"Wherever opportunity takes me."
"I could assist with that, you know. I have connections throughout England. A good reference from me would open doors that might otherwise remain closed."
Clara understood the implication perfectly. Leave Gabriel alone, and Lady Agatha would help her. Stay, and face the consequences.
"That's very generous of you, my lady."
"I can be generous when it serves my purposes. I can also be quite unforgiving when crossed."
"I've no intention of crossing you, my lady."
“Very well. Then you'll understand when I say that Gabriel needs a wife of his own class, someone who can help him reclaim his position in society and produce legitimate heirs."
"I understand perfectly."
"Do you? Because from where I sit, it looks like you're allowing yourself to develop feelings for a man you can never have."
The truth of it hit Clara like a physical blow, but she maintained her composure. "I'm performing my duties as housekeeper, nothing more."
"Keep it that way, Miss Whitfield. For everyone's sake."
Before Clara could respond, Gabriel and Penelope returned from the garden, and Clara was saved from further interrogation. But she caught Gabriel's eye as he entered, and the concern she saw there nearly undid her carefully maintained composure.
After what felt like an eternity, Lady Agatha finally departed, taking the terrified but surprisingly observant Miss Ashworth with her. The staff had been dismissed for the evening, and Clara found herself alone in the library, staring at the fire and trying not to ruminate over Lady Agatha's words.
"She's gone," Gabriel announced, entering with a bottle of brandy and two glasses. "Thank Goodness, the purple menace has retreated to terrorize some other unsuspecting household."
"You shouldn't call your aunt a purple menace, even if the description is remarkably accurate."
"I should call her much worse, but I'm restraining myself in deference to your delicate sensibilities."
"My sensibilities are hardly delicate after managing your household for a week."
"Fair point. You've seen me at my worst and haven't run screaming yet, which suggests either remarkable fortitude or questionable judgment."
"Probably both."
He handed her a glass of brandy. "You don't have to drink it, but you look like you need to at least hold something alcoholic after that interrogation."
"How did you know she was interrogating me?"
"Because that's what Aunt Agatha does. She interrogates, intimidates, and generally makes everyone around her question their life choices."
"She's very thorough."
"She's very threatened."
"By what?"
"By you, obviously."
Clara took a sip of brandy, letting it burn down her throat. "She knows about us. About our past, I mean. Mrs. Potter told her about the garden."
Gabriel's expression darkened. "Of course she did. Mrs. Potter has many wonderful qualities, but discretion isn't among them."
"She also knows about... the present situation."
"What present situation?"
