Thornbrook Park

by Sherri Browning

  “Oliver masterminded the whole idea of the mine and everything from using Edgar Strump to lure potential investors to insisting I marry Edgar to keep him complacent. But it wasn’t enough. When Edgar found out that we really didn’t own the mine, after Mrs. Kendal came around, he threatened to put an end to the scam and tell all the investors. That’s when Oliver did it.”

  “Did what? Where, exactly? How did it happen?”

  “In Edgar’s study. Edgar demanded a list of all the investors so he could tell them the truth. Then he realized that he had a list—of the people he had referred to rent from Oliver. That’s when Oliver came up behind him and whacked him on the back of the head.”

  “With the monkey bookend,” Detective Davis confirmed.

  Leona nodded.

  “Then he ordered me to clean up while he took the body to the river. I didn’t realize the bloody oaf had taken the one bookend but not the other.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. You’ve been very helpful,” Tom said.

  “You’re not French either, are you?” She flashed what must have been her come-hither stare in Tom’s direction. “But you’re adorable. I shouldn’t be in jail very long, and once they hang Oliver for murder, I’ll be single. Look me up in two to four years.”

  “I’ll see you at the trial, where I will testify against you from the witness stand,” Tom said. “That’s as close as we’re going to get.”

  Twenty-three

  “Congratulations, you’ve done it.” Marcus leaned to kiss Eve on the cheek gently, as if fearing a rebuff. “Your plan worked. We have Mrs. Lawson, and she and her husband will be locked away where they belong as soon as we find him.”

  “We did it.” She smiled at him as they stood outside the Strump house and watched Leona being carted away by Scotland Yard. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “And your fabulous French accent. I couldn’t have mastered it in time.” Reilly shook his head. “No, you two are great together. And in better news, we’ve recovered a listing of all their accounts and frozen them, the ones in England anyway. The ones in other countries will take some time to shut down. The money will be used to repay their victims. Like the next of kin for one Captain Benjamin Kendal, who entrusted the Lawsons with eight thousand pounds, according to their records, which are now in our hands.”

  “Thanks to you, snooping around in Strump’s study. Well done, Tom.” Marcus clapped Tom on the back.

  “Eight thousand pounds?” Eve couldn’t hide her astonishment. “It’s more than I dreamed we had. I’m going to get back all eight thousand pounds?”

  “It might take some time to clear through the courts and whatnot,” Tom said. “But yes, by this time next year, you should be very comfortable. Probably much sooner.”

  “It’s wonderful.” Eve couldn’t believe her good fortune. She would get her money back after all. She had everything she would need. “I have enough to live on fairly well until I get my money. I don’t need to rely on the charity of friends any longer.”

  She felt free, freer than she’d felt in years. She hugged Tom and then hugged Marcus. She wanted to hug the world and shout at the top of her lungs. Free! But she managed to contain herself.

  “The person I want most to share this with is here by my side.” She turned to Marcus.

  “You mean me?”

  “Of course I do, my Comte Lestrange. You’ve been so supportive and kind. And…” She couldn’t really say much more with Tom standing right next to them. “And wonderful. Thank you.”

  “I’m really glad you feel that way.” He pulled her closer to him, an arm around her waist.

  “Well, that’s all wrapped up,” Tom said, staring off as the car containing Leona Strump drove toward Scotland Yard. “We should go celebrate.”

  “I hate to say it, but the only place I want to be is Thornbrook Park,” Eve said, peeking up through her lashes, a little afraid to see Marcus’s reaction. “I feel that I can meet my friends on more equal terms now, no longer a charity case. I need to tell the Dovedales that I no longer wish to work for them.”

  “You don’t want to be a governess?” Marcus had the consideration to mock surprise, at least.

  “No, I want to be a writer, and now I have the means to find a place of my own, take my time, and finish my novel.”

  “It’s going to be splendid,” Marcus said.

