“Miss Wilde!” she exclaimed. “I have heard so much about you. But what has happened? Why are you here at this hour?”
“We’ve had quite the experience.” Gabriel stepped back to put more distance between them. “I’ll explain everything in the morning, but Miss Wilde will need to stay the night here. Can you show her to the spare bedchamber?”
Reluctantly, Ella bid Gabriel good night and allowed his sister to help her settle in for the rest of the night. Despite all the fear and anxiety they’d experienced, happiness flared.
He loved her.
And in that moment her heart knew: She loved him too.
Chapter 49
ELLA AWOKE TOa long sliver of white sunlight filtering through the space around the filmy curtains on the far wall. She winced as she rolled over onto her arm, and the previous night’s events swept over her.
She bolted upright in bed. Images rushed her: Mr. Clancy. Mr. Grenshaw. The pistols. The ropes. But then the memories of softer, gentler, promising moments with Gabriel washed over her.
The heavy painted door to the corridor creaked open, and Mary poked her head in the doorway. “Oh good. You’ve woken.”
Ella pushed herself farther up in the bed. She’d not spent much time with Mary the previous night—just long enough for Mary to help her prepare for bed and wash the rope abrasion on her arm—but she’d been so considerate and attentive. “Thank you for your care last night.”
“Think nothing of it. I’m just pleased you are doing well.” Mary motioned to the window. “Shall I open the curtains for light?”
Ella nodded, and the trim young woman turned to pull back the cream-colored curtains, allowing an abundance of exhilarating light to flood the space.
Being in Gabriel’s home was such an intimate sensation. This chamber, which she learned last night was called the Rose Room, was small but pretty, with high ceilings and pink-and-cream wallpaper adorned with delicate white roses. An oak wardrobe chest was in the corner, and two east-facing windows ushered in the morning light. A small writing table stood beneath the window to the left, and the small fireplace harbored a cheery light on the north wall.
How peaceful she felt.
“I am sorry about the noise from the street. This part of London is quite loud, I’m afraid.” Mary tied back the curtain with a tasseled golden cord. “But there’s not much to be done about that, is there?”
Mary fidgeted with her hands as she approached the bed. “Can I get you anything? I brought some tea up earlier while I was waiting for you to awaken, but it might be cool by now.”
Ella’s throat ached from the tension and dryness. “I would be grateful. Any temperature would suit me. Thank you.”
“I’ll have the housekeeper bring up a fresh pot momentarily, but hopefully this will suffice for now.” Mary poured the tea into a delicate teacup.
After handing Ella the tea, Mary returned to the chair by the bed. Ella wasn’t exactly sure why, but she was struck by how young Mary seemed. She must have been quite young when she married. How closely she resembled her brother. Her hair was dark, and although it was secured in a chignon, curls escaped at her temples and at the nape of her neck. Her eyes were soft brown, just a little darker than Gabriel’s, and she had the same thick black lashes. Her skin was remarkably fair, as if she hadn’t seen the sun in ages, and shadows hung under her eyes.
Mary perched daintily on the edge of the chair. “How is your arm feeling, Miss Wilde?”
Ella smiled. “Please, call me Ella.” She glanced down at the white bandage visible under the fabric of her nightgown. “It will be sore for a while, I’ll wager, but nothing that won’t heal.”
“Oh, Gabriel asked me to tell you that he took the liberty of sending a message to Hawthorne House to let Miss Hawthorne know where you were. He didn’t want her to worry.”
Ella’s heart leapt at the mention of his name. “How thoughtful. Is he here? At home?”
“No, he’s not, I’m afraid. He left early this morning to see the justice of the peace. He didn’t want to disturb you.”
Disappointment surged through her. She longed to see him, even if just to confirm that she hadn’t dreamt the interaction in the foyer. Furthermore, with her energy restored, she wanted to know exactly what was going on. She could feel Mary’s eyes on her. “Did he tell you what happened?”
“He did. Such a horrible experience for you both. I declare, I don’t know how Gabriel finds himself in such situations, but as sorry as I am for your ordeal, I am pleased to meet you. Gabriel has spoken so highly of you.”
“I’m very fond of him as well,” she offered, perhaps too eagerly. “He’s a courageous man.”
“I understand you are a courageous woman!” Mary countered, her tone brightening with emphasis. “He shared how you distracted a man by pointing a pistol at him. I’m sure I could never have been brave enough to do such a thing.”
“I’m sure you would have in the moment. Looking back, I’m surprised at it myself, but I was so frightened that something would happen to him, I . . .” She let her voice trail off.
“You mentioned his bravery.” Mary leaned forward in her chair as if growing more comfortable with the conversation. “I, too, was the recipient of his bravery a few years ago. Gabriel has an honorable, unwavering sense of justice that I do not necessarily understand, but for which I am grateful.”
