“Yes, darling, we’re almost there.” A minute later, he placed her gently on her bed.
“Don’t leave me.” She tugged him back by the lapels.
“You’re asking me to stay? All night?”
She nodded. “Please.”
He sat on the bed beside her. “Then how could I possibly refuse?”
* * *
Gabriel would spend the night in Sophia’s bed. How he’d dreamed of spending an entire night at his wife’s side! But he wouldn’t lay a hand on her. Not in her compromised state. What had Mrs. Mallows put in the elixir? He doubted it was merely alcohol, though Sophia’s symptoms did seem a lot like an advanced state of intoxication.
But despite her assertion that she’d had too much wine at dinner, he had barely seen her take more than a sip or two, and he had watched her fairly steadily throughout the meal. She’d passed on cordials. Then suddenly, the elixir and wham! Barely coherent speech and an inability to stand on her own two feet.
He would have to ask the cook about it tomorrow. For tonight, his chief concern was getting Sophia safely settled in bed. Would she be sick? Feeling terrible in the morning? He had no idea what to expect, but he planned on being at her side in any event. He wondered if he should call her maid or undress her himself. Did Jenks come to her at night without being called? He had no idea.
“Sophia?” Her eyes were closed but he couldn’t be certain if she had fallen asleep. “Darling?”
“Gabriel.” A slow smile spread over her lips, and then her eyes shot open. “Why aren’t you beside me? Are you trying to sneak away?”
“Absolutely not. I was wondering if I should call your maid to help you undress.”
“You could help me.”
“I’m afraid you might not feel the same in the morning. I’m calling Jenks.”
“You don’t want to undress me?” She rose, pouting, and sat on her knees.
“I’ll not take advantage of you in your current condition. I’m not sure what you’ll remember or approve of come the dawn. If you haven’t noticed, you’re somewhat impaired.”
She nodded. “There’s a fog in my brain.”
“Should I get you some coffee?”
“Blech.” She made a face. “Only if you want my stomach to turn. No coffee. But I am sleepy.”
“Then you should sleep. Sleep might be all you need.” Before he could finish his sentence, she was sleeping. Soundly. Snoring a little, in fact, but it was an adorable little attempt at a snore, if anything. The kind of snore that would only come from a newborn kitten or his exquisite wife. “That’s it. I’m ringing for Jenks.”
The last thing he needed would be for Sophia to wake up, suddenly sober, and demand to know why he was undressing her. Jenks appeared not a moment after he rang.
“Mrs. Jenks. I’m sorry to bother you.” Jenks was still dressed in her habitual black, her hair smoothed back in a perfect bun. Did she stay that way every night, completely dressed and presentable, just waiting for Sophia’s final call? She probably did, he realized. It was her duty, after all, and she was paid well for her service. Better than all of the other maids anyway. Plus, she had the pick of Sophia’s cast-off gowns, which were usually only worn once or twice. Not that Mrs. Jenks had much occasion to wear them… “Jenks, we have a situation.”
“I can see that, my lord. Too much drink?” She peeked around him to glimpse Sophia asleep in bed.
Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t think so. She had a headache and Mrs. Mallows gave her an elixir.”
“Dear God, not Mrs. Mallows’s magic elixir again.”
“Again? You’ve heard of it?”
Jenks nodded. “Do you remember last year when the head housemaid, Nan, was sick for a week? Oh, sorry. You wouldn’t. You weren’t here.”
“Sick for a whole week? From the elixir?”
Mrs. Jenks placed a hand to her apron. “Goodness, no. Mrs. Mallows convinced her to take the elixir as a cure. It worked, but she slept for a day and a half solid after taking it.”
“A day and a half? What’s in it?”
“Chinese herbs. That’s all Mrs. Mallows will say. I think it’s all she knows. She says it will cure all that ails you—”
“And then some.” Gabriel nodded. “And she’s still making it? Where does she get these herbs?”
“Her son is in China.”
