For now, all she could offer him was a bit of closure, something she had uncovered along the way.
She slowly folded the newsprint and set it aside. They had been at the breakfast table enjoying a quiet meal. Luke had gone out with Drennan to pay a visit to the bank to see what could be done about Montfree’s.
“Devin?”
He glanced up expectantly, his mouth full of ham.
She wasn’t sure how to say it, so she just blurted it out. “I know where Annalise was laid to rest.”
He instantly paused in chewing, and then swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing distinctly. He said nothing for a moment, and she wondered what he was thinking. Perhaps he was angry, or that he thought she was interfering where she didn’t need to be.
“I would be willing to go with you, if you like, but if not…” She started to get up, just so that she would quit rambling. “I can easily write down the location for you, or—”
“Constance.”
His voice was firm, but gentle as he said her name, enough to get her attention, but not enough to believe he was upset. Slowly, she met his gaze and her heart flipped in her chest when she saw his soft, dark eyes on her face. “I would like for you to be there.” He smiled slightly. “I’ve honestly known her burial place for some time, but I just haven’t brought myself to go there.”
She sat back down and reached across the table, where he took her hand and threaded her fingers through his. “We’ll do it together.”
As the hackney deposited them at a Westminster Abbey later that morning, Devin exited the carriage and looked upward at the tall, Gothic spires of the church. He’d never actually been inside the chapel, feeling that he wasn’t worthy to pass through such consecrated doors, but if it would give him the chance to pay his final respects to Annalise, then he would brave the fires of hell to do so. She had taught him what really mattered in life. Combined with the deep admiration he’d felt for her, and the love for Constance, he was able to breathe properly for the first time in his life. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest that he hadn’t even known had been present.
“Are you ready?”
He glanced at Constance and reached down to clasp her hand. Her courage is what would get him through the Chapel of St. Nicholas.
They walked up the steps and passed through the large, double doors. When the interior was revealed, Devin squeezed Constance’s hand, although he wasn’t truly aware of doing so. It was just so… magnificent and solemn, and oddly humbling for a former thief.
She waited until he was prepared to move forward, but said nothing, for which he was grateful. The silence is what allowed him to continue.
Hand in hand, they walked through the hollowed interior until they reached the Chapel of St. Nicholas. It was a modest area, but quiet and reverent, and Devin couldn’t help but smile, because he knew that Annalise would have liked it here. He was glad that Sir Isaacson hadn’t been petty and kept her from a proper burial in a church, knowing that she was carrying Devin’s child, but considering Brooks was the cause of her death, he likely didn’t care where she was laid to rest, so long as she was gone.
He wasn’t sure how he would feel when he finally saw her stone, but when he walked upon her marker, the name carved into the marble, something told him that she was at peace. Perhaps it was the fact a calmness had fallen over him for the first time in the past five years that told him it was true, or maybe it was because he had the sensation that Annalise was giving him her blessing with Constance.
Either way, when they finally left the Abbey, it was with a positive outlook toward the future.
When they returned home, they found that Luke and Drennan had returned. They were in the parlor, but considering the forlorn expression on their faces, he knew the meeting hadn’t gone well.
“I’m ruined.” The gaming hell owner held his head in his hands and spoke like a man who had truly reached the end.
“No, you’re not,” Constance said firmly, as she walked over and sat beside him on the settee. Luke was leaning by the fireplace mantel. “We’ll figure something out, even if I have to give you the necessary funds to—”
He shook his head adamantly. “I won’t accept charity, and especially from you. It’s my fault that I acted so rashly and believed such lies.” He put his hands on his knees. “I shall just accept my fate, and if it lands me in debtor’s prison, then I can only blame myself.”
Constance stood and held out her hand to him. “Come on. What you need is a nice cup of hot tea. Perhaps then you’ll think a bit more clearly.”
Reluctantly, Drennan allowed himself to be led away.
Once Devin was left alone with Luke, he made an announcement. “I’m going to clear Drennan’s debts, by an anonymous donation, of course.”
If Devin wasn’t so serious, he would have laughed aloud at the expression on Luke’s face. As it was, his companion’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Are ye daft? Tha’ money was supposed t’ be for yer retirement!”
Devin shrugged. “That may have been true at one time, but where did all that money truly come from? I didn’t earn it. It was stolen from others just like Drennan’s money was stolen from him. At least this way, it will keep an innocent man’s reputation from being destroyed.”
“But…” Luke sputtered. “Ye ’ave nearly fifteen thousand pounds!”
“And Mr. Plainview is worthy of it. If anyone deserves redemption, a second chance to make things right, don’t you think it’s him?”
Luke grunted. “Aye. I take yer point. But wha’ about Constance? Are ye plannin’ on livin’ off o’ ’er former paramour’s trust?”
