“Mr. Clancy knew the right people to talk to—and that was Mr. Hawthorne of the Society. He made the introductions, and we took it from there. It was all an act, but it embodied a life we were aspiring to. For the first time in our lives, people took us seriously. People respected us and wanted to be around us. I was even developing a true attachment to Mr. Hawthorne. I can honestly say that we had no idea of the scale the scheme would take, and we certainly didn’t know how influential the Society members were.
“Once Timothy and I realized how dangerous this could be if we were found out, we wanted out. But Mr. Clancy—he was too powerful. He threatened us with a great number of things. So when our task was complete, we were going to set sail for America. Unfortunately, my brother’s inability to avoid the gambling tables drew Mr. Rowe’s attention. Once the two of you were onto Timothy, we knew we were in trouble.”
When Miss Grenshaw had finished her recounting of events, Ella exchanged glances with Gabriel. There. They had the answers. But she felt worse than she had when she arrived.
Ella turned back to Miss Grenshaw. “If this is all true, I will do my best to help you, but you must be willing to testify.”
Miss Grenshaw nodded. “Yes, I know.”
After the conversation concluded and Gabriel and Ella walked toward the carriage, Ella took his arm. “It’s just so sad.”
“It is, but don’t forget that even though she was unaware of the full extent of Clancy’s plans, she knew enough to intentionally deceive, and she did so for a long time. Such fraudulent actions do not usually end how criminals hope they will.”
Ella frowned. “What will happen to her, do you think?”
Gabriel exhaled a long breath. “It all depends upon how serious the actual charges are that are brought against her and whooversees the case. My guess is she’ll be tried for fraud and the intention to steal property, with transportation for a period of years as recourse, but if you speak on her behalf, the magistrate might be lenient. As for Gutt and Grenshaw, I think they will be tried the same. But Clancy will be different. Complainants are coming out from seemingly nowhere with accusations against him.”
“What kind of accusations?”
“Oh, every manner of them. Fraud. Manipulation. Intimidation. I hate to admit it, because I did count him as my friend, but deception like he and Grenshaw attempted does not usually begin on such a scale. Don’t worry. You have already done your part, and the rest, really, is out of our hands.” A grin curved his lips. “But do you know what is not out of our hands?”
She smiled at the sudden shift in his demeanor. “What?”
“Our future.” He covered her hand with his, and as they reached the carriage and he prepared to open the door, he paused to face her. “We have had enough of these dramatic and portentous events. Now I want to think of nothing more than you and of all the days we have before us.”
Chapter 51
ELLA WATCHED THEpastoral landscape flash past her from the carriage window. Endless rolling meadows and fields and groves of alder and silver birch trees replaced the noisy, dusty ambience of London. Gone was any trace of summer. In the past fortnight autumn had arrived to the countryside—and with it the scenery now boasted vibrant hues of amber and mahogany glittering beneath the brilliant blue sky.
In just a few miles she would be back home—back to Keatley Hall—where her father and Mrs. Chatterly would be waiting for her.
Keatley Hall—and all that it represented—had always been a beacon of stability and freedom for her, but she, admittedly, was no longer the same young woman who had left less than a week prior. How could she be? Perilous and unbelievable circumstances had forced her to examine herself and had opened her eyes to a world far different from her sheltered existence at Keatley Hall.
And without doubt the most enthralling part of all was Gabriel.
She paused in her musings to glance over at him. He wore no hat, and how carelessly his dark umber hair fell over his face. Howshe hoped she’d never tire of smoothing it back into place and that his grin—easy, light, and hopelessly alluring—would make her feel this way forever.
Ella had always been too practical to think of romance. Too practical to assume that happiness could indeed be found in anything beyond the walls of academia and duty. Facts and empirical truths might offer security, steadiness, and predictability, but true felicity was found in opening her heart to what might lie outside of what was secure. Now she realized that a true home did not reside in a place, but in loving another person wholeheartedly—and being loved in return.
Before long the carriage turned and jostled through Keatley Hall’s familiar iron gates, and a plethora of memories rushed over her. The long, mirthful summers of her childhood. The hopeless devastation of her mother’s death. The disappointment of her failed engagement to Mr. Rawlston. The sickening anticipation of the symposium. Every experience had ushered her to this moment.
“You’re sure?” Gabriel tightened his grip on her hand. “You’re absolutely certain this is what you want to do?”
Their plan blazed clear and solid in her mind. She leaned closer to smooth his hair from his brow and let her hand linger on the side of his face. “I’ve never been so certain of anything, with the exception of knowing that I want to marry you.”
He smiled and pressed a kiss on her lips. “I will support you in whatever decision you make regarding Keatley Hall, you know this, but I want you to make the decision because it makes you happy. Not for any other reason.”
As the carriage drew closer and her father came into view, Ella’s heart leapt. Before the footman even opened the door, she pushed it open, jumped out, and ran to her father’s arms.
He laughed—his familiar, coarse laugh—and hugged her in his fatherly embrace. She pressed a kiss to his weathered cheek.
“My darling daughter,” he exclaimed upon releasing her, “how I’ve been worried for you.”
“Oh, Father,” she responded playfully, straightening his lopsided cravat. “You know better than to worry about me, don’t you?”
“I suppose by now I should. It does me no good, does it?” He looked up as Gabriel approached. “I hear you have had quite an adventure, young man.”
Gabriel extended his hand to shake her father’s. “Yes, sir. Quite an adventure.”
