"This house is very charming, Daniel. I am very grateful for your hospitality." Pru said with sincerity.

"You're very welcome. Go into the parlor and get warm by the fire. I'll be back shortly." He started to leave but added, "You can choose which bedroom pleases you. The maid keeps everything clean." He watched Jasper set the trunk down by the stairs. "The cabinet in the parlor has a few bottles of refreshment. Help yourself. I'll be back as quickly as I can."

"I've yet to get the other trunk. Then you may leave," Jasper said as he walked out with him.

Pru wandered into the parlor and took a moment to soak up the appeal. The colors were a deep blue with gold accents. A large rug covered the area in front of the fireplace. Wing-backed chairs sat on each side of it. Across from it was a gold colored sofa with a short spindle-legged table in-between. By kitchen door, a cabinet held different libations. On a tray in front were a variety of glasses.

Pru strolled over and searched through the bottles until she found brandy. After everything that had happened today, she didn't hesitate to pour a splash into a snifter. The first sip burned its way down.

Jasper came back in carrying the second trunk. "Why don't you pour me a glass of whiskey? I'll take those trunks up after you choose a room." He watched as she examined the bottles and filled the glass near the top. The moment she did, he knew that she was not accustomed to pouring drinks. He held his laughter as she carefully brought it to him.

"Did your brother drink?"

"After my father became sick, my brother drank up all the liquor and didn't bother to replace it or anything else. I fed Father and myself on the pittance I had hidden for awhile. Then, I began to work at the hospital." She realized he didn't know her story. "Robert gambled away all of Father's money as well as my inheritance. Then he sold everything in the house, until I was the only item left to sell. I hid what I made at the hospital with Dr. Burton or that too would have been taken."

"How did your brother eat?"

She shrugged as she rolled the brandy in the glass to watch it. "I told him he needed to marry a woman with wealth so he could pay his debts and lose what was left." She looked at him when he laughed.

"He backhanded me against the wall for telling the truth. I was afraid of him but fought him too. I stayed at the hospital most of the time after my father died. Today I came home to gather my things. I thought he was staying with friends. As I was getting ready to leave for the hospital, he came home and tried to force me to leave with him. If Dillon hadn't rescued me, I know I would have been sold into prostitution."

"You knew that?" He took a huge gulp of the whiskey. "I don't have to tell you how despicable he is, do I?"

She shook her head and then took another sip of her drink. "Father knew but was not able to help. If I am ever caught, I would rather be dead."

"Pru, you're under our protection, and I promise you'll be guarded."

He watched her approach the fire and stare into it. She was beautiful in an angelic way. He didn't know of another woman more perfect for Dillon. But if he didn't offer for her, Jasper knew interest from anyone else would light a fire under his stubborn soul. His scars had healed, but his reflection of them hadn't. He failed to see the improvement.

"You're a nurse. I want to talk to you about this problem Dillon has. He'd kill me if he knew I was saying anything, so you need to decide if you can keep it a secret in order to help him."

She turned to him ready to listen. "I would do anything to repay what he has done for me."

"That's the wrong attitude. He'd hate it. If you do this, you need to do it because you sincerely care about him."

"That goes without saying. I care very much about Dillon. I have no idea what his days are like, but I do know what kind of man he is. You saw how he endured pain when he had those treatments. Today, he proved he's a champion for the weak. He has a good sense of humor, and he loves his family. I saw this for myself. But I know nothing of his likes and dislikes. Those are things I hope he will share with me on the trip to Greystone."

"I'd say you know him well. This has to do with his scars. They hold him back because he thinks they're unsightly."

"Yes, I've already tangled with him on this. But 'tis a common reaction. If he will give me time in his presence, I will not give him relief of such thinking." She took a seat in the chair by the fireplace and spread her skirts out. The dress was so beautiful she loved looking at it.

"We all admire him for more reasons than what he went through. He's a natural leader, and the country needs him. What I want from you is that of a woman. If you have the opportunity, prove to him his scars are inconsequential. He wears a patch over an eye that he can see with because of the scars close to it."