  “I hope so. I’ll never know until I finish.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, savoring the feel of his solidity beside her. It didn’t escape her notice that they were more equal now, too. She was no longer an impoverished widow. She was a woman who had the means to choose any life she wanted.

  At some point, she would have to screw up her courage and confess that she wanted him. But first, they had relationships to repair. “I need to patch things up with Sophia. As soon as possible. I hate the way things are between us, and I need to go back and try to work things out with her one more time.”

  “I understand.” Marcus nodded. “But don’t think I’ll let you ride the train alone again with that lunatic Lawson still out there unaccounted for.”

  “You heard Detective Davis. I’m probably safe now. But you would come back to Thornbrook Park with me? I would be so happy if you and Gabriel could reach accord.”

  “We will, eventually. I’m not sure I’m ready to see him again just now. But I will go to Tilly Meadow Farm and check on Brandon. At the end of the week, I want to bring him back to visit with his mother and show her that he’s truly thriving.”

  “Speaking of Prudence, I’m headed over to the Coopers’ place now,” Tom said. “They’ll be up for a celebration if you two insist on leaving me right away.”

  “We do,” Marcus affirmed. “We’re going straight to Thornbrook Park. Give my regards to Prudence and the family. Tell them I’ll visit again soon.”

  The ride on the train was a much more pleasant one than their previous ride, though Eve was full of nerves. “I’m more nervous to face my own dear friend again than I was to face Leona Lawson.”

  “Take a deep breath.” Marcus rubbed her shoulders. “You will find the words.”

  “But what if she still refuses to forgive me? And the Dovedales? They will be so disappointed to have to continue their search for a governess.”

  “They will manage. You have a novel to write. You’ll be far too busy to be looking after someone else’s children.”

  “I was looking forward to being with children, though.” She hazarded a look at him as she approached the topic. It might make all the difference in the world to him, if he planned on resuming their romance. She thought it only fair she let him know. “I’m not sure I can have my own. Six years with Ben, and no pregnancies. Our doctor never found anything wrong with me, but I suspect I could be barren.”

  She feared he might push her away at the news, but he only hugged her closer. “Without a proper diagnosis, I’m not sure you can come to that conclusion. Perhaps the time was never right. Perhaps it had something to do with Ben. Perhaps all kinds of things. But I’m sure it’s something that a man who loves you could accept without hesitation.”

  “You think so?” She turned to him, hopeful. This was turning out to be a much better day than the previous days of her week. “I’m glad to hear another opinion on it.”

  They rode in silence for the rest of the journey back, but this time it was a comfortable, companionable silence instead of a cold and lonely one.

  ***

  Marcus had insisted on seeing her all the way to Thornbrook Park before taking the cab back to Tilly Meadow Farm.

  “Stay safe. Don’t go out alone. Stay in after dark,” he warned, opening her door and helping her out.

  She laughed. “I believe we have nothing to worry about now.”

  “Good luck, Eve. I hope everything goes well for you with Sophia.” He bowed his h
ead to hers solemnly. “I have so much more I want to say to you, but it’s going to have to wait. You need to straighten things out here first. And then maybe there will be time for us. We’ll do things more properly this time. In London? I’m headed back there in a few days with Brandon. We could meet at Averford House. I’ll be looking for my own place soon, but Averford House is still home for now. As long as I’m there, you will be my honored guest, no matter what happens with Sophia.”

  “Averford House,” Eve agreed. “I will meet you there.”

  It seemed odd to be standing with him there on the driveway outside Thornbrook Park. So much had changed between them, but still so much was the same. They would have a chance to do things right, perhaps. A second chance. Her heart soared with hope for their future. He enfolded her in his embrace and held her tightly for more than a minute. But he did not kiss her. Without another word, he turned and got back in the car.

  “Give my love to Brandon,” she said. “I hope you find him well.”

  Mr. Finch opened the door. “Welcome back, Mrs. Kendal. A pleasure to have you with us again.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Finch.” He took her coat.

