Chapter 22

C hapter 22

We left Bibury at dawn and traveled all day. Elizabeth was pale and quiet, no doubt thinking of the moment she had kissed Rose goodbye in the cradle, the gray light of dawn draped over the sleeping babe. I could not imagine how she felt now, leaving her child and not knowing if she would ever see her again.

I did not know what would come of it. Even if the situation with the blackmailer was resolved, the fact remained that Elizabeth had some difficult truths to explain to her parents and Lord Blakely. Would he still wish to marry her? Would her parents reject her? I hadn’t any idea, and that unknown felt like ice lodged in my chest.

Elizabeth sat beside me in the carriage, Nathaniel facing us, and I found it difficult to keep my eyes from him. Our knees brushed with every jolt of the carriage, and neither of us moved away. His words from the night before played endlessly through my mind.

There is something between us , he’d said. He was certainly right in that, though I’d tried to ignore it, assign it little significance. Of course I would feel attraction to such a man as he.

But I saw it so clearly now. This wasn’t mere attraction. A seed had been planted the moment I’d met him, when he’d helped me up from the London street. It had taken root when he had treated me with the calculating respect one reserves for a colleague. It had blossomed when he’d run with me from the tavern, protected me, and taken me to his childhood home. And now it filled every shadowed place in my heart when I recalled his whispered words from last night—and remembered the feel of his hands around my face as he’d kissed me before the fire at the inn.

I have no intention of letting you get away, Verity Travers.

There was nothing more certain in life than change, but I felt myself stumbling to keep my feet beneath me. I hadn’t wanted this. Love, if I could call it that. I’d learned firsthand from my parents that love could be both selfish and caring.

And yet I could feel myself changing. Nathaniel was changing me, somehow making me both more of who I already was and who I wished to be. He knew the truth about me, and instead of it frightening him away, he seemed only more determined to remain at my side.

I peeked at Nathaniel across the carriage. His forefinger and thumb circled his chin, elbow propped on his crossed arm, and his eyes were on me, contemplative and intent. He shifted slightly as he caught my gaze, dropping his hand as we looked at one another. Words danced upon the tip of my tongue, things I had been too cowardly to say last night.

Elizabeth’s presence kept me in check, for which I was grateful. A private carriage was too tempting a prospect for a woman who had just discovered how very much she enjoyed kissing her Bow Street companion. And kissing him again would simply muddle my head more.

Nathaniel questioned Elizabeth sporadically throughout the day—whether she recognized the handwriting on the letter, if there was anyone who held a grudge against her—but she could think of nothing beyond what she had told us the day before. We worked out more details of our scheme to catch the blackmailer, and my confidence grew with every hour. It was a good plan, and with Bow Street’s help, it had every chance of success.

It was nearly dark when the familiar shape of Wimborne approached on the horizon. I’d been to my brother’s new home twice in the year since he’d married, and I’d come away both times dazzled by the beauty of the estate. The house itself was an elegant, three-story brick, with wandering ivy and white-painted shutters at every window, and the grounds were expansive and stunning in their wildness. The eastern wing was still in the process of being rebuilt after a fire last year, a complication from the case Jack had been working for my future sister-in-law, Genevieve.

As our carriage neared the manor, I saw two figures descending the steps to meet us. Genevieve’s vivid red hair caught the last gleams of sunset, while Jack’s dark locks seemed to swallow the light. I straightened, unaccountably nervous. What would my brother think of our arrival?

Our carriage stopped before the front steps, and Jack moved to open the door. He grinned, not looking surprised to see me.

“Ah,” he said, speaking loudly enough for Ginny behind him to hear. “Here is our runaway. She must have missed me terribly to have come all this way.”

I took his hand and stepped down to the pebbled drive. “I can’t imagine anyone missing you.” But my voice lacked any sharp edges, and my frown threatened to stand on its head.

“Really?” he said. “Do you not recall Ginny chasing me all the way to London before we married? She seemed to miss me quite desperately.”

Ginny laughed behind him. “Only because I needed you to clean up the mess you’d left behind.”

He pretended not to hear and turned to Elizabeth, who had scooted to the edge of the bench. He held out a hand. “May I?”

She took his hand, and he helped her to the ground. “Thank you.” She moved to my side, and I took her arm to reassure her.

Nathaniel stepped down directly after Elizabeth and straightened his jacket, eyeing my brother apprehensively. But Jack seemed not at all alarmed by Nathaniel’s presence. Guessing by his “runaway” comment earlier, Mama had written to him upon finding my note, and he likely knew precisely who both Nathaniel and Elizabeth were.

After the requisite introductions and bows and curtsies, Ginny stepped forward and took my hands. “So lovely to see you again, Verity.”