“Gilbert Mallows went to China?”
“He’s exploring Eastern medicine. And who knows what all else. He’s in love with a woman over there, says Mrs. Mallows. She doubts he’ll ever come back home. But he sends her things.”
“Like the herbs?”
“And a silk kimono. It’s beautiful. Oh, and some funny bamboo shoes with velvet straps that go between the toes. Anyway, I wouldn’t count on the countess waking up any time soon. But she should feel right as rain when she does.”
“She doesn’t like the rain.” Concerned, he glanced back at his wife.
Jenks patted his hand. “It’s just an expression, my lord. If it’s any consolation, I think Mrs. Mallows has probably learned from past experience to tone down a little on the herbs. Maybe the lady’ll only sleep for half a day.”
“Inconvenient, nonetheless. I have to go to London. I was hoping to bring her with me.”
“But she—”
“Hates London. Yes, I know. Everyone knows. But I haven’t given up hope that one of these days, I will change her mind.”
“Not tomorrow. But if you go and only stay the one night, there’s a chance she’ll sleep through the whole thing and not even know that you’re gone.”
“I suppose you have a good point there, Mrs. Jenks. I could go, conclude my business, and get back without missing much at all around here.” And when he came back, he could gift her with her surprise at last. It seemed the perfect solution.
“I would say so. It might be your best time to get away.”
“I’ll need you to keep close watch over her while I’m gone, Mrs. Jenks. And have Finch send word at the slightest sign of trouble.”
She shook her head. “She’ll be no trouble at all.”
“Then it’s settled. I’m going to return to my rooms to ring my valet to arrange my things. You get her comfortable. I’ll be back to stay the night in here at her side.”
“So it’s true what they’re saying about your walk this afternoon?” She blushed. “Forgive me, my lord. I shouldn’t mention it, but you should know it has been discussed downstairs.”
“I’ve no idea what anyone had to say about our walk, Mrs. Jenks. But I’m every bit in danger of being as besotted with my wife as I ever was.”
With that, he left Mrs. Jenks to her business and went off to see to his own.
It didn’t take him long. He’d hurried Burns along and left instructions on what to arrange for the next morning’s journey. He wouldn’t even take a case. Most of what he needed, he had handy at Averford House. The idea was to travel light and make the trip as quickly and as efficiently as he could. More importantly, he wanted to be brief with his valet so that he could get back to his wife’s bed.
Mrs. Jenks had left the lights low in Sophia’s room. He could only see well enough to strip out of his clothes and get into bed beside her. He had taken to sleeping nude in Italy, due to the heat, and he didn’t see why he should change now that he was at home in England. He hoped he could get his wife into the habit, once he convinced her to regularly share a room and a bed. Sophia wasn’t likely to wake up and be alarmed at finding him naked in her bed, considering what Jenks had said about the elixir. She would probably sleep straight through the night and into the next day. He would wake early in the morning, dress quietly, and slip back to his room to get ready for the trip to London.
Sophia’s sheets were soft, he noted, slipping in beside her and turning off the light on the stand by her bed.
Softer than his. Her bed was softer too. His mattress was a little on the firm side. Or perhaps the softness all came from being in bed next to her. The curve of her backside was certainly soft against him. In comparison, he was growing quite hard… He turned to face the other direction. Sleeping next to her was one thing. She had asked him to stay the night with her, and he could only hope that she remembered that when she woke. But he certainly couldn’t disturb her with his amorous attentions while she was sleeping, much as he would like to attempt to wake her up enough to join him.
“Another time, my love.” He turned back, dropped a light kiss on her shoulder, and attempted to fall asleep.
* * *
Sophia woke with a start in the middle of the night. Her mind was a jumble. The last clear memory she had was of Gabriel telling her to sit down while they waited for Finch to bring her water. After that, it all got a bit fuzzy around the edges, like she was looking at the world through a veil. Ah, she recalled Finch bringing her the water and an elixir. Mrs. Mallows’s elixir! What was in it?
