The Arrangement (Homestead Legacy Book 1)

by Alex Jane

  The reminiscence elicited a huff of laughter from Abel even as he stuffed a piece of pie crust into his mouth, and Solomon nodded thoughtfully, saying, "Yes, that sounds about right. I suppose she hasn't changed much at all."

  When the plates were empty, everyone stood to help clear the table, except when Gabriel tried to do the same, he was ushered back into his seat and made to wait. It seemed he was to be excused from duties in honor of it being his wedding day, something Gabriel had managed to forget about for a few minutes given the pleasant company and good food.

  He sat sullenly, picking at his napkin until Solomon returned with a pot of coffee and two cups, urging him to follow on down the corridor.

  At the end of the hallway, a set of double doors opened out onto a terrace that spanned the back of the house, wide enough to comfortably walk around the assortment of stone urns and other pots, which held nothing but dead grass from what Gabriel could observe. There were steps at each end that descended a full floor—the lower level of the house that would be below ground at the front, being exposed on this side—down to a wide expanse of lawn surrounded by trees. There was hardly a flower in sight save the few wild things he could see growing in the long grass at the edges, so it was a stretch to think the expanse a garden exactly.

  "We have a man come in to keep the lawn tended, but I'm afraid that's about the extent of care we can give to the grounds," Solomon said as he placed the tray on the table and gestured for Gabriel to join him. The wind had died down a bit and it seemed they were sheltered enough on that side of the house to make sitting outside somewhat pleasant even with the sky overcast. "I think Nathaniel would like to do more but—"

  He gave an apologetic smile and poured the coffee as Gabriel took the chair next to him. "I hope you don't mind me taking you aside like this."

  "Not at all." Gabriel wasn't wholly all right with it but he figured, as Solomon appeared to be the one who ran the house, that it was only prudent for him to want to get a measure of his new pack mate in private.

  "I wanted mostly to…well, to see how you are feeling? All this has happened so quickly, and what with you being uprooted from your pack and home…"

  Gabriel couldn't help but take a halting breath at that. It wasn't exactly the line of questioning he'd been expecting, but Solomon seemed so sincere for his welfare that a whole slew of emotions rose up, taking him quite by surprise.

  "I—" Gabriel forced himself to swallow down his grief. "It has been fast but Nathaniel seemed to think it best, and he's doing my pack a great favor by becoming our Alpha, at least in name. Although I'm still not sure what he might get out of this." His smile was forced but he hoped it did the job. "A gardener, perhaps? I think Frank might be persuaded to lend his hand to make the place a little more jolly with some perennials here and there."

  A curious expression passed over Solomon's face and, for a moment, Gabriel had the idea he might be about to say something significant, until he seemed to reconsider.

  "You won't remember me, but I recall seeing you as a boy several times when you came to the old house. I worked in the stables mostly," he added as a response to Gabriel's questioning look. "You would come with your brother sometimes and follow the two Alphas around, abetting whatever mischief they were getting into that day. It was clear to see Nathaniel was fond of you then, so it should be no mystery as to why he would want to help you now. He's not changed that much in the intervening years."

  Without thinking, Gabriel asked, "Does he smile like he used to? I've not seen him do so today."

  "No," Solomon said, looking out over the lawn and taking up his coffee cup. "Not often. Sometimes when Pris is here, he will for her benefit but otherwise… I was sorry to hear about your brother. I always liked him." There was a sadness to the words that Gabriel didn't much hear any more, as if the mourning that clung to the Webster household like decade-old black smoke had worked its way into this new pack already. Too often he'd heard the platitudes but rarely the grief. It was painful but at the same time he was glad for it. It made believing Solomon easier.

  "Me too," Gabriel said with a sad smile. "Although I'm sure he and Nathaniel made your life a misery at the time."

  Solomon took a deep breath in through his nose and tipped his head. "Well, yes, I think we could have all done without that incident with the skunk." The way he said it made Gabriel chuckle but then he went on. "But they were good boys. Ruth and I never had any children of our own so after what happened…well, there was no doubt in our minds that we would leave with Nathaniel."

