Relying on his memory, Gabriel traversed the ground floor’s east corridor and proceeded through a smaller, less formal parlor to access the conservatory. Candlelight spilled from the open conservatory door, and Gabriel slowed his steps as he approached. Rustling and the sounds of movement echoed from the space, and he glimpsed the hem of Miss Wilde’s gown pass by the door’s opening. He smoothed his hair with his fingers and straightened his cravat before he stepped to the ajar conservatory door.
He tapped his knuckles against the doorframe. She turned at the sound.
This should be a simple, practical conversation between twoindividuals sharing the same goal. They were suspicious of the same man, and it only made sense to combine their investigative efforts. It was not uncommon for him to work with other solicitors and even magistrates or constables to obtain information about a person of interest, but then again, he’d never spoken with any of them in a moonlit room and with candlelight catching the golden strands of their hair.
He cleared his throat as he stepped farther inside. “I’m sorry for the delay. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”
She turned. Her expression and tilted chin exuded confidence. “Thank you for meeting me here.”
Gabriel already knew her self-assurance was an attractive trait, but as the gentle candlelight reflected from her alabaster cheek and glistened in her light blue eyes, how could he possibly concentrate? The flax flower-blue fabric of her gown shimmered, highlighting her petite, feminine form and making her eyes appear even bluer than he knew they were.
He jerked himself from his thoughts and assessed the conservatory. Even in the darkness, earthy scents and the humid atmosphere hinted of the plant life around him. His sight continued to adjust to the faint light. Plants adorned every nook and cranny: Exotic fruit trees planted in large clay pots were dispersed around the room. Large bushes and flowering plants found a home in containers and in long raised beds along the walls. Plants even hung from the ceiling. “I don’t recall ever being in here before. It’s incredible.”
“You should come to see it during the day when it’s light. The colors are magnificent. And your chamber?” She shifted topics abruptly, adjusting her shawl around her narrow shoulders. “Is it suitable? Most had already been assigned after we decided you would be joining us.”
“It is very suitable.” He chuckled. “You know, all the years I was here, I never had a room with a window, so for me it’s quite an improvement.”
She laughed a charming little laugh—one that had the potential to disarm him if he wasn’t careful.
He needed to stay focused on the task at hand and cleared his throat. “Regarding the conversation we had in my office. Are there any developments or changes of which I should be aware?”
Miss Wilde brushed a loose lock of hair from her face and folded her arms in front of her. “There is one thing. When we met I failed to mention that Phoebe Hawthorne, Mr. Hawthorne’s daughter, is in a romantic relationship with Mr. Bauer.”
Gabriel winced. “A relationship?”
“Yes. Phoebe told me of it in confidence, and she’d be mortified if Mrs. Chatterly knew, so I didn’t say anything. It’s a very great secret, you see. Her father doesn’t even know. Apparently it has been going on for quite some time, and Phoebe fancies herself in love with him. He insisted that she tell no one of the relationship because he was concerned about being accused of using her to sway her father. He was quite attentive when I saw them together in the assembly rooms, but ever since his arrival today, he’s ignored her completely. She’s quite distraught.”
Gabriel wished he could be surprised, but the account seemed all too familiar. Bauer was hardly the first man to feign affection for a woman for his own benefit. “What do you make of it?”
“It is just another reason I don’t trust him. Inconsistency is always a reason for suspicion.”
The perceptive nature of her words struck him. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Have you any new information to share with me?” she asked.
“I spoke with my client just before I departed London. Bauer ensured them payment by the end of next week. Unless he’s already accumulated the amount, I fear something will happen here. I’ve reached out to some colleagues in London and on the Continent to see if any other information on him is available, but I don’t harbor much hope that those inquiries will be fruitful. I’ve also written to other natural philosophy societies in England and Scotland to see if anything can be found there.”
“I didn’t even think about that.”
Laughter sounded from somewhere in the house. She was risking her reputation by being alone with him in the conservatory. Everything within him begged to remain in her presence even a few moments longer, but this was the first day, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause her trouble. “Tomorrow’s lecture will be early, so I should let you go about your evening.”
“Oh wait,” she blurted out, “there’s one more thing.” She stepped over to the table and lifted a small stack of bound books. “If you recall, in your office I shared that my mother wrote about Mr. Bauer in her journals. I thought you might find it helpful to read her accounts for yourself.”
He accepted the tomes and thumbed through the top one. Each page of scribbles, drawings, and writings filled him with optimism. “This is wonderful! Thank you. I’ll take care of them and return them as soon as I am able.”
After bidding Miss Wilde good night, Gabriel left her in the conservatory and retired to his attic chamber for the night, eager to learn everything the journals had to teach him. Even more than the journals, however, the realization that Miss Wilde was going to be a forceful partner in this endeavor infused him with new enthusiasm for the task ahead.
Chapter 15
ELLA AWOKE THEnext morning to a sliver of tender light floating through her still-drawn curtains. A dewy breeze wandered through the open window, carrying with it the sound of male voices on the forecourt and disrupting the pages of the open journal next to her. She’d not been awake long when a knock on the door and a soft voice sounded from the corridor.
“It’s me,” whispered Phoebe. “May I come in?”
Ella jumped from bed, reached for her linen wrapper nearby, tossed it over her shoulders, and opened the door to see Phoebe. Her high cheekbones flushed pink, the color deepened even more by the rose hue of her gown.
“I’ve been so worried about you. You were nowhere to be found last night,” stated Ella once the door closed firmly behind her.
“I’m so sorry for causing concern.” Phoebe whirled to face her, her eyes bright. “After I left you and the ladies, I had the opportunity to converse privately with Mr. Bauer. Oh, Ella, what a goose I was to even consider that his feelings might have changed. He was every bit as attentive as I hoped he would be. There’s no need to look so alarmed!”
