Page 72 of A Fearless Heart
“Cady has a new friend? What an unexpected surprise,” Trevor said, stepping all the way in and closing the door carefully. Then he made a face. “Stupid turn of phrase, isn’t it? Surprises are always unexpected, or they wouldn’t be surprising.”
“Thank you for seeing me,” Gabe replied, noting Trevor’s fast speech. Was it nervousness, or just a normal trait? “Cady’s come to the family’s town house, but she told me this is where her letters go. I had no idea this club existed. Thought it was a private resistance.”
“Itisa private residence…for the club members. Top floor is all bedrooms. Most of us have reasons for not wanting to stay with family when in London.”
“What are the requirements for membership?”
“Ah, I don’t think you’d qualify,” Trevor said with a tiny smirk. “Especially if you’re the sort offriendto Cady that I’m guessing you are.”
Gabe guessed the requirements for club membership. He wouldn’t meet them, seeing as he generally preferred women in bed. “Unlikely. Let’s just say that given the choice between the Osbourne sister and the Osbourne brother, I’d choose the sister. But no choices have been made by anyone. Particularly Cady.”
“So you really are just her friend?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Ha, how well I know. Welcome to my world.” Trevor took a seat in the beige chair across from Gabe. The vivid burgundy tone of his jacket jumped out in contrast.
“Your world is an interesting place,” Gabe said. “Though this particular room could use a bit of life.”
“The choice is deliberate. The Beige Room is the one space where nonmembers are allowed, and in deference to the often bland taste of the general Englishman, we spare them all hints of beauty, art, or personality.”
“Harsh.”
“Petty, I admit.” Trevor flicked at his cravat. “But sometimes when one can indulge in pettiness, one can avoid worse reactions.”
Gabe nodded, then said, “Have you seen your sister since—”
“Since the old man pushed off? No. She felt that it would be best for me to avoid the pile of bricks we call home, even after our father departed this vale of tears to go despoil another vale…I hope a very hot one.”
“I take it this means I don’t have to express my condolences.”
Trevor laughed. “Don’t bother to even say the words. You mentioned Cady. I assume that’s what you’re here to talk about? My God, you’re not asking me permission to court her, are you? Or her hand in marriage or any of that frightfully old-fashioned stuff? I suppose some people think I’m in charge of her now. Not that Cady needs anyone in charge of her. She barely leaves the house. What were we talking about?”
“I’ve been working with her regarding some of her botanical experiments,” Gabe said, not yet ready to reveal all the details. While Cady trusted her brother unconditionally, Gabe had his doubts.
“Oh! You should have said that right off!” Trevor’s face cleared of any lingering suspicion. “Of course that makes sense. You’re one of those types, the ones who dig in the dirt all day.”
“A lot of digging lately, certainly,” Gabe agreed. “The collection at Calderwood is remarkable.”
“So I’ve heard. I don’t know a thing about it, obviously. But Mama was a great one for the gardens and Cady followed in her muddy footsteps. There were always people bringing pots to and fro.”
“I met one. Mr Addison.”
“Ha, yes! The old crew still at it, are they? I remember Addison—he smelled constantly of rose. Little much after a while, but no one can doubt his devotion. Wait a moment! Cady’sherein London?” Trevor, having finally processed the earlier fact, looked like the world had just shifted beneath his feet.
“At the town house, yes. I said that.”
“Sometimes I don’t listen to people. Most people are boring. But you, Mr…what’s your name?”
“Gabriel Courtenay.”
“Mr Courtenay, you just got interesting. You managed to get poor Cady out of that tomb? Are you magic?”
“I persuaded her that it would be helpful.”
“My God, do you think she’d actually go see a doctor? She needs help, you know. She thinks she can figure out everything all on her own, and she’s forever brewing up this or that as if she’s lecturing on chemistry at Cambridge. But she’s really just so helpless sometimes. I hate it, but she’s unwilling to let me in on her troubles. She says I’ve got my own, and I understand what she means, sweet girl. Ihadtroubles. But living here in London is far better than being stuck at Calderwood like I was before. You can’t live in two worlds, Mr Courtenay. You can’t be two things. If you try to do that for too long, it will rip you apart. I tried, oh I tried. Mostly for Cady’s sake, and Mama’s, when she was still alive. That meant playing the part of the heir. Learning all the most dull stuff to keep the estate in good condition and then there’s rents to collect and everyone wants you to give them money for this or that. But Papa insisted, and didn’t we all try to please him.” Trevor rolled his eyes in disgust.
“Until you didn’t?”