  There were so many questions brought up by that simple statement of fact, but the first thing Gabriel thought to ask was, "So Eunice is not your daughter? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed—"

  Solomon held up his hand. "It's a fair one to make. No, Eunice, and Abel for that matter, came to us later. They joined us when they had to leave their families for one reason or another. We had another girl with us for a while too but she up and married one of the Farrier pack before they moved back to Boston."

  Gabriel was burning with curiosity but felt it intrusive to ask what those circumstances might be. Instead, he sighed. "So, I'm to be another unfortunate soul who Nathaniel takes under his wing?"

  "Do you feel unfortunate?"

  "Honestly?" Gabriel shook his head, laying his eyes on the trees dancing in the breeze. "I don't know what to feel. I find myself married to a man—a virtual stranger—who has barely said more than a few words to me, in a strange house, with no idea of my place or what is expected of me. Don't get me wrong, I know circumstances could be a lot worse, but I couldn't tell you if I felt hot or cold or any other damn thing right now, let alone what my state of mind is."

  Taking a sip of his coffee, Solomon made a noise of agreement, as if he understood all too well what Gabriel was experiencing. He seemed to consider his reply carefully before answering.

  "It might take some time for both of you to come to some kind of understanding, but I would hope you could be patient with him. He's my Alpha, not my child, I know, but—I'm not saying his grief can be compared to yours or your family's but—the accident? It broke him in ways that will not heal. And I'm not talking about his physical afflictions. Because of what happened and because of how he looks, he's suffered rejection from more quarters than simply his family. I expect he's anticipating the same from you."

  "So, what are you saying?"

  "I'm saying…I don't know." Solomon rubbed his palm over his cheek as he thought over his answer. "I suppose I'm saying, be his friend, if you can. He might not even hope for that much but if you can give him that, at least, prove to him you'll not cast him away like a broken toy, then he will open up to you. You would like that, I'm assuming? I'm sure some people would find his lack of conversation appealing and not want to break his silence."

  Gabriel had to smile at that. "I'm pretty sure I can talk enough for the both of us if need be. But yes, I owe him friendship at least, for giving my father some peace of mind in his last years. I was hoping he and I would have some time today to talk over what he expects me to do with myself now." Solomon frowned over at him as if he wasn't entirely sure what Gabriel was talking about. "I just mean that at home I was mostly involved with helping the housekeeper, keeping the accounts and pitching in where I was needed. Here…well, I'm not sure where I'm expected to fit in."

  Solomon nodded in understanding. "We run the house pretty simply. We all contribute to whatever needs doing and much of the main house is closed up to make it easier to run with so few of us. Abel works mostly outside, tending the animals and such. Ruth does the bulk of the cooking. Eunice is never much without a duster or mop in her hand. Nathaniel does any heavy work being that it comes easier to him but mostly he's occupied with his business concerns. I take care of the kitchen garden and most of the household management. But there is plenty to do. There's no need to rush into any position before we all get to know each other. It's important to find a place where you fit."

  "A
s long as you don't leave me idle," Gabriel said with a smile. "Lord knows, I would lock myself away in the library and you'll never find me again."

  "Oh, I'm sure we'll find you something to pass the time," Solomon said with a smile. "But not today. You should take the rest of the afternoon to explore, get to know the house a little. Maybe spend some time with the Alpha should he venture from the office. I'm sure he would like that. Even if his frown tries to deceive you."

  "Reuben always used to say he never lost a game of cards to Nathaniel, that he has a tell so obvious he gave away every bluff. If he still has it, I'm sure I'll figure his mood out all right."

  If Solomon was uncomfortable at Gabriel mentioning his dead brother, he didn't show it, only smiled indulgently and finished his coffee. "Would you like me to show you to your room? I instructed Abel to leave your box inside so you could arrange your things how you would prefer them. I find everyone has their own particular way of storing their personal items. Although, rest assured, Eunice is particularly good at putting things back where she found them should you ask her to clean your room."

