Page 96 of The Trick of the Treasure
I have everything. You have nothing.But there was only wariness in Johnny’s hard eyes, no recognition, no envy. This was one solution to the mystery of David’s disappearance that Solomon had never thought of, never imagined. And he had no idea how to deal with it.
Solomon swallowed. “I believe you are my brother, whom I have missed.”
Their eyes, so alike and yet so full of differing experiences, met again. “I’m sorry,” Johnny said. “If I ever missed you, I’ve forgotten. I came because she told me off and I was curious. I wanted to see if you would make me remember.”
In despair, Solomon didn’t even ask. He could see there was no recognition, no memory of their shared childhood adventures, fun, and quarrels…
“Is she your woman? Your wife?” Johnny asked.
Solomon should have known Constance would go to Johnny when he lacked… What? Courage? He’d been too full of pain at rejection. And now there was the pain of being forgotten.
“She will be my wife. I never forgot you.”
“I’m not him,” Johnny said quickly. “Even if I was born him, which I doubt, I’m someone else now.”
“Maybe,” Solomon allowed, feeling his way. “But I would like to help you find out. It’s my mystery as well as yours now. There are doctors who might be able to help you remember.”
“Oh, I don’t care for doctors. I don’t even mind anymore that I don’t remember. I can live with it. I’m happy with who I am.”
It was a gift Solomon had never acquired. He had always been discontented, always looking… Until Constance.
But his visitor was rising to his feet, and panic filled Solomon.
“I’ve got a ship that sails on the evening tide. Interesting to meet you, Mr. Grey.”
“You won’t consider staying?” Solomon blurted.
A frown flickered. “You mean it, don’t you? I could rob you blind, bleed you dry.”
“You wouldn’t find it as easy as you seem to think.”
Johnny’s smile flashed, a dose of charm that was almost familiar. “No, I don’t suppose I would.” He hesitated. “Look, I can’t do that. I can’t live off a stranger pretending it’s fine because hemightbe my rich brother.”
Then he knew Solomon was rich. He had made inquiries of his own before coming here. For some reason, that gave Solomon hope. He pushed the card back across to the table. “Keep it. You can find me again if you want to. Or if you need my help. I would rather you didn’t vanish again completely.”
Those eyes were curious now. Johnny didn’t feel the emotions Solomon did, but he might have felt their echo, a desire to belong.
Solomon stood because he didn’t know what else to do. To his surprise, the seaman thrust out his hand, and Solomon took it. The man who might have been his brother smiled and walkedaway. Solomon could hear him whistling as he strode off up the street.
*
Constance rose ingood time for her “evening salon.” She felt much more rested and steady, and enjoyed her light supper with the women who would grace the salon this evening. They were expecting several important guests as well as the usual “passing” trade, and so musicians had been hired for a musical evening.
There were plenty of jokes about that among the women, laughter over how music put some gentlemen in the mood, and others grew too philosophical to wish for more than a shoulder and a sympathetic ear.
After a difficult case and a tragic outcome, the familiar banter and companionship was just what Constance needed. By morning, by the time she saw Solomon again, she would be back to normal and ready for the next case.
Although perhaps they should take the time, as they had promised, to look for a house to live in and a clergyman to marry them who would not throw up his hands with horror and eject Constance from the church.
It would be a very odd wedding, one side of the church filled with the respectable and wealthy, and the other with her eccentric mother and a rabble of old convicts and whores, reformed and otherwise. Not that most of these women were incapable of behaving like ladies for a short time at least, and they would, for her. She just wondered at the man who was prepared to tolerate it.
It came upon her suddenly that she didn’t want anyone else at their wedding. Not the stuffy disapprovers or even her own friends. This was about Solomon and Constance, no one else.
She would speak to him…
With her stitches still in place, she made a light, flimsy headdress to cover the bandage and match her gown. Then she went downstairs to play her part once more.
The recital was well attended, with a duke’s heir, an earl, a government minister, and a senior bishop among the guests. Wine flowed, along with delicacies from the kitchen, and various musical pieces were rightly applauded.
