Chapter Sixteen #4
The housekeeper huffed. “Isn’t the law of God clear?
A man will reap what he sows. Such has been the case here.
An eye for an eye has been given. This family, all of us, have taken care of things where the law leaves off.
Now, let us alone to get on with the rest of our lives.
We have suffered, cumulatively, enough.”
“I am not an emissary of the church either, Mrs. Benson.” He glanced over to the earl.
“Edgington, escort Mrs. Benson to a chair and make certain she stays there.” Once the earl did so, he guided Mary to the opposite end of the room and held her gaze.
“What should I do? A crime has been committed, by numerous people. Two men are dead.”
Poor Gabriel. He was truly struggling with this one. “I understand that. However, we must consider all options and angles.”
He shook his head. “Regardless of the reasons, the moment we take the law into our own hands, chaos reigns. Some of our humanity is lost.” Then he huffed out a breath.
“For years, I have worked to ensure criminals are taken off the streets of London—or wherever in England those crimes are committed. I have done my level best to maintain order and carry out the letter of the law because a crime is a crime.”
“While that is essentially true, you have managed to exist in the gray on a few cases over the years. Are there consequences to every action? Yes, of course, but are you the man to ensure those are carried out? Or is it enough that a case is solved?”
“I don’t know.” Confusion reflected in his eyes. “I don’t know.”
She grasped one of his hands. “Listen to me, Gabriel. Sometimes, a decision is beyond your ken. You did what you were hired to do—solve the case. It is not your business what happens next, and neither can you control what is in fate’s plan once you walk through those doors.
” The longer she peered into his eyes, the more she wanted to hide in those dark depths and alternatively hold him until his doubts evaporated.
“What are you asking of me, Mary?”
“Has justice been, in fact, served? Has this family suffered enough? I can’t say, and neither should I.
It’s not for me to judge because I didn’t live through any of that.
” Then she shrugged. “Make the decision that you can live with. It might not be comfortable, and sometimes, the future isn’t black or white.
Sometimes, it’s not even shades of gray.
It just is, but shouldn’t everyone be allowed a second chance? ”
“You are asking me to look away, to fabricate a reason, to invent a bit of fiction and allow everyone in this room to continue on as if nothing has happened?” Incredulity was evident in his low whisper. “You want me to excuse murder?”
“I am asking you to do what is in your heart. Is it the right thing?” Tears stung her eyes, for she loved him so much and hated to see him in such a moral quandary.
“Only you can decide that, but consider this. If you must seek prosecution, then give Mr. Corbett that justice. Everything else? I don’t know. ”
“Right.” He nodded. “This might take some time. Why don’t you go home? Have a bath, hug the children, try to relax. I will join you as soon as I can.”
She frowned. “I won’t leave you.”
“Sweeting, I must do this by myself, for myself, and it’s not a decision I can take lightly. This requires thought, and having you with me, though supportive, is distracting.”
“I know.” She squeezed his fingers. “If you’re certain?”
He nodded. “I am. I must think, and I could never do that while you are here as a lovely temptation.” Then he tugged her into his arms and she clung to him.
“Thank you for being the voice of reason, the star that points me to true north always.” When he kissed her temple, tears filled her eyes, for she loved him so much.
“Now go. I need time. Kourier will keep me company, help me work through the problems. Hug the children. Keep them company. My family is the most valuable thing in the world to me, and because of that, I can empathize with every person in this room.”
Warmth filled her chest. “Very well.” Mary pulled away then lifted on her toes and bussed his cheek. “Remember, Gabriel, you are a good man, an honorable man, and one who others look to for advice and stability. No matter what, there is no reason to feel shame. I am proud of you.”
“I’ll join you at home as soon as a I can. Send the carriage back once you’re settled.”
“I will.” Then she left the room with a speaking glance at the major in the hopes that he would help her husband with this decision. With a sigh, she gathered her outerwear from the footman in the entry hall and exited the house for the last time.
Shaken but grateful that Bright was the man he was, she nodded at Orion and told him to go home as she entered the carriage.
After collapsing against the squabbed bench, she gave into the threatening tears.
The longer she lived, the more she understood that not everything or everyone was good or bad.
Everyone lived with a mix of both, and some decisions weren’t made from logic but desperation…
even from love. That didn’t mean they were poor or exceptional; it was just life.
Perhaps the judgment therein wasn’t for any human to make. They only needed to do the best they could, and hope that was enough.