Chapter 34

I listened to Mary's story in thought. "A tomb?"

"Yes."

"And he wouldn't let you look at the face?"

Mary nodded again. "I'm afraid it might be for Riff. I know he doesn't look like it when your home, Jizabel, but Cain…Riff was his best and closest friend after all…and…"

"Hmm…"

"Do you have an idea of what he's doing?"

I shook my head. "Perhaps it is for Riff. But a tomb that large for one servant is a bit extravagant…Show me where it is."

Mary did so. She stayed outside when I went in. Carefully, I stood at the edge of the tomb and looked at it. Then I smiled. "Cain, you fool."

I walked out, still smiling. "It's not something you need to worry about, Mary," I told her, petting her head. "Nothing to worry about at all."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure. Do as Cain says and don't look at the face on the coffin."

Mary nodded and we returned home. "Have you proposed to Drew yet?"

I had not. But I had an idea of what I was going to say to her when the time came.

"Geez, Big Brother! You're so slow."

"I can't help that I'm nervous," I snapped.

"What's there to be nervous about? Even if you just hand it to her and bungle your speech, she'll most likely say yes."

"I'm worried about the less likely," I muttered.

Mary rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Fine. Cain and I will help you set the mood."

"Absolutely not."

"Then just strait out ask her," Mary snapped. "Yes, some girls will expect you to be as original and romantic as possible, but guys tend to strain themselves too much and the effort goes from romantic to corny. Take her to a restaurant, be honest about how you feel around her, and give her the ring. See? Simple."

Yes. It was simple. Almost too simple for someone of Drew's status. We walked back to the estate. On the way, a headline caught my eye. I stopped and picked up the paper.

Murder or Suicide?

Mysterious Death of Lord Gladstone is yet to be Solved

Lord Gladstone, who has been missing for over half a month, has been found in the Thames River yesterday morning…

…Speculators wonder what could have caused the death…

…Reputation was ruined…

…Proud in life…

…Surprisingly successful…

…Why would he kill himself? …

I could laugh, but I kept it to myself. Even so, a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.

"Big Brother?" Mary asked, looking over my shoulder, trying to peak at the paper.

I set it down on the stand again and walked away.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing, Mary," I told her. "It's nothing at all." It wasn't something I should laugh at. It wasn't something I probably should feel happy about. But I couldn't stop smiling. I tried to relax my facial muscles and remain a solemn appearance if not carefree.

I don't know who killed Cassandra. I really don't care. Besides, I heard from Cain about what happened. Perhaps it was Mary's old friend Leroy. Or maybe it was someone else in Father's circle.

"Are you smiling because you got inspired?"

My mouth relaxed. "Inspired?"

"You have an idea of how you'll propose to Drew, right?"

"Yes, but that's been planned for ages."

"Go ask her then!" Mary snapped, readying herself to kick my shin. I dodged her foot and hoisted her off the ground, carrying her on my shoulder. "What are you doing?!" she shouted.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I snapped at her. "Geez, why are you so temperamental?"

"I'd like to say it's hereditary," Mary mumbled, climbing out of my arms, onto my back. "You're just as temperamental as I am and Cain's got a nasty temper himself."

"I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right. I've seen it a lot lately," Mary stated.

"Oh, really?" I asked, smirking at her. "I didn't think I was being that hard on you and Cain."

"You rarely get mad at me, but lately you've been yelling at Cain quite a bit. Is it just because you're worried about him?"

"If you heard about Father, then you should know that he abused me and Cain."

"Cain did mention that to me and the others. He said there was evidence for it in case you and the others were arrested for premeditated murder, but he didn't show us."

"That's probably because he doesn't know where the evidence is," I said. "Mary, what Cain said is true. Eventually, Father would have tried to kill him and me. He did try, but Cain turned the tables. I was stuck at College worrying about him most of the time."

"I want to see it."

"No."

"Please, Jizabel?"

"Mary—"

"Shouldn't I be allowed to see the evidence? You and Cain rarely tell me anything. I hate being left out of the loop."

I sighed and agreed. I set Mary down and we continued on back to the manor. When there, I pulled out the box with Riff's recording and the photos. I handed her the aged photos.

"During the summer, I became Cain's 'scapegoat,'" I told her. "But I was forced to go back to school just before autumn began and remained there while Cain was subjected to that. Do you see why Cain and I did not want to tell you?"

Mary nodded and handed the photos back to me.

"And what about Gladstone? What's his connection?"

I didn't tell her. "Cain's already figured that out. I'm sure he'll tell you."

"But he's been stalking you for a long time!"

"Mary, I've told you more than enough already," I said.

"But—"

"I think I'll go to Drew's," I said, cutting her off. How nice and yet so strange it is that children have such short attention spans. I love it!

"Finally!" Mary shouted at me. "Tell me how it went when you get home."

"In the meantime, pack up and get ready for Cain's evacuation order."

"Whatever…"

I made sure I had the ring with me before leaving. I stopped at my room and grabbed it. I left the Estate, yawning. It wasn't even three in the afternoon and already, it had been a long day.

I really didn't want to walk, so I took a cab instead.

I stared at the box containing the ring. I tried to steady my heart by breathing calmly. It helped. Somewhat.

I wasn't sure if I could do a "proper setting" (as Mary would have put it), but…

The cab stopped at the Benjamins. I stepped down and approached the door.

"Hello, Doctor. Lady Drew isn't here today," the maid said. "I'm terribly sorry."

"Do you know where she is?"

"I believe she went to the Queen's Garden with a few friends—"

"Thank you," I said, heading toward the garden. It was close by, so what would be the point of flagging another cab?

I entered the garden and prayed that I'd find her soon. It was a fifty-fifty chance that I'd find her if I went one way. On the other hand, I might miss her entirely and make myself into a fool.

I decided to risk it and went right.

Halfway around the park, I spotted her.

"Drew!"

The group stopped and looked at me, somewhat surprised. Drew said something silently to them and broke away from the girls.

"Jizabel you look pale," Drew stated. She raised her hand to my forehead. "It doesn't seem like you have a fever…" she laughed.

"What?"

"Déjà vu," she said. "When Mary introduced us the first time it was here in this park. I was embarrassed and you tried to take my temperature."

"Right," I said, remembering the incident. "You pushed me away and ran in the other direction."

I offered my arm to her and we walked away from her friends.

"How long ago was that again?"

Drew furrowed her brow. "Six months at best, I'd say. Maybe a little less than that."

"That may be true." We stopped and looked at the lake. I pulled out the box and handed it to her. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to say a thing.

Drew took it curiously and opened it. "Jiz…is this…is this an…an engagement ring?"

I nodded, still unable to speak. So much for my well thought out speech.

Drew laughed. My voice returned.

"What?"

"I've never seen you so scared," she said. "It's cute. Yes, Jizabel. I'll marry you."

If I had wings, I would fly.