Eerily quiet.
She closed her eyes, trying to pretend that the entire interaction with Mr. Bauer—or whatever his name was—had never happened.
But it had happened.
She opened her eyes. The symposium had shattered her family’s life as they knew it. Bonds had been broken. Trust had been obliterated. Friendships had been destroyed.
And now the silence in Keatley Hall would remain for a long time.
She assessed her father, who was reading by the fire. She was proud of the way he’d handled such a dramatic event. Whereas Mr. Hawthorne had dissolved under the pressure and scrutiny, herfather had excelled. He’d always been the sort of man who found strength when it was needed most.
They’d spent the entirety of the last two days writing to all the students’ parents to inform them that, for the first time in decades, Keatley Hall would not be open to students. Not only had the Society’s reputation been compromised, but Mr. Abernathy refused to return to the school as a teacher, and the other teachers had similar responses. As a school they would not have enough people to adequately educate and care for the young men. Ella stretched her aching fingers, noting the ink stains on her thumb.
The familiar sound of Mrs. Chatterly’s footsteps just outside the parlor distracted her from her musings, and Ella turned as the housekeeper entered. She extended a letter toward Ella. “The boy just brought this around.”
Ella squinted and recognized the handwriting. “It’s from Phoebe.”
Three days had elapsed since Phoebe had departed from Keatley Hall, and eager for an update, Ella slid her finger under the seal, popped it open, and eagerly read the words.
After allowing Ella time to read the letter, her father paused his own reading and removed his spectacles. “How is Miss Hawthorne faring?”
Ella finished the short missive and refolded it. “I’m happy to say that she feels much stronger, but her father has been away from Hawthorne House ever since they returned to London. She said he set out to find Mr. Bauer and has not returned.”
Her father clicked his tongue. “Hawthorne needs to mind himself. The way he handles this could ruin him if he’s not careful.”
Ella placed the letter on the table next to the sofa. “My heart breaks for how much this has devastated the Hawthornes. I wonderif they will ever truly recover from it. Phoebe asked if I’d come and stay with her for a while.”
Her father propped his elbow on the chair’s arm and pivoted to face her, as if taking fresh interest in the conversation. “Will you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?” he countered.
She searched for words. “I’m needed here. You need me, and I just—”
“Ella.” His word silenced her.
“My dear child.” His piercing blue eyes were fixed on her, and she glimpsed the strength in her father that he’d not displayed for some time. “I know you worry about me, but like you, I’m still always learning. This has not been an easy event for any of us, but you saw truth when I did not. As much as I hate to admit it, I’d become complacent, but you were sharp. You saw the danger before anyone else. Now your work is done. Your friend needs you. I think you should go to her. And your future—it’s still ahead of you. Don’t forget to act on that as well.”
“My future?” She frowned. “Without the school, I’m not even sure I know what that means anymore.”
“Oh, I think you do.” For the first time in a long while his eyes twinkled. “The more I think about Mr. Abernathy, the more I realize you were right. What a fickle man he turned out to be. But Mr. Rowe—now there’s a fine young man.”
Chapter 40
ELLA DREW Asharp breath and summoned every ounce of courage she could muster as the Keatley Hall carriage drew to a halt. She looked through the dirty window and across the sun-drenched London street at the Rowe Solicitor Office. She might be one to shirk convention generally, but even she knew that it was brazen, if not scandalous, to call on a man without at least a chaperone.
She squeezed her eyes shut, as if by doing so she could drum up more confidence. But she needed—wanted—to see Gabriel, and if she did not take advantage of this opportunity, she did not know when the next one would present itself.
She gathered her reticule and gloves and prepared to place her bonnet back gingerly on her head. The Keatley Hall carriage driver opened the door and helped her down. The afternoon was hot for such a late day in September, and she squinted in the brightness. She was expected at Hawthorne House by nightfall, which left her plenty of time for a quick visit.
Once at the office’s main door, Ella turned the doorknob firmly, which jingled a bell and captured the attention of the clerk, whom she recognized from her first visit.
“Miss Wilde!” he exclaimed with a bow. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
She fought the nerves firing through her. What might Gabriel think of her showing up unannounced and unchaperoned? She did not need to respond, however, for as soon as she spoke, the door to Gabriel’s office opened.
“Miss Wilde!” Gabriel exclaimed, his light brown eyes wide. “I was not expecting you! Come in, come in.”
