not intimidated. He offered respect to her father.
Captain Catherwoodâs mouth tightened. âYour mistress? Do you think this is wise?â
Captain Trevarianâs stiffness disconcerted Lian. She wished he would be honest. When she dared another look at him, she saw he was struggling to speak. She longed to touch him, to let him know she shared his grief, but that would embarrass him. She could not imagine what would infuriate him more than that.
âSir,â he said, âit was Davisâs wish that Lian be brought here. Heââ
âDavis?â The old man grinned. âThen itâs my son who must be congratulated on his excellent taste in ladies. I should have known heâd inherit the Catherwood talent for finding the loveliest rose in the garden. Whereâs the young rascal?â
âDavis is dead, Captain Catherwood. Killed in Canton.â He glared at Lian. âMurdered, I should say.â
The old man gripped the arms of his wheeled chair. His smile vanished. âLieutenant Trevarian, if this is your idea of a jestââ
âCaptain Catherwood, honorable sir,â Lian said, âDavis died trying to rescue my mother.â She sensed rather than saw Captain Trevarianâs anger. Over and over, he had warned her to remain silent.
âYour mother? What is this nonsense?â demanded Captain Catherwood.
Captain Trevarian snapped, âWhy donât you tell him everything as heartlessly?â
Lian wanted to beg both men to forgive her. All her English fled, as she sought the words to explain that Davis had died bravely and with honor. In Cantonese, she whispered, âI donât know how.â
Captain Trevarian growled something under his breath, then said, âAccording to her mother, Lian is your daughter.â
âMy daughter?â
âHonorable sirââ Lian began.
âYour motherâs name,â ordered Captain Catherwood, but his voice shook.
âHonorable sir, she is called Châen Mei.â From under her ch âeÅng shaam , she pulled out the thousand stories box. âShe told me you gave her this.â She gasped as Captain Catherwoodâs face became as gray as Davisâs had just before his last breath. Whirling to Captain Trevarian, she cried, âHelp him! Heâs ill!â
He caught her arm as a swarm of servants surrounded the man in the chair. âBe quiet, you little fool!â
Lian tried to sort out the cacophony of voices. When someone shouted, Captain Trevarian jerked her backward, as servants pushed the wheeled chair from the room. She started to follow, but his grip on her arm tightened.
âStay here!â he ordered.
âI mustââ
âYour brother is dead because of you. Do you intend to kill your father as well?â
In horror, Lian stared at him. Repeating his order not to move, he walked to the door. She wavered between obeying and going to stand where she could see what was happening.
Captain Trevarian stamped to the hearth and clasped his hands behind his back. The seams of his coat strained at his shoulders, but he seemed unaware of it or the increasing clatter of rain at the windows.
Lian hesitated. If she spoke, he would lash out at her in anger. If she said nothing, she would be labeled as callous.
A shadow appeared in the doorway. When she saw the man named Hyett, she inched toward him and bowed.
âNo, no, Miss Lian,â he murmured.
Looking up, she regarded him with dismay. How many more mistakes could she make? âIf I have offended youââ
âNo, no,â he repeated. âMiss Lian, youâre wanted upstairs immediately.â
Captain Trevarian turned from the hearth. âHyett, you must be mistaken. She caused the captainâs heart palpitation.â
The butler tried to smile. âSir, this request is from Captain Catherwood himself.â
âAll right.â Crossing the room, Captain