  “Lady Averford is in the drawing room with Mrs. Dovedale and Lady Alice.”

  “Oh.” She needed to get Sophia alone to say what she had to say. “I’m going to head up to her sitting room. If you could discreetly manage to alert her and send her to me there? I have something I need to say to her. Privately.”

  “Of course. You can count on me.” He winked conspiratorially, an unexpected touch from the normally staid butler. “She will be with you shortly.”

  Eve paced as she waited, trying to form the words. She would start with another apology, mention what Sophia has meant to her all through the years, perhaps refer to their girlhood and hope that nostalgia might tug at Sophia’s heartstrings, and end with a promise to be loyal and devoted and honest with her friend for the rest of their lives. It could work. She hoped so. How she missed her friend, especially after all that had happened! The one thing she wouldn’t do was promise to give up Marcus. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them. He had no future with Alice.

  A minute later, the door flew open and Sophia swept in. “Eve!”

  “Sophia?”

  “Eve.” Sophia hugged her. “I’m so glad you’ve come back. You left me bereft. I could hardly pass a moment without thinking about how horribly I’ve behaved and wishing you back so I could apologize.”

  “So you could apologize? But I’m the one who is so very sorry.”

  “No. No, no.” Sophia shook her head vehemently. “It is I. To think that you had to keep your love a secret because you feared what I would think. It should never have come to that. Never. You’re my best friend.”

  “And you’re mine.”

  “Still? You’ll forgive me?”

  Eve felt tears welling. Sophia’s tears were already running. “Of course I forgive you. If you can forgive me.”

  “I do. I’m happy for you, Eve. You should have love in your life. To love again! It doesn’t come easily, does it? And here you had it, and I wouldn’t let you enjoy it. Marcus is a good man. Though, you won’t hear me say it around Gabriel just now.” She placed a finger to her lips. “But of course you’re good together.”

  “We’re not together, exactly. Not now. Perhaps one day. I’m certainly not giving up.”

  “I’m glad. He loves you, Eve. I know he does.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Once Gabriel and I finally got to talking about what happened between him and Marcus, it was oh so clear that the man loves you. He was defending your honor and refusing to give you up.”

  “Oh? Was that it?” What had Gabriel said about her that Marcus had to defend her honor, she wondered, but wouldn’t ask. They were friends. Better that she didn’t know. “Refusing to give me up?”

  “Even under threat of losing his inheritance. That’s love.”

  “We certainly care for one another, but—so much has happened. I want to tell you all about it.”

  “And I want to hear. Should we go down? Is it a story you can share with the others?”

  “I suppose I had better, since I no longer care to be the Dovedales’ governess.”

  “Thank goodness.” Sophia laughed. “I was hoping you would give up such a scheme. Even when I was angry with you, I wanted to stop you. I wouldn’t wish working for Lizzy on my worst enemy.”

  “She’s not so bad,” Eve said.

  “In small doses,” Sophia allowed. “I’m enjoying her visit but I can’t imagine living with her all the time. Let alone taking orders from her. Come along. Let’s share the good news.”

  Downstairs, Eve told them all about her solicitor’s murder—taking part in the deception that trapped Leona Lewis, getting her to confess, recovering Eve’s fortune, and even Marcus’s fantastic French accent.

  “He loves you,” Alice said, obviously pleased with the turn of events. “I knew it. I could tell. What man would go to such trouble and care for a woman he didn’t love? And you were so intent to pair me with Captain Thorne, Sophia. It would never have worked. The last man I would marry is one who looks so much like your husband.”

  He loves me? Eve thought, trying it on. He loves me. She liked the sound of it. She hoped it were true.

  “What’s wrong with my husband?”

  “Nothing, but he’s a brother to me. So his brother feels like my brother. And besides all that, he’s yours.”

  “That he is,” Sophia smiled, a tad uneasily. “All mine.”

