Midnight Rose by Patricia Hagan

Ben should see her daughter in such a situation, she’d made him turn his head and look the other way.
    “Well, what would you have done?” Erin persisted when her mother didn’t respond, just sat there looking at her, her mind a million miles away.
    Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she carefully framed her answer, Arlene finally pronounced, “I can’t say, because it didn’t happen. I suppose, however, I’d have held out for the respectability and security of marriage, even though it would’ve been a tempting offer due to my situation. I would’ve thought how once I relegated myself to being his mistress, I’d have been at his mercy. He could’ve kicked me out any time he chose, and then what would I have done? As I said, it hasn’t all been apple pie and peaches as his wife, but at least I had some security.”
    Erin nodded, for that was her way of thinking also.
    Arlene knew then her suspicion was correct. Ryan had asked Erin to meet him at the stream, instead of properly calling, because breaking his engagement to Ermine Coley was the farthest thing from his mind. He wanted a mistress, and when he’d let that fact be known, Erin had balked. Good for her, Arlene thought with pride, washed with relief to have figured out this new development. Now she had another weapon to help her achieve her ultimate goal.
    Wanting to end the conversation so she could move on with her plan, Arlene suggested, “Why don’t you run along, take your afternoon ride? Zachary will be back later this evening, and I’ll talk to him then, see if I can persuade him to change his mind.”
    Erin couldn’t hold back any longer and cried, “He beats his slaves, you know!”
    Arlene winced. “I know, but there’s nothing I can do. Nothing you can do.” With a sigh, she suggested, “Maybe Letty would be better off if she were sold to another family. Maybe her life would be a bit easier.”
    “But what about Rosa? She doesn’t know what happened to her sons as it is. If Letty is taken away too, it’ll finish breaking her heart. No.” She shook her head firmly, adamantly. “That can’t happen. I won’t let it happen. You tell Zachary I’ve sworn to you the friendship has ended. I’ll have nothing more to do with Letty except as a—a slave.” She spat the word contemptuously.
    “I’m sorry it has to be this way. I can’t even guarantee that my telling him will make him change his mind.”
    “How did he find out she was slipping into my room, anyway? What was he doing prowling around the house in the middle of the night?” Oh, how she ached to come right out and tell her mother what a true fiend he really was.
    Arlene felt a wave of guilt. If she hadn’t been prowling around herself, eavesdropping to try and hear what Erin was telling Letty about Ryan Youngblood, Zachary probably wouldn’t have found out. She could only say, “It’s his house. He has a right to do anything he wants to in it.”
    Erin gritted her teeth. Her mother didn’t know just how far he thought that right extended. She knew what he was up to. No doubt, he’d been lurking outside her door, gathering nerve to attack. He’d heard Letty’s voice, knew she wasn’t alone, and now he wanted to get rid of Letty so he wouldn’t have to worry about her next time. Well, by God, she fumed, if he did sell Letty, and he did find a way into her room, he’d live to regret it—if he lived at all! She wasn’t hiding that knife under her mattress just to threaten. She’d use it if it came to that. “You have my word,” she said finally. “Do what you can.”
    Erin left, shoulders slumped, deep in thought over what to do if Zachary did indeed put her beloved friend on the auction block. What could she do?
    If only, she reflected sadly, Ryan had wanted to marry her, everything would have worked out. She’d found him handsome, appealing, warm, and sensitive—enjoyable company. Drawn to him, she knew he would’ve been so easy to love, and