I squeezed her hands. My sister-in-law could be just as determined and obstinate as I when she wished to, but gentleness and sincerity were her true nature. “Thank you. I am sorry to come upon you so unexpectedly, but I gather you’ve had some warning from Mama.”

“Indeed,” she said. “We received a letter this morning.”

I wished to ask her what Mama had said—was she utterly furious with me?—but Ginny turned next to Elizabeth, eyes kind.

“Miss Harwood,” she said. “I hope you will feel very welcome here at Wimborne.”

Elizabeth managed a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Travers. I am sorry if we are imposing.”

Ginny shook her head. “Not in the least. We are more than happy to have you.”

“Mr. Denning,” Jack said to Nathaniel. “I must thank you for accompanying my sister. A rambunctious sort, is she not?”

Nathaniel’s lips twitched. “That is one word for it.”

“Quiet, you,” Ginny ordered her husband. “They’ve had a long few days, and they deserve rest and quiet, not your teasing.”

“As you say, my dear,” Jack said, though his eyes twinkled.

Nathaniel moved to take his bag, just unloaded by the coachman, but Ginny waved him off. “Never mind your bag, Mr. Denning; my men will see to it. Come, I will show you and Miss Harwood to your chambers. Once you’ve washed up, dinner will be served.”

Ginny took Elizabeth’s arm and guided her inside, telling her about the room being readied for her. Ginny was not the chattering sort, yet she seemed to sense that Elizabeth needed some distraction. Nathaniel sent me a searching look, but I only shrugged, so he followed after the two women.

Jack watched his wife leave with Elizabeth and Nathaniel, then turned to face me, his teasing grin slipping from his face. “You’ve been busy,” he said simply.

I sighed. “What did Mama say in her letter?”

“A great deal,” he replied. “Shall we walk? I imagine you’ll wish to stretch your legs.”

“And I imagine you’ll wish to rake me over the coals for running away without a chaperone.”

He grinned. “Then, you do not know me very well.”

I made a noise of disagreement as we moved off together, aiming toward a meandering stream. “Mama will have insisted upon a lecture, I daresay.”

“No lecture,” he said. “In fact, Mama said nothing of the sort. She was just worried. Asked that I look out for you since your journey would lead you fairly close to Wimborne and she had an inkling you might seek my help.”

Mama knew me better than I thought.

“And did she tell you of our argument?” I said quietly.

“She did not mention an argument.” He paused. “She told me something else though.”

“What?” My pulse quickened.

His steps slowed. “She told me what happened in January.”

I stared at him. “She should not have. It was my story to tell.”

He cast me a hard look. I hadn’t seen much censure from my brother over the years, but I felt it now. “Yes, and you should have told me.”

“I ...” I bit my cheek. “I did not want you to think less of me.”

“Less of you?” He gave an exasperated shake of his head. “Blast it, Verity, how can I help you if you do not confide in me? Why did you not tell me?”

“Because ...” My voice caught. “Because I chose to stop,” I finally managed. “I refused to take cases anymore. I thought you would be disappointed in me after all you did to encourage me.”

He blew out a long breath. “Verity,” he said slowly, as if to ensure I understood him. “I taught you because you showed such an interest and aptitude. I think you have the makings of an extraordinary investigator. But not once did I push you toward this profession because I thought you should follow after me. Your life is your own, and I should be proud of you no matter what.”

My eyes pricked with tears, and I looked away. “Even if I were a half-wit cheat? Or a smuggler? A tavern wench, perhaps?”

He grinned. “Only if you were the very best tavern wench in all England. We Traverses do not do anything by halves.”

I laughed, a weak sound, but the soberness of our conversation fled.

“I was glad you found your friend Miss Harwood,” he said as we began walking again.

“A blessed relief,” I agreed.

“Do you know why she disappeared?”

“Yes,” I said, “and I now understand why she took such drastic action.”

“Tell me everything,” he insisted. “Perhaps I can help.”

“I’ve little doubt you could,” I said, “but I cannot break her confidence.”

Jack did not press me, nodding once. “But you are helping her? You and Mr. Denning?”

There was another question within the one he spoke.

“Yes,” I said. “He has been a true friend.” That, at least, I could say without worry.

“Just a friend?”

Of course he would press me about this . “What did Mama say in that blasted letter?” I muttered under my breath.

Jack winked. “That is between the two of us, I’m afraid. Personal correspondence and all that.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “He seems a decent fellow.”

“He is more than decent,” I defended, though I wasn’t sure why. Jack hadn’t insulted Nathaniel, after all.

