Page 76 of The Journal of a Thousand Years
“It’s how my mother raised me.”
He lowered his gaze to the journal. “This Thurlow fellow…have the police caught him?”
“Not yet.”
He frowned at Alex, as if it were his fault Thurlow was still at large. “That’s a concern. You must be very careful, Sylvia.”
“I’m well protected.”
“I want to help you catch him.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, but hemustbe caught before he strikes again. You’re the only family I have. I don’t want to lose you, too.”
“I am not your only family. You have three sisters, a niece and a nephew.”
He huffed out a breath. “My sisters don’t care about me. They made that clear years ago when they learned that my inclinations lean toward men. Anyway, I don’t care about them.”
“They may have changed, as have you. If you tried?—”
“No.” He reached across the table again, but I kept my arms crossed. “You are my daughter, Sylvia. My flesh and blood. You won’t fully understand until you become a parent, but having children will change everything you thought you knew about yourself. I never wanted children when I was your age. I was content never to marry, never be with a woman to…” He wavedhis hand in the air in dismissal. “Having James brought a different perspective and brought out a side of me that I wasn’t aware existed. When your mother took him from me, I was devastated. When you told me he’d died in the war, it was a double blow.” He offered me a tentative, hopeful smile. “But you are here, Sylvia, and I want to get to know you.”
This was going to be harder than I thought, but I had to say it now before emotions deepened. “Melville, considering what Gabe means to me, and your past entanglement with his parents, I’m sorry but this has to be our last meeting.”
I heard rather than saw Alex shift his weight.
Melville’s shoulders slumped, before he seemed to rally a little. “I thought you’d say that, but now I have a chance to prove to you—and them—that I only have your best interests at heart.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Your kidnapper, Thurlow…do you know where he lives?”
“We only know his workplace, but…” I shook my head. It was all becoming too much. “Melville?—”
“Call me Father.”
“No.” I stood, hoping he realized I wanted him to leave. He stood, too, but made no move toward the door. “Thurlow has gone into hiding. Leave it to the police to find him.”
He rounded the table and strode toward me, his intense bearing somewhat unnerving. “I know how to stay hidden, Sylvia. There are people and places—” He cut himself off and glanced at Alex. “I might succeed where the police failed.”
I blew out an exasperated breath. He didn’t seem to want to accept that we couldn’t have a relationship. “Even if you find Thurlow, it won’t change anything between us.”
“Very well. I’ll write and apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Glass, but you have to understand that I can’t hand myself over to the police. I won’t survive in prison.” He attached the false beardthat wouldn’t fool anyone if they looked closely, and picked up his hat.
Seeing him in disguise was a reminder of how much he was risking by coming here. While Alex wouldn’t turn him over to the police, Cyclops probably would, as would the constables guarding the exits if they recognized him. I should be more appreciative. Itriedto be.
“You’re right, you must be careful. You’d better not return here. You can write, if you like.”
He placed the hat on his head. “I know this will take time, but hopefully you’ll see how much I want to play some part in your life. The time for raising you has passed, but I like to think I can play another, equally important role in your life.”
I couldn’t be any blunter, but I decided not to repeat myself. I’d tell Bristow and Murray to turn Melville away if he came back.
He came back the following morning, and what he had to say changed my mind.
CHAPTER 16
Although I’d told Bristow to turn Melville away if he returned to the house, the butler nevertheless informed me of his visit the following morning while I was once again working in Gabe’s library.
