Josias said his goodbyes to Melissa and left, the encounter ending with nothing more than a chaste, innocent hug. Though every fiber of his being wanted to kiss her, he didn’t dare. He refused to abuse the hospitality of the Campos family, and William’s stinging accusations about his lack of respect were still hammering against the inside of his skull.
William clearly knew about the slander Simeon had heard, the lie that Josias wanted to lead Melissa astray. Damn it, Josias thought. He was dying to know the source.
If he had asked right then, Melissa would likely have confirmed it was Pamela. But he held his tongue, honoring Teodoro’s advice to let the matter rest for the sake of peace.
But if another lie surfaces... he promised himself, woe to whoever tries it.
When he arrived back a
