Page 4

Gavin

R emind me again of the report given by Lady Estelle Marlon?” Gavin paced in front of the large bay window in his office. He hoped talking through his suspicions without expressly naming them would prove helpful, that someone aside from himself would come to the same conclusion. But if William didn’t, he would have to consider whether or not he was grasping at evidence that was only mere coincidence.

William sighed, “Why are you going back through the reports?”

“I’m testing a theory and hoping to dispel some doubts about our plan to hire a maid.” Gavin stopped and glanced out the window. Sunshine filtered through the scattered clouds.

“According to Lady Estelle’s complaint, the Mystic’s Broach went missing along with the maid she suspected of stealing it.”

“Did she give a description of the maid in question?”

Gavin listened to the shuffle of pages as William presumably flipped through them in search of a description. “There doesn’t seem to be one, from anyone. Lady Estelle was only able to say that the maid was frail-like, which I find hard to believe is an accurate description given the nature of being a criminal. The other servants all said she was only there for a few months, and hardly interacted with them. I remember their embarrassment when asked to provide a description of her and they couldn’t. One said she had long hair. Another said she thought it was shoulder length. Some said she was short; others said she was tall. It all contradicts each other.”

“I see. What about Duke Quimbley?”

“What about him?”

“Are there any descriptions of the maid that overlap between reports? Surely between all of them there is something in common.”

“How long have you been studying these, Your Grace?”

Gavin tensed. William only ever called him “Your Grace” when he disapproved of something. Turning to face his friend, Gavin lied, “I’ve only just begun.”

William narrowed his eyes. Clicking his tongue, he set the papers down on the coffee table. “I’m sure.”

Gavin clasped his hands behind his back and turned on his heel. “You don’t find it odd that all of these reports seem to point to a singular woman appearing at these estates and businesses and then disappearing along with or shortly after the item goes missing?”

William sighed, placing Lady Marlon’s folder beside the others spread out on the coffee table. “You also tried to convince me that Lady Alyton and Mistress Scrabs were one and the same.”

“It’s the truth,” Gavin said through clenched teeth. “I just have to find irrefutable evidence linking her to the Den of Thieves.”

William rolled his eyes. “You need to accept the fact that we aren’t any closer than we were six months ago to finding the culprit, and swallow your pride. We need more time. Surely your cousin understands that.”

He would, but Gavin couldn’t admit that there was something on this earth capable of eluding him.

William crossed his arms. “I can’t believe you! You aren’t going to admit that you can’t—”

“William, enough.” Gavin let his arms fall freely to his side. “When the time comes, I will own up to my failings, but as of right now, I have no intention of giving up on this. There has to be some connection we’re missing.”

Leaning back on the sofa, William ran a hand through his hair. “What have you discovered, Gavin? Why the sudden mania?”

Gavin nodded. “I think you’ll find some plausibility in my theory.”

William snorted. Waving his hand in a show for Gavin to continue, William smiled as if jesting. “I’m sure I will.”

Gavin took his cue, explaining the common descriptions—the dark hair, the green or gray eyes, and the fact that the thief was easily overlooked, inconspicuous—that appeared in each report that led him to believe some truth was lying bare before them in the witness testimony. He admitted that while the maid’s descriptions were vague and could fit nearly anyone, if they could find some evidence as to how she managed to steal from some of the most prominent homes in Kordouva, they would find their thief. And once they found their thief, they would find Mistress Scrabs.

“I think we’re close,” Gavin concluded. “Within a few months, we may be able to put an end to the Den of Thieves.”

William shook his head. “I don’t understand it, but I think I actually agree with you. Everything in the reports matches the descriptions given by our informants, and now that we have a better timeline established rather than that poor excuse for a debrief by the Commander of the Royal Legion, you might be right. This could all end soon. And if I had to guess, I’d say that the Master of Thieves feels confident that enough time has passed since their last theft and is looking to—”

Gavin glared at the door. Who could be knocking during a time in which he explicitly asked not to be disturbed?

“I hope that’s lunch.” William stood and started for the door. “I’m starving.”

Gavin went about organizing the case files and making sure nothing of importance was in plain sight. As William cracked the door open and greeted the person on the other side, Gavin stilled.

