Chapter 22 #2
“But Gabriel’s mama lets me have two.”
The dowager glanced over her shoulder.
“Only when there are guests.”
“Then Aunt Beatrice should visit every day.”
Beatrice laughed. “I believe I have just been offered a permanent position.”
Gabriel watched them from the doorway, warmth settling in his chest. The household felt different with Beatrice there, fuller somehow. The dowager was less severe, Sophie was happier, and Eleanor no longer felt as though every burden rested solely upon her shoulders.
Later that afternoon, Gabriel and Eleanor withdrew to the library with the latest papers from the solicitor. The room was warm from the afternoon fire, and golden light filtered through the tall windows onto the desk where they had spread out the documents.
“We need to decide with the lawyer which witnesses should be called first,” Eleanor said, turning one of the pages. “If Tibbs is questioned too early, Julian’s counsel may realize we know about the payment.”
Gabriel nodded. “Then we will begin with the inconsistencies in his testimony, and continue looking for Carter.”
“I wish he would simply appear.”
“So do I.”
Eleanor glanced across the desk. The exchange settled easily between them.
They had spent so much time working together that Gabriel had begun to rediscover the ease they once possessed.
Eleanor no longer seemed to measure every word in his presence, and he found himself relaxing whenever she forgot that they were supposed to be cautious.
She leaned across the desk to point toward a paragraph. Their hands reached for the same document. Her fingers brushed his, and neither moved immediately.
The familiar warmth returned so quickly that Gabriel almost forgot where they were.
Eleanor looked at him, and there was something in her smile that made the room seem quieter.
Her hand remained close to his, resting against the edge of the paper, and Gabriel found himself looking at her rather than the evidence between them.
“You are becoming rather good at this,” he said softly.
“Thank you.”
The words were quiet, and for a moment Gabriel could not think of anything to add. He felt the old pull between them returning, and when he looked down at her hand he found himself wondering whether he might simply reach across the papers and take it.
“Eleanor, there is something I—”
The library door opened. Faulks entered carrying a silver tray.
“Forgive me, Mr. Hartley.”
Gabriel withdrew his hand at once, though the movement was subtle enough that Eleanor might not have noticed.
“Thank you, Faulks.”
The butler crossed the room and placed the tray on the side table. He was perfectly composed, his manner exactly as it had been before Gabriel knew what he was doing. Faulks bowed and then departed, the door closing behind him.
Eleanor looked at Gabriel, and for a moment he wondered if she might press the matter, but she did not. Instead, her hand slid away too.
William had improved enough to summon Gabriel to his room. The change in his brother over the past week had been remarkable. He remained weak and still required long periods of rest, but the light had returned to his eyes, and his voice had regained much of its old strength.
Gabriel entered with the expectation of discussing the case. William looked at him from his chair.
“You have been avoiding me.”
“I have been busy.”
“So I have heard.”
Gabriel took the chair beside the hearth. “You should be resting.”
“I have rested for years,” William smiled faintly.
“I knew there was a reason I preferred you when you were younger.” Gabriel laughed quietly. “You were less irritating.”
“That cannot possibly be true.”
William’s amusement faded as he glanced toward the papers Gabriel carried.
Gabriel had intended to keep everything from his brother, but it was proving to be far more difficult than he had anticipated.
It was one to thing to decide that he was too unwell and could therefore not handle the stress, but looking at William knowing that he was doing well and still keeping it all from him was another matter entirely.
“You have found something. Is that it?”
“We have found several things.”
At last, Gabriel explained what they had learned about Tibbs, Faulks, and the false information they intended to plant. William listened carefully, asking occasional questions that showed the old sharpness returning to him.
“You are angry. I can see it.”
Gabriel looked at him. “Very.”
“Good. Anger is useful because it tells you something matters. It only becomes dangerous when it tells you to act before you have thought. Gabriel, you have spent enough time carrying everyone else, but at last you are beginning to look happier.”
Gabriel frowned. “That is unexpected.”
“It should not be. Eleanor has changed this house, and she has changed you too. Perhaps you should stop trying to do something about that and simply let yourself have it.”
Gabriel smiled faintly. “You make everything sound so easy.”
William gave a quiet laugh, and the sound pleased Gabriel more than he could express.
He stayed for another hour, listening to his brother speak about nothing particularly important.
It was a small thing, but Gabriel treasured it.
William was well enough to tease him again, well enough to argue, well enough to be himself.
Seeing it, Gabriel allowed himself to believe his brother might truly recover.
***
The house had gone quiet by the time the investigator’s man took his position near the eastern garden.
He had been watching Faulks throughout the day, careful never to remain close enough to attract attention.
The butler had carried out his duties without any obvious irregularities, but then, shortly after midnight, he slipped from the servants’ passage.
The investigator’s man followed at a distance.
Faulks crossed the garden without a lantern, keeping close to the hedges until he reached the gate. A figure waited beyond it. The man moved closer, remaining hidden while on his search.
At last, Faulks unfolded a small paper and passed it through the gate.
“The witness is in Wiltshire.”
The stranger reached for the note.
“Are you certain?”
Faulks nodded, completely unaware that Gabriel was watching from the windows, waiting for the perfect moment.
“Faulks!” he called out sharply.
The butler turned at once, and having been caught, he dropped the paper and ran.
The investigator’s man chased him across the garden, shouting for the guards, but Faulks knew the grounds too well. He cut through the trees, vaulted the low stone wall beyond the kitchen garden, and vanished into the darkness before the guards could reach him.
By the time Gabriel arrived, the gate stood open and the investigator’s man was breathing hard beside it.
“Where is he?”
“In the west woods.”
Gabriel looked toward the darkness beyond the wall.
“Did he take the note?”
“No,” the man said, holding up the paper. “We have it.”
Gabriel took it and unfolded it beneath the lantern light. The false information was still there. Faulks had carried it directly to Julian’s agent. Gabriel looked toward the dark trees.
For years, Faulks had been trusted with the secrets of Ravenscourt, only to give Gabriel proof that that trust had been entirely misplaced.