Yet in his answering rage he might still have done her serious injury, if his son had not intervened. Henry Purceville pushed her back against the stone hearth wall, and cocked his great fist for a blow which might well have killed her. Stephen caught his father’s arm and pulled him away from her, slowly but firmly.
“You don’t want to do this,” he said.
“No one speaks to me like that. I’ll kill her!”
“And give Earl Arthur the weapon he needs to call an Inquest? Destroy yourself for a moment’s passion?”
“She has defied me! I will have my daughter brought before me.”
“Then leave her to me, if that is all you want. I know more of this family than you do. Promise me now, in front of her, give me your word, that you will do nothing to harm the girl, or put her on trial for conspiracy.” His father only struggled more fiercely, outraged that anyone should force on him such a condition.
But he found himself breathing too hard: his chest ached, and the exertions of the day had begun to take their toll on him. He was tired. He felt old.
Still, had the request not come from his son, and had he not already been willing..... With a last sweep of his arm he broke free, and relaxed his great limbs. Then looked his son full in the face.
“I will do it for you, to show that I am not what you think. If you bring the girl to me, tonight, I will drop all charges. And I never meant to harm her.....
“You accused me of many things last night. You are very naive. Since your mother’s death, it is true that I have not been kind. Kindness gains a man nothing, nor does the illusion of love, as you will find. Yes, I sent the MacCain woman away, as the scheming slut she was. But I have no intention of hanging my own daughter. Perhaps you will not believe it, but as much as anything..... I just want to see her.” He threw up his hands in disgust. “I promise, damn you all! Bring her to me, tonight, and the charges will be dropped.”