John’s teeth clenched, his lips trying to form expression and failing, pushing together into a straight line. “I see. This is rather an awkward moment, in that case. Will you at least step aside?”
John glanced to Marietta, as if suddenly realizing that she was still in the room. “Your brother will be released. I meant for it to happen with Abigail’s death. There is no real reason they can hold him. And we can give them Worley, if it comes to that. I’ve been helping him evade Gabriel here and there this week, just to keep things interesting. To keep on track.”
“No,” she whispered.
“Come, Marietta, you know it to be true.”
“John, leave her alone.” Steel this time. Not even encased in satin.
John smiled faintly. “She is good for you, Gabriel. I won’t harm her.” He looked across the desk. “However, I do ask that you not stand in my way.”
“John, I can’t—”
“No, Gabriel! Do not disappoint me!”
He positioned himself to intercept John, whose eyes had gone wild. He crouched to leap forward. John’s eyes were grim, his mouth tight. His body lines pitched for battle as well.
The door opened, turning all eyes to the oak. Lord Dentry stepped into the room, Gabriel’s father and Jeremy behind him. Listening at the door or in a secret room this whole time, no doubt.
Gabriel’s fingers curled into fists as Arthur Dresden walked in last, an uninvited witness to the events.
John stepped back, the thin blade of steel dropping to his side. “Lord Dentry.”
“Mr. Alcroft. I am very disappointed in you.”
“I am as well, Mr. Alcroft,” Lady Dentry said, smoothing her hands over her dress and rising, secure in her safety. Six dark glares focused on her. Dresden’s face was unreadable. “One would think after all we did, taking you in—”
“Silence, woman.” Dentry’s voice was flat. “I will deal with you later.”
She stepped back, bumping into a display case.
“I can explain—”
“Silence, I said,” he roared.
Lady Dentry visibly shrank, her eyes wide, a thin band of excitement in their depths. Gabriel curled his lip.
“Lord Dentry,” John said. “I beg you to understand—”
“As much as I am…displeased…with what I’ve heard, and with my wife, Alcroft, I cannot allow you to harm her.”
Lady Dentry smiled, a smug little smile.
“I, however, can do with her as I please.” Unemotional eyes looked to her. “And I find myself inclined for once to do just that.”
Lady Dentry’s smile dropped.
“You have brought trouble upon trouble on this household, Lady Dentry. But I thought them petty things. When Mr. Noble, the senior, left my employ, I knew you were somehow responsible for his sudden want of retirement. I allowed him to leave, however, handicapping myself in the process. I should have watched you more closely, I see.”
“You should have watched me at all,” she snapped bitterly.
Gabriel said nothing to interrupt the interplay. Marietta’s hand slipped into his and he squeezed it.
“I suppose I should have done just that.” The rest of the room’s inhabitants were silent bystanders. “Pity you should disgrace the name Dentry so.”
She laughed, a wild, fierce sound. “It did not take much. And I enjoyed it.” Her eyes swept Gabriel and John. “Every second.”
Lord Dentry’s face remained stern, taciturn, unemotional, but his hand fisted around the back of a chintz chair. “You will pay for this, Lady Dentry.”
