Carry her off and ravish her? he mocked himself. It was a kiss. That is all. And Athena showed no signs of being either flustered or disturbed in his presence.
She had probably dismissed the kiss, just as he had—an impulsive act swiftly explained as a momentary madness. Better this way. Better that whatever lay between them begin and end with that kiss. Even so, he could not bring himself to leave her side.
“Niall,” Athena began. Morgan could feel her body tense, hear the swift intake of her breath. He tightened his grip on the back of her chair.
“Niall, I have been thinking… about how we might help Caitlin.” She glanced, once, at Morgan’s face, and he smiled at her in encouragement.
Smiled at her. The expression felt strange on his face. But she seemed to take courage from it and faced her brother again.
“The doctor has said that Caitlin must have complete rest. It is obvious that she cannot travel far under these conditions, and a tent is not adequate accommodation for an invalid.”
Niall stood up and brushed off his trousers. “Of course not. Miss Hughes may remain in the hotel until she is—”
“Not the hotel, either.” Having dared to interrupt her brother, Athena forged ahead. “There is a much better place where she can be cared for and remain with her friends. Very little goes on at Long Park this time of year—why can we not allow the circus to winter there, while Caitlin recovers?”
“The ranch?”
“Yes. Of course there will be snow and cold temperatures, but Long Park is sheltered from the worst weather, and there is plenty of room. The second barn hasn’t been used in years. It could hold the circus livestock, and between the bunkhouse and the main house, surely there would be enough beds or cots for everyone. I have already discussed this with Mr. French, and he has agreed that in return for winter quarters he and the troupe will give two charity performances in the spring—”
Niall held up his hand, silencing her. Morgan stiffened.
“If you will excuse us,” he said brusquely to the doctor, “I must speak to my sister.” He stepped around Caitlin, shouldered Morgan aside, and took the handles of Athena’s chair.
“It’s all right,” Athena said in a whisper meant only for Morgan. He stepped back, and Niall took her away from the group and to a place of relative privacy across the tent.
The conversation that followed was both quiet and vehement. Morgan ignored the murmurs of the troupers and watched Athena and Niall, listening to the debate progress. Keeping her calm, Athena presented her argument. Her brother, as expected, was furious, though he made some effort to hide his anger from the unwelcome witnesses. She had put him in an awkward position by asking his cooperation in public.
But Athena did not back down. Her voice remained firm and full of conviction, even when Niall loomed over her and looked as if he would have liked to give her a good spanking.
God help him if he did.
“Morgan?”
He glanced down at Caitlin. She was white about the mouth and her eyes revealed great pain, in spite of the doctor’s efforts.
“You should be moved to a bed, Miss Hughes,” Dr. Brenner said. He followed her gaze up to Morgan. “Can you carry her?”
Caitlin gave a husky laugh. “I think… Morgan is up to the task. I will be all right. Thank you, Doctor.”
He nodded and packed up his bag. “Mr. French, if I may have a few words?” With a wary glance toward the Munroes, he walked off with Harry.
“What are they saying—Athena and Niall?” Caitlin asked.
Morgan crouched beside her. “Athena is telling him what she told us. Munroe is against it.”
Caitlin wrinkled her nose. “I could guess that. What else?”
“Munroe says that they have no responsibility for what happened, and he and Athena had agreed that the circus would leave right after the performance. He isn’t saying it, but he does not want her around us.”
“I know that, too.” Caitlin sighed. “I tried to tell Athena that it was not a good idea.”