Days had passed with no sign or word of him. She shouldn’t be surprised, nor had she call to feel any disappointment. She had told him to stay away, and he was merely adhering to her wishes. She should be pleased, and she was—to an extent. Her life was much simpler and more predictable without him in it. She had much to do with the planning for Minnie’s engagement party, the last thing she needed was a man underfoot. Or rather another man underfoot. Nathaniel was still staying with her, but not for much longer it seemed. He was healing nicely, and Mr. Griggs said he should be able to go home in a day or two. Moira would miss having him so close, but she would also appreciate having her quiet time back. Unfortunately, that time would no doubt be spent obsessing over Wynthrope Ryland. She could only pray that these plaguing thoughts of him would go away eventually. Or maybe the man causing them might return and confide in her the reason that he was a thief.
