Everett stared.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
His expression hardened.
"You are still my wife."
Lydia felt fear.
But she did not lower her eyes.
"That matter is before my attorney."
He stepped closer.
"You think a mountain trapper and a little frontier lawyer can protect you?"
Lydia held her ground.
"I think I have the right to ask questions about documents bearing my handwriting."
Everett stared at her.
Then laughed coldly.
"Your handwriting."
He shook his head.
"Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds? You copied numbers because I told you to copy them."
Lydia's cheeks burned.
He leaned closer.
"You had no idea what any of it meant."
She thought of the pattern book.
The altered freight accounts.
The North Fork map.
Elias's journal.
Then she looked directly at him.
"Perhaps I understand more now."
Everett stopped smiling.
For the first time, his expression showed genuine concern.
He lowered his voice.
"What have you seen?"
Lydia said nothing.
He stepped closer.
"What did Hayes show you?"
She moved toward the door.
Everett caught her wrist.
The contact sent panic through her.
For one moment, she was back in St. Louis.
The narrow kitchen.
His grip.
The familiar threat.
Then Lydia heard Ruth's voice from outside.
"Lydia?"
Everett released her immediately.
The door opened.
Ruth entered carrying a basket.
She stopped when she saw Everett.
Her expression hardened.
"Well."
Everett straightened his coat.
"Mrs. Calder."
Ruth set down the basket.
"What are you doing here?"
"Speaking with my wife."
Ruth looked toward Lydia.
"Does she want to speak with you?"
Everett's face tightened.
"This is a private matter."
Ruth nodded.
"Then perhaps you'd better leave before it becomes a public one."
He stared at her.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Everett turned toward Lydia.
"This isn't finished."
Lydia lifted her chin.
"Speak to Miss Mercer."
His jaw tightened.
Then he walked past Ruth and left.
The door closed.
Lydia stood trembling.
Ruth approached slowly.
"Did he hurt you?"
Lydia shook her head.
"He grabbed my wrist."
Ruth's face darkened.
"Did he threaten you?"
"He wanted the book."
Ruth looked toward the door.
Then back at Lydia.
"We'll tell Abigail."
Lydia nodded.
Her knees felt weak.