"I believe I was able to rid him of that tonight. We will see if he still continues coddling the elite," Pru said with satisfaction. A smile of pride spread her lips as Jasper laughed.

"He would relate to such a comment. However, those scars are his Achilles' heel," he explained. "He honestly believes a woman will want nothing to do with him once they see those on his body. You don't know this, but his presence today was not an accident. He's ridden by your house daily. There's no question that he has feelings for you. If you can, you should help him."

"Patients often have an attachment for those who help them after such a horrible accident," she explained. "In time, after the skin heals further, they understand their gratitude isn't as they thought."

Jasper knew what she said didn't apply to Dillon. His heart was true. He leaned forward to rest his forearms on his knees. He clasped his hands together and began to explain to Pru what he knew. "Dillon has heard the rumors about your brother. We all have. His gambling debts are well known to the point he was kicked out of Whites. Dillon has been worried about you. Thus, his daily rides by your house and the hospital.

"Gamblers are known to leave their families in the lurch. When Dillon rescued you, he was grateful the timing was right. If it hadn't been, he would have gathered an army together in order to find you."

Her eyes widened as her mouth opened on a breath. "I had no idea Dillon was doing such a thing. How long has he been checking on my wellbeing?"

"Since we returned from the sea; months ago. His feelings for you are steady. Your time with him will provide the perfect opportunity to make him see those scars the way you do."

She nodded vigorously. "I will do it, but I may have to resort to trickery to get his shirt off."

He laughed at what Dillon's reaction would be. "Ask, and he'll likely remove it for you. Remember, this is a secret between us. You may reveal my explanation of why he rode by your house in time to save you, but do so after you two are better acquainted. Otherwise, keep your pretty lips sealed. No need to place doubt in his mind."

She placed her hand over her heart. "I promise. This is not a secret to cause harm but to protect and perhaps help him. I can do this."

"Be certain because he would be crushed if you reject him."

"Jasper, please do not concern yourself. Scars are nothing more than the results of tragedy. In Dillon's case, he tried to save others. I see with my heart, not my eyes. I've been around a lost soul for so long that Dillon is a beacon of light. If you had been there this afternoon, I'm sure you would have helped me too. Dillon has faithful friends with honor."

He was pleased she saw them that way. "Yes, but Dillon gave him a chance to escape. I am not as generous. You said your brother has struck you. How often did this occur?"

"I learned to keep different times with him. When my father was sick, he dared not, or the will would have been changed. You see, he only knew what I told him of Robert's activities. After he was told about the paintings and mother's jewels being sold, Father confronted him. I was then beaten. It did no good to complain. Father was too sick to stop him."

Jasper froze to keep his anger hidden. "He's the spawn of the devil. Do you weep for him?"

"At one time, I did. I prayed as well. I also fought my own disgust of his tepid soul. I cannot tell you why he became this monster for I have no understanding of it. Do you bet at the tables?"

He laughed at such a thought. "We play cards, but not at high stakes and only with friends. No need for such worries about us. Perhaps you will eventually find the answer to such a compulsion. The men aboard ship enjoy cards but not at high-stakes games. The Marquess of Greystone runs his land-ships by the same men who have served him since he began to sail. They are his family.

"Land-ship? Whatever do you mean?"

"He owns Olympus Lines and those of his crew who wanted to retire Edward placed in charge of his dwellings, which they call a land ship. Very unorthodox, perhaps, but they keep a tidy house, and it's run with efficiency. Just don't ring a bell and expect them to come. Gabby replaced it with a bosun's call. That's a whistle they use aboard ship. They answer that."

She giggled at the compromises they made and thought it delightful. "Doctor Burton explained Dillon had gone to sea to become stronger. Did you go with him?"

"Yes, Daniel and I both did. Didn't face any pirates, but that's good. Edward and Gabby had their children with them, and the children of her friend, Adele, and her husband, Brennon. They have two sons of the same age as Edward's two older sons. I never had so much fun in my life," Jasper admitted.