“I see .” He drew out the word, lips tugging upward. “You know, dear sister, you would not be the first to catch feelings in the midst of an investigation. I am quite familiar with the process myself. I do hope you will come to me if you should ever find yourself wondering what this new emotion is—”

“Hush.” I scowled at him.

“—why your heart is pattering on so—”

I turned and stalked away, and Jack laughed behind me, hurrying to catch up.

“Come now,” he said robustly, falling into step beside me. “You must allow me to tease you now, or I will be forced to do so around Mr. Denning, and then Ginny will be angry with me.”

“Perhaps I should like to see you in your wife’s black books for once,” I muttered. “I cannot understand how she endures your nonsense.”

“Ah, love,” he mused. “That great equalizer.”

“Do you not mean death ?”

“Heavens, no,” he said. “It was love that blinded Ginny to my faults and convinced her to marry me. Dying would not have helped me in the least.”

A short laugh burst from me. “The poor woman.”

We started back toward the house, the sunset turning from brilliant orange to a deep purple.

I hesitated a minute before I spoke. “Might I ask a question?”

“Certainly.”

“Do you trust Wily Greaves?”

“Wily?” Jack looked surprised. “Is he mixed up in this whole affair?”

I exhaled. “Yes, unfortunately. I’d like to believe the best of him, but he makes it so difficult.”

“I’m not terribly surprised,” he said. “He doesn’t like anyone to know he’s a good man at heart. Rather enjoys his reputation.”

“But can I trust him?”

Jack shrugged. “ I do. But then, we’ve gotten each other out of enough scrapes that we have little choice but to.” He paused. “You’ll have to decide for yourself. It is part of the job, learning whom to trust and whom to watch. You’ve always been a good judge of character, Verity. Hold to that, if nothing else.”

I mulled that over as Jack led us into the house, the grand entry familiar from my previous visits, and we parted to ready for dinner. After changing my dress and fixing my hair, I looked at myself in the mirror above the dressing table. I should have looked tired and wan. But instead, there was a spark in my eyes and a flush in my cheeks that I could not account for.

Though perhaps it had something to do with the gentleman whose knees had brushed mine for the majority of our journey today.

The same gentleman who paced the bottom of the staircase when I descended a few minutes later, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. I reached the bottom of the stairs as he turned back, and he stopped, his eyes finding mine. I hadn’t brought anything very fine to wear, not anticipating a formal dinner, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“You look lovely.” He came to join me, brushing the fronts of his breeches self-consciously.

“Not like a madwoman, I assume?”

He grinned. “Not even slightly.”

I straightened my skirts. “We are the first to come down?”

“I’m not sure.” He gave a sheepish smile. “I wasn’t certain where to go.” His eyes slipped from me, flashing across the gilded ceilings and elaborate damask wallpaper and delicate glass vases. “I didn’t realize your brother had married so well.”

“Oh yes, he’s always been something of a fortune hunter,” I said, careful to keep my voice serious. “The richer the lady, the better.” When Nathaniel’s eyes snapped back to mine, wide and surprised, I laughed. “I am only teasing.”

“Yes, I should hope so,” came Jack’s drawling voice from the staircase. We glanced up to see him and Ginny descending the steps arm in arm, both with matching grins. “I would hate for Ginny to learn I married her for her fortune.”

“Shocking, to be sure,” Ginny said mildly. “Drat, I am trapped now. But I suppose what’s done is done.”

She always surprised me with her dry humor, and I saw even more why Jack had fallen head over heels for this woman.

Elizabeth joined us a minute later, looking pale but a little better than she had when we’d arrived. As the others went ahead, I walked alongside Elizabeth.

“How are you?” I asked softly.

She exhaled a shaky breath. “I do not think I shall get any sleep tonight.”

I could not blame her. She would face her parents tomorrow, and Lord Blakely. She would have to tell them everything. And besides that, we had our plan to put into action. Anyone in their right mind would be nervous.

“They will understand,” I told her and prayed desperately that I was right. “They love you. You have nothing to fear.”

She shook her head. “Do not say that. I am not as brave as you, Verity, and I know very well that my situation is a precarious one indeed. I cannot guess what my parents will say, and Lord Blakely ...” She swallowed, and her voice trailed off.

“I will be with you,” I whispered as we neared the dining room. “Every step of the way.”

She squeezed my arm, her eyes watery.

Nathaniel had reached the drawing room door and glanced back. His eyes fixed on me, as though looking anywhere else were a hardship. A shiver traced my spine—a rather pleasant shiver. I should not enjoy having his eyes on me, especially when my friend endured so much. But Nathaniel gave me strength. He gave me confidence. And I very much needed both, considering what we would be facing in London. So I let myself enjoy the way he looked at me.

A girl could get used to such a thing.