“Right away, boss,” Silas replied, stepping forward instantly. He treated Hannah with a careful, quiet respect that shocked the room, gently guiding her away from the center of the ballroom.
As Hannah retreated, her hand still protective over her seven-month-pregnant belly, Claire stepped directly into Daniel’s path. The humiliation was too much for the daughter of the most powerful shipping family on the Narragansett Bay.
“Daniel, this is insane!” Claire snapped, no longer caring who heard her. “Our engagement party is tonight! My father bought three blocks of the waterfront to secure your new shipping lanes! You cannot treat me like this in front of our peers for a pregnant maid who probably doesn't even know who her baby's father is!”
The entire room seemed to hold its collective breath.
Daniel stopped. He slowly turned his full attention to Claire. The sheer weight of his gaze made her step back, her breath catching in her throat. Everyone in Providence knew Daniel Carver didn't raise his voice when he was angry; he grew quiet, and that was when men died.