Despite the impression afforded by the immaculate polished wood floors, high quality carpets, top of the line furnishings, and pristine décor, a warmth always seemed to surround him when he entered the Foxmoore house—something his own family dwellings lacked.
After pacing his study half the night, Gabe had thought to run to Marcus and wage a war against his blackmailer. Then common sense had prevailed. If he told Marcus of the letter, he’d have to relay the details of Mary and her subsequent death. Gabe spent seven years keeping those details from his friend; he wasn’t about to do the work of his mysterious enemy and reveal such secrets.
As expected, Gabe found Marcus bent over his desk studying some correspondence. Gabe wasn’t aware of anyone who devoted more time to running his estates.
Marcus’s attention remained on the documents before him as Gabe crossed the room and lowered his large frame into one of the two oversized leather chairs sitting in front of the desk. Even though Marcus was devoted to his tenants, he still had an eye for his own comfort. To Gabe’s delight, as he pushed against the plush seat, that comfort stretched to his guests.
Without raising his eyes from the task before him, Marcus asked, “Are you going to say anything, or just peruse me at your leisure?”
“I haven’t decided yet. It still amazes me how engrossed you become with mere estate business.”
Marcus finally acknowledged Gabe. “If you took the time, you could become just as fascinated with the various intricacies of the Wesbrook holdings.”
Gabe reclined further into the chair, stretching his long legs out before him. “I don’t see the point, since I have such an efficient steward and staff to see to such matters and more exciting endeavors to fill my time.”
Relaxing in his own chair, Marcus mused, “Ah, yes, I forgot about the very critical pastimes of drinking and gambling.”
“If I recall correctly, there was a time, not so long ago, when you reveled in such activities with me.”
Uncomfortable silence fell in the room. Gabe was about to give up on a response when Marcus replied, “There simply came a time when I needed to accept my responsibilities.” Those green Blakely eyes shone hard with determination. “As you need to do with your daughter.”
Her cheeks chilled from the crisp morning air, Elizabeth entered the house through the side door coming from the stable. She removed her bonnet and smiled when her ringlets, knocked loose during her morning ride in Hyde Park, fell along her neck. Nothing exhilarated her more than letting her horse, Shakespeare, loose and feeling the breeze upon her cheeks. She blamed it on Marcus’s influence.
Desirous of a rest before she called on Emma, Elizabeth continued toward the stairs. After she’d returned from the ball, sleep had eluded her. Instead, she’d been racked with thoughts of Gabe and his child.
After much pacing, she’d concluded a child didn’t change how she felt about the man. She also realized it was time to stop waiting for him to appear at social events in order to gain his attention. How would he see her as a woman he could love if they met only in passing?
Now the tough question; how to find a way to spend more time in his company. It wasn’t as if she could stop by his residence for a visit. And, even if she could gain entrance, she wasn’t about to lose her reputation by following him to any of his clubs. No, this would take more thinking. She needed something that would put her directly in his path for more than a few social exchanges.
Her foot was poised to mount the steps when she heard voices coming from Marcus’s study. It was too early in the day for her brother to be entertaining. If not for her sleepless night thinking of Gabe and his child, she herself might still be tucked into bed.
Her curiosity piqued, she changed direction.
About to enter the study, she stopped short of the door when she recognized the visitor’s baritone voice. It washed over her and left a warm sensation, like the sip of brandy she had sneaked as a child. Only one man’s voice had such an uncontrollable effect on her. Gabe.
Normally, she wouldn’t resort to an unladylike activity such as eavesdropping, but as she stood debating if she should enter, Gabe spoke of his daughter. The prospect of learning about the mystery surrounding his child took away her ability to move.
Gabe pushed himself to his feet and began to pace, as a way of releasing his mounting frustrations. What he assumed would be a simple fix after further discussion with Marcus, had quickly turned out to be anything but.
“You’ve checked all the agencies and papers?” Marcus asked.
Gabe raked a hand through his hair. “Yes. Wilkes contacted all the agencies and scoured all the papers.” He continued to stride the distance from the desk to the window. “Apparently, there is a shortage of governesses who have the requirements to fill my needs. The few they’d sent were so far below par, even I found them lacking.”
Obviously not sharing in the effects of Gabe’s turmoil, Marcus remained relaxed in his chair. “What about a maiden aunt or a distant cousin? Could you find family to help attend to the girl?”
The absurdity of the suggestion almost had Gabe bent at the knees, laughing. Instead he settled for halting his pacing and turning a scowl on Marcus. “Even if there was family to acknowledge, no one with a drop of Wesbrook blood would stoop to caring for an illegitimate child. It had been deemed beyond generous for my father to throw a few shillings at his by-blows—when he bothered to do even that.”
“So family is out.”
Gabe resumed circling the room. It was all beginning to feel hopeless. He wasn’t qualified to raise a child. He could barely manage something as simple as arranging care for one. Maybe the best thing for everyone would be to send her away. Hell, if she stayed, I’d probably corrupt her.
