“A man who invents the noble act of defending a woman to excuse his violence is more repulsive still.”
The Morland representative allowed the sentence to settle over the hall.
Evelyn did not answer.
Around him, noble faces showed satisfaction. Elias’s admission had given them the confession they wanted, and Nora’s denial had stripped his intervention of any purpose they were willing to recognize.
The representative turned toward Albert.
“The captain’s own testimony proves that his story is a fabrication.”
Evelyn remained beside the evidence table.
Her injured shoulder burned beneath the uniform, but she did not adjust the binding. Movement would draw attention before she wanted it.
Marcus watched from the Blackcoast section.
His expression revealed nothing.
His gaze did.
He had
