Chapter 6
GAbrIEL CHOSE THE law as his profession for one reason: his sister, Mary.
At one time, Mary’s large, tawny eyes and infectious laugh had been vibrant—so full of life—but circumstances had faded her once-bright complexion and cheery disposition into something quite unrecognizable.
This was not what Gabriel thought life would be like at this age—for him or for his sister.
What sort of future would she have, living here in his small terrace house with no friends, acquaintances, or other family? Was this how she was to spend the rest of her life? But after what she’d endured at the hands of another, he could almost understand.
If he could, he would take the shame and anguish that Mary had been forced to endure on himself. Instead, he would do his best to improve her future and do what he could to make sure no other woman was in the same situation.
But what could be done?
Gabriel cleared his throat as he stepped farther into the parlor. “I’ll be out late tonight.”
Mary looked up from the book she was reading. “How handsome you look. I wasn’t aware you were going out tonight.”
“I’m meeting with a client.” Gabriel reached for his cobalt wool coat and slid his arms through the sleeves. “Will you be all right alone?”
“Of course. Mrs. Menton will be here with me. And Liza.”
It pained him that Mary considered their housekeeper and maid as suitable companions, but nothing could be done. He’d just received the missive from Andrew Clancy that Thomas Bauer was at the assembly rooms that night, and if he wanted to observe this man, he needed to seize this opportunity.
Clancy, a longtime friend, was the owner and one of the standing masters of ceremonies at Clancy Assembly Rooms. Despite his nonchalant persona, Clancy was a shrewd businessman.
He catered to the higher echelons of society, but as with most enterprises, he’d occasionally encounter suspicious characters and contact Gabriel to discreetly track down the offending persons.
Clancy often would return the favor, informing Gabriel of the comings and goings of people he was investigating.
By the time Gabriel arrived at the assembly rooms, they had already been open for hours, but even so, patrons and carriages were lined up out front, waiting to gain admittance.
Gabriel bypassed the main entrance and took the alley back around to another entry to an antechamber just off the main vestibule.
He found Clancy in the ballroom, as expected, impeccably clad in a tailored tailcoat of vibrant emerald wool and buff cotton trousers.
Every auburn curl was in place, and his cravat, uniquely and intricately tied to a double bow, gleamed snowy white.
As the master of ceremonies, Clancy knew everyone and, on the surface, appeared friendly with everyone.
The man’s social aptitude was unmatched.
His power lay in the fact he was intimidated by no one, and he was incredibly discreet.
And his loyalty—a dying trait—propelled him above everyone else.
“Full tonight?” Gabriel asked as he approached Clancy.
“Ah. Rowe, good man. Yes, very full. You got my message, I see.”
“I did.”
Clancy nodded to the left. “Bauer’s in the tearoom, conducting his little demonstrations, or whatever he calls them.”
Noting the sarcasm in Clancy’s tone, Gabriel angled his head to see through to the tearoom.
“He seems harmless at the moment, but you know how these things go.” Clancy adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, cocked his head to the side, and lifted a finely arched brow in amusement. “So what are we watching this one for? Theft? Murder? Smuggling? I do love to know all the details.”
Gabriel grinned and tugged at his linen waistcoat to straighten it. “Something like that. If my hunch is right, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I’d better be. I dare a man like him to attempt to take advantage of my patrons, and yet he’s hardly the first to try captivating this crowd.
I do have to admit that of all the odd attractions I’ve seen attempting to dazzle society, this is a new one.
Phrenology. Who ever heard of such a thing?
Everyone seems to love it, though. I daresay at times the tearoom has been more interesting than the ballroom. ”
Gabriel shook his head. “Apparently Mr. Bauer claims to be a serious anatomist and behaviorist.”
“But you don’t think that, do you?”
“We’ll wait and see what the natural philosophers say about him. He’s to be their speaker at their symposium, you know. They’re a serious lot. I doubt they care how entertaining he is.”
Clancy clicked his tongue. “Always assuming the worst, aren’t you, my friend? Ah, well. If it is the natural philosophers you are keen to sway, then you might be interested to learn that Mr. Richard Hawthorne is here.”
Gabriel nodded at the name. “Is he?”
Clancy paused to bow toward a small group of women who walked by them. “Hawthorne is the one who vouched for Bauer’s integrity and suggested my venue would be an interesting stage for him to share his skills. He’s here with his daughter and two other ladies.”
“Miss Phoebe Hawthorne?” he clarified.
“Yes, with Miss Caroline Nolting and Miss Eleanor Wilde.”
Gabriel’s interest flashed at the last name mentioned.
“Aha! See, I have told you something you don’t know.”
Gabriel quickly steadied himself. He’d written his letter nearly a fortnight prior and had received no response. “You’re right. I am surprised. I’m acquainted with Miss Wilde. I attended her father’s school.”
“Then are you aware of the recent scuffle with her and the failed engagement? It’s all that is being spoken of.”
Gabriel’s brow rose in question.
Clancy pivoted and lowered his voice. “She was engaged to Mr. Nathaniel Rawlston, and he was poised to take over as headmaster at the school, but he had an inexplicable change of heart after meeting Miss Catherine Hughton in Scotland. I’m told an engagement is imminent.”
Gabriel glanced around the ballroom, hoping to glimpse Miss Wilde. “I’d not heard.”
“But there is always more to it, isn’t there?
” Amusement lit Clancy’s gray eyes. “With all this renewed interest in phrenology, that damning pamphlet written about Mrs. Wilde has resurfaced. I’ve heard through a trusted source that Rawlston was concerned Miss Wilde might follow in her mother’s perceived insanity, and that is what prompted him to set his sights on greener pastures. ”
Gabriel searched his memory, vaguely recalling the scuffle. “Ah yes. I remember.”
“Rawlston’s the fortunate one, though, for society will overlook a handsome man’s offenses, will it not? Poor Miss Wilde hasn’t a prayer.”
After finishing the conversation, Gabriel thanked Clancy and made his way to the tearoom and assessed his surroundings. The tables had been cleared to the side, and Bauer stood prominently in the room’s center.
Gabriel had seen him a couple of times in passing, but this was the first he’d seen him in the role of phrenologist. Above-average height.
Black hair with gray streaks at the temples.
Dark eyes. A crowd was gathered around him—mostly women.
He didn’t recognize anyone from the Natural Philosophers Society, and Clancy had mentioned that Richard Hawthorne was present.
Gabriel turned to go find him, but as he did a woman caught his eye.
Miss Wilde.
How was she not the focus of everyone in the room? Her golden hair, which was swept up in an elegant chignon, glistened in the candlelight, and even from this distance her eyes boasted an entrancing blue hue.
She shifted, and in the flickering light of the low-hanging candle lamps, their eyes met.
He dipped his head in acknowledgment and held his breath.
A slight smile dimpled her cheek.
At this, his pulse raced. She’d recognized him. He didn’t know if she’d received his letter, but it didn’t matter now. She was here . . . and he had to find a way to speak with her before the night’s end.