Page 21 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Before her uncle could ask another question, Gabriel entered to serve them luncheon.
Later that afternoon, she and her uncle convened in the parlor.Moments later, Gabriel entered carrying a long, leather-bound book.He handed it over to her uncle.
“As you requested, sir.”
Uncle Hubert gave a nod of thanks.Gabriel turned on the heel of his polished shoe and headed out of the parlor.Her uncle watched his departure, then looked her way.He looked as though he wanted to say something, but didn’t as he flipped open the book.
“I hope you don’t mind if I look this over first,” he said.
“Not at all.I trust your judgement, uncle.”
As he scanned the first page, Gabriel returned with the tea cart.He poured tea and served them both.Her uncle took his cup without looking up.When Gabriel extended the cup to her, she took it and met his gaze.His fingers brushed hers as she took the cup.A jolt skittered up her spine.He looked away too quickly.Why did that feel like guilt?
“I trust everything is in order?”Gabriel asked.
“How far back do these ledgers go?”her uncle asked without looking up.
“Several generations, I should think.”
Her uncle flipped a page, running his finger down the length and making ahmmnow and then.Then he took a sip of tea and closed the book.
“Everything appears to be in order,” he announced, extending the book back to Gabriel.
Her uncle sounded almost disappointed by that.As though he were looking for some reason to accuse Gabriel of misappropriating funds or some other nefarious crime.
Gabriel stepped to her uncle and took the ledger from him.His glance slid to her as he held it.
“Would you like to take a look, Miss Ravenwood?”
She shook her head.“If my uncle says everything is in order, then that’s good enough for me.”
He nodded once.“Very well.”
And then he left them alone.Victoria sipped her tea, peering at her uncle over the rim waiting for him to say something.He had a distant, strange look on his face as though he wasn’t sure he was happy with the results of his audit.
“Uncle?”
“The estate hasn’t had a full staff for quite some time,” he said then.“You’ll want to remedy that, I’m sure, now that you’ll be living here full time.”
She placed her cup and saucer on the table.“Uncle, you sound disappointed I’m staying.”
He rose and moved to sit next to her.With his free hand, he took hers.
“I admit, I am sad you’ll be so far from us in the city.However, I’m elated that you have this place and will be able to make a life of your own here.”He squeezed her hand.“If you ever want to visit, please know you’re always welcome.”
“This sounds like goodbye, uncle.”
A smile tipped the corners of his mouth.“For now.I expect to see you at holidays.”
“Of course.”She smiled back.“I’ll miss you.”
“And I will miss you.I’ve no doubt you’ll do well here,” he said.
He released her hand and rose, still holding the teacup.“Now, I suppose I’ll go pack my bag.I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
She nodded.He dropped his cup on the cart as he exited.As she watched him go, she could not help the sense of foreboding that washed over her.
Chapter 8
