Chapter 37-3

“I had thought as much myself, but Ashford holds an odd charm I find myself drawn to. I thought perhaps I’d extend my stay a fortnight, maybe two.” Eli answered with a wide grin. “And you have no pressing business at home?” Nan queried, smiling her thanks to the fish monger as she moved to the next table, carefully examining his goods, taking her time, though she wanted nothing more than to kick Eli square in the leg and run for Stonebrook to hide away William and Jamie before returning to finish Eli with a well placed shot to the heart. “My business is kept well in hand Ma’am.” Eli replied with an approving grin. “Perhaps you have time you could provide me with a tour of your charming town.” Eli suggested waving at the market, a thing Nan only knew of because of the movement she caught it from the corner of her eye. “Mr. Waters I think you misunderstood my forgiveness.” Nan stated, pulling up straight as she turned about to face him so he could not misunderstand her again. “I did not forgive you because I wanted to. Indeed, after what William did to you at Azurecross I had thought I would be fortunate enough never to see you again. However, here you stand.” Nan waved to his person. “I said I forgave you, because had I not, I feared you would have continued to seek me out until I did.” She informed him, keeping her tone steady and serious, so he could not confuse it with levity. “Which is why I stay in Ashford, Miss Harris. I feared your forgiveness was not sincere.” Eli replied, a pleased smirk running across his lips and so fervently Nan wished to slap it from his face. “Nor shall it ever be, Mr. Waters. You’re wasting your time in Ashford if that is all you’ve come for.” Nan stated, turning back for the market before stopping when Eli’s hand wrapped about her elbow. The very feel of his touch, even with the fabric of her coat sleeve and dress separating their skin set Nan’s anger to a full angry burn. Yanking her arm from his grip she turned back to him fully and slapped him soundly across the face. “Do not touch me. You haven’t the right.” Nan barked at the man who now stood staring at her utterly stunned, his hand braced against his reddening cheek. “And yet that thing you share a bed with does?” Eli snapped, lashing at her with his own anger barbs. “I saw how he treated you Nan. Had I not been there --” Eli began only to be cut off. “Miss Harris!” Nan shouted at him. “And had you not been there what?” she scoffed. “Had you not been there he would have throttled me for speaking to you?” She queried huffily, “He would have beat me bloody, because I gave attention to another man?” She offered sarcastically. “What you saw, Mr. Waters, that anger. Was not directed towards me, but you. What you saw, was Sir William’s restraint, not to beat you into your grave as I should have let him the first time. Sir William has never hurt me, nor would he.” Nan declared, glaring daggers at the arrogant man and his know-it-all smile, though now there was no smile but a cold irritated scowl as he glared back at her. “Oh no.” Eli mocked with a confident shake of his head. “Of course a man of his reputation would never think to harm a woman he’d taken in off the street.” He stated, skepticism dripping from his every word as he continued to glower at Nan. “What should he care what happens to you? From what I hear you’ve no money to give him, no family to go against him. You’ve nothing but you’re body to offer, though I suppose being his mistress that is all you need to pay for his protection. Though you’d think a whore might be cheaper” Eli sneered. “A point Miss Harris made herself when first I asked her to be my mistress.” William’s voice rank to the side of them, surprising both as Eli jumped slightly away from the man who could so easy end his life as he nearly had at Azurecross and that was merely for kissing the woman standing before him. Nan’s surprise came with a smile as relief flooded her with the sight of him and she took his offered hand. “I pray your forgiveness my Love. I don’t wish to interrupt where I’m not wanted, but it would seem your argument with Mr. Waters is drawing quite the crowd.” William informed as he pulled her to his side, speaking softly into her ear so no other could hear. Pulling but a bit away from William Nan glanced about at the numerous on lookers, who even with William there seemed to think it safe enough to observe the scene. “Mr. Waters I had thought you’d come to town to issue your apologies to Miss Harris and go.” William stated, leveling the man with the same hard stare he had given him only days before.  “And to my recollection, you had done the first. Kindly do the second. Or should I aid you on your departure?” William queried, his thinly veiled threat causing the man to pale somewhat before William. “Such aid is hardly necessary, Sir William. I’ll go see to my departure now.” Eli stated, straightening before them before turning and marching stiffly away. “Won’t be leaving tonight.” Nan replied, her eyes fixed on Eli petulant march. “He’ll leave. If I have to tie, gag and bag himself myself, he’ll leave.” William stated, glaring after the man.  “Though it would have been far more convenient if he’d so in the first place.” --- It was near a week before word of Lady Horton’s whereabouts were sent by Hoss, and the knowledge such news brought was far more astonishing than William had thought possible.