“You could have been badly hurt.”
“But I wasn’t and we digress. What happened next?”
“A man grabbed me. He told me you were a hero. He tried to drag me off the bridge, but I fought him. Then I felt myself being lifted into the air and dropped. After that, I don’t remember anything.” She could hear Gabe pacing as well as see his blurry image. “Gabe, I am certain I know him.”
“What?” He growled trying to gather his control, as he relived the horror of watching her lifeless body enter the water.
“He deliberately disguised his voice so I couldn’t recognize him. He seemed very happy that I remained unable to see.”
“Are you positive you would have recognized him?”
“Yes, Gabriel, I am certain,” she almost growled the response.
“How many people know you can’t see?”
“Other than you, your family and mine? Two. Dewhurst and Southerby. And whoever was at the shops I visited with Judith might suspect, but we never said anything aloud.”
“Damn,” he muttered.
“What is it?”
“I don’t suppose it will hurt to tell you. You know some of it already. Natalia, worked with a traitor in our government. I had given her false information with just enough truth in it to have her believe me so that she would trust me and tell me the name of the traitor. Both Southerby and Dewhurst work for the government and are on my list of strong suspects.”
“Well, I guess we should be relieved that Mack isn’t on the list.”
“I wish you wouldn’t refer to him so intimately.”
“And I wish you would get to know your brother.” Silence ensued for several minutes. “Finish telling me what happened at the park.”
“You fell into the water below the bridge.”
“But I didn’t feel it,” she interrupted.
“No, because you were unconscious from hitting your head somewhere on your way down. It took me a minute to get to you because of the crowd of spectators. Out of all the people there, not one bastard thought to help you.” She reached out a hand towards him and he grabbed it so she would not be grasping empty air. He felt her hand tighten on his, her grip firm. And to think, if I hadn’t been able to reach her, I might never have known how her hand feels in mine, he thought as he realized in all their intimacy they had never just held hands.
“Gabe, you reached me and that’s all that matters.”
“I almost didn’t get to you in time. When I got to the bank, all I could see was part of your skirt that had floated to the top of the water. Once I finally pulled you out, you weren’t breathing. I don’t know how long I pushed to get the water out of you. And then when I did, you just kept heaving.”
“Is that why my back and stomach are so sore?”
“Probably. We had to do it a couple of times to some sailors when I served in the Navy. It only worked once that I remember, other than you.”
“I was meant to be around to torment you a little longer.”
“Thank God,” he whispered huskily and pulled her from her chair into his warm, strong embrace.
“You know, you never talk about your time in the Navy,” she hedged.
“I saw things that no one should see.”
“But. . .”
“No,” he stopped her. “It’s no longer important.” He sat in the chair she had vacated and pulled her onto his lap so that her side was cradled into his chest and he could run his fingers through her dark, wavy hair. He felt her begin to relax against him. “Who knew that you had information about a suspected traitor?”
“I think Drucilla suspected. Justin delivered the message for me.”
“As your husband, I really wish you would quit referring to him in so intimate a manner. Especially since he could very well be the one trying to kill you.”
“Justin? You have to be kidding me.”
“Why?”
“I believe Justin wanted to marry me.”
“That even gives him a better motive for what happened in the park today, doesn’t it?”
“No. Justin is not the type to hold a grudge.”
“He fits everything we now know about the traitor. He works for the government. He has access to classified information and to you.”
She jumped up from his lap and twirled to face him. “For that matter, you fit the description as well. Perhaps you are responsible for everything. Could it be my husband is trying to kill me so that he can marry who he really wants?”
“Don’t be stu. . .”
“Don’t you dare say it,” Kala threatened. “I swear if you call me stupid one more time in this lifetime, I will kill you and you won’t have to worry about spending the rest of your life tied to me. Do you understand?”
“Are you threatening me?” He noticed she shook with anger.
“No, it is a promise. You will never make me feel like you did at Blackburn Hall.” Kala’s anger flared as she remembered the time he had called her stupid. Silence reigned in the room for a great while.
Anger coursed through Gabe. How dare she threaten him? At the same time, he berated himself. They would not get anywhere if they kept fighting over events of the past. Taking a deep breath, he decided to do something he had not done in a very long time—apologize. He stood, walked over to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. The fine silk of her nightgown felt sensuous against his rough hands. He felt the stiffness in her shoulders and saw it in the way she wrapped her arms around her waist as if protecting herself from an oncoming blow.
“Kala, I apologize.” Silence. He continued, “I shouldn’t have said what I did, either time. You are an intelligent woman who just doesn’t always think before she acts.” He winced just as soon as the words were out.
She whirled on him, eyes flashing. The way she stared at him, he almost thought she could see him. “That was the most backwards apology I have ever heard in my life. How about you just try saying I’m sorry and leave it at that?”
“I’m sorry.”
“How can you say that after what you just said?”
“Dammit Kala, what do you want me to say? Yes, I messed up, but so did you. Can’t we just clear the slate?”
“Fine, but I still don’t think Justin is responsible.”
“You gave him the damn note,” his voice rose as he tried to get her to see the sense it made.
“But he wouldn’t have read it.”
“You don’t know that for sure, and if I were in his place, I would have.”
“Fine. We’ll see him tomorrow and ask him.”
“You can’t just ask him.”
“Why not?”
“You’re giving me a headache.”
“Good, because you’re making mine worse. Now if you don’t mind, I would like to go back to sleep.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” He watched her walk towards the connecting door. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To my bed.”
“Your bed is my bed.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere near you.”
“Well that’s just too bloody bad.”
“I said…”
“I know exactly what you said, wife, and let me tell you why it isn’t going to happen. You have hit your head, you have been dunked in cold water, and I don’t care how mild the days have been, it is near the holiday season, and you weren’t breathing when I pulled you out of said water. You are not leaving my sight until I am satisfied that you are more than fine. Do you understand me?”
“I’m too tired to argue with you.”
He watched her move across the room and climb into their bed and all of a sudden she looked tired and defeated. Gabe knew he could hold only himself responsible.
Chapter 28
Kala woke up the next morning surprised that she slept after the fight she and Gabe had last night. They were likely to kill each other before they were ever able to grow old together.
She rolled onto her side and opened her eyes. She saw
the fireplace, a little fuzzy, but very real. Kala closed her eyes and sent up a soft prayer, “Please let this be real.” She slowly opened them again. Things were blurry, almost like a filmy coating covered her eyes, but she could actually make out objects. There were no more shadows. She put her hand in front of her face. Kala pulled it to almost within touching distance of her nose before she could clearly make out her fingers. But, thank God above, she could see! In fact, she could see more clearly than yesterday.
She heard a snuffling sound and slowly rolled over to see Gabe lying beside her. His chest moved up and down rhythmically. His face was relaxed in sleep, but is still did not mask the new lines of stress. Mikala found her fingers itching to caress the lines away, but held herself in check. Instead she jumped up to dress and realized all her clothes were in the other bedroom. She also realized that sudden movement made her head pound wildly. Kala quickly sat down on the side of the bed cradling her head in her hands. She took deep breaths trying to ease the pounding, but it didn’t work. The mattress shifted beneath her and she felt a warm, strong hand on her back.
“Kala,” Gabe said, moving closer. “Kala, what’s wrong?”
“I moved too suddenly. My head feels like it is going to split in two.”
“What were you going to do?”
“Get dressed.”
“That is out of the question now. Come on, crawl back in bed.” She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off before she could even get out one word. “No arguments. You need rest, as do I. I promise we won’t linger in here all day. Just until you feel more yourself.”
“Fine.”
“You know, you are too stubborn for your own good.” Once he had her tucked back in he brushed her lips with his before pulling her into his arms.
“What was that for?”
“I was overcome?”
“After last night?”
“Kala, just because we fight doesn’t mean I don’t still want you.”
“You want me?”
“More than you can imagine,” he caressed her cheek then relaxed into the pillows. “Close your mouth or you’re liable to have a spider for breakfast,” he teased.
“Gabriel James Hawke, did you just make a joke?”
“Perhaps. Rest.”
Some time later Mikala woke to find the other side of the bed empty. She found herself still sore and carefully stretched hoping to relieve some of the pain. Pushing up from the bed, she found if she moved sedately her head did not pound as it had earlier that morning. Most importantly, she still could make out objects. In fact, every time she awoke, her vision appeared to be a little sharper. She crossed into her room and pulled the bellpull. Mikala did not have to wait long before the maid assigned to her appeared.
“Are you ready to dress?”
“Yes, thank you, Amy.”
Within fifteen minutes Kala had been made presentable for company. The loose knot the maid had formed with her hair didn’t overpower her throbbing head.
“You did wonderfully.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“What time is it? I’m absolutely starving.”
“Close to lunch.”
“Good.” Mikala made her way downstairs and the smell of the noon meal wafted up to greet her. Her stomach rumbled noisily. She walked to the dining room and saw that it was empty. Across the hall in the parlor, she saw a slight figure move across the room.
“Judith?” No response. She entered the room and heard steps scurry behind her and up the stairs. Kala turned and tried to bring the person into focus, but could only make out a voluminous white outfit. When she turned, her legs bumped into a side table right above her knees. Squinting, as well as feeling, she found the table had been moved out of place. She had begun moving it back when she heard footsteps behind her.
“Kala, you’re up.”
“Yes.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better than last night.”
“You mean better than two nights ago.”
“What?”
“You’ve slept almost forty-eight hours straight. We would jostle you awake just long enough to check for coherency, but then you would fall fast asleep again. Gabe and I decided between the injury and stress you needed the rest. He has barely left your side.”
“I guess I must have needed it,” she said, disturbed by the amount of time she had lost. She also didn’t want to delve too deeply into what it meant that Gabe stayed by her side, if anything. “Judith, did you see anyone just now go upstairs?”
