“Just what are you doing?"
“Several things, actually. One is a letter I’ve sent to Bow Street, informing them of attacks upon my person in London. Also, certain members of my staff are on the lookout for strangers. Only a select few have been apprised of my suspicions concerning Cecil's perfidy. To do anything more at this point would be unwise."
Emily sat quietly, mulling over his words. She saw the wisdom in not declaring what Gabriel could not prove and, thereby, tipping his hand to so cunning an enemy. As she implicitly trusted Gabriel, she decided, for the time being, to accept his plan. “So, what can I do to help?"
Gabriel grinned in obvious relief to her answer before turning serious again. “As I said, you must do nothing, nothing but be extremely careful. As my fiancée, you pose a threat to Cecil inheriting. Therefore, you must be sure never to be alone."
“What of yourself?"
“I shall follow the same advice and be most cautious. Sooner or later, Cecil is bound to make another move. This time, I will be ready."
She nodded her head, seeing no flaw in what he suggested. Of course, the danger to herself could be eliminated if she broke off the engagement. In fact, with all of Cecil's attention concentrated on Gabriel, she'd be free to catch Cecil and his accomplice. Yes, she thought, that was the very thing to do.
“My lord, about our engagement. . . ."
Watching her expressive face, Gabriel almost wanted to laugh. She was adorable, so lovable, and the mechanizations of her mind were devious. Thus, when she tried to withdraw her hand from his grasp, he held fast. “What of it, Em?"
“Well, we both know that the reason we are betrothed is because of Cecil, and in all good conscience. . . I cannot, will not, hold you to it."
He searched the depths of her eyes, trying to discover love, yet all he saw was worry. For a fleeting moment he thought of taking her up on the offer, not because he desired his freedom but to ensure her safety. Cecil would have no reason to harm her if she were no longer his fiancée. Yet, he admitted to being selfish, for she would likely go home to the grange with Tom. He could not have that. He had to have her near, for he found he could not bear the thought of life—nay, a day without her. His world would crumble.
Besides, as he eyed her in the large four-poster, propped up against a mound of fluffy pillows, she appeared so defenseless. But he knew different. Gabriel suspected the moment their betrothal was broken Emily would once again commence her investigations.
He knew his enemy now and vowed she'd be well protected. Even if that meant protecting her against herself, Gabriel decreed silently.
But for now, he needed to win his wood sprite's love. He chose his words with care, relying on her instinct to save him.
“Emily, I don't think breaking our engagement would be a good idea. You'd have to return to Pendleton."
“But Aunt Esmeralda is here, and Tom comes over daily."
“True, and you could come for visits as well. But you must see that it would appear strange to the others as well as be awkward for both of us if you remained after breaking off our engagement."
For several moments, she chewed her bottom lip, deep in thought. “I suppose you are right, though it will only make it that much harder to break later."
“Why do you say that, Emily?" He still possessed her hand, stroking his thumb over her fingers, staring intently into her violet eyes. He knew the moment her pulse began to quicken, for her eyes widened, her lips parted, and the rhythmic rise of and fall of her chest increased. Slowly, he rose out of his chair, eased his weight onto the mattress, and pulled her to him. With his eyes fastened on her mouth, his own took possession of hers.
He was lost and he knew it. The kiss merely fueled his desire. As Emily offered no resistance, he crushed her against his chest, his tongue penetrating her lips. She emitted a small moan, and he answered with a primordial one of his own as he tasted her sweetness, smelled the luscious scent of her honeyed curls, felt her passion rise to meet his own. With fumbling fingers, he untied the strings at the front of her night gown . . . .
“Hey, Em?" It was Tom, calling from the other side of the door, and Gabriel froze, not daring to breathe. “Is that old dragon gone?"
Scrambling off the bed, Gabriel met the young man's startled eyes as Tom poked his head around the door.
“What the deuce's going on here?" Tom demanded.
“I was talking to your sister, my fiancée." Gabriel used his body to shield Emily while she retied the neck of her gown.
“Don't look like you were talking to me," retorted Tom, craning his neck to see around Gabriel. “You ain't married to her yet, and you better do what's right until you are. I'll grant you Em's game as any rooster for a lark, but she ain't all that up on some things. And, ah, courting is one of them."
“I assure you there is no call for worry, Tom." Gabriel advanced toward the young man and took his arm, turning him about to lead him forcefully toward the door. “You've my solemn promise that I will wed your sister and soon. Very soon."
From the bed, Emily raised her hands to her burning cheeks. She was about to protest when Gabriel winked over his shoulder at her as he fairly pushed her brother out the door.
Embarrassed and flustered, Emily climbed off the bed and hurried to the door to put her ear against it. But not a sound could she hear. What was Gabriel thinking, telling Tom he'd marry her? But before she could dwell too much on this, the redoubtable Mrs. Hopkins returned.
“Now, you get back into that bed, Miss. Here, I went and got you some tea and ordered some lunch.” Mrs. Hopkins fussed over Emily until she climbed back under the covers. “His lordship was most adamant that that’s where you’re to stay for the day. And no company either, according to the doctor’s orders.”
Emily didn’t know whether to be miffed or relieved. She hated being cooped up in her room yet figured Tom would surely find his way back to scold her. Worst still, how could Gabriel promise her brother that they would marry—and soon?
###
Despite the housekeeper's threats to keep Emily confined to another day abed, she was up and dressed early the next morning. She was eager to have words with Gabriel and, after sending Mrs. Hopkins to the kitchen on a bogus errand for a breakfast tray, Emily tripped down the stairs, headed for the dining room.