Gradually, more fragmented memories began to come back to her. Her knees buckling when she tried to stand. Her speech becoming slurred. Gabriel carrying her all the way up the stairs. How she’d wanted to kiss him! Had she? That’s when she turned in the bed and saw him sleeping at her side.
She startled. What had she done? Was he…naked? She moved the sheet off his shoulder and peeked beneath it. Even in the near darkness, she could tell that he wasn’t wearing anything. But she was. She was in her favorite white nightgown. She had a vague recollection of Jenks pleading with her to turn so that she could unbutton her dress. But if Gabriel was in bed with her, why had Jenks come in to undress her? She remembered asking Gabriel to stay, wanting him to be there. No matter what had happened the night before, she was glad to see him beside her.
Her questions would wait until morning. For now, she remained exhausted and barely able to keep her eyes open. She felt chilled to the bone, and she meant to take full advantage of the warm body in the bed next to her, no matter the circumstances that put him there. She curled up against him and fell back to sleep.
Thirteen
When Sophia woke again, it was still dark but Gabriel was no longer at her side. She sat up. Had he gone back to his own bed? She felt as if she’d been asleep for days, but it couldn’t have been more than a few hours considering the darkness outside. Reaching across the bed, she clicked on the light and squinted to make out the clock on her mantel. Eight in the morning? That couldn’t be right, considering the lack of light. Eight at night? Had she slept a whole day? Her clock must be wrong. She rang for Jenks. Jenks would clear up any confusion.
Her maid came not a minute after Sophia rang for her. She must not have been far off. “Lady Averford. Thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness? Was there some doubt about my health?”
The last time she had slept for days had been after she’d given birth to a healthy son and slipped into a fever straight afterward. When she woke, she had been greeted with the news that her beautiful boy had died. The memory made her apprehensive to hear what Jenks had to say.
“No doubt exactly, but Mrs. Mallows is eager to see you. She wants to apologize for the elixir. She might have gotten a bit carried away with the herbs. How are you feeling?”
“The elixir, of course. Was there something wrong with it?” Sophia made a quick evaluation of all her limbs and parts. “I feel perfectly well. No aches or pains. Clear head. Awareness is slowly returning.”
Jenks nodded. “As expected. Good. Are you hungry?”
“What time is it, Jenks? Where’s Gabriel?”
“It’s just after eight in the evening, my lady. You’ve been asleep for almost a whole day.”
“A whole day?” She managed not to gasp. “And my husband?”
“Lord Averford was hoping to return before you woke, but he missed the last train out of London. He’s staying the night at Averford House.”
“Averford House? What’s he doing in London?”
“He had business, urgent. He wanted to bring you with him, but after the elixir had such an extraordinary effect on you, well… He decided it was best to go, tend his affairs, and get back as soon as possible.”
Had she only imagined him in bed with her? She looked at the empty space beside her.
“He stayed with you until the morning,” Jenks added. “At your request.”
“I’m glad. I wish I’d been awake to see him off.” Urgent business in London? The divorce! He had gone to file papers, and he would come back and ask her to agree to a divorce. But why would he have shared her bed if he were rushing off to divorce her? She had to admit that it made no sense. Perhaps other business had sent him to London.
“Would you mind terribly if I called for Mrs. Mallows? She has been frantic all day, waiting to make sure you woke up. I know it’s unusual, but she would feel much better to see you.”
“I suppose it’s a little late for me to dress and get down to dinner.”
“Aunt Agatha suggested they would all be content with trays in their rooms.” Jenks bit her lip and looked down. “But the Dowager Countess has taken the opportunity to step in for you.”
“Of course she has. Isn’t that sporting of her?” Sophia laughed.
When Sophia didn’t take the news badly, Jenks went on. “She’s holding court, from what I understand. She invited the Waldens to join in. They’re all in the drawing room now. Still time if you wanted to drop in for dinner. Wouldn’t she be surprised?”