“I’ll do it.” The sweet voice slowly worked its way through his thoughts and, pausing in the middle of his pacing, he turned to the door. Standing there in a deep hunter green riding dress, bonnet in hand, Elizabeth was a vision. Too focused on her beauty, he hadn’t comprehended her words.
“Do what exactly?” Marcus asked his sister as he stood and moved to the front his desk.
Gabe watched her beautiful eyes flit between Marcus and him. Finally, with a slight waver in her voice, she answered, “I’ll help care for her.”
Her? Her who?
And suddenly it hit him. She was speaking of his daughter. Like hell she will! Gabe opened his mouth to voice his refusal as Marcus interceded.
“Absolutely not. You don’t know how to care for a child. Furthermore, you can’t reside in a bachelor’s residence, even if it is Gabe.”
“Especially if it’s me. Your reputation would be ruined the moment you step over the threshold,” Gabe growled, intent on voicing his opinion.
His aggravation steadily rose to think he’d be fighting a losing battle when her eyes filled with a boldness he’d never witnessed from her before. When they were children and she’d tried to be a girl-like version of the hellions he and Marcus were, she’d always fallen short.
It made him wonder how she had learned to be so untoward. If this was the outcome of allowing her to follow them around when she’d been impressionable, maybe he should have agreed with Marcus and left her behind.
On the other hand, she was incredibly beautiful when the flash of light blazed within the green of her eyes. “It would be perfectly respectful for me to reside with Gabe and his daughter with a proper chaperone.”
“And who exactly would be doing the chaperoning?” Marcus asked, his stony expression unwavering.
“Aunt Millie, of course. Not even you can argue she isn’t completely above reproach. Besides, I have experience with children. Between all the children running around Foxmoore during the holidays and volunteering at the orphanage, I know how to manage a child.” Elizabeth crossed the room and stood before her brother.
“Marcus, I can do this. Let me help. This is something Mother would be proud of. If at all possible, she did whatever she could to help others. If you allowed it and Aunt Millie chaperoned, besides some talk, no one would question it. Please.”
Marcus’s expression eased, slowly showing signs of acceptance at Elizabeth’s final plea. Fury swept Gabe. He was definitely losing control of the situation. Having her living under his roof would only cause more problems. It would be hell—for him.
Even now, though wholly irritated, it took all his strength to quiet the arousal she stirred, and that was with Marcus in the room. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to come across her some evening in his home, alone. With no one around to temper his desire.
Panicked, his displeasure flared. He abruptly turned to Marcus, his words sharp. “You can’t possibly think this idea is worth pursuing.”
Marcus regarded him with eyes that held only a trace of doubt. “She does have a point. No one would question Aunt Millicent chaperoning. Most ladies of the ton wish they could emulate her level of decorum.” Warming to the idea, Marcus continued, “Apart from that, I know you see Lizzy as a sister and would treat her with nothing but respect.”
He wasn’t about to inform his friend he hadn’t felt any sisterly feelings for Elizabeth in quite some time.
Still trying to convince him, Marcus added, “I don’t like it much myself, Gabe, but you don’t have many options left. This would be only a temporary solution, until you found a suitable governess.”
Gabe released his hostility on Elizabeth, practically seething. “And what of your social obligations, Minx? Where would you find the time, between morning calls and evening events, to see to a child? I’ve never known you to be absent from ton activities.”
“I’m no longer a child, Gabe. I can handle my own social calendar,” she threw back at him. A frown marred her glorious lips. His anger didn’t stop him from wanting to kiss it slowly away. “Besides, I’ll be utilizing a few members of your female staff to assist me and Aunt Millie will lend a hand if needed.”
Gabe fully admitted to using some ducal persuasion to see a resolution in his favor when events didn’t go his way. Usually, one well-given Wesbrook stare was all the urging necessary. And if ever a case existed where he needed things to fall in his favor, this was it.
However, as he steadily locked gazes with Elizabeth, he quickly realized she wasn’t backing down. Bloody hell.
He glanced at Marcus and it was apparent his friend would be of no help. Elizabeth had won him over. So much for the brotherhood of friendship.
Foreseeing no other alternative—and many sleepless nights—he lowered his shoulders in defeat but kept his eyes pinned on her. “All right, you may assist with Phoebe, but only until I locate a proper governess. And when this all flops, do not expect me to fix it.”
Elizabeth’s maid assisted with the packing of her clothes, while Elizabeth mulled over the events of the morning, still unsure of what had compelled her to offer Gabe her services. One moment she’d been standing outside the study; the next, practically begging to care for his child. A child he’d had with another woman.
What have I gotten myself into? She wasn’t normally impetuous but when it came to Gabe, she often found herself acting first and thinking later. To make matters worse, she knew nothing of the situation surrounding Gabe’s child. How old was she? What kind of nature did she have? Where was her mother?
