Alethea couldn’t imagine Titanville as such a place.

“Zeke was also successful with the ladies. Several daughters were compromised. While there were no resulting children, reputations were ruined. The girls were sent away.

“Eventually the city leaders had a meeting with Zeke,” Daisy continued. “Running him out of town wasn’t possible. He owns most of the land. So a compromise was reached. He gave up gambling, except with friends, and he agreed to stop seducing the women in town. In return, the town was named after him and he was given…”

Daisy hesitated. “This was before we met you, Alethea. Before we were friends. The other teachers were so young and foolish. They weren’t interested in our children-they wanted to find a man.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Daisy cleared her throat. “Zeke was allowed to have his way with the teachers, on condition he found them good and loving husbands when he was finished.”

Alethea sprang to her feet. “What? The town condones the seduction of innocent young women? You couldn’t solve the problem so you imported other people’s daughters to be ruined?”

“We all like Zeke.”

“And that makes the situation acceptable. Of course. How foolish of me to question anyone’s motivation.” She had never heard of anything so appalling in all her life. “I thought this was a respectable town. I thought there were good people living here.”

“We are good people. It’s just…”

“That someone has to be sacrificed to Zeke Titan’s lustful nature? And let me state the obvious. I’m to be his next victim.” She was shocked, but more than that, she was hurt. “I thought you and I were friends,” she said, collecting her reticule and books. “I see now I was wrong.”