“I’m interested to know.” Mr. Wilde folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side, just as he would when Gabriel was a student. “What interest does a solicitor have in phrenology?”
Gabriel shrugged. “More curiosity than anything, I suppose. I encounter criminals who engage in every manner of illegal activity. If there is any truth to the idea of phrenology, and if there was a way to predict behavior or even the propensity for it, think of how beneficial that could be in our line of work.”
“Ifthere is any truth?” challenged Mr. Wilde in a tone that made Gabriel feel as if he were ten years old again. “Do you not believe it, then?”
Gabriel chuckled to mask his discomfort. “Is that not what you taught us? To be curious? To examine evidence and rationale before coming to conclusions?”
“Ah, bright boy.” Mr. Wilde grinned at the response and then clapped his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “We will catch up later, yes?”
The two young men remained quiet until Mr. Wilde was out of earshot; then Templeton leaned close. “I’m sure you’re aware that he isn’t well.”
Gabriel had heard as much, but any new information could be useful. “I’ve heard rumors that his health was failing, but nothing definite. What is the issue?”
Templeton took another drink. “His heart, I’m told. It’s a shame too. Who knows what will happen to this school if he should die, especially given what happened to his daughter.”
Gabriel’s interest piqued afresh at the mention of Miss Wilde. “Do you mean the engagement to Rawlston?”
Templeton nodded. “It was all set, and then it just ended. My father said that if Miss Wilde is not married when her father dies, the school will pass to a relative, which would mean it would likely close. There is hope, though. I’ve heard through the gossips that there is another suitor afoot.”
A flash of unexpected jealousy sparked. “Who might that be?”
“Prepare yourself.” Templeton smirked. “None other than the illustrious Mr. Abraham Abernathy.”
Gabriel winced at the absurd match. How could such a prosaic, sheepish man be considered a match for such a vibrant woman? “Surely not Mr. Milksop.”
Templeton erupted in laughter at the nickname the students would whisper behind Mr. Abernathy’s back. “Nothing is set in stone, or so I’m told. Say what you will, but not many rational men would be willing to take on a woman as erratic as Ella Wilde, not to mention the added burden of the school and all that comes with it. Would you tie yourself to a woman whose mother was rumored to be a lunatic? I daresay the gamble is greater for Mr. Abernathy, not the other way around.”
Gabriel laughed along to mask his personal opinions about the ludicrous gossip about Miss Wilde. He found her immensely alluring, and not just for her beauty. It was that very strong-willednature that some would consider erratic that he found so enticing. As charming as she was, he reminded himself that he was not here for personal pleasure. He’d been hired by Jameson & Company to keep track of Mr. Bauer. Even so, experience had taught him that every detail and snippet of information, no matter how small or seemingly unrelated, could lead to answers.
Gabriel was certain that he could connect all these details and discover the truth. And he would do just that.
Chapter 14
AS THE WOMENwere making their way to the White Parlor after leaving the men in the Ivy Chamber, Phoebe grabbed Ella’s arm and whispered, “I’m dying to know what you and Mr. Bauer spoke about over dinner. He seemed very engaged with you.”
Phoebe’s question was hardly a surprise. Ella had lost count of the number of times she’d noticed her friend staring in their direction. Given Mr. Bauer’s cool behavior toward Phoebe thus far, Ella couldn’t blame her.
Sharing her disapproval of Mr. Bauer would only add to Phoebe’s pain, so Ella lightened her tone. “He spent most of the dinner attempting to convince me of phrenology’s merits.”
“Did he succeed?”
Ella smiled at her friend and patted her hand. “Not yet. I will keep an open mind, for your sake.”
Once in the White Parlor, the women spread out to the various sitting areas within. Whereas many of the walls in Keatley Hall’s chambers featured dark oak paneling or were covered with faded tapestries, the White Parlor on the ground floor boasted cheery white plaster walls with intricately carved relief work on the ceiling.During the morning hours, the bright eastern sunlight would flood this space with a lovely warm glow. A large emerald-and-cobalt Persian rug softened the otherwise hard flagstone floor, and two large oak cabinets displaying her grandfather’s private library flanked the main window that overlooked the forecourt’s circular drive. Her grandmother’s collection of blue-and-white chinoiserie was displayed above the chimneypiece, and tall sky-blue curtains emphasized the chamber’s impressive height.
“May I beg a seat next to you, Miss Wilde?”
Ella turned from her position on the sofa as Miss Sutton’s genteel voice approached. Ella nodded, and Miss Sutton carefully adjusted the jonquil folds of her satin netted gown as she sat down. “Keatley Hall is such a lovely home. Mr. Hawthorne told me it has been in your family for centuries. Imagine!”
The memories that flooded Ella at the reference to her family warmed her. “Yes, my mother was raised here, and my grandfather before that, and so on. I assure you, though, when the students return in a matter of weeks, the grounds will be completely unrecognizable.”
Her delicately arched brows drew together. “How do you mean?”
“There will be roughly fifty boys and young men in these halls,” explained Ella. “I often remind myself to enjoy the silence while I can.”
Miss Sutton seemed not to hear Ella’s statement. Her pleasant countenance dissolved into one much more sober, and she fidgeted with her lace shawl as she leaned even closer to Ella. “I’m happy to have a moment alone to speak with you. Phoebe has simply sung your praises, and I know I’m going to adore you. If we are to truly be friends, however, I must be candid. I’m not sure if it is to mydetriment or to my benefit, but I must speak my thoughts plainly, and I detest secrets.”
Ella allowed herself to really look at Miss Sutton. There was an honesty, a sincerity, that radiated from her warm, dark, deep-set eyes. “You and I must be very much alike then. Feel free to say whatever you wish.”
