“What can you understand that we can’t?” Gabriel demanded.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be a girl of her age,” Agnes said. “To feel at once as though you’re growing up, ready to take ownership of your life, and also as though you’re losing what little control you ever had. She’s getting some of her first glimpses at the world around her. She’s spotted a young man who has caught her eye?—”
“The son of a solicitor!”
“She isn’t thinking of that, Gabriel. She’s just thinking that she’s noticed this young man. She’s charmed by him, and if she’s right in her perceptions, he may be charmed by her, and that’s never happened to her before. You can understand how difficult that would be. And when you tell her it’s very simply not an option, of course she feels cornered.”
“She still can’t run away from me the way she did!” Gabriel said, slapping his hand down on the table. “Anything might have happened. She has to trust that I know what’s best for her, and that I’m going todowhat’s best for her.”
“She does,” Agnes said. “She knows you feel that way. She’s just struggling with it all a little bit. Be gentle with her, all right? She loves you very much. She wants to make you happy. She didn’t want to go home last night because she was worried about what you would say when she faced you again. Show her that she can trust you.”
Gabriel closed his eyes. “Maybe you’re right,” he confessed. “It’s such a difficult thing, raising a young girl. Providing her with everything she needs to have the life she deserves. I want to do right by her.”
“You’re doing fine,” Agnes assured him. “She’ll be glad you came for her, I can promise you that. She really wants you to be proud of her, Gabriel. I can tell.”
“I am,” he said quietly. “I just want her to have a good life.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Reeves spoke up. “Why don’t you both spend the day here with us? It would give you and me the opportunity to get to know one another a bit better, and that’s something I’m going to have to insist on.”
“Insist on?” Gabriel repeated. He turned to Agnes. “I see where you get your stubbornness.”
“Not at all,” Reeves countered. “She’s far more stubborn than I am, I don’t mind telling you. Still, spend the day with us. You and your niece could have a bit of a holiday.”
Gabriel looked at Agnes. “Does this invitation come from the both of you?” he asked. “I know this isyourhouse, after all, and I wouldn’t want to disrespect you by accepting an invitation that someone else had put forth on your behalf without your permission.”
“You’re welcome to stay,” Agnes told him. “I’d like to spend a little more time with Helena.”
Gabriel nodded. “Very well,” he conceded. “At least that way she’ll have the opportunity to get a bit more rest. I can tell she must be tired. Usually she would be awake by now.”
“Yesterday was an emotional day for her,” Agnes said. “A lot happened. But she’ll be grateful to wake up and see that you’re here.”
A plate of food arrived and was set before Gabriel, and he tucked into it with gusto. Agnes was relieved to see him devote himself to eating with such enthusiasm. It could only indicate that the anger he had felt upon his arrival here had abated. No one could so thoroughly enjoy their food while they were in a rage.
She turned her attention to her own plate, but her thoughts remained with Helena, who was still upstairs sleeping peacefully.
Helena had an uncle who loved her dearly, but who struggled to understand the perspective of a young lady coming into her own.
But Agnes did understand. She knew what it was like to be where Helena was right now—worried about what the future might bring and uncertain whether anyone would listen when she told them what she wanted from her life.
I can help her,she realized.It isn’t just about giving her a place to stay for a night. Helena came to me because she knew I was the person who would understand her best—and I can give her that. I can be that person.
She would do her best to be the mentor Helena needed for as long as she was in her life—for as long as Gabriel would allow her the privilege of being there.
CHAPTER 23
Gabriel spent most of the day exploring the grounds of Agnes’ house, with Helena by his side. He was somewhat surprised to be left in peace by both Agnes and Reeves, but he knew they were probably off somewhere discussing the events of the day. He didn’t expect the distance they were giving him to last. Eventually, they would all come back together, and he imagined that when that happened, the questions would begin in earnest.
Sure enough, it happened just as he had foreseen, over dinner.
The soup course had barely reached the table when Reeves began. “So, Miss Helena,” he said. “How long have you been living with your uncle?”
Helena looked up, startled. “About seven years now,” she said. “I was nine when he took me in.”
“And do you like living there?”
Gabriel cleared his throat. “I understand you have questions about me,” he said. “But please address your inquiries to me, and not to my niece. She isn’t here to be interrogated.”
“That’s a fair thing to ask, Reeves,” Agnes jumped in quickly.