Mark went outside, heading for the stables, when Gaston caught up to him.
“Mark,” he called quietly.
Mark stopped suddenly, turning to face Gaston. By his expression, he was clearly surprised. “Gaston, you startled me. What is it?”
Gaston stood head and shoulders taller than Mark; the short, stocky Wellesbourne brother had to crane his neck back to look him in the face.
“Matthew’s wife,” Gaston’s voice was low. “What do you know about her disappearance?”
Mark’s dark eyes cooled. “Nothing.”
“You are lying.”
Mark lifted an eyebrow. “Choose to believe what you will. But I would be lying if I said that I was distressed.”
Now it was Gaston’s turn to lift an eyebrow. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I am not sorry, Gaston. She is the reason why my father is lying on the edge of death.”
Gaston had heard the story of Adam’s mishap from Matthew upon his arrival. It was one more horrific event in a day that had been full of them. But he was at a loss to understand Mark’s point of view.
“Why would you say that?”
Mark’s ruddy face tightened. “You know how father is, how he has never gotten over the death of my mother. Matthew allowed that… thatwomanto intervene and the result was my father throwing himself in front of a racing carriage.”
“Matthew said that your father told him it was an accident.”
“Pah,” Mark waved his hands at him and began to stomp off with Gaston trailing after him. “He can say that all he wants, but I know the truth. She drove him to it. She tried to kill him.”
“Matthew said no such thing.”
“Of course he would not!” Mark came to an abrupt halt, as did Gaston. He glared at The Dark Knight. “He’s hypnotized by her, de Russe. You have known Matthew for twenty years. Have you ever seen him like this? He’s been completely seduced by that woman and doesn’t have the clearness of thought to realize it.”
Gaston’s expression remained cool. “You did not do anything with her, did you?”
Mark shook his head. “No matter what I think or feel, I would not lay a hand on her. But I am not going to pretend I am concerned when I am not. She can keep running for all I care. We’ll be well rid of her and back to normal, as we were before she came.”
A twinkle came to Gaston’s eye. “Keeprunning? Why would you say that?”
Mark’s expression twitched. He seemed to lose his confidence as he averted his gaze. “A figure of speech.”
“You are a very bad liar.”
“Have it your way, then.”
There was something about Mark’s change in manner that made Gaston believe very strongly that Mark was somehow involved in the lady’s disappearance. “You know far more than what you are telling me.”
Mark snorted. “You are mad.”
“I do not think so.”
The veins on Mark’s temple throbbed as he struggled to reclaim some of his poise. “I am only concerned with my father, and he is Matthew’s responsibility. Matthew’s head hasn’t been in the right place since the day that woman arrived.”
“Your father is the concern of all of his sons, including you. Do not place such a heavy burden on Matt’s shoulders. It is unfair. And it shows how unwilling you are to accept any responsibility, yet you are more than willing to blame others for their failings.”
Mark’s response was to turn on his heel and continue to the stables. Gaston allowed him to go, watching the man until he disappeared from view. He had known Mark Wellesbourne for many years and had never known him to be a liar. Still, he was convinced the man knew something he wasn’t telling. His attitude toward Matthew’s wife bore watching. He wondered if Matthew was aware of it.
He thought one more perusal of the area was in order before returning to Windsor. Even though he had told Matthew it was futile, still, he would do it for his own peace of mind.