  Sighing, Gabriel looked out over the expanse of lawn one more time before getting up. "Yes, I suppose I should make a start. Do you dress for dinner or…?"

  Solomon laughed as he got to his feet. "Lord, don't start doing that or Ruth might get it into her head we all should. Just bring yourself and an appetite. We're having brisket and Ruth baked a large cake as a welcome."

  Gabriel smiled at her thoughtfulness. "I'm looking forward to it."

  The tour of the house continued as Solomon led Gabriel up the main stairs and to the east wing of the house. There were plenty of rooms it seemed, but most were locked up. When they reached a door almost at the end of the hall, Solomon stopped and pushed it open, standing back to allow Gabriel inside.

  "You should find everything you need in here," Solomon said brightly, waiting outside as Gabriel went in. "If not, let one of us know." He tapped the doorframe a couple of times with one finger before taking a deep breath and a step back. "Well then. I have a few things to attend to so I'll leave you to it. Dinner is at seven." And with that he was gone.

  Gabriel looked around the room, not knowing exactly what he had expected and wondering what it was about the bedroom that didn't meet his expectations.

  The room itself was bright. White walls, dark wood furniture, and upholstery in shades of copper and green. The bed was wide and the linens looked new and freshly laundered. The trunk he had brought with him was set between a small decorative stand by the window and the dressing table in the corner of the room.

  Walking to the trunk, he found himself drawn to the view outside: the sun had started to break through the cloud, dappling the main lawn with light, making the grass glow like jade below him. Another glint caught his eye and, over a row of shrubbery, Gabriel saw what looked to be a large glasshouse, or orangery perhaps, which would have been obscured from view while on the terrace.

  His curiosity piqued, he pressed his face against the window, trying to get a better look from the awkward angle, his breath clouding the glass in front of him until he heard a cough from the doorway and almost overbalanced in his rush to turn around.

  Nathaniel stood just outside the threshold, looking at him curiously. Gabriel's breath caught in his throat at the sight of his husband standing there with his shirtsleeves rolled up and the unfastened buttons on his waistcoat leaving it to hang slightly open.

  Nathaniel cleared his throat and turned his cane even as he rested on it. "Are you…settling in?"

  It was hard to form a cohesive thought let alone form a sentence in the sight of such a man—his husband—but Gabriel did his best even when his eyes were drawn to Nathaniel's strong, corded forearms in such a way that had him wondering if the rest of his body was so tanned and covered in dark hair. The scarring on his face and on his right hand and arm didn't figure one ounce in the raw attraction Gabriel felt for him, as he stuttered out, "Y-yes. Thank you. Lunch was…very good. Did you get something to eat? After your meeting?"

  Nathaniel nodded, still lingering with his feet firmly on the hall rug. His eyes flicked nervously to the bed once or twice as he spoke. "Is the room to your liking? I can have another opened if you prefer it."

  Gabriel shook his head, thinking it strange Nathaniel would offer to move rooms for him. "No. This is quite lovely. And comfortable. Do you have preference to where I put my things?"

  A puzzled look passed over Nathaniel's face before he tensed. "No. I mean…this is your room. Mine is down the hall." He gestured slightly with his cane, looking after it. When Gabriel felt a rush of heat in his cheeks at the misunderstanding, Nathaniel took an aborted step toward him. "I meant what I said in my letter. I wish to make this as painless as possible for you. I do hope that you might be happy here. As such, I won't put any demands on you. Not like that."

  Gabriel wasn't quite sure what to feel. He'd known it was too good to be true, that he might marry the man he'd spent his formative years lusting after and have his feelings reciprocated. It was just his luck he should remain practically a virgin for the rest of his life while trapped in this house with Nathaniel Hayward of all people. It was as cruel as placing a roast dinner in front of a starving man and telling him not to eat.

  Still, he should have known this would be part of the arrangement from the beginning and as such he would simply have to get used to the idea.

  Mustering all the dignity he could, Gabriel straightened up and gave a light smile. "I appreciate your kind consideration. I'm sure I will be happy here, and I hope we can become friends, at least."

