He had remained silent, though his spine had grown straighter as she recounted her tale. When she was finished, he had only one question. "Do you have the note with you?"
She did, of course, and rose from the bed to find it in her trunk, which had arrived with them that evening, still tucked inside A History of Essex. She handed the book and note over together, not knowing what more to say.
Opening the parchment, his face was stony as he read the words of his father — words that seemed as though they'd come from beyond the grave. Alex winced, knowing what pain they must be causing him. He held still for a long moment, then looked up at her with a question in his eyes. "What name is at stake?"
"We could only believe that he was referencing the Sewell name. The Blackmoor line," she said carefully, uncertain of his thoughts.
He nodded, looking back at the letter. "And the book? A History of Essex? Every household in the county must own a copy."
"We don't know. There must be something particular to this copy. Do you remember your father ever speaking of it?"
He shook his head, turning the book over in his hands and studying it. After a few moments, he raised his eyes to hers. "Alex, I should have thought twice when you told me about the conversation you witnessed. I should have asked more questions, listened more carefully." Gavin's voice wavered, as he fought his emotions.
"Gavin —" She stopped, unsure of what she could say to help.
He stood and walked toward her, taking the spot next to her on the bed. He took her hand in a simple, beautiful act. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to speak.
Long minutes later, he did. "I believed in him. Believed that, despite his oddities, his coldness, he was first my uncle. My father's brother. My family. I suppose I wanted to believe in him because he brought me that much closer to the father that I no longer had. I searched for something about him that would remind me of my father. I was desperate to find that similarity. I haven't been able to. And now... I find that not only is he nothing like my father... he's the reason I lost my father."
The sadness and shock in his voice devastated Alex, and she wrapped her arms around him. He remained still, not responding to her attempt to comfort him for the first few seconds until, consumed by emotion, he caught her in an intense embrace, burying his face in her neck. They stayed that way, wrapped tightly together, sharing their strength in the silence.
And then, after what seemed like an eternity, he pulled back, loosening but not releasing his hold. Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, he asked, "What should I do?"
She smiled softly, placing her hand on his roughened cheek. "You mean what should we do."
He shook his head. "No, Alex. It is too dangerous for you. He's already threatened you."
"Nonsense. I'm the one who discovered everything. We can do this together! We can discover his deeds and make sure he is punished for them, together! I've already been thinking about what we might be looking for at Sewell hall."
He shook his head. "Absolutely not. You are forbidden from going within a quarter of a mile of Sewell hall. Whatever I do, I shall do it alone. I won't risk anyone else I love."
Her voice shook with indignation. "And what am I to do? Simply watch someone I love sally off to save the day without helping you succeed? The concept is as ridiculous as it is impossible. I should like to see you attempt to forbid me from helping you. I am no delicate flower, Gavin."
He offered a half smile at her reference to her governess's lesson. "You are certainly no delicate flower right now, Alex. That much is true. We will discuss this in the morning, when we are both calmer," he said, ignoring her eyebrow raised in ire, and continuing, "Do you not think we should take this time to consider the minor fact that we seem to be in love?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the words and she played the last moments of their conversation over in her head. We are in love. He met her gaze, not letting her look away as he spoke. "You appear to have missed my meaning. Allow me to repeat myself more plainly. I love you, Alex."
She looked at him, shocked by his words, which chased all thoughts of their disagreement from her mind. She had been so wrapped up in making sure that he would include her in his plans that she had glossed over the meaning in his words. She opened her mouth, then closed it, scared to speak for fear of ruining this perfect moment.
He leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers, smiling as he spoke in low, liquid tones. "I adore you. I adore your laugh and your wit and your intelligence and your confidence. I cannot think of another woman I would rather have by my side than you. You are as brilliant as you are beautiful and I probably should have realized it years ago, but I seem to be rather dull -witted."
She shook her head, "I think that, at this particular moment, you are rather a genius."
"Oh, you do?" he said teasingly. "And what else are you thinking?"
She smiled softly at his obvious attempt to entice her into revealing her feelings. "I'm thinking you have the most beautiful eyes in the world. And that your shoulders have grown exponentially broader since last year. And that your smile is the only thing able to make me forget myself and do things that are thoroughly inexcusable.
"Mostly, however, I'm thinking that you've been my savior for years... since before I can remember... my friend for the same length of time. And I honestly believe that there is nothing that could have stopped me from falling in love with you. It was only a matter of time."
"Say the words," he prodded.
"I love you, Gavin. I love the boy you were and the man you have become." She had never been so certain of anything in her life.
"Capital," he pronounced, and kissed her roundly, threading his fingers through her hair, scattering her hairpins and setting her heart racing.
After several moments, she stopped the kiss, meeting his gaze directly for several seconds before saying firmly, "Gavin. Promise me you won't do anything rash about your uncle. Promise me you won't do anything by yourself. Promise me you’ll ask for help."
"I promise. If you promise not to get yourself any more involved in this than you already are, Alex. I will tie you up in a linen closet if I think I must to keep you safe."
"All right."
"Say the words." I promise.
They sat together long into the night, basking in the glow of their newly professed love, talking until the light of day began to creep over the horizon in deep purple streaks and Alex was unable to keep her eyes open. Placing one final kiss on her forehead, Blackmoor snuck into the hallway and, unseen, found his own chamber.
twenty-two
He watched the Essex countryside 'roll past beyond the carriage window. He had been traveling all night — seething with anger.
He had lost everything. all because of that brat. His French partners had broken contact with him. Stopped using his services. It was only a matter of time before they came for him; he knew too much — their identities, their plans, their location.
The girls had to be dealt with. He would not be bested by a gaggle of irritating children.
He knew, without question, that they had been searching the study of Blackmoor House. They had been looking for the same thing he had been looking for — information that could lead to his capture and the capture of his contacts. Information that would see them all hanged.