“Ah,” Mr. Richards said unceremoniously, evidently unaware of the emotional turmoil churning within Mary. “Here are some of our students now.”
The men looked up, then bowed appropriately to their superior.
“Hugh Haddington, Colin Greene, and Gabriel Ashley, this is Miss Mary Wright. She will be joining our fascinating school. Miss Wright, Mr. Haddington, Colin Greene, and Mr. Ashley have been with us for just over six months.”
Mary saw the precise moment that Gabe recognized her. His arched brown eyebrows reached to his hairline, his eyes wide as saucers, and his mouth opened in a silentO. It had been years since she had seen him, and despite her self-assertions that he no longer held any control over her, she felt a significant amount of hurt, anger, and she was ashamed to say, embarrassment, just at the sight of him. He had broken her heart as a young girl and clearly her heart had not yet recovered.
“Charmed, Miss Wright,” Mr. Haddington bowed politely, an openly pleasant expression on his fine, pale features.
Mary could not help but give him a small smile in return, her lips pulling and splitting unpleasantly.
Mr. Greene grinned at her, his dark eyes dancing as he bowed. “A pleasure, I’m sure.”
She curtseyed to both of the men. “Likewise, I’m sure, Mr. Haddington, Mr. Greene.”
“What in thebloody hellisshedoing here?” Gabe finally burst out, his fiercely scowling face a mottled red. His Scottish accent seemed to have apparently faded entirely over the past years.
Anger took the foreground in Mary’s emotions. How dare he imply that she hadn’t the right to be there?
“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Mr. Ashley,” she said, her voice brittle with sarcasm. “I am sure that Mr. Richards has a reason for recruiting me, just as he had a reason for recruitingyou.”
Gabriel ignored her to gaze accusingly at Mr. Richards. “You broughtherhere?”
The others around them watched, enthralled, as Mary stepped forward, determined to have Gabriel speak directly to her. “Yes, he broughtmehere.”
Still refusing to look at her, Gabe’s frown deepened. “Intothislife, you would bring her? What could she possibly have that is of interest to you?”
Mary’s gasp echoed through the grand foyer. Hurt lanced through her heart once more.
This time Mr. Richards responded. “Not that it is your place to decide who is recruited and who is not, Mr. Ashley, but Miss Wright is not only an accomplished actress and well-versed, contributing member to society, but just hours ago she defended herself most admirably against the onslaught of three impudent ruffians. Her bravery, knowledge, and skill are to be commended, particularly for someone without the proper training. As you know, I do extensive research on my recruits. And I donotmake mistakes.”
Gabe’s eyes had widened further—if that were possible—as he turned his gaze to lie fully upon her. “Good God! What happened?”
Gabriel’s gaze travelled over her torn and blood-soaked dress and pelisse, his face wreathed with horror. Mr. Haddington and Mr. Greene, however, gazed at her with growing admiration glittering in their eyes.
Mary felt only hurt, anger, and exhaustion. She had slept but a mere three hours on the carriage ride here and nothing before that.
“My pardon, Mr. Stevens,” Mary said, her spine stiffening, “but I should like to see my room now.”
The young footman appeared beside her. “Of course, Miss Wright. Do follow me.”
With her head held high, Mary straightened her skirts and followed Mr. Stevens up the grand, curving marble staircase. Damn Gabriel Ashley anyway.
