Chapter 13
RARELY WAS KEATLEY Hall’s Ivy Chamber so full of people.
Over the centuries this room had traditionally been used as a music room, but because of its immense size and narrow rectangular dimensions, it was transformed, once a year, into a dining chamber.
A single long table was pieced together to span the room’s extraordinary length, making it large enough for all the guests to dine simultaneously in one room.
Elegant ivy-patterned relief work carved into the ceiling gave the chamber its name.
Large tapestries and portraits covered the dark paneled walls, and two identical chests of drawers with dark walnut inlay flanked each side of the main door.
Two-pronged sconces hung at regular intervals along the walls, and at the moment the room hummed with conversation and cutlery clinking against porcelain bowls.
Under normal circumstances Ella would enjoy the activity, but Mr. Bauer’s nearness put her on edge.
“I do hope I did not offend you with my request to be seated next to you.” Mr. Bauer wiped his mouth with his napkin and lowered it.
“I realize what a brazen request that was, but I had a very specific reason, you understand, and I was unsure if or when you and I might have a moment to talk privately.” A more somber tone emerged.
“I’ll be blunt, Miss Wilde. My very good friends, the Hawthornes, who were instrumental in my participation at this symposium, shared that you believe I’m in part responsible for the pamphlet that circulated about your mother and, ultimately, you. ”
His bluntness was surprisingly refreshing—and it emboldened her. Her appetite for the meal’s second course had faded, and she pivoted and pushed a bit of mutton across her plate with her fork. “But you did have a hand in writing it, did you not?”
He hesitated. “Several phrenologists contributed their thoughts to the report, but it was written in the very early days of phrenological study. The intention was to collectively comment on one case of familiarity. It was never intended for circulation.”
“I see,” she responded flatly. “Surely you understand my resistance then. Those accusations were damning.”
“They were not accusations, my dear. The objective was simply to document how certain behaviors could be explained via phrenology, but I am older now and I daresay wiser, and I can see how such a publication might have led to unnecessary scrutiny.”
Ella fumed. Unnecessary scrutiny? Perhaps more like a lifelong albatross she’d borne since the pamphlet had become available. “The purpose of the writing might have been a private study, but someone was responsible for its dissemination.”
He lifted a piece of mackerel with his fork but did not eat it. “Not long after we collaborated on that study, the group fell out. I can only imagine one of the others published it.” He shifted and rested his elbow on the table. “I can see I’ve upset you.”
“No, sir, on the contrary,” she said, doing little to mask her sarcasm.
He narrowed his eyes and studied her. “You do not support phrenology, do you, Miss Wilde?”
Her father had asked her not to contradict his teachings to others. But he’d said nothing about sharing her opinions with him.
“No, sir. I do not.”
“My goodness, you are direct.”
He no doubt intended his comment as a slight, but she refused to perceive it as such.
She lifted her chin. “I am sure Mr. Hawthorne informed you that some of the Society members might not be all that receptive. That report, regardless of its intention, caused a great division in the Society. Some endorsed the study and others unequivocally denounced it. There is a mixture of those people here. It might be beneficial for you to keep that in mind during your presentations.”
“Time has a way of softening attitudes, I’ve come to learn, and I hope that those who are against it—such as yourself—will at least consider the facts behind it.
I’ve devoted my life to this study, and I’m confident it will one day, in the not-so-distant future, shape our entire understanding of human behavior.
Whether we like it or not, there are those who will always bend knowledge to their benefit.
I cannot explain why someone shared the pamphlet publicly, but I can say I am sorry for the repercussions for you and your family. ”
For the first time she turned to face him fully. “Will you defend her then?”
The first break in his domineering countenance flickered. “II’m not sure what you are asking me to do.”
“You knew my mother, yes? So you knew the truth about her—that she was rational and in no way capable of the things they claimed.”
A nervous, throaty chuckle emanated from him. His formerly confident eye contact faltered. “You are asking me to do something I ethically cannot do. I think the best thing I can do is to educate people and let them make their own decisions.”
“That is a shame to hear, Mr. Bauer.”
“Come now, Miss Wilde. Clearly we will not see eye to eye on this matter, but surely we can still find a common ground of friendship.”
Ella could not help briefly lifting her gaze to Phoebe, who was seated at the other end of the table. Her friend’s attempt at a cheery visage and conversation was overshadowed by her frequent glances in Ella’s direction.
“Well then, Mr. Bauer, I believe true friendships are built on trust and time and shared experiences. But I do hope we can become friends over time.”
His jaw twitched ever so slightly before he smiled broadly. “I couldn’t agree more.”
She returned her attention to her plate of mostly uneaten food to signal the topic’s end, but even though she did not trust this man, she at least felt she had, somehow, gained the upper hand.
After dinner concluded and the women retreated from the dining room to leave the men to their port, Gabriel stood from his chair and took a moment to observe his surroundings.
It had been a long time since he’d attended anything that resembled a refined event.
He recalled a time when his family would host such events frequently.
As a prominent textile producer and one of the most influential men in Manchester, his father had always been entertaining.
Their home was a never-ending succession of elegant dinners and balls.
After he and his father parted ways over his sister’s situation, such events faded from Gabriel’s lifestyle and were replaced by whatever events his cases required.
He still attended sophisticated events from time to time, but often his work required him to frequent dark village taverns and dockside inns.
His ability to fit in anywhere and converse easily with others was his most valuable asset, but this particular case posed unique challenges.