Even worse, did he love the woman?
As she fussed with the last trunk, she sighted her mother’s locket lying amongst various pearls and gems within her open jewelry box. She slowly crossed to the box and gently lifted the locket.
“Thank you, Jane. That will be all for now. If there is anything else I require, I’ll send for it later,” Elizabeth instructed before her maid slipped out the door.
Grief, strong and choking, tightened her chest as she tenderly ran her fingers over the delicate etching. Holding the heart-shaped locket, she felt close to her mother. There hadn’t been a day her mother didn’t wear the lovely bauble next to her heart. It had been a gift from Elizabeth’s father. Mother claimed that while wearing the locket, she could feel his love no matter where he was.
After they’d perished in the accident, Marcus had given the locket to Elizabeth, in hopes it would help ease her through her sorrow. While the accessory helped her stay connected with her parents, she’d never compelled herself to wear it.
Faced with a token of their affection only strengthened her vow to marry for love. And to someone who returned the sentiment.
Instead of returning the locket to the jewelry box, she gently lowered it into her reticule. She had a feeling she would need strength from her mother to get through this new endeavor. The next few days might be difficult, but she was equally determined to succeed.
And it was more than simply a desire to change Gabe’s perception of her. She had something to prove to herself. After she’d become orphaned, people had begun to treat her like glass, afraid she would break with any hardship. Even Marcus tried to protect her from every possible heartache. It was time to show everyone, even herself, she was far from delicate.
She gave her room a final once-over, as new resolve flowed through her. Ready to take control of her life, she would find the same happiness her parents had shared. If she’d learned anything from their deaths, it was how incredibly fragile life was.
With renewed purpose, she turned to exit the room just as Marcus appeared in the entrance.
Lines of worry were imprinted on his face. “Are you sure about this, Lizzy?”
At his concern, insecurity fought with her determination.
“If you have any doubts, say the word,” he added. “We will find a different solution.”
It would be so easy to cave and let Marcus take control. To back out before it all became too much. Instead she filled her lungs with a deep breath and summoned the strength to take control and thus prove herself capable. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “If I run into troubles, Aunt Millie will come to my aid. We both know beneath her ladylike exterior she is a force to be reckoned with.”
Marcus’s smile eased his severe appearance. “I can recall quite easily what a force she can be. Growing up, she never failed to take it upon herself to impose some well-needed discipline on me.”
Laughter joined her words. “And, as I recall, you earned every lesson you received.”
“And you are still the same scamp that managed to avoid punishment.” Brotherly affection reflected from green eyes that matched her own. “I came to inform you Aunt Millie sent a message that she will escort you to Gabe’s with her carriage.” Seriousness washed away his joy. “Lizzy, I know things weren’t easy for you after Mother and Father died and I know I was a poor substitute.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to deny Marcus’s claim but he cut her off with a wave of his hand. “I love you and I only want what is best for you. That being said, if this is what you desire, I will support you, even if I don’t feel it is entirely appropriate.”
Tears filled her eyes and thickened her words. “I love you, too. Thank you, not merely for this but for everything. You might not have been Mother and Father but you were the next best thing and more than I could have ever asked for.”
Anxious to ensure Marcus knew how indebted she was for all he had done, she reached for him and hugged him. Only a second passed before his arms came around her and offered a tight squeeze. After he released her, she stepped back and found his eyes shining with tears of their own.
Marcus cleared his throat and gave a short gesture to her luggage. “Are you done here?”
She nodded.
“Then, let us retire to the drawing room and await Aunt Millie.”
Chapter 5
It had taken deep contemplation, but in the end, Gabe
chose to be in attendance when Elizabeth arrived with her aunt. It was either that or run around London scrutinizing everyone as a possible blackmailer. Besides, avoiding her would be pointless with her living under his roof. It would appear suspicious if he suddenly took up residence at one of his clubs.
More to the point, he was a grown man. A man fully capable of controlling his wayward desire for a young chit. Anyway, she was an innocent. His preferences resided with a woman who knew how to offer a man complete pleasure. Which reminded him, it was beyond time to find a replacement for his former mistress.
Since parting company with his last paramour, not by her choice, he had been reviewing the latest widows and unhappily married ladies of the ton for possible candidates. Even with such prime options, there were none who stirred his passions like one pesky, innocent minx. The very minx who would be sleeping in a bed, in his home, just down the hall from him.
Even locked away in the recesses of his study, he could easily summon visions of her reclined within the softness of an overstuffed counterpane, a delicate silk nightgown draped over her virginal but womanly body, accentuating all her curves, her honey hair wildly strewn across the pillows. Emerald eyes, burning with the heat of her desire, beckoning him to her side.
A sharp knock on the study door ripped him from his erotic thoughts. “What is it?” Unfulfilled desire lowered his voice to a rough growl.
The Duke's Temptation Page 4
