Page 82 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

It was all so unbelievable, so utterly wrong. How could that pleasant demeanor, that easy smile and warm, candid face have hidden such wickedness? She scarcely knew whether she was more filled with rage at Nathan for trying to hurt her son or pity and sorrow for Carlisle and the others who had known and loved him all his life. How could Nathan have done this?

She slipped into Gil’s room. A low-burning lamp on the dresser dimly lit the room. Gil was asleep, turned on his side, his cheek upon his hand. She crossed the room to him, queasily sidestepping the bloodstain on the rug. She laid a hand on the boy’s forehead, smoothing back his hair. How could Gil have slept through all that? She could not imagine him sleeping through the sound of gunfire, but it seemed equally unlikely that he’d awakened then gone placidly back to sleep.

Leaning down, she kissed his forehead. Still, he didn’t stir. Growing more uneasy by the moment, she said his name. She didn’t want to awaken him, but his continued sleeping seemed abnormal. She repeated his name, louder this time, then reached down to shake his shoulder. What was the matter with him? Had Nathan’s attempt to smother Gil sent him into a coma?

There were footsteps in the hall, and she turned to see Diggs step through the doorway. He checked at seeing her, then said, “Beg pardon, ma’am. I didn’t know you were here.”

“I can’t awaken Gil,” she said, fighting to control the panic that welled in her chest.

Diggs nodded. “I think Mr. Dunbridge must have put something in his food or drink tonight. So Master Gilbert wouldn’t wake up when he came into his room. Easier, you know, to...” His voice trailed off.

“Yes. No doubt you’re right.” The thought eased her mind a trifle, though she could not help but worry that Nathan might have given Gil too much.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Diggs reassured her. “His color’s good; so’s his breathing.”

“I’m sorry, I should have thanked you already for saving my son,” Noelle told him.

“I’m just glad I woke up in time. I’m sorry I fell asleep like that.”

“I’m sure you were tired. You should get some rest now that the danger is over. I plan to spend the night with Gil.”

“Well, that’s the thing, ma’am.” Diggs shifted uncomfortably, twisting his cap between his hands. Why had he brought his cap into Gil’s bedroom?

“What is?”

“Mr. Thorne told me to take the boy someplace else. For his safety, you see.”

“But why? Nathan’s no threat to him now.” She frowned. “Carlisle doesn’t still think Nathan is innocent, does he? I mean, you caught him.”

“No, he realizes that. It’s just—he said as how there might have been someone working with Mr. Dunbridge. An accomplice, you see. It doesn’t seem likely that he would have done all those things by himself.”

“But surely someone he hired would not continue after Nathan was found out.”

“I don’t know, ma’am.” Diggs shrugged. “Mayhap he doesn’t know what’s happened. Mr. Thorne is a cautious man.”

Noelle knew that was certainly true. “He wants us to leave tonight?”

Diggs nodded. “I know it’s sudden-like, but that’s what Mr. Thorne wants. I’ll take good care of the boy; you don’t have to worry.”

“I won’t worry. I’m coming with you.”

“Oh. Well, he didn’t say anything about that.” Diggs looked doubtful. “You won’t want to be tromping through the woods at night.”

“Not particularly,” Noelle admitted. “But there is no way I am letting Gil out of my sight after what happened tonight. Don’t worry. I’ll make it clear to Mr. Thorne that I insisted on accompanying Gil. He won’t blame you.”

“No, ma’am.” He nodded. “Well, um...we’d best get going.”

He edged around Noelle and picked up Gil. Gil stirred, then turned his cheek against the man’s shoulder and continued to sleep. Diggs led Noelle down the back stairs and through the kitchen, deserted at this time of night.

“We should tell Lady Drewsbury that we’re leaving,” Noelle said, glancing toward the hallway leading to the front of the house.

“Mr. Thorne will tell them,” Diggs said. “He said I must hurry.”

It felt very odd to be slipping out of the house this way without telling Adeline they were leaving. It was almost as if Carlisle suspected someone else in the house, too. But surely not. She could not imagine any of the women here trying to hurt Gil. She wondered if perhaps Carlisle thought one of the servants was in Nathan’s employ. Of course, knowing Carlisle, he would err on the side of caution, just as Diggs had said.

She followed the man as he led her out the door and through the garden. A pony cart awaited them at the end, and Diggs laid Gil down in the cart. He started off along the path, leading the pony, and Noelle brought up the rear. Even with the moonlight, the path was dark, and before long, Diggs left the trail, striking out through the trees. Diggs lit a lantern as they trudged along a barely discernible track.

“Where are we going?” Noelle asked.