A lump formed in her throat as emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Her heart felt full, a deep yearning engulfing her. Her beloved mother’s brother was alive—and searching for them.
Heather, unable to contain her excitement, immediately started to pen a letter to their Uncle William, while the other ladies dictated their additions. Not knowing that the letter would take at least six months to reach its destination.
They all talked for what felt like hours—about her grandfather, her grandmother, her mother, and her uncle. They delved into discussions of India, sharing insights and memories, comparing notes on all they had learned about the Islamic faith.
Grace was captivated.
Grace had never spoken like this with anyone. Not even her mother. She could have talked to him until morning—but propriety would not allow it.
They had learned nothing more about Mr Stone—not where he came from, not what secrets he held.
But none of that mattered. Because she had learned the most important thing of all. After years of feeling like an outsider, she had found someone like her.
A lost soul searching for something.
Searching for the truth. Grace felt euphoric as she made her way to her bedroom that night, her thoughts drifting blissfully. It felt as though she were walking on clouds.He is perfect,she thought.
SHE WAS SO LOST INher musings that she failed to notice the maid waving frantically, trying to catch her attention.
It wasn’t until a whispered hiss of ‘Miss!’ reached her ears that she turned, startled.
There, in the dim corridor, stood Penny—the maid they had just interviewed.
‘Oh, hello, Penny. What’s the matter?’
Penny wrung her hands nervously against her apron, hesitating before she spoke.
‘Miss Skye ... I ... wanted to tell you something about Mr Gibbs and the ladies who used to come here.’
Chapter 15
Acold dread wrapped around Grace’s chest as her pulse thundered. Something about Penny’s demeanour unsettled her— the way her wide eyes flickered anxiously towards the corridor, the tremble in her fingers as she clutched her apron.
‘Go on, Penny,’ she encouraged gently, keeping her voice even despite the unease prickling at her skin.
Penny hesitated, then stepped forward, wringing her hands. ‘Miss, I didn’t want to say anything in front of Mr Stone, but I overheard something I wasn’t meant to...’
A chill curled down Grace’s spine. She didn’t hesitate—gesturing Penny into her chamber, she quickly shut the door behind them, muffling the distant creaks and murmurs of the sleeping household.
Penny’s breath came out in short, uneven bursts. She pressed a hand to her chest as if steadying herself before whispering, ‘It happened a couple of months before Mr Gibbs disappeared. I was cleaning a guest bedchamber when a few ladies entered, gossiping. I should have made my presence known, but... I didn’t. I was afraid I’d be reprimanded for not finishing my duties on time.’
Grace nodded, encouraging her to go on.
Penny swallowed, her voice dropping lower. ‘At first, it was nothing. Just talk of the gentlemen—who they liked, who they might entertain that evening. But then...’ She hesitated, casting a nervous glance toward the door before continuing, ‘Theymentioned a man—I don’t know his real name, but they called himFalcon.’
A prickle of dread ran down Grace’s back. ‘Falcon? One of Gibbs’s cronies.’
Penny nodded. ‘One of them laughed, saying he wouldn’t look at any of them because heonly prefers virgins.’
Grace’s stomach clenched at the words.
But Penny was not finished.
‘Then another woman—older, I think—said not to worry. Madame Jacqueline would be receiving a fresh supply from here tonight, and Falcon would get what he wanted when he returned to London.’
The room fell silent.
For a long moment, Grace could do nothing but stare—the weight of the revelation pressing against her, stealing the breath from her lungs.