“Hello, Miss Adelaide.” His friend’s voice was steady and without a trace of suspicion. But Gavin’s mind harbored plenty for the both of them. How could William act so casually, as if they hadn’t spent all morning rereading the witness testimonies and case debriefs for nearly sixty high-profile thefts, all of which pointed to the culprit being a member—a new member—of the house’s staff?

“Ned has prepared lunch for both you and His Grace.” By comparison, Adelaide’s voice was hollow and demure. It grated on Gavin. Castle Belmont was safe, no matter who you were. Was she merely intimidated by people with titles? Or, if Gavin’s suspicions about the thief were correct and she did infiltrate the services of noble houses, was it an act she put on so as to pass unnoticed?

Gavin shook his head. What was he thinking? Yes, he knew Adelaide was lying about something, but she didn’t strike him as someone so conniving. There hadn’t been a trace of malice or deception in her eyes. Besides, Adelaide didn’t seem like the sort of person people could forget as easily as the thief was. At least, Gavin realized, she’d been on his mind quite a lot since she’d arrived, as he’d grappled between the success of his trap and what might be a twist of fate’s humorous timing.

“Thank you, Adelaide,” William said, accepting the offered tray and shutting the door behind him once more. Gavin couldn’t even hear Adelaide’s footsteps walking away from the office. There wasn’t even a single squeak or protest from the old creaky floors.

It was like she was a ghost.

“What’s that look for?” William asked. “Are you upset that Ned was thoughtful enough to send up lunch for us? Or have you discovered something so unpleasant as to glare at thin air?”

Gavin fixed his stare on William, unamused by his loose tongue. “I think you take the bonds of our friendship too liberally, William.”

“If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t talk to anyone,” he said around bites of the steak Ned had prepared for them.

He couldn’t admit that William was right. So instead, he pointedly unfolded his napkin and picked up his utensils. “How’s Evelynn? Is she any better?”

William stilled. “She’s…not any better. Worse actually. It seems her illness is more serious than I thought when we’d left.”

“I’m sorry,” Gavin said. “If there’s anything I can do to help—”

“Thank you,” William said and shook his head. “But I’m sure she’ll be fine now that I’m home and can heal her. It may just take a little more effort than I’d thought.”

Gavin nodded. “Well, still, let me know. I can handle things with the investigation if you’d rather be by Evelynn’s side for the time being.”

William hummed. “I’ll consider it.”

As a stretch of silence overcame them, Gavin retreated into his thoughts. At least now he could rest assured that his theory about the thief had been validated by their conversation this morning.

Now, he only had to catch a thief. Then, he could topple the Den of Thieves once and for all, destroying the foundation of Mistress Scrabs’s power.

Gavin donned his cloak and moved stealthily through the castle. He hoped no one would discover him and delay his visit to the stables—or worse, offer to see to Aves themselves so that he might retire for the night or continue his duties as head of the Belmont estate.

Luckily, not a soul had stopped him or crossed his path. From down the hall, he could hear laughter and the chatter of the servants. A small smile tugged at his lips.

Perhaps all his hardships were worthwhile if it could guarantee the happiness and wellbeing of even a small group such as Castle Belmont’s staff. In his heart, Gavin knew he’d managed more than that. Every single person who’d stood beside Jameson, himself, and William during the Battle of Rivenfield had made the future—had made this moment—possible in spite of Penumbra’s shadow.

Contented for a moment, Gavin selected the finest carrots he could find from the bin of root vegetables and set off for the stables.

He turned his collar up against the brisk wind. Lanterns lit the way to the barn. Their glow illuminated the tree-lined path, mingling with the dusky sunlight and presenting Gavin with a calming picture despite the chill in the air. He was glad when he reached the barn and pulled the door shut behind him.

Rubbing his hands together for warmth, Gavin’s eyes adjusted to the darkness. The horses snorted and huffed. A few whinnied or stomped their hooves.

“It’s only me,” he said into the shadows of the barn. The scent of hay tickled his nose. Blowing a warm breath on his hands, Gavin gathered his magic and let it unfurl around him, bringing light to the barn at last.