“I see your appetite has not been affected." Sylvia, with a smug expression on her face, was sitting between Gabriel and Chesterfield. It appeared that the blond cat had become wise to Emily and Jane's early morning visits with the gentlemen over chocolate and warm muffins. Even this early, Emily noted with disgust, Sylvia's toilette was immaculate, not a single curl out of place.
At least Jane seemed glad to see her. “Should you be up so soon, Emily?"
“Jane is right, Emily," Sylvia added. “I am sure any other lady would take to her bed for days after such an ordeal."
“But Emily is not just any lady." Gabriel's warm, almost caressing, tone contrasted sharply with Sylvia's strident voice. “You have recovered from your, er, experience, Emily?" he asked as his eyes took in her attire. Then he chuckled as she felt a hot blush hit her cheeks at his scrutiny.
To keep Sylvia from probing with embarrassing questions, Emily turned to Chesterfield. “Did I hear you say as I came in that there is a fair in Cheltenham?"
Luckily for Emily, this opened up a discussion on the merits of attending the fair over the more sedate alfresco lunch by the lake that had been planned for that day. While the fair won favor from all, Emily found herself at loose ends for the better half of the morning. Immediately after breakfast, Gabriel disappeared, supposedly to inform the other guests of the change in schedule as well as make arrangements with the stable for transportation. In fact, Gabriel wasn't seen again until everyone gathered to leave.
It was nearing noon when the party set out. The day was sunny and warm, and the ride should have been enjoyable. But Emily was forced to ride beside the landau. She listened to her aunt's strictures on the
proper deportment of a young lady while watching Gabriel ride ahead with Sylvia. Worse, Sylvia's trilling laugh kept wafting back and grated on Emily's nerves.
The ride to Cheltenham seemed interminable. However, after cresting the top of a high ridge, Emily spotted the fair pitched on a sloping meadow with its many tents and booths displaying colorful flags flapping in the light breeze. Her excitement grew, and she barely resisted nudging Marabell into a gallop across the hillside.
What Emily loved most about a fair was that all the classes rubbed shoulders, from farm laborers and the lowest pot boys of the great houses to the titled lords and ladies themselves. Nearing the fair grounds, a cacophony rose to greet them, the roaring of the crowd muting the shouts of hawkers from different side shows. Boisterously, they advertised such attractions as a bearded lady, a man that claimed to be part monkey, and any number of dwarfs and giants, clowns and harlequins.
Eager to lose herself among the milling thong, Emily turned a deaf ear to Lady Spivey's last admonishment to stay with her party. She kicked her boot free of the stirrup and prepared to slide off Marabell's back. Suddenly, Gabriel appeared and circled her waist with his hands. He lifted her off the saddle and possessively took her gloved hand to slip through his arm.
He must have sensed her excitement, for he turned to her aunt and said, “Don't fret over your niece, Lady Spivey. I promise to keep a close eye on her." He issued orders to the grooms about the care of their horses and the carriage before he proceeded to lead her into the heart of the fair grounds. Almost instantly, they were swallowed up in the crowd.
Glancing about, Emily saw they were quite alone, the others from their group having gone in different directions. It entered her mind that now was the perfect time to question Gabriel about his rash promise to Tom about marrying her. But Emily was thrilled with the attention he'd shown her since he'd helped her dismount. With a few words, he'd placated her aunt, and now, with the prospect of a sunny afternoon at the fair, she loathed to bring up any unpleasantness. The matter of their betrothal, she decided, could be put off until later.
They strolled among the booths, pausing to listen to different hawkers. Gabriel caught Emily eying a pig roasting over a pit behind one of the stalls as the aroma of hot loaves of bread assailed his nostrils. Leaning over, he let his lips brush her ear and softly asked, “Would you care for something to eat?"
When Emily's startled glance met his and a hot blush colored her cheeks, Gabriel laughed, glad to see the crease between her eyes disappear. He figured she was concerned about the fact that Cecil Caldwell could go about as he pleased. But he intended to avoid the matter for as long as possible. And fortunately, the fair seemed to be diverting her thoughts.
Stepping up to the counter, he bought two small loaves of bread along with a generous portion of succulent pork. Standing by the counter, he watched Emily nibble away on the juicy meat. From a wandering pie man, Gabriel purchased a slice of pigeon pie to share with her. It delighted him to see how she relished every morsel and washed the whole down with a tumbler of lemonade. In a society whereby ladies were expected to peck at their food in public, Gabriel was glad to see his Emily did not lack an appetite.
They stopped before a booth where Punch and Judy puppets were shouting and pummeling each other to the hilarious squeals of a dozen children. Next, at Emily's urging, they examined what was reputed to be the skeletal remains of a man who was half donkey.
At an equestrian exhibition they met up with Freddy and Jane. Sylvia and Ellison soon joined them, the latter wearing a look of disgust, which Gabriel attributed to Sylvia clutching his friend's arm. Together, they sat on low wooden benches. Emily, Gabriel observed, was utterly fascinated by the performance put on by two men and a lady, clad in a pair of balloon-like pantaloons. As horses circled the ring, the three balanced themselves on the backs of their mounts and jumped off and on while doing flips in mid air.
“How do you suppose they manage not to fall?" Emily asked, as wide-eyed as the children around them.
“Lots of practice," Gabriel answered.
“Don't look easy," Freddy added.
Ellison was less impressed. “Queer way of making a living if you ask me. You'd have to be some sort of fool to try it."
Freddy shook his head. “No, I think they're gