Page 29 of Return Ticket

“So he’s fine with you helping me?” Gabriella asked.

“He’s positively thrilled.” Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe a little too thrilled.”

“Why’s that?” Solomon asked.

“Because Gabby’s father is a viscount.” Ben lifted both hands. “And her case will destroy her father’s reputation and cut the children he’s had with the woman who thinks she’s his wife off from what they think is their inheritance, and put it in Gabby’s hands.”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

“You’re a lady, then?” George’s amusement broke the tension.

“Maybe,” Gabriella said, sending him a grin. “Could you tell?”

“Of course.” He pointed a finger at her.

“You’re worried his motives are revenge against the establishment that rejected and hurt him, more than representing Gabriella’s interests?” Solomon asked.

Ben gave a nod. “Exactly. But he’ll do this pro bono, Gabby. He says it’ll be a pleasure.”

She had, at most, been expecting some advice from Ben. To have a full silk, a QC, actively involved in her case, was not something to dismiss out of hand. It was more than she’d envisioned, by far.

“You think having him on this will be to my advantage?” she asked Ben.

He gave a nod. “He’s brilliant. And when he sets his mind on something, I haven’t known him to lose yet. He’ll be an attack dog on your behalf, but in this case, it might be on his own behalf, too.”

“A balm for slights of the past, not necessarily from those involved in this case, but from others in their group?” Mr. Rodney asked.

Ben nodded. “And once we set out on this path, I don’t think there’s a way to get off until it’s done.”

“You still want to go ahead, Gabriella?” Solomon asked.

She thought about it, but not for long. “My father’s trapped my mother in limbo for years and years. She can’t move on with her life because of him, while he’s married and has a whole new family. I’m going ahead.”

“All right, then.” Ben stood. “I’ll let my boss know.”

She got up herself, gave him a quick hug. “Still see you tomorrow?”

He nodded. “I’ll be there.”

Solomon had been leaning against the counter, but now he pushed himself away. “You need a lift, Ben? George and I are off and we could drop you somewhere.”

There was something going on behind Solomon’s friendly offer, and Gabriella wondered what it could be, but Ben happily agreed and they walked out together.

The oven timer for the second loaf broke the silence that had fallen as the front door closed, and Gabriella realized she had been sitting, hands clasped, almost in a daze.

“I’ll take this loaf and be out of your hair, Mr. Rodney.” She pulled it out of the oven and wrapped it in a cloth.

“You be careful, Gabriella.” Mr. Rodney had gotten to his feet as she’d dealt with the bread. “It sounds as if your father and his new family have a lot to lose if you come into their life. I’ll tell Solomon to get the lads to keep a close eye.”

“I will,” she promised. She could add her father into the same group as the man in the green Jag. And the farmer who’d electrocuted her.

As she and Jerome walked upstairs together to their flats, she pondered on the number of people who seemed to have a reason to wish her harm.

Fortunately, there were more people who consistently helped and supported her. She had friends at her back. She wasn’t going to go up against her father alone.

She firmed her resolve. Her father had made his bed. Now he would have to lie in it.

chapterthirteen