leave or I shall come after you.”
Her gaze narrowed slightly, suggesting a hint of disapproval at his threat. However, she once again nodded before she took a step toward him, her gaze hard as it held his. “I’ll not leave for you owe me answers.”
Pierce smiled. “I do, and I promise you’ll have them.”
Then he carried his daughter up the stairs and into her chamber. He gently settled her back into her bed and pulled the blanket over her little shoulders. She looked so peaceful and, yet, he knew the horror she had to have relived in order to send her fleeing from her bed. Would these nightmares never end?
As he stepped out of the room, Miss Glass met him, her gaze still fearful. “How is she?”
“She’s sleeping,” Pierce replied, not knowing what else to say.
“I’ll look after her,” Miss Glass promised, sympathy coming to her pale gaze. “Do not worry.”
“Thank you,” Pierce replied, gently squeezing her hand. “Where is she? Miss Hawkins.”
A small smile came to Miss Glass’ young face. “Pacing the drawing room like a caged lioness.”
Pierce chuckled, then bid her a good night and headed down the stairs.
As he drew closer to the half-open door of the drawing room, he could hear her soft footsteps as she strode up and down in front of the fireplace. Oddly enough, she was the second person to do so that day.
Stepping inside, Pierce closed the door behind him. “I’m surprised to see you,” he said, watching her spin around, her jaw tensing and her eyes accusing. “What are you doing here?”
His little mouse pushed back her shoulders, then crossed her arms over her chest and leveled a hard stare at him. “I came to ask you about Rebecca…and then I found your daughter.” Her jaw tensed further, and Pierce wondered if she realized how jealous she appeared in that moment. He could not deny that he loved it.
Approaching slowly, he held her gaze. “Your cousin is fine,” he told her calmly, watching the way her shoulders began to relax. “Pembroke stole her away.”
“Where are they?” she demanded, but her voice had softened and her arms dropped back to her sides.
“On their way to Scotland,” Pierce replied. “I expect them to be married in a day or two.”
Her blue gaze grew darker. “Married?”
“Do you disapprove?”
Watching him, she drew in a slow breath.
“He loves her,” Pierce whispered, noting the way a slight tremble chased itself down her spine. “Is that not enough?”
“How do you know?” she demanded.
“He told me.”
“He did?”
Pierce nodded. “The question is whether or not you believe me.” Holding her gaze, he moved closer, his slow, measured steps eating up the small distance between them until the tips of his shoes brushed against the hem of her dress. “Do you?”
“Should I?” she asked in return as her gaze swept over his face, a slight frown tugging on her brows. “I barely know you and, after tonight I feel as though I don’t know you at all. I don’t know what to believe.”
“Then ask your questions,” Pierce told her, mesmerized by the depth of her blue eyes as they traced the lines of his face. He could almost feel it as though she’d reached out to touch him.
Her gaze stilled. “I found her running out of the house, terrified.” Again, a question hung on her words, and he could see a reluctant accusation come to her eyes.
Pierce gritted his teeth against her distrust, for it felt like a physical blow, utterly painful. “She has nightmares,” he explained. “They’ve been haunting her for years.”
Frowning, Caroline shook her head. “But not tonight.”
Pierce stilled. “What do you mean?” His gaze narrowed as he sought to understand what it was she was saying. “Sometimes, her nightmares wake her and then she runs out of bed, afraid that…someone is after her.”
Oddly enough, his