  “But it’s wonderful that you will have your fortune back,” Lizzy Dovedale said. “I couldn’t be happier for you. We’ll find another governess.”

  “I hope you will. Thank you.” Eve was so happy to be back at Thornbrook Park. How sad she would have been without Sophia’s friendship. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go in search of Lord Averford.”

  “Gabriel? What do you want with him?” Sophia seemed surprised.

  “A word about his brother. Someone has to convince them to work out their differences. I thought I would give it a try.”

  “Well, good luck,” Sophia said. “It will be a miracle if you can manage where I have failed, but all things are possible, as you’ve proven by recovering your fortune. The men got back from birding a short while ago. He’s most likely to be in his study.”

  ***

  Eve knocked and waited. Maybe he wasn’t there.

  “Come in,” he said a second later in his authoritative tones. She almost changed her mind, but she thought of Marcus.

  “Good day, Lord Averford.” She entered and walked up to his desk. “I would like a word with you.”

  He cocked a brow, so like his brother. “Have a seat. I see you’re back. Did you come alone?”

  “I had an escort. Your brother is a gentleman and insisted on escorting me here, though he wouldn’t come in.”

  “Of course not.” Gabriel smirked and pointed to his eye. “Too bad. He will miss the chance to get a look at his handiwork before it fades.”

  “I’m afraid you have the wrong idea about me, Lord Averford, after all that has happened with Captain Thorne.”

  He shook his head. “No. You’re lovely, Mrs. Kendal. No one could fault you for falling under the spell of a lothario. It happens sometimes.”

  “A lothario? Marcus?” She laughed. “What an unfair characterization. It couldn’t be further from the truth. No wonder he hit you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You deserved it, bossing him around, expecting him to fall into line. Threatening to take away his inheritance? You are a bully, Lord Averford. I forgive you for it. I know you’re a good man, and I know you were only trying to help Sophia get over her pain. She told me about your son.”

  “Edward.” He nodded. “Our son, Edward
. I haven’t spoken of him in years, and suddenly I’ve said his name several times in the past month. It feels good, you know, to speak of him. I hate feeling like he’s some sort of secret that needs to be buried because it pains Sophia to think of him.”

  “Perhaps you need to tell her that. It might not hurt her to speak of him, too. She finally told me about him. I had no idea. She’s still grieving the loss.”

  “She blames me. I buried him before I told her that he’d died. I only wanted her to be strong enough to bear the news.”

  “She thinks you blame her, too. You two really need to talk about him. But I leave that to you. I came to talk about Marcus. You can hardly blame him for how he behaved, as wrong as his methods might have been.”

  “Beating me? And you call me the bully.”

  “We both know who the bully is between the two of you, Lord Averford. You’re older and in control of the estate, and you used your power to try to intimidate him. But Marcus isn’t that same boy who used to fear you. I hope you can handle that. And you only goaded him into hitting you because you mistakenly believed yourself to still be the physically dominant one of the two of you.”

  “Goaded him, did I? You weren’t here.”

  “Marcus wouldn’t have hit you without provocation, Lord Averford. We both know it. I’m not here to rehash your argument. I simply wanted you to know what you’re missing in not repairing your relationship with your brother. He’s a good man, Lord Averford. Kind and tenderhearted, but strong and fiercely protective of the ones he loves.”

  “You don’t say.” Averford rubbed his jaw where there was still some light bruising.

  “I have a feeling he gets that from you, actually. I don’t know what he was like when you were boys, regretfully. But I know the man he is now, and he takes my breath away. You should see him with Brandon, the way he cares for the boy. He takes his responsibility toward the Coopers very seriously.”

  “I know,” Averford agreed. “It’s commendable.”

  “And he’s the only brother you’ve got. The way I see it, you would be fools not to make up with one another. I don’t have my family anymore and I miss them all the time. What I wouldn’t give for my brother to contact me.”