Sophia waved a hand. “Let her have her fun. I’ll take a tray. I could probably do with a leisurely evening. Perhaps I’ll catch up on some correspondence and do some reading. Or, is Anna at dinner?”
“Anna requested a tray in her room to be ready in case you needed her. Mr. Kenner is working through dinner and will also take a tray.”
“And Mr. Grant?”
“He went to London with Lord Averford.”
“Did he? Curious. Gabriel’s business must involve Thornbrook Park then, for him to bring his agent along.” Protecting the estate in the event of divorce? She wouldn’t stand to get any of it, not unless he’d been the unfaithful one. “Or maybe Mr. Grant had some business of his own in London.”
“I’ve no idea. It wasn’t my place to ask.”
“I suppose we’ll find out in due time. Help me get a little more presentable, then let Mrs. Mallows come up if she wishes. Preferably with a tray. I am hungry. After I get something to eat, I’ll send for Anna.”
* * *
Alistair Morris, Gabriel’s solicitor, did not like the idea of Gabriel deeding any bit of Thornbrook Park’s lands to Lady Averford, not even a small parcel.
“Once it’s in her name, entirely hers, who is to say what she might do with it?” the solicitor argued.
“Whatever she bloody well wants. That’s the whole idea, Morris.”
Morris raised a bushy white brow. “Your father would not approve.”
“A good thing he’s not here to concern himself in my affairs then, eh?” Gabriel clapped Morris on the back. “I understand your concerns, but I assure you that my wife is a very capable woman.”
“Your wife? The same wife you’ve often lamented was going to spend you into pauper’s court?”
Gabriel shrugged. “She has become more responsible since gaining a true understanding of what it takes to run an estate the size of Thornbrook Park. I trust her with my land and my life.” And his heart that she held between her two delicate, snow-white hands. He was proud of her accomplishments, he realized. How many women could run an entire estate? Perhaps a good many more than he’d credited.
Morris’s vein-riddled nostrils flared out. “Trust her, do you? The same wife who was caught in the arms of the Earl of Ralston in your own house? By you, if I have the story straight.”
Mr. Grant,
standing off to one side, twisted his lips. He hadn’t known? Gabriel wouldn’t expect Sophia to have introduced the topic, but that none of the servants had mentioned it to him, the newcomer? Gabriel had to give them points for loyalty. If only Sophia knew how much they esteemed her.
“Alistair.” No more Mr. Morris. As far as Gabriel was concerned, the man had swung below the belt. Though he understood that his solicitor was only looking out for his best interests. “Let me be brutally honest with you. What happened that night was between my wife and me, the two of us, and no one else. You have represented my family for forty years, some years longer than I have been alive. But there are new solicitors eager to represent an illustrious estate such as mine, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take my business elsewhere should you insult my wife again.”
“Forgive me, Lord Averford. Sordid rumors do go around, and one has to question…well, at least try to protect a client from all possible events. Some men, not you certainly but some, are blind to the faults of their beloveds. It is my job to keep a level head and a logical outlook.”
“Love is never logical, Morris. I see your point. But I assure you, I am prepared to accept all consequences.”
“Your father would never have done the same for your mother.”
“There are a great many things my father should have done for my mother, Morris.” Keeping his marriage vows would have been a good start. Father had taken more mistresses than Gabriel cared to count. “I mean to leave here with the deed. How quickly can you make it happen?”
Hours later, Gabriel had what he needed, but it was too late to make the train home. “Looks like we’ll be staying the night at Averford House, Grant. My apologies. It was under my recommendation that you failed to bring a case.”
“I’ve done worse than wear the same suit two days in a row.”
Gabriel laughed. “We all have, my man. Rest assured, we can provide all you’ll need at the house. Sutton keeps plenty of supplies on hand for guests under such circumstances. Razors, soap. You’ve met my brother? I believe he’s still in residence with his lovely wife, unless they left earlier today.”
The Great Estate Page 15
