The Scholar (Emerson Pass Historicals 3)

“I apologize, Louisa, that you have to see me like this,” Theo said. “But you don’t know Cymbeline like I do. No one’s ever called her on her misbehavior. You’re a young lady, Cym. A Barnes. Running around here like a hooligan—like someone cheap…” He threw up his hands. “I don’t know what to do with you.”

Cymbeline lifted her head and glared at him. “I’m not your child. You don’t get to tell me what to do. Papa knows I’m here. He doesn’t treat me like a ridiculous child.”

“If you want to be treated like an adult, you should act like one,” Theo said.

“I grew up when you were gone. You got to leave, Theo. You get to be someone. I’m trapped with no options. How can you blame me for a little fun? What else do I have?”

“That’s no excuse. None at all. No excuse to act like a spoiled brat.” Theo stopped pacing and turned his back on us.

Viktor’s rage seemed to have been snuffed out by Theo’s tirade. His rugged features had rearranged back to normal. He clapped Theo on the back. “It’s all right now. All’s well that ends well.”

Theo, however, was not to be deterred from his lecture. He whipped back around to face his sister. “I don’t know what you or Fiona think you’re doing, but this is no place for young ladies. If it were up to me, you’d both be restricted from leaving the house until you’re married and I know you’re safe from harm.”

“I think we should go home.” My chest had tightened to the point where I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. “Please, Theo. You’re scaring me.”

For whatever reason, that seemed to snap Theo out of his anger. He let out a long breath and ran his hand over his chin. “Yes, you’re right. Let’s get you both home.”

Viktor held out his hand to help us up. First me and then Cymbeline.

“Thank you, Viktor,” Cymbeline said in a cowed tone. “It seems like your fate to come to the rescue of the Barnes sisters.”

I hated seeing Cymbeline this way. Even if her decisions were sometimes reckless, her spirit and strength inspired me. I hoped this hadn’t ruined her forever.

“I’d rather not have to save you, but I’m glad I was here.” Viktor brushed back the hair that had stuck to Cymbeline’s damp cheeks. “Go home and get some rest. You’ll be fine in the morning.”

Cymbeline looked up at the oversize man. “Am I spoilt to you now?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Viktor’s tone had turned gruff. “You did nothing wrong. I’d do anything to keep you from harm. If anything, you should know that by now.”

“I guess I do,” Cymbeline said. “What about Emma?”

“Do you really want to know the answer to that question?” Viktor asked.

Cymbeline stared at him for a moment. “I guess I don’t.” She turned to me. “I’m ready now.”

I took her hand and led her over to Theo’s car. As I helped her into the back seat, I saw Theo offer Viktor his hand.

“I owe you for another one,” Theo said. “You’re like the guardian angel of my sisters.”

“Nah. I’m just big and dumb and at the right place at the right time.”

***

No one spoke on the drive home. Theo gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles as we headed down the dirt road to the Barneses’ property. The millions of stars overhead shone brightly from a dark sky. I stared up at them, wishing to get lost in them and erase the ugliness of the night. In the back, Cymbeline was curled in one corner.

I’d not really had time to come to my senses after all that had happened. Now that we were safe, I started shaking. The possibilities of all that could have happened hit me. Thank you, God, for alerting us in time, I prayed silently. And thank you for Viktor Olofsson.

“I’m sorry, Theo,” Cymbeline said from the back.

“I know,” Theo mumbled. “It’s all right. As Viktor says, everything turned out all right in the end.”

“Will you tell Papa?” Cymbeline asked.

“I haven’t decided.”

I was bothered by this. What was it exactly that troubled me? Yes, Cymbeline hadn’t been wise to go outside without a male escort. As a woman, whether we liked it or not, we had to always think ahead to keep ourselves out of danger. Why should it be that way? As well, what right did Theo have to decide whether their father knew what had happened? For so long, I’d been under the thumb of my first father and then my second. All women were at the mercy of their fathers and husbands. What about what a woman wanted? Did we ever get a say in our own lives? Even now that we had the vote, how much had changed? I still had to marry or face a bleak existence. “It seems to me that it should be Cymbeline’s decision,” I said out loud. I inwardly cringed, waiting for Theo’s response.

His answer wasn’t what I’d expected.