Thornbrook Park (11 page)

Gerald arrived with the tea tray, interrupting their conversation. He started to pour, but Mrs. Strump put her hand on his to stop him.

“Too late, Gerald. Mrs. Kendal will be leaving us. No, I do not know what business he had in India.” The words came out through clenched teeth. “My husband was a peculiar man, Mrs. Kendal, given to flights of fancy.”

“Ah, but you said the trip had been planned for some time.” Eve rose. “And I can't help but notice that you speak of him in the past tense. I will be on my way, and I'll leave you my card. If Mr. Strump happens to write or return, I would appreciate you letting me know. And if not, well, I'm a widow. I know what it is to be a woman on her own in the world. One day soon, you might find you need a friend.”

She placed a card with Sophia's Thornbrook Park address on the tea table in front of an apparently stunned Mrs. Strump, turned on her heel, and started for the door. She was nearly there when the sight of a black bowler hanging on the hat rack drew her up short.

She turned back, gesturing to the hat. “Does that belong to your husband, Mrs. Strump?”

“Oh, no,” Gerald answered, probably following on her heels to make sure that she got to the door. “That's Mr. Law—”

“It belongs to my brother,” Mrs. Strump interrupted, rushing down the corridor in time to place a hand on the butler's arm. “He's visiting. Go back to Yorkshire, Mrs. Kendal. The country must be so much lovelier than town this time of year.”

“As it happens, I'm headed back there now.” A shiver snaked down her spine, as if she had been distinctly threatened, though she couldn't say what could possibly be threatening about a woman with a bad wig and shoddy posture suggesting a country retreat. “Good day, Mrs. Strump.”

Once she was back out in the street, she took a minute to collect her wits. She leaned against the railing, closed her eyes, breathed deep, and opened them again to see a man standing across the road at the edge of the garden, watching her.

“Marcus.” She called his name and crossed the street to join him. “What are you doing here? You couldn't possibly have had the time to conduct your inquiries.”

“I have not,” he allowed, taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his arm. “I never actually agreed to your suggestion that we should conduct our business separately. I simply gave you a head start and then followed you here.”

“You should have told me. I would have argued, perhaps, but I'm guessing you would have insisted.” They started off down the walk, away from the house.

“I didn't want to bully you into seeing it my way, but it does make the most sense to stick together. You'll have to accept my apology.” He dreaded finding a look of disappointment on her face when he finally met her gaze, but was pleased instead to find a smile in her eyes. “Besides, I needed you to seem completely unaware of my presence so that I could watch for anyone following you. For the record, no one did, but at least I can be assured of your safety.”

She shook her head. “But we've lost time. How will we manage it all and make the train?”

“There's a later train. If we miss the one, we'll catch the other, though we might incur Sophia's wrath if we turn up late for dinner. Now, what did you find out inside?”

She shuddered perceptibly, making him glad that he'd gone against her wishes this once. What if she'd needed him? “Mrs. Strump claims to have no idea what sort of business took her husband away so suddenly. She tried to say the trip had been planned for some time, and she referred to her husband in the past tense.”

“Intriguing. Go on.”

“There's not much else, I'm afraid. She's a peculiar woman, but that in itself is no crime.”

“There's something else.” He narrowed his gaze. “Something you're not telling me.” Else why would she have appeared so shaken as she stepped away from the house?

She shrugged. “A small detail. It mightn't be cause for alarm.”

“But it did strike a nerve. What was it?” He stopped walking and turned her to face him, stroking her arm all the while.

She sighed. “A bowler hat. A black bowler hanging on a rack by the door. She said it belonged to her brother. You see? It's probably nothing.”

“But it could be something. Reilly says—my friend Tom, the detective, we're on our way to see him now—Reilly says that anything that draws your attention as out of the ordinary probably is. There's probably something to it. Trust your instincts. We'll see what he has to say.”

“But first, I was hoping to stop in and inquire after a friend at the Langham,” she said, as they resumed walking.

“A friend of yours? Here?” He was unaware that she had friends in London.

“Colonel Adams. He accompanied me to London and business was to keep him here for a fortnight. I'm hoping he stayed a bit longer so that I might ask him to conduct a search for Mr. Strump when he returns to India.”

“Ah, a good idea.” He tried to ignore the wave of jealousy he felt for this man, Colonel Adams. “Older gentlemen, this friend of yours?”

She nodded. “With a wife, Adela, back in Raipur. They took it upon themselves to check in on me after Ben's death. Grateful as I was, they did become a tad overzealous. I think they fancied me to be like a daughter. They lost their only child, a girl, to illness in her infancy.”