Normally he enjoyed anonymity. People knew his name, but they didn’t know about his family. His childhood. At Keatley Hall there was no hiding them.
“Rowe!”
The familiar voice interrupted Gabriel’s musings, and he turned. Felix Templeton, a chum from his school days, approached from the other side of the table.
Gabriel could almost breathe a sigh of relief. Of all his former classmates to encounter in such a situation, Templeton might be the most accommodating—and the most amusing.
Templeton stretched out his hand once he was near, a lopsided grin on his ruddy, full face. “I couldn’t have been more surprised to see you at the other end of that table tonight. Why did you not tell me you were going to attend?”
Gabriel matched Templeton’s enthusiasm and shook his hand. “A last-minute decision.”
“I’m glad for it, although I can’t say why you would choose to come. Did you forget how dull these are? I’d have passed, but my father would disown me.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Do I detect sarcasm?”
“I hope so.” Templeton paused to accept two glasses from the footman’s tray and then extended one to Gabriel.
Gabriel accepted the port. “Tell me, Templeton. What have I missed in this last decade?”
Templeton took a swig of the dark liquid, leaned his elbow against the chimneypiece, and motioned toward his own father, who was speaking with Mr. Bauer on the other side of the chamber.
“You know that nothing ever changes with these men. Same discussions, same opinions. That’s hardly a surprise, is it? ”
“Oh, I don’t know,” countered Gabriel. “It seems to me that if this group is willing to discuss phrenology after the hullabaloo it caused all those years ago, I’d say that’s significant change.”
Templeton gave his russet head a shake. “Say what you will, Rowe, but you know the truth about this sort.”
“And that is?” Gabriel raised his brows.
“Not a single thing is done, discussed, or considered unless there is something to be gained.”
Gabriel paused to consider the statement and took a sip of his drink. He was about to ask Templeton to clarify, but then Mr. Wilde approached.
“Mr. Rowe. Mr. Templeton,” Mr. Wilde said in greeting. “So good to see you both. It gives me hope for the future knowing young lads such as yourselves are interested in furthering the natural philosophies. Tell me, Mr. Rowe, are you regaining your sea legs here at Keatley Hall?”
“I am.”
“And my daughter tells me that you are a solicitor. The law!” Mr. Wilde’s light eyes widened in perceived interest. “A diversion for you, then. I recall your main interest was in astronomy, I believe.”
Gabriel could not resist a smile at the memory of his childhood interest and gave a slow nod. “I was indeed very fond of the study. I suppose time has a way of changing things.”
“And don’t forget the need for practicality.” Mr. Wilde lifted his glass in a toast to the field. “The law is a noble profession. Our country desperately needs clever men with good heads on their shoulders.”
“Practicality.” Templeton snorted. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“I’m interested to know.” Mr. Wilde folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side, just as he would when Gabriel was a student. “What interest does a solicitor have in phrenology?”
Gabriel shrugged. “More curiosity than anything, I suppose. I encounter criminals who engage in every manner of illegal activity. If there is any truth to the idea of phrenology, and if there was a way to predict behavior or even the propensity for it, think of how beneficial that could be in our line of work.”
“If there is any truth?” challenged Mr. Wilde in a tone that made Gabriel feel as if he were ten years old again. “Do you not believe it, then?”
Gabriel chuckled to mask his discomfort. “Is that not what you taught us? To be curious? To examine evidence and rationale before coming to conclusions?”
“Ah, bright boy.” Mr. Wilde grinned at the response and then clapped his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “We will catch up later, yes?”
The two young men remained quiet until Mr. Wilde was out of earshot; then Templeton leaned close. “I’m sure you’re aware that he isn’t well.”
Gabriel had heard as much, but any new information could be useful. “I’ve heard rumors that his health was failing, but nothing definite. What is the issue?”
Templeton took another drink. “His heart, I’m told. It’s a shame too. Who knows what will happen to this school if he should die, especially given what happened to his daughter.”
Gabriel’s interest piqued afresh at the mention of Miss Wilde. “Do you mean the engagement to Rawlston?”
Templeton nodded. “It was all set, and then it just ended. My father said that if Miss Wilde is not married when her father dies, the school will pass to a relative, which would mean it would likely close. There is hope, though. I’ve heard through the gossips that there is another suitor afoot.”
A flash of unexpected jealousy sparked. “Who might that be?”
“Prepare yourself.” Templeton smirked. “None other than the illustrious Mr. Abraham Abernathy.”
Gabriel winced at the absurd match. How could such a prosaic, sheepish man be considered a match for such a vibrant woman? “Surely not Mr. Milksop.”
Templeton erupted in laughter at the nickname the students would whisper behind Mr. Abernathy’s back.
“Nothing is set in stone, or so I’m told.
Say what you will, but not many rational men would be willing to take on a woman as erratic as Ella Wilde, not to mention the added burden of the school and all that comes with it.
Would you tie yourself to a woman whose mother was rumored to be a lunatic?
I daresay the gamble is greater for Mr. Abernathy, not the other way around. ”
Gabriel laughed along to mask his personal opinions about the ludicrous gossip about Miss Wilde.
He found her immensely alluring, and not just for her beauty.
It was that very strong-willed nature that some would consider erratic that he found so enticing.
As charming as she was, he reminded himself that he was not here for personal pleasure.
He’d been hired by Jameson & Company to keep track of Mr. Bauer.
Even so, experience had taught him that every detail and snippet of information, no matter how small or seemingly unrelated, could lead to answers.
Gabriel was certain that he could connect all these details and discover the truth. And he would do just that.