Game of Iniquity, page 26
‘Hungry?’ she asked, dark eyes gleaming.
‘After witnessing that work of art,’ he nodded towards the turkey. ‘Certainly.’
‘Good,’ Xing said. ‘I would not have accepted any other answer.’
After Granville was captured, Gabriel had arranged for Hugo to meet Xing. He accompanied her on the journey to China with the aim of establishing new trade relations, and ended up falling in love with her during the six-month journey. They had married in Guangzhou, in Xing’s family home. Xing had told him how she was taken from her home at the port when she was only four years old and had been looking for a way back ever since. Once she was reunited with her family, she soon realised that over the course of half a year together, Hugo had become her home. They had stayed with her family for a month, before returning to London together. Hugo decided to take on a permanent role in the city.
Gabriel heard his brother laugh again; he saw the life return to his eyes. In many ways, as he got to know Xing better, he realised she was a copy of his brother. She was humorous and clever, never failing to bring joy to an occasion. They had found each other when they both needed it the most.
Xing had her dark hair braided back, the sleeves of her dress rolled up to her elbows. She had insisted they prepare the entire meal themselves.
‘I do hope everyone shall enjoy it. I have never had a Christmas dinner before.’
‘I am certain it will be great,’ said Gabriel.
‘If not, I shall still force you all to eat it.’
Gabriel chuckled. She always managed to extract a laugh out of him and, most of the time, focused on doing so. He was convinced she could sense something in him, the lingering sadness, the hollowness he still felt within his chest, and took it upon herself to minimise it each time they shared each other’s company.
A loud, incessant knock sounded on the door. It continued until someone finally opened it.
‘Christ,’ muttered Hugo. ‘You never fail to make an entrance.’
Alexander strutted into the Ashmore house. He put down his thick briefcase, bits of paper sticking out from the edges. He shot Hugo a wink. ‘Of course not.’
Hugo rolled his eyes.
‘It smells rather delicious in here,’ remarked Alexander, hanging his coat. ‘Do not tell me you cooked for us, because I would not believe it.’
Hugo narrowed his eyes at Alexander. ‘I did help, actually.’
‘And with “help”, do you mean you idly stood by whilst others prepared it for you?’
‘Stop bickering you two,’ said Xing as she appeared from the dining room. ‘Hugo, would you mind helping me bring the wine?’
‘Certainly, darling.’ He shot Alexander another look before he disappeared into the kitchen with his wife.
Alexander’s eyes eventually fell on Gabriel, who was standing by the doorway of the dining room. ‘Ashmore. I was wondering where you were.’
Gabriel raised his arms. ‘Here I am.’
Alexander raised a brow. ‘Were you eavesdropping, old fellow?’
‘Perhaps.’
Alexander’s lips curved into a wide grin as he opened his arms. Gabriel smiled as he embraced his friend.
‘How is Oxford treating you?’
‘Rather wonderfully,’ answered Gabriel. ‘Thank you for your recommendation.’
Alexander shot him a dismissive wave. ‘It was nothing. Your application was most excellent anyway, you certainly did not need it. It is only good that they know who your friends are.’ Gabriel had started his third year of studying Jurisprudence at Oxford, something he had dreamed of for many years.
‘How is Scotland Yard, Detective Wakefield?’
‘Excellent. We are working on expanding the Criminal Investigations Department. Alongside my detective work, I am currently in charge of recruiting the finest officers England has to offer.’
‘Yes, Scotland Yard is certainly in dire need of it.’
‘Indeed. I have become somewhat of a celebrated person, after our success with Granville. After I completed my training, the commissioner tasked me with great administrative duties over the Criminal Investigations Department. Finally, this country shall receive the change it needs.’
‘I cannot think of anyone that deserves such responsibility more, Wakefield.’
‘God, I never thought I would hear those words from you, Ashmore,’ said Alexander with a grin.
Gabriel chuckled. ‘Have your parents returned, then?’
‘They indeed have. However, I am not seeing much of them.’
‘Oh?’
‘I have moved out of the Wakefield residence. Moreover, it suddenly occurred to me that I do not actually need my father’s approval. In light of all we have achieved, his admiration seems rather inconsequential.’
Gabriel smiled. ‘My thoughts, exactly.’
They soon all sat down to eat. The sky was swiftly darkening outside. Candlesticks were lit in each section of the large room, illuminating the table in a warm light. They had reinstated the Ashmore residence to its former glory, renovating the entirety of the house with both Gabriel and Hugo’s earnings. No longer did the stairs creak malevolently, or did the thin windows let in any cold air. They even hired their old servants again, but Xing had sent them off to enjoy themselves in town for the night. They even had a nurse reside in the house to care for their father. Occasionally, Gabriel would hear his father’s frantic footsteps. He had been devastated at the news of Granville’s arrest, and had barely spoken a word to either Gabriel or Hugo since then. Although Gabriel understood his father’s actions in supporting Granville, aiding him with designing his plans, he had not been able to forgive him. Hugo was convinced it would come with time, but Gabriel was not so certain.
The evening was better than Gabriel could have hoped; yet, ever since that day, Gabriel felt that same gnawing. He had pushed it under the surface, ignored it to the point he sometimes forgot it existed, but it always came back to haunt him. He saw it when he looked in the mirror for too long, like a shadow wrapping itself around his face until all he saw were those black eyes. At times, it took him everything not to obliterate his thoughts, cast away the sins of the past to make room for sins of the future; but he had not touched it. Not since the night Alexander had found him, and he had vowed to never touch it again.
He pulled himself back to the present. Xing’s laughter sounded through the room. He looked at Alexander, whose eyes were already on him. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, a questioning look upon his features, as if he knew. Gabriel only quizzically raised an eyebrow at his friend, with the purposes of easing his doubts, but Alexander did not appear convinced. Nevertheless, he let it go, as Hugo served everyone a selection of the meat they had prepared.
‘Dear Xing, do tell me, did you have the kitchen maids prepare some of these?’ asked Alexander, sporting a sly grin.
She furrowed her brows. ‘You offend me so, Alexander.’ She started loading potatoes upon everyone’s plates. ‘But yes. Hard work and determination can only take one so far when you have Hugo in the kitchen.’
Hugo chuckled. ‘Do you truly take such pleasure in insulting me?’
‘I believe everyone takes pleasure in insulting you, Hugo,’ commented Alexander, taking a large gulp of his wine.
‘It is indeed rather gratifying,’ added Gabriel.
For the first time in years, Gabriel felt joy. He felt a sense of belonging he had never experienced before; felt all the things he had ever wanted. Yet, he also felt him. He was still there. Hiding. Gnawing. Waiting.
Miray Kose, Game of Iniquity
