Lia was right. And kind and compassionate and far more intuitive than he. Gabriel had been ready to blunder ahead in his quest for answers.

“The angel he referred to. The one he said looked like you.” Gabriel let those statements hang.

“You’re thinking that Estelle Allard was here at Millbrook at some point after the war?”

“It’s not any more unthinkable than anything else so far.”

“I’m not disagreeing.” Lia was toying with a seam in her emerald skirt. “There are probably more war records that have been archived and released to the public since your grandfather searched. Wouldn’t it be better if we could give him real answers if they exist?”

“Well,” Gabriel said, handing the folder back to Lia, “it’s too late for us to get back to the city before the government offices close. We can tackle the archives of London tomorrow. But after lunch, let’s start in the attics of Millbrook.”

Chapter ​17

Chapter
​17

Lia

Norfolk, England
8 July 2017

Lia followed Gabriel through Millbrook House.

They were in the hall, a gleaming domain of light, polished marble floors, and richly papered amber walls. Elaborate plaster ornamentation adorned the soaring ceiling, and a chandelier showered sparkling ropes of crystal down from its center. Tall porcelain vases overflowing with white and yellow blooms framed the grand stairway. As the first space a guest saw when they entered Millbrook, it most definitely impressed.

And, as with her grandmother’s apartment when she had first opened it, Lia had the distinct feeling of stepping back in time.

“This is lovely,” she breathed, nearly crashing into Gabriel as he stopped in front of a narrow door.

“It is maintained very well,” Gabriel agreed. He gestured to the stairs leading up to the first floor. “I’ll show you the rest of the house once the wedding guests have left tomorrow, but for now, we’ll skulk about on the servants’ stairs. Far easier to avoid fire-breathing events coordinators this way.” He grinned as he withdrew a key from his pocket and opened the door.

He led them up two flights of narrow stairs, their feet tapping on the wooden treads. Gabriel ducked through a second door, and Lia found herself at the end of a long hallway with bare floors, unadorned plaster walls, and plain wooden doors set in regular intervals on both sides.

“The old servants’ quarters,” he explained as they started down the hallway. He pointed to the neat labels that had been affixed to each door. “The rooms are used for event storage now,” he said. “Holiday decorations, wedding decorations, lighting, table linens and settings, that sort of thing.” He used his key again to unlock the door at the end of the hall. “Access to the attics.” He held out his hand. “After you.”