“I know.” Mr. Layton nodded with all the confidence in the world. “And that is precisely what we will aim for.”
Chapter Twenty-one
“I have never traveled sooften in my life,” Gillian said. “I thoroughly miss the boredom of staying at home when the Season is over.”
“Adventures can be a welcome change.” Artemis’s excitement might have been contagious if Gillian hadn’t been so nervous. “And Scott is one of our group now, whether he wants to be or not, so knowing where to find him seems crucial.”
There was yet another complication Gillian hadn’t thought of. Scott had built a friendship with the Huntresses and with Charlie’s group of friends. He would be included in their gatherings moving forward. If this potentially ill-conceived idea of dropping in on him unannounced proved disastrous, she would never be comfortable among her own friends again.
“I suppose you would consider it too late to turn back and return to Houghton Manor? Perhaps back to Brier Hill?” Gillian knew the answer but asked anyway.
“We’re mere minutes from Thimbleby,” Charlie said. “Might as well have a look in.”
“Besides, the Huntresses will all be on their way home from Brier Hill by now. And Daria is no longer at Houghton Manor.”
“I cannot like that Daria made the journey home with only a maid and footman.”
“She managed the thing brilliantly, I haven’t the least doubt.” Artemis had made detailed arrangements for Daria’s journey. And she had been extremely encouraging when Daria’s courage had faltered. “She has too little faith in herself. This brief and simple journey will have done her good.”
“And will this longer and more complicated journey domeany good?” Gillian muttered.
Artemis took her hands and looked her directly in the eyes. “You were the first of the Huntresses. We’ve fought any numberof battles together, you and I. We’ve faced down the dragons of thetonand rescued our beloved fellow Huntresses from scrape after scrape. This is a mountain you are well able to climb.”
“What if I don’t want to?” She laughed a little, knowing her show of petulance wasn’t being entirely believed.
“The greatest shows of courage come in moments when the right thing is not the easy thing, and we do it anyway.” Artemis Jonquil could often give the impression of flightiness, but if one was granted the opportunity to know her better, one discovered a depth that few people possessed.
Gillian found herself willing to admit to more of what she was feeling. “What if Scott isn’t happy to see me?”
“He will be.”
“But what if he’s not?”
“Then, I will kill him. Problem solved.”
The quip broke some of the tension. Even Gillian could laugh a bit.
This is a mountain you are well able to climb. She repeated that to herself as the carriage rolled up a gravel drive toward a lovely home in the Tudor style. It was not large, being similar in size to Brier Hill. The grounds were simple but seemed well maintained. Nothing was obviously dilapidated or falling down, aside from a few cracked windows.
No one greeted them as they alighted from the carriage. Perhaps, like had happened when Scott and the dowager countess had arrived at Brier Hill, the message they’d sent ahead had not been delivered. It seemed an odd thing to happen twice in such quick succession.
It was strange letting themselves into a house that wasn’t theirs. What else were they to do?
They had not gone any farther than the humble but welcoming entryway when footsteps descended the nearby stairs. Mr. DigbyLayton, whom Gillian had met in London, was hurrying down toward them.
“I am sorry to have not greeted you,” he said. “I have been watching for you throughout the morning but was not swift enough to reach the door before you did.” He stepped onto the ground floor and treated them to a brilliantly executed bow. “I would, under ordinary circumstances, undertake a very proper exchange of greetings, but we haven’t time just now. Step into the drawing room for a moment. I need you to help me solve a mystery.”
Charlie and Artemis were more well known to him than Gillian was. Yet, he offered her as much familiarity as he did them. It was both pleasant and intimidating.
They followed him to the drawing room. The furniture was still under covers, and the room needed an airing out.
“You will quickly discover Thimbleby is not prepared to receive visitors,” Mr. Layton said, “though I hope you will still choose to stay.”
That was not at all the reason Gillian suspected that she would be unwelcome in this house.Unwelcomewas the wrong word. Scott was not unkind, and she didn’t think he would resent her visit. She was more worried he’d be confused by her presence, unsure why she had made such an effort. Confusion would be as heartbreaking a response as rejection. Almost.
Neither would be made any better by laughter, which she feared more than anything.
“What is this baffling mystery you’d like our assistance with?” Charlie asked.