An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(79)

“You knew he lived?” Theodora looked up at him with huge eyes.

“I saw him, but didn’t believe my eyes at first. Only today did I know it was him for certain. When I went to warn you to remain at home, I was told you and your mother had gone out.” He frowned at her. “Next time, please do me the courtesy of leaving a note behind.”

“Very well,” Theodora murmured, suddenly meek and mild and quite timid for a change.

It was most likely from the shock of today and surely couldn’t last. He put his arm about her shoulders and squeezed. “You could always take me with you.”

Mrs. Dalton grasped his arm suddenly. “I wish to go home.”

Quinn considered Mrs. Dalton’s request with the seriousness it deserved. “Your old home was leveled yesterday to make way for the rebuilding of the property.”

Mrs. Dalton smiled quickly. “I meant Newberry House. I discovered today that it has become home to me after all,” Mrs. Dalton confessed, with an apologetic smile. “If it is no trouble, I would like nothing more than to remain a guest there. Your mother has already asked me to consider it a permanent arrangement.”

Quinn was not surprised by anything his own mother did lately. Mother gathered good people about her like his father had collected grudges. Quinn nodded slowly, sensing an opportunity to be alone with Theodora and express his hopes for the future. “Shall I tell the driver to take you there now, madam?”

“Please,” Mrs. Dalton replied. “I’ve had more than enough excitement for one day. Or a lifetime, for that matter.”

“Mother, the matter of father’s murder can be proved. We have much to do, now that Mr. Gently has been arrested.”

“Mr. Banks will tie up any loose ends, so you will not be bothered by the matter again,” Quinn promised the older woman. “There’s nothing for you to worry about anymore, Mrs. Dalton. Your husband’s killer will be dealt with and punished. As for Nelson, we can speak up for leniency in his case, provided he’s placed in honest employment far from you and Theodora.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Hastings, who’d been a silent observer until now, joined them. “I’ll escort Mrs. Dalton back to Newberry House and leave you both to sort this out. Lady Templeton will be quite anxious to know your bride and future mother-in-law are safe and sound.”

“Thank you,” Quinn said, happy with Hastings’ decision to leave.

Hastings winked as he helped the older woman into a carriage, leaving Theodora standing at Quinn’s side. Quinn smiled down at her. “Shall we finish this business together, love?”

For a moment, he thought she would protest, but she eventually nodded. “There is one thing we must do first.”

Theodora approached Deacon, who was nursing his bruised knuckles outside the stables. “Are you all right, Lord Deacon, is it?”

“Right as I’ll ever be, I suppose. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Theodora bit her bottom lip as she examined his hand. “About Lady Mary. I’m sure she would understand that Quinn needs to know a few things now, if he is ever to have peace about her death.”

Deacon looked around and then sighed. “I suppose she would understand after today.”

Quinn only needed one question answered. “Why?”

“She fell for Gently at first sight, but your father was only interested in what she could discover about his business dealings. She fell in love with Gently and thought your father would help him succeed so they could marry. But then she learned what your father was up to and told Gently. He became very angry and blamed her. Mary would have eloped I think, but Gently refused to marry her without a dowry. By that point he’d already lost his employment. She pined for Gently and always thought your father would come around, but instead he sought to marry her off. To me, actually. I went along with the talk at first, hoping Gently would come for her still. But Mary was never happy again. She met with Gently only once, with my help, and then she left London suddenly for Newberry Park, leaving a note to me, saying goodbye. She was carrying Gently’s child the day she died.”

Quinn closed his eyes, at the news. “You loved her.”

“Like the sister I never had,” Deacon swore. “After news reached me of her death, I went looking for Gently, and when I found him weeks later, he swore he’d never touched her. But Mary wasn’t a liar. I took Gently to the docks. I told him never to show his face in England again.”

Theodora sighed. “And my father found him and took him to India, and when it was decided that we would sail for England, he insisted Gently return with us despite his protests.”

Deacon nodded. “I thought I saw him the night of the fire, but lost him in the crowd.”

Quinn remembered something of that. He grasped Deacon’s shoulder. “Thank you for telling me about Mary, my friend.”

Deacon nodded, turning away to join the Newberry carriage before it departed with Hastings and Mrs. Dalton inside.

Quinn glanced at Theodora. She’d lost her beloved father because of what his own had done to Gently, perhaps sending him on a path of revenge and greed. He’d known his father wasn’t to be trusted but never how far the consequences could reach. He shook his head slowly. “My father.”

Theodora grasped his hand tightly. “We couldn’t have known of the connection. Gently never spoke of his past.”