Ella was not so tired that she didn’t notice how attractive—how rugged—he appeared. Even so, his usual easy smile was gone. The laughter and amusement that normally resided in his bright expression had faded.
He glanced up at her and saw her watching him.
Her chest squeezed within her as their eyes met, but not just because of the way he looked at her. It jumped with sadness. His departure was imminent—there was no reason for him to remain. The symposium was over, and Gabriel still had a job to do. Hewould likely leave yet that evening and make it back to London by nightfall.
As her father and Mr. Hawthorne continued to discuss details, Ella approached Gabriel, a bout of unexpected shyness overtaking her. After all they’d experienced together, she should feel more confident, but the day had been unlike any other. Nothing seemed normal. Nothing seemed right.
“Thank you for helping to organize things as everyone was leaving. I know it was chaotic. I—I appreciate your help.”
He straightened from the windowsill as she stepped closer and pivoted toward her, closing the space between them. His voice was tired but alluringly soft. “There’s no way I’d leave you to handle this alone.”
She swallowed hard and diverted her eyes. Surely this heightened emotional state she was experiencing had to do with her lack of sleep and the dramatic events of the last twenty-four hours. It was easier to blame that than to admit the vulnerable truth.
Could she be falling in love with him?
Eager to fill the heart-wrenching silence, she tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to force lightness to her voice. “I suppose you will be headed back to London soon.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. Given that Bauer is out there somewhere, time is critical.”
He glanced up and Ella followed his gaze.
Her father and Mr. Hawthorne were exiting the room.
She and Gabriel were alone.
He reached forward and took her hand in his. He slowly rubbed his thumb over the back of it for several moments. “Are you going to be all right? I hate leaving you here. Alone.”
Alone.
The word rattled in her tired mind. She was always alone, really. Even when the school was full of students, she was usually by herself. Normally it didn’t matter. But after being with Gabriel, knowing what it felt like to be truly understood by another person, the idea of solitude was almost frightening.
“Please do not worry for me.” She forced a smile. “There is going to be plenty to do to keep my mind occupied.”
His concerned expression did not change. “You say that, but I am still going to think of you. Often.”
His words stole her ability to respond. To breathe. The heat of impending tears burned her tired eyes. She blinked them away.
“Ella, I’m not exactly sure what happened these last couple of days, but I don’t think I am the same man I was when I arrived here a few days ago. I know I’m not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean . . . I know you now. You’ve captivated me. I don’t know what the future holds, but I will promise that I’ll return as soon as I am able, if you’ll allow me. I’ll be with you as we get to the bottom of this and right the wrongs that have occurred here. Do you believe me?”
With both hands he lifted her hand and kissed it. The warmth of the touch flooded through her, igniting every emotion.
Gabriel did not depart in a carriage as he had arrived.
Instead, Ella watched from the White Parlor window as he thundered through Keatley Hall’s iron gates on horseback, with his oilskin coat flapping behind in the night’s gathering darkness.
Each second increased the distance between them, and herbreath shuddered. Her soul longed to believe that he would be returning soon to Keatley Hall as he had said, but such a thought seemed far too romantic, given the task ahead of them all. She had to rely on what she knew how to do, and that was to be practical.
As she turned from the window to the excruciating darkness of the empty chamber, a tear slipped down her cheek. Whether she liked it or not, he had taken her heart with him. And she hoped he would bring it back.
Chapter 39
ELLA LEANED BACKon the sofa in the White Parlor and stared into the popping fire. Even at this distance the glow of it warmed her face and hands. Outside, a cold rain fell against the paned windows in a soothing rhythm.
With the exception of the pattering rain and the occasional gust of wind whistling over the chimney, Keatley Hall was quiet.