“How awful for them. Losing a child is about the worst thing I could imagine.” Losing a good friend had been hard enough. As if she could read his thoughts, she slipped her grip down his arm to his hand and squeezed. When he looked at her, her eyes were clouded with emotion. “Losing anyone is hard,” he added.

“We've both suffered our losses. Brandon as well, losing a father. It can't be easy on the boy. You're very good with him.”

“I do my best, but I'm never really sure it's enough. I used to think…” He paused, fighting a wave of emotion. “I used to think it would have been best had I died in place of William Cooper. I wished to God he'd made it home to his family.”

It was her turn to stop and urge him to face her. “Marcus, no. That line of thought can only lead back to darkness. War is brutal. Of course, you wish things had turned out differently, but—I'm so glad you made it home. There are people here who need you, too.”

He laughed to lighten the mood. In truth, he was touched that she would be glad for him. “Yes, what would my brother do without me? He'd have no one to harass.”

“Exactly. And I would have no one to escort me around London and teach me how to spar. Oh, look, we're already at the Langham. That's it up ahead, is it not?”

“It is. Perhaps we'll make our train in time after all.”

***

“I liked your friend Mr. Reilly,” she said, once they'd completed their business, retrieved Brandon, and found their seats on the train.

“I believe he liked you, too. Perhaps a little too much.” Marcus sulked a little in his seat next to her. Brandon sat across from them, where he proceeded to fall asleep almost immediately for the journey. She wondered if a touch of jealousy accounted for Marcus's suddenly surly mood, and she found that she didn't mind the idea.

“He seemed eager to be of service. I can't wait to hear what he finds out. It's a shame about Colonel Adams, though.” At the Langham, they'd discovered that Colonel Adams had already departed for Raipur. “I'll write to him and ask for his help in locating Mr. Strump there. Perhaps it's best that we have a contact in India after all.”

“If Strump took a late-night steamer, Tom might be able to track down some manifestos and get a name of the ship. If we're lucky, the colonel can catch up to Strump on arrival, the best time to find a man.”

“And if not?” The possibility seemed all too strong that something had happened to the man and he'd never gone to India at all.

“If not, Tom will find that out, too. Tom has a knack for drumming up minute details. I'm sorry the day wasn't more productive for you.”

She stifled a sigh. “Just when I had my hopes up. But I'm not giving in. We have Mr. Reilly on the case, and something's bound to turn up to direct us toward recovering at least some of Ben's investment in the mine.”

He reached for her hand. “You're not the type to give up.”

She felt like giving up, but his faith fed her determination. And his hand on hers, warm and solid, distracted her from dwelling on her misfortune.

They sat in silence for some moments. The comfort of being close to him and the rhythmic rocking of the train lulled her to sleep.

As they pulled into the station, he gently nudged her.

She lifted her head and realized she'd rested her head on his shoulder the entire ride. “I'm so sorry. I fell asleep on you.”

“I nearly fell asleep myself,” he said. “After last night and this morning, I guess we're both fairly exhausted.”

“Last night,” she echoed. Last night, when she'd been full of hope and in his arms. How she wished they could turn back time.

Without another word, he woke Brandon and escorted them off the train to where Dale was waiting with the car.

Something about pulling up to the door felt like a fairy tale ending prematurely, enchantment over before the happily-ever-after part could come around.

“And there's still time to freshen up before dinner,” she said. “No risking Sophia's disappointment.”

“A good thing for us all.”

He helped her from the car and escorted her to the door, where Mr. Finch waited.

“Welcome back, Captain Thorne, Mrs. Kendal,” he greeted them on entrance. “And a young man. It seems you've picked up a third in London.”

“Surprised to see me?” Marcus asked playfully. “Were they placing bets on my return?”

“I'm not at liberty to say.” Finch closed the door behind them.

“This is Brandon, my young charge. Brandon, Mr. Finch.”

“You're the Thornbrook Park Mr. Sutton,” Brandon said with some amusement.

“Oh, Brandon.” Eve laughed. “That's no way to win Mr. Finch's favor. You would do better to say that Mr. Sutton is the Averford House Mr. Finch.”

Brandon wrinkled his nose, betraying his confusion.

“Nothing to fret about.” Marcus winked at him. “You'll catch on. Mr. Finch, I'll explain about Brandon to the earl over dinner. If you could be so kind as to set Brandon up in a room near mine and bring him a tray for dinner?”

“That can be arranged. We'll be sure to make him comfortable. Will you be needing anything, Mrs. Kendal? Some tea or coffee?”