A loose bunch of hay sat in the feeding tray attached to each stall door. Passing each stall, Gavin was careful to keep the carrots concealed. As he passed by Viktor’s stall, the gray steed tried to nip at his cloak. Gavin held a finger up to his lips and hushed him. Gavin offered him a carrot, knowing Viktor had worked just as tirelessly on their journey to transport the Eye of Behelwer. The horse accepted it graciously, making Gavin shake his head. He would be so lucky if Aves greeted him the same way. Moving on to the next stall, Gavin watched as Aves turned his back to the stall door as Gavin stopped to unlatch the bolt.

“I know,” he whispered, cautiously stepping inside. Aves’s ears twitched. His tail flicked, but the horse’s stubborn nature was the only real greeting he offered. “It was a long, hard, and unfair journey, and I’m sorry.”

Aves shook his head. His mane rippled with the movement.

Gavin sighed. At least there was some semblance of comfort in the routine.

“I guess I brought these carrots for nothing. You’re clearly happy with the hay.” Gavin pulled the carrots from beneath his cloak. Aves slowly turned to look at him. Skepticism shone in his dark eyes. Gavin dangled the carrots from his hand. “Oh? Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

Aves stamped his hooves. The noise he made sounded like a grumble. Gavin couldn’t help but laugh as Aves maneuvered around and made a quick grab for the carrots. Gavin patted Aves’s shoulder as he ate.

“I truly am sorry. I wish we could’ve had an easier journey, but the—”

Both Gavin and his horse froze as the barn door creaked open. Arching his brow, Gavin reluctantly stepped out of the stall to see who had come and what business likely needed his attention now.

“Your Grace!” Adelaide gushed. “I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t realize—”

Gavin held up a hand to stop her. “It’s all right.”

The pair stood in awkward silence for a moment. Gavin glanced back toward Aves, but the horse didn’t offer any advice. Gavin reached a hand up and rubbed the back of his neck, then straightened in an attempt to play the nervous gesture off as though he were merely soothing some ache in his neck.

“What brings you to the stables at this time of night, Miss Adelaide?” It was a fair question, one he knew could easily be asked of him as well. At least he had a viable answer. What could Adelaide be doing in the stables? Was she spying for the Master of Thieves? Or was it something more innocuous?

“I saw the light,” she said softly. Gavin studied her closely, from the slope of her shoulders and the slight curl in the tips of her hair to the way her gaze avoided his. Gavin wondered what would happen if their eyes did meet again. Would they strike him as much as they had the first time?

Adelaide’s voice seemed to lull him into a sense of peace, even as her words themselves filled him with panic. “I thought perhaps someone was hiding in the barn or…well, I don’t know. I just thought it best to investigate and find out, Your Grace.”

“Miss Adelaide,” he said firmly, hoping to command her attention. Slowly, she dragged her gaze toward him. Gavin swallowed, grateful for the distance between them. Still, he saw the way she wrapped an arm around herself and seemed to shrink at the tone of his voice. His eyes briefly took in the bandage on her opposite wrist. A twist of guilt stabbed him in the gut. A whispered reminder from the back of his mind squashed the guilt as quickly as it had come. He’d placed the advertisement for a maid as a trap. He’d wanted to draw the thief to Castle Belmont, and Adelaide had come as a result of his hopeless effort.

If she truly was the thief, she was playing her part well. But the fact remained that Gavin couldn’t prove that she was who he suspected her to be. So instead, he took a breath and tried not to sound so harsh. “If you ever feel there is something amiss, please tell the guards and let them investigate. You need not put yourself in harm’s way.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Gavin’s gut twisted as she offered him a curtsy. “I’ll leave you to your night.”

Gavin clenched his jaw. He wanted to stop her, to call out and ask her to stay. Instead, he watched her leave without saying another word. Even if he had said something, was there anything that would’ve made any sense?

Shaking the conflicted mix of curiosity and suspicion from his mind, Gavin returned to Aves. He picked up the brush hung beside the stall door and stroked Aves’s muzzle. Slowly, Gavin brushed Aves down in silence. He knew the stable master and hands would’ve already cared for Aves, but Gavin needed something to keep busy as his mind turned over everything he knew about the Den of Thieves, Mistress Scrabs, and the string of thefts. Somewhere in that jumble of thoughts, Gavin found himself thinking of Adelaide, the enchanting nature of her green eyes, and wondering just how or if she was connected to any of it.