“No, but I came from the back of the house. The housekeeper and I have been looking at switching servants around since Tracy seems to have run off.”
“Tracy?”
“One of the lower maids. She seems to have come up missing. All of her clothes are still in her room, but she seems to have just vanished. She hasn’t been with us for very long.”
“Do you need Amy to help somewhere?”
“No. She will do you a good turn. Besides, it will give her a chance to move up.”
“I heard someone in here. This table had been moved.”
“Oh, dear.”
“You’re thinking the same thing I am aren’t you?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“How am I going to tell Gabe that his mother is trying to cause me bodily injury and have him believe me?”
“Perhaps it is time she and I retired to the country.”
“No. I mean I don’t want you to be punished as well, Judith. I love having you around.”
“No. You and Gabe need some privacy. Perhaps that has been part of the problem.”
“I am sorry if you heard us fighting.”
“It is a little difficult not to. The two of you do tend to get rather loud when you argue.”
“We always have,” Kala murmured, sounding slightly apologetic.
“Pardon me, Your Grace.”
“Yes, Hamlin?”
“Luncheon is served.”
“Thank you. I’m starved. I guess two days without food will do that to a person. Let’s hash this out over lunch.” The two women walked into the room and were served a filling meal. They bantered back and forth whether or not Judith would leave or stay. “Judith, you don’t enjoy spending any more time with her than I do. Besides, I wanted to invite you to come to Derek and Tessa’s for the holiday.”
“I will think on it, but what are we going to do with Sarah over the holiday?”
“That is the rub, isn’t it?”
“I still contest you and Gabe need your privacy. Perhaps I should take Sarah to one of the smaller estates and then you two can have some time together.”
“Pardon me, Your Grace.”
“Yes, Hamlin?” The man hesitated and Kala didn’t need to see to feel the tension in the room. “Hamlin, what is it? Has something happened to Lord Hawkescliffe?”
“No, Your Grace,” he hurried to reassure her. “It is Tracy, the missing maid.”
“What is it?”
“We have found her, Your Grace. She’s dead.”
“Send for Lord Hawkescliffe right away.”
“Oh, dear,” Judith said quietly.
“The guard has already sent a footman.”
“Good. Where is she?”
“In the mews behind the stables.”
“Do not move anything. His Grace will want to inspect the scene. Have another footman ready to go when Lord Hawkescliffe arrives. He may wish to notify someone else.”
“I will, Your Grace.” Appetites gone, the two women moved to the parlor and waited in tense silence until Gabe arrived. They jumped when they heard the front door bang open.
“Kala! Kala, where are you?” The man would yell the house down if she didn’t stop him.
“In here,” she left the parlor and ran into his massive chest. His arms wrapped around her like iron bands. He bent down and captured her lips. She relaxed into his hold and let the kiss carry her away. Before the kiss could become more in
timate they were startled apart by Judith’s voice clearing.
“What’s going on?” He asked not letting go of her. “A footman came and told me there was an emergency at home that I needed to see to immediately. Are you certain you are all right?”
“I’m fine, I promise. Gabe, Tracy is dead. They found her body behind the mews.”
“Who’s Tracy?” Kala quickly explained the situation to him. “You stay put, I will be back.”
“No, I’m going with you.”
“Bloody hell. You are not.”
“Gabe, please. Besides, I can’t see anything, remember?” She justified, lying glibly.
“I should be kicked, but fine.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the house. Once outside, she practically had to jog to keep up with him. They reached the area, and Kala almost gagged at the smell of the decomposing body. It had only been a few days that she had been missing, but it had been above average temperatures for Autumn.
She squinted until things began to focus and saw the poor girl lying there. Her head lay at an odd angle, and her legs were splayed open. The bodice of her dress revealed her naked torso. Her body had bloated, making her look grotesque. “Was she?” She couldn’t finish the question.
“It appears she was raped, and her neck snapped,” the guard stated matter-of-factly. “Someone hid the body here and covered it with moldy hay and trash. The rain we had last night didn’t help either.”
Gabe watched Kala carefully and with suspicion. He looked down at the girl. Flies were swarming the area, and it appeared other varmints had been around as well. Bits of her flesh were missing. Kala stiffened beside him and faced away from the scene before them. He had to ask the guard a few questions before he could take her inside. “Did you find any evidence?”
“I found this button clutched in her hand. It appears she ripped it off in the struggle.” The button had a cursive ‘J’ embossed on it. He took the button, frowning.
“Anything else?”
“Afraid not.”
“Thank you for alerting me right away. Call someone to take the body. We will take care of notifying her family and pay for the burial. Come on,” he took Kala’s hand and tugged on it, deliberately leading her near an obstacle. He watched as she automatically scooted around it. She could see. How long had this been going on? Had she been able to see all along? Did she make up blindness to maneuver him into marriage? No, don’t be ridiculous, he scolded himself. He found himself unable to damp down the anger.
A Thin Line Page 24
