Ella didn’t want to pry, but she was curious. “Gabriel told me a little bit of your story. It is a sobering one, to say the least.”
Mary’s eyes took on a far-off expression. “I thought my life was over. I truly did. I’d been accused of committing a crime during a fit of delirium and was institutionalized. My father sided with my husband, but Gabriel—he did not. He fought long and hard for me, and, oh my, what a cost he paid.”
Ella tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
Mary looked confused. “Do you not know?”
When Ella shook her head, Mary softened her tone, as if preparing to tell a secret. “When Gabriel defied my father and started to work toward my freedom, my father disowned him, stating that he was foolhardy and lacked judgment. Even when the truth of my husband’s actions came to light, my father would not relent. My mother begged and pleaded with them both to resolve the matter, but Gabriel would not betray me. In truth my father’s anger had much more to do with the fact that he was wrong when he sided with my husband, and his pride will never permit him to admit fault. Even to this day he will not speak or even write to either of us.
“Gabriel has an inheritance from my mother’s side of the family, but it is a pittance in comparison to what he would have received from our father. As it is, poor, dear Gabriel is stuck with me.”
Even though Ella did not know Gabriel at the time this had happened, her pride swelled. How she admired his determination and loyalty. She was not sure it was even possible, but his allegianceto his sister made him all the more attractive. “I’d hardly say he’s ‘stuck’ with you. It’s clear he respects and cares for you very much.”
“That’s kind of you to say, but my reputation is in shambles, my husband is a prisoner in Australia, and I’ve absolutely no money. I’m completely dependent upon Gabriel. If that isn’t being stuck with me, I don’t know what is.”
Emboldened by the level of personal details she’d already shared, Ella lowered her voice. “Do you ever hear from your husband? A letter, maybe?”
Mary’s expression soured. “Heavens, no. And I’m grateful for it. I don’t know what I would do if I ever had to see him again.”
A distant knock echoed from the floor below. Mary stood and stepped to the window to look at the street below. “I wonder who that could be?”
The door could be heard opening, and indecipherable feminine voices followed.
They did not have to wait long to learn the visitor’s identity, for within moments Phoebe burst through the bedchamber door, a bundle in her hands, her vibrance reaching to every corner of the room. Panic lit her round face, and her cheeks flushed nearly crimson. She raced to the bed, her satin bonnet ribbons streaming behind her, and dropped a bundle on the floor next to the bed.
She snatched Ella’s hands, which had been folded on top of the coverlet, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Oh, my dear, dear Ella! How on earth did this happen? Are you all right? You must tell me that you are all right this very minute or else I might burst. I really will.”
Ella laughed at her friend’s dramatic display. “I am fine, you see?”
Phoebe blew out her breath, dropped her shoulders, and plopped onto the bed. “Well,Iam not fine. Not one bit. I’ve been an absolute nervous mess ever since I heard about this appallingbusiness. First you never arrived when I was expecting you, and then I get such news when I wake up. You must tell me everything. Start with the moment you arrived in London and omit no details.” Ella glanced to Mary, who’d been observing the reunion patiently. “Phoebe, you’ve not met Mrs. Mary Fife. She is Mr. Rowe’s sister.”
Phoebe whirled around, as if just now aware of the other woman in the chamber. “Oh, forgive me.”
Ella turned to Mary. “This is my dearest friend, Miss Phoebe Hawthorne.”
Once she had finished their introductions, Ella recounted everything—from searching Mr. Grenshaw’s chamber and discovering his real name, to meeting with Mr. Gutt at the Clancy Assembly Rooms, to being kidnapped by Mr. Clancy. She did, however, keep her romantic interlude with Gabriel a secret to herself, but with every new detail Phoebe’s eyes grew wider.
“I’m in shock. Absolute shock!” The excitable timbre of her voice resonated from the plaster ceiling. “I simply cannot believe how we all fell for his lies. Every single one of us. Except for you and Mr. Rowe, obviously. Now, I will tell you what I know.”
Phoebe made a great display of getting comfortable on the bed, as if preparing to relay a remarkable tale. “The very first news I heard when I woke up this morning was that Mr. Clancy had been arrested. Charming, distinguished Mr. Clancy! Not long afterward, one of the Society members, who is the brother of the justice of the peace, arrived at Hawthorne House with news of Mr. Bauer’s, or rather Mr. Grenshaw’s, arrest! He told me everything, including about your involvement. I thought surely he was mistaken, but about that time I received Mr. Rowe’s most surprising message, and the entire world seemed to come crashing down around me.The house has been nothing less than mayhem with all the Society members visiting and demanding answers. Of course I had none to give. Oh, it is all such a mess!”
It was an odd sensation to know that so many people knew of Ella’s personal trials, but at least the truth was finally coming out. Her family was being vindicated.
Phoebe’s story continued. “My father finally returned just an hour or so ago, and what a bluster he is in. He’s already been summoned to the justice of the peace office to provide a testimony. He’s seething!”
Ella sat up straighter in the bed, determined to glean as many details as she could. “Is everyone angry?”
“No—not angry. I would say they are more surprised than anything. Many of the Society members are just happy to have answers. No one likes to be taken for a fool, and everyone—me included—feels better knowing that justice will be served in one way or another. And, of course, everyone wants to know if they will get their money back, but I suppose that will take time to resolve. Oh! I almost forgot. I took the liberty of writing to Mrs. Chatterly and your father. Don’t worry, I did not alarm them, but I thought you would want them to know.”
Her dear father. And dear Mrs. Chatterly. “Thank you.”
“Also”—Phoebe paused to draw a breath and lift the bundle from the floor—“I brought you a gown and some things. I heard that your belongings were found in Mr. Clancy’s carriage this morning, so I thought you might need these.”
Mary, as if taking advantage of the break in Phoebe’s chattering, stood abruptly from her chair. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see about getting you ladies some more tea and give you some time to talk.”
When the door closed and they were alone, Phoebe spun back around, her eyes wide. “Tell me everything, right this minute, about Mr. Rowe. About what really happened, because I know there is something you are not telling me. How did this all come about? How did you reconnect with him?”
Giddiness rushed Ella at the mere mention of Gabriel’s name. There was so much she wanted to confide, but she hardly knew where to begin. “It seems unfathomable to say that something good has come out of this entire ordeal, but oh, Phoebe! I think my future is going to be very different than I planned, and I have the most wonderful suspicion that Mr. Rowe is going to play a significant role in my future happiness.”
