"Don't you?" Lady Agatha gestured at him, at the house, at everything. "Look at yourself, Gabriel. Look at what you've become."
Something in Gabriel's face shuttered. Clara saw it happen, saw him retreat behind his walls, and acted without thinking.
"He's become someone who survived a war," she said, stepping forward. "Someone who came home scarred but alive, who's dealing with loss and trauma as best he can. Someone who deserves compassion, not criticism."
Lady Agatha turned her basilisk glare on Clara. "And what would you know about it?"
"I know that Gabriel…His Grace is doing the best he can with circumstances that would break most people. I know that this house might be dusty, but it's still standing. I know that sometimes survival looks like hiding, and that's perfectly acceptable."
"Acceptable?" Lady Agatha laughed, sharp and bitter. "You think it's acceptable for the Duke of Ashbourne to hide away like a wounded animal?"
"I think it's human."
"Dukes aren't supposed to be human. They're supposed to be better."
"How exhausting for them."
Edmund made a sound that might have been a laugh disguised as a cough.
Lady Agatha drew herself up to her full height. "Gabriel, I'm giving you one month."
"To do what?"
"To pull yourself together. Hire proper staff. Open the house. Start attending social functions. Act like the duke you are."
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'll petition to have you declared incompetent."
The silence that followed was deafening.
"You wouldn't," Edmund said.
"I would and I will. The estate is too important to be left in the hands of someone who's clearly…" She paused, looking at Gabriel's scar. "Unwell."
Clara felt Gabriel go rigid beside her. Without thinking, she slipped her hand into his, squeezing gently. A violation of their rules, but necessary.
"Get out," Gabriel said quietly.
"I beg your pardon?"
“Leave my house!”
"Gabriel…"
"Now."
Lady Agatha looked between them, her gaze lingering on their joined hands. "One month," she said. "Use it wisely."
She swept out, her exit somewhat ruined by the fact that she had to struggle with the heavy door Edmund hadn't opened for her.
The moment she was gone, Gabriel pulled away from Clara, stalking toward the library.
"Gabriel…" Edmund started.
"Not now."
"We need to discuss…"
