Chapter Eight #2
At that point, Gabriel had heard enough. With sour bile rising in the back of his throat, he quietly crept back down to the main level, and then deciding against confronting Boddingford, he left the townhouse.
What a prick.
Wickham’s Tea Shop
Mayfair, London
Though his annoyance still simmered just below the surface, Gabriel tamped it down as much as possible, for talking with his close friend, Major Kourier, was more important. In his last few months at Bow Street, he’d worked with the major, who didn’t leave the organization until the following year.
“How is Caroline? Do give her my best tonight.” he asked as he took a few pastries from the tray and added them to his plate. Felix and Caroline were favorite guests and often shared dinner at Gabriel’s home.
The major had wed his wife in June. Together, they were a great deductive pair, and though Kourier remained much a curmudgeon while Caroline was far sunnier, they complemented each other.
“She is doing well.” The blond man flashed a grin, and in that expression was both happiness and concern. “Carrying a babe must be good for her; I’ve never seen her so busy or so content.”
Gabriel nodded. “When will she begin her confinement?”
“Sometime mid-December?” The other man shrugged.
“I’m not entirely certain, but she tells me the babe will come by the end of December or early January.
” As he blew out a breath, Kourier refreshed his teacup.
“Truth to tell, I suppose I’m still in shock that I’ll be a father in a couple of months. I haven’t the first clue what to do.”
“I can appreciate that. I felt the same way when Henry came along, and then again when we adopted Cassandra, but those were two different scenarios.” He shrugged.
“Just try to rely on your instincts. You’ll learn as you go as well.
” Those memories tugged a grin from him.
“It’s an adventure you’ll never forget.”
After taking a sip of his tea, the major nodded. “What if I fail?”
“Oh, you’ll definitely fail.” A laugh escaped Gabriel. “On the other hand, you’ll find so many little victories, everything will be worth it.”
“I know you are right, but it’s daunting just now.”
“You will make it work for you, and once you and Caroline find a rhythm and a schedule, all will be well.” He took a few moments to devour a pastry.
“What of you, Bright? How are you managing things with this case front and center?”
“I don’t mind telling you that sometimes it’s a lot. Trying to spend time with each of the children without neglecting my wife and still keeping my focus on the cases that come my way?” He shook his head. “Some days it feels as if I’ve driven myself to the edge of sanity.”
The major looked at him from over the rim of his teacup. “A growing family means being pulled in many different directions.”
“Indeed.” Gabriel heaved a sigh. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. However…” He landed his gaze on his friend. “I would like to know when you will definitively wish to move forward with our planned partnership. I don’t want to further delay opening our agency.”
“Ah, I have been dragging my feet, haven’t I?”
“Well, you have had your world turned upside down this year by a few things, and that is a valid excuse.” Gabriel drained the contents of his teacup.
“Now is the time to make plans for our agency.” As succinctly as he could, he told his friend that he would purchase a bigger townhouse within the next month in which there would be plenty of room for two offices with Adelaide’s reception area between them.
“You’ll have an infant soon, and joining forces is a good decision.
Crime is exploding in London as Town grows and more and more people come into it. We won’t want for cases.”
Slowly, Kourier nodded. “I would like to go ahead. Now that I’m not quite as frozen with fear and indecision, I agree we need to be settled before the first of the year. I won’t have time to dither once the baby arrives, so have your solicitor draw up the paperwork.”
“Actually, I’ll have Henry do that for me. It will give him something to do and keep him busy while the case drags on.” Quickly, he told the major what was happening with the case. “I’m no closer to the end than I was when I started.”
“You’ll have a break soon. I can feel it.” Kourier dusted his hands together. “Some cases prove more difficult than others.”
“Perhaps.” He dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his linen napkin as the din of conversation filled the air around him. “Finding balance between family, romancing Mary, my cases, keeping Bow Street happy, and having a moment to myself is becoming challenging.”
“I can well imagine.” Kourier leveled his gaze on Gabriel. “Here is my best advice from someone watching from the outskirts but from someone who has known you for years.”
“Yes?” One of his eyebrows lifted in question.
“Make an effort to remember the days when you wished for exactly this, Bright. When you didn’t think it possible during the days you were going through hell with your horrible first wife.
” Nothing except honesty lingered in the major’s expression.
“Keep that always in mind when everything in the current day presses down on you. Keep what’s worthy in your vision, because nothing else is more important than that. ”
To Gabriel’s horror, moisture filled his eyes.
He rapidly blinked it away. “Thank you for that. It is far too easy to forget when mired in the now.” Everything he did was to benefit his family, the people he loved, and for a future with them.
“It’s one of the reasons I want our agency fully ready to roll out by January. ”
Kourier nodded. “Heard. Solve this case. Everything else will fall into place after that.”
“Let us hope I can easily find a townhouse with the holiday season rapidly approaching.” It was a worry he hadn’t considered. Damn, had he already failed?
“One worry at a time, my friend. This is what I’ve had to learn in my situation.
One worry at a time.” He softened the advice with a grin.
“We should both get on. Caroline will wonder what has happened to me, and if I’m gone too long, she will have engaged yet another tradesperson to paint, paper, or drape another room. ”
A chuckle left Gabriel’s throat. “I can sympathize with that.” Tomorrow was another day, and he would speak with Boddingford, no matter what.