The Wedding Dress(86)

“He’s in my home, Phillip.” Father shot him a glance that used to make Emily run, trembling. “He leaves when I say. Now, Daniel, go on, explain the rest.”

“Dad got his pal at the west precinct to look into your arrest. It took some doing . . . seems there was a big secret about it, but he managed to get a look at the record. Said the name on the warrant was Phillip Saltonstall. Then I talked to my chum, Russ, to see what he could dig up. He has a good nose for news. Russ looked up the lawyer on the case, asked a few well-placed questions as only he can.” Daniel’s lip curled in a cocky grin, sparking a zing through Emily’s middle. “Sure enough, it was Saltonstall here. He had you arrested. Then he got to the police chief and bribed his name off of the record.”

“He’s lying, Emily.” Phillip charged at Daniel, who remained planted, unflinching. “You think our police chief can be so easily bribed?”

“What on earth for?” Emily stood, grabbed Phillip’s arm, and jerked him around to face her. “Did you do this? Don’t lie to me.”

“Have my own fiancée arrested? Do I look like an imbecile? How can you even ask?” Phillip’s eyes were wild, his jaw taut and set. “Did you see my name, Ludlow? My signature? You’ve let your affection for Emily get in the way of good sense. You’re upsetting her. Not for love but your own selfish gain. Foolishness.”

Emily regarded Phillip, evaluated his tone and words. The man was strong, stubborn, and determined to get what he wanted, yes—but was Phillip a liar?

She knew Daniel was not.

“Emily.” Daniel stepped forward, a pleading tone in his voice. “I don’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. But I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t tell you.”

“Sure you meant to upset her.” Phillip laughed, mocking. “It’s why you’re here. To turn her against me. Are you denying that you love her?” He angled toward Daniel, puffed with his cocky composure.

Daniel bunched his cap in his hand. “No, I don’t deny it.” When he looked at Emily, his blue irises radiated a heat that made her lungs swell. “The only reason I’m here is because of love. But she’s made her choice. You.” He raised his gaze to Phillip. “I’m no threat to you, Saltonstall. But Emily deserves the truth.”

“Your version of the truth is not mine.” Phillip lit another cigarillo.

“Well, I’ll be going. Mr. Canton, I came to talk to you. Didn’t expect the privilege of accusing Saltonstall to his face.” Daniel stepped backward to the door. “Just tell her, Saltonstall. About the arrest.” He bunched his hat smaller and smaller in his hands. “And about the Italian Garden.”

“The Italian Garden?” Phillip jerked forward, dropping ashes to Mother’s carpet. “You!” His neck and cheeks flared red. “It was you. The ballplayer. You’re the Daniel Emily went around with at the university?”

“One and the same. I saw you at the restaurant with Emmeline Graves. My friends have seen you with her twice since.”

“Why, you lying—”

Not even Father could block Phillip’s rage. He smashed his head into Daniel’s chest, wrapped him up, and crashed over the chair, knocking over Mother’s Tiffany lamp. The men hit the floor with a thunderous thud along with the shrill shatter of glass.

“Stop, both of you! Stop.” Emily held her arms and fisted hands stiff at her sides, her heart careening, her eyes full of tears. “You are gentlemen.”

Father grabbed her and pulled her back against the wall of books. “Let them go.”

Daniel shoved Phillip off, scrambling to his feet, circling around the room. “I don’t want to fight, Saltonstall.”

“You started it with your words.” Phillip ran at Daniel, aiming a blow at his eye, but Daniel ducked under Phillip’s crossing jab and swerved out of his way, bouncing from side to side.

Phillip swung at Daniel again, tripping over the fallen lamp and landing on the floor face-first.

“Get up, Phillip,” Father said with no mercy. “On your feet.”

With a loud moan, Phillip shoved to his hands and knees, pulling himself upright. “Get Ludlow out of here.”

Emily stood pressed against the bookcase, pulse throbbing, tears surging around her heart and behind her eyes.

“Daughter, you’ve heard both sides.” Father righted Mother’s broken lamp. “Ask your questions. Make your decision.”

“I . . . I don’t . . . know.” Eyes on Father, she backed out of the room. Her whole body ached. Sharp pains shot through her chest. “I need to think, Father. You said to think.”

“Emily.” Daniel’s jaw flexed, his eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t lie to you and you know it. Not for love. Or revenge. It’s a cheap way to win a girl’s heart.”

“Daniel, you cannot accuse a man without proof. It’s uncivil.”

“I have proof.” He nodded at Phillip. “Oh, I have proof.”

“You have nothing. Don’t listen to him, Emily.”

“Silence, Phillip.” She whipped around to him. “Daniel’s never lied to me. But you . . . I’m not sure I can say the same.”

“Emily! This is preposterous. How can you believe him?”