“Oh no, thank you. I have just enough time to prepare for dinner. I'll be headed straight up.”

“Your trunks arrived this afternoon. I had them brought up to your chamber. I know you've been eager for them.”

She'd asked about them nearly every day. There wasn't much left of material value, of course, but the memories every item in her trunks represented meant more to her than any amount of money could ever replace. She might be at Thornbrook Park longer than planned, but she could finally feel at home with her most precious possessions close. “Yes, thank you. I'm happy they're here at last.”

“I'll be headed up, too, Mr. Finch, after I give Brandon a quick tour.

“I'll see you later then, Brandon. And I'll see you at dinner, Marcus,” she said, then thought to correct herself. “Captain Thorne.”

“Until then, Mrs. Kendal.” He tipped his hat and turned to follow Brandon and Finch from the room. She watched him move, admiring the grace and authority in his posture, before turning to go up the stairs.

A minute after she got to her room and began to undress, she heard Lucy come in after her. “I think I'll wear the blue tonight, if you please, Lucy.”

“Lady Averford is wearing blue, if you want to know.”

“Hmm,” Eve considered. “Black it is. The one with the draped sash and silver stitching around the hem.”

If she was stuck in black, she might as well wear one of gowns that had been altered to be less severe. She wished she hadn't agreed to allow Lettie to repair some of the beading on her new gown and ship it later. A white dress would be such a welcome change.

“A perfect choice,” Lucy agreed, drawing it out to prepare it while Eve undressed.

“But hurry. We haven't much time.”

“And we still need to do something with your hair. It's looking a bit mussed from your hat.” Lucy talked as she worked. “I feel I should warn you that the servants, especially, are not unaware of things that go on both in and out of the house.”

“So I should expect.” Eve nodded, adjusting her underclothes before slipping into the gown.

“One thing, if you don't mind the advice?”

“Advice? Go on.” Eve was intrigued. Timid Lucy had advice for her?

“It hasn't escaped notice that you and Captain Thorne went to London together yesterday and came back together today. I'm sure it's no cause for alarm, but he's a handsome man and you're a widow. Some of the maids, the younger ones mostly, dream up possibilities. Everyone loves a good romance, if you know what I mean.” Lucy nodded in the mirror.

“Goodness.” Eve laughed. “No, Lucy. I believe I'm quite safe from Captain Thorne's seductions. Lady Averford means to make a match for Captain Thorne, but not with me.”

“With Lady Alice, yes.” Lucy blushed as if she'd revealed too much.

“As you said, Lucy. Servants are not unaware of what goes on at Thornbrook Park. I'll keep it in mind. If any rumors get started about scandalous behavior on my part, I hope you will be the first to let me know.” Eve smiled and hoped she presented the picture of innocence.

“You look so well together, though, you and the captain. A few of us noticed from the upstairs windows when you were setting out.”

“Oh dear, how stories get started. He's a handsome man, as you say. He might make even Mrs. Hoyle look like a blushing maiden.”

Lucy laughed at the idea.

“My, you've made me a vision.” Eve looked in the mirror, eager to change the subject. “Upswept hair complements the low neckline. Thank you. I'd best get to the drawing room before they all go in.”

***

A day away from Gabriel worked wonders, but was he ready to face his brother again? Marcus considered having a tray sent up to eat with Brandon. How could he explain Brandon to Gabriel? It had to be done, but he waited so long trying to find the words that he showed up late, after they had all given up on him and gone in. He took a deep breath, entered, and wordlessly settled in the empty chair to Eve's left.

“Oh, you decided to join us.” His brother looked up as the footman spooned sauce over the trout on his plate. “That will be all, Bill. Fetch my errant brother his portion.”

“I'm glad you made it back on time,” Sophia said. “I would have begun to be concerned, except that Eve was just telling us about your train ride home.”

“Was she?” He looked at Eve, a slight tingle rushing through his veins when she met his gaze. What was that? Familiarity? Nerves? “I hope she didn't bore you with the details. I believe I fell asleep.”

“Are you accusing me of being a bore, Captain Thorne? I thought you were a gentleman.” Eve smiled. “And we both know that you weren't the one to fall asleep.”

“A gentleman's son.” Gabriel couldn't help making a distinction.

“You were great company, not a bore at all.” Bill sauced the fish on Marcus's plate, temporarily blocking his view. “On the contrary, my conversation might have been a little lacking, distracted as I was. My apologies for being a poor companion.”

“Ah, you were no doubt distracted by the beauty of the woman beside you. And who could blame a man for that?” Alice's hazel eyes twinkled in a way that left Marcus no doubt that she meant to make mischief at the table.