“It would be, wouldn’t it? Long, open hallways, spacious rooms. Running water,” he said in a dreamy sort of way. “It would be the most modern of hospitals.”
She smiled.
“I’m sure it will be.”
His attention temporarily brought back to the present situation, Mr. Milton nodded.
“Well then, I am sorry for my loss, but happy for the city of Glasgow as she will gain you as a physician.”
Grace couldn’t stop herself from frowning.
“Perhaps one day, but not soon. I’m afraid I’ve insulted one of the most renowned doctors in the city and, well, generally made a mess of things.” Mr. Milton waited for her to continue, but she shook her head. “Never mind. I’m sorry I couldn’t say yes to your proposal, Mr. Milton.”
“Me too.” He paused for a moment. “Miss Sharpe, I know my next request will seem beyond outrageous, but I cannot seem to help myself. I will regret it the rest of my life if I don’t ask.”
“Yes?”
He hesitated and then shook his head.
“No. I don’t think I will.”
Seemingly reading his mind, Grace leaned forward and brushed her mouth ever so gently against his. He remained perfectly still and upon feeling nothing but friendship, Grace stepped back. A pleasured expression passed over his face.
“Thank you, Miss Sharpe.”
“Thank you, Mr. Milton.”
They continued their stroll through the unfinished part of the greenhouse, just as the skies opened up and it began to rain. As quickly as they could, Grace, Arabella, and Aunt Belle were loaded into their carriage and brought home, all the while listening to Arabella go on and on about Mr. Dalton, who apparently was preparing for a trip around the world. He was tasked with finding rare and beautiful specimens for the greenhouse and had fascinated Arabella with every word.
Once they had entered the house, Grace felt her previous melancholy surface once more and she was left with nearly a half day of nothing to do as she had told James that she would be out of the office for the whole day, but the rain had cut their activities short.
Now, as she wandered throughout the house, her mind reeled back to her brash accusations. Why had she been so insistent on telling the constable about Mr. Roberts, and in front of his professor no less? What had made her so sure of herself that she would do something so careless?
It had been instinctual, which of course meant nothing. But even now, after having been properly chastised for her rashness, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite rightabout seeing Mr. Roberts in Gallowgate. Yes, James had said that he could be there on some charitable cause, but the amount of bills that had been handed over to those two men, it just appeared more like a payment than anything and what could a well-to-do university student want with two particularly rough looking men in the slums of Glasgow?
It simply didn’t add up.
Not to mention that besides the grave robberies, a number of people were still missing and all of them had last been reported being seen in Gallowgate. It didn’t make sense that people were disappearing in the middle of the city. Surely, if they were leaving or running away, someone, anyone, would have seen them leave. Particularly if they were from Gallowgate. The people there were dressed in near rags and if someone like them had been seen in any other neighborhoods, it would have been reported.
But it hadn’t. They had all disappeared right in the middle of Gallowgate.
Grace stared out the parlor window, watching the rain roll down the glass pane, arms folded across her chest as an outrageous idea began to form in her mind. If people were vanishing within Gallowgate, then there had to be some sort of evidence there. Evidence she could discover herself.
It was a dangerous idea, but then she had been there several times now. And she didn’t plan on knocking on every door, but maybe she might ask a few of the families in the factory housing building. Surely they would have seen or heard something and if Grace could discover where these people were going, then she’d be able to bring evidence to the constable and, perhaps foolishly, show James that she was right.
Turning on her heel, Grace headed for the doorway when Aunt Belle appeared, followed by Andrews.
“Ah, my dear, there you are. Do you feel like a game of chess? This dreary weather has me in the mood for a game.”
“I cannot, actually. I am going out.”
“Out? In this weather? Where are you… Oh,” she stopped herself suddenly. “Yes, dear, do what you must. But bundle up. I fear this rain may turn to sleet soon enough.”
“I will. I won’t be long.”
“Take as long as you like,” Aunt Belle said, waving her off.
Grace wasn’t sure why her aunt was always so relaxed about her comings and goings. She was the complete opposite of her sister, Grace’s Grandmother Alice, who had been a stickler for propriety. Grace and her sisters had never been allowed out on their own without at least a maid, yet here Grace was, acting as though she were completely independent, all with her aunt’s support.
