“Yes, Miss Hockensmith. It was kind of you to share Athena’s enjoyment.”
“It was my pleasure, of course. But while we were there, we received these posters from the proprietor—Mr. French, I believe? I confess that I had not thought to look at mine until some time had passed. I am not at all familiar with circuses and the people who inhabit them, so I had not thought it of importance.”
Niall glanced at the rolled paper she had placed on the desk. “Ah, yes. I remember.”
“You can imagine my distress when I saw the nature of the performance these circus people intended to give our orphans.” She unrolled the poster and used a pair of weights on Niall’s desk to hold down the ends, turning it toward him.
He barely glanced at it. “Miss Hockensmith, I understand the nature of the performance. I see nothing harmful in a circus.”
Cecily held on to her temper. Men in general could be obtuse, but Niall Munroe was worst than most. He needed a little more encouragement. “Please read it, Mr. Munroe.” She placed a gloved fingertip near the top of the sheet. “Only look at what they consider their greatest attraction!”
He looked. He frowned, and his brows drew down in a way that more than appeased Cecily’s disquiet.
“The Wolf-Man,” he murmured. Cecily watched his face as he examined the garish picture of a creature half-man and half-beast, fanged and slavering, its long nails raking at the bars of a flimsy-looking cage. ” ‘The only true beast-man in existence, certified by the experts in the greatest Halls of Science, acclaimed throughout the nation. Stand within inches of its ferocious claws. Hear its terrifying growls. See it with your own eyes…'” He looked up at Cecily. “I saw nothing of this when I was on the lot.
“I have always heard it said that these people excel at deception. This ‘Wolf-Man’ is not the only hideous attraction of which they boast. There is the snake woman and her poisonous serpents, and any number of freakish creatures unfit to be seen by young children who have no parents to guide them.”
Niall continued to stare at her, the thoughts running swift behind his eyes. Cecily pressed her advantage.
“That is not my sole concern,” she went on. “I realize that Athena hired these people without being fully aware of their natures. She has made the best of things and her desire to entertain the children is laudable, but Athena is much too warmhearted to judge with the cool reason we must sometimes employ to protect what we hold dear. I must say that I do not feel that circus people are appropriate company for either Athena or the children.”
Niall locked his hand behind his back and half turned, gazing at the velvet curtains drawn over the window. “They were to give only one performance.”
“But what damage might be done while they are here? Athena is this very day observing a rehearsal.” She leaned over the desk. “You must see, Mr. Munroe, that I speak only out of deepest regard for your sister. I have been in Denver a short while, but in that time I have observed that Athena’s heart has complete control over her head. I fear for her.”
Niall’s shoulders hunched. She had scored a point in his most vulnerable region. “I had not known about this Wolf-Man—but the others…” His voice was as stiff as his posture. “I would not allow my sister to be in the company of anyone who might harm her. Of that you may be sure, Miss Hockensmith.”
Ah. Of course he would be defensive. She must not let him think she found fault with his care of his beloved sister.
“Naturally you could not be aware of all this. You must concede, Mr. Munroe, that we women do understand each other better than even a brother could. You cannot be everywhere at once, nor think of every possibility. That is why I have taken it upon myself to help in any way I can.”
At last he turned back to her. At last she had his full attention, even his appreciation. “I have not been unaware of your efforts, Miss Hockensmith. I have not disregarded your previous observations, and I realize that… even I cannot give Athena everything she may require.”