  The pure shock in Nathaniel's expression at that statement had Gabriel wondering what on earth was going on in the man's mind that he seemed so appalled by the idea of friendship. Especially when he merely grunted and turned to limp away.

  Gabriel was frozen, blinking witlessly into the empty space where his husband had been, until he was taken over by a sudden rush of energy that had him striding to the door, shutting it abruptly, and leaning back against it as if some unknown force was about to burst through.

  Once he'd regained his composure, Gabriel made his way to the bed and slumped down to sit on it. He was struck by the softness and the way he bounced slightly, unlike his old bed, which had lost one spring too many and sagged in the middle. He'd never complained to his father about it, even when he'd found himself waking in the night due to its squeaking and throwing lumps at him every time he moved. There were more important things to spend money on: clothes for the children, the good wine his mother had sworn by for cooking, new oil lamps for the carriage. His comfort had always come last, mostly because if he could contribute anything, it was to endure a little discomfort so others could be happy.

  A smile crossed his face even though he didn't much feel much amused. As far as discomforts went, sleeping in this bed—even if it were devoid of company—would be one of the nicer ones he'd had to face.

  3

  When Gabriel awoke the next morning, he stretched and yawned, feeling comfortable and rested, hardly aware of anything more than the pleasant pull of his muscles before he remembered exactly where, and who, he was. Alpha Nathaniel Hayward's husband. Stifling a groan, he threw one arm over his eyes to shield them from the sight of the strange room—and life—he'd somehow ended up in.

  The previous day had only become more awkward after his conversation with Nathaniel, something he had thought hardly possible and yet…

  He had managed to draw out the time he'd spent unpacking his belongings, meticulously putting them away in an effort to avoid leaving his room for the longest possible time. Not that he had brought much with him. The Hayward mansion wasn't so far from his father's house that he couldn't make the journey by carriage, there and back, in the course of a morning or afternoon. And he was no prisoner. At least, he assumed not. He fully anticipated being able to travel back and forth between the two places, bringing his belongings as and when he needed them, perhaps even
spending the night back in his old room if his husband had no objection.

  As such, he'd only brought with him the same sort of thing he might take on an extended trip. Or so he imagined. It wasn't as if he had much experience in that regard. Enough to be comfortable but not so much he needed a team of porters to move his luggage. There were several changes of clothes, mostly daywear that Dinah had pressed for him, two of his nicest suits that might serve if they were invited out to dine, although Gabriel wondered why he had bothered with them now. It looked as if he would hardly be sucked into a whirlwind of social engagements simply because he had a ring on his finger.

  Except, of course, he didn't have a ring or a token of any kind to indicate he was taken. Why Nathaniel had decided against the convention, Gabriel had no idea. He had intended to ask, but he hadn't found the right moment and did question whether he really wanted to know the answer. By the time he'd had his clothes, personal items and books placed in some sort of order, the small mantle clock had told him he should be getting ready for dinner.

  Nathaniel hadn't deigned to drop by again. Or perhaps he had and Gabriel hadn't noticed. It was entirely possible given that Gabriel had found himself idly flicking open one of the books he had stuffed into his trunk—a small, leather-bound volume that he was certain he hadn't seen before but had somehow landed on his bedside table the morning he'd packed. It was engaging and somewhat lurid and by the time Gabriel had glanced up from the page, he'd found he was a good way into the story and the clock had jumped a fair way forward.

  After freshening up a little, he'd made his way back downstairs, taking his time to inspect the unused rooms as he had passed them. It had given him an acute feeling of sadness to open door after door to find, what were for all intents and purposes, pleasant rooms of good proportion, nicely decorated but either empty or with their furniture covered in white sheets, like a gathering of ghosts who lingered between worlds, trying to remember their true purpose. He hated that his footsteps echoed in the silence. The house was very much one that cried out to be filled with the sounds of busy pack life, the patter of children's feet, laughter and song, not the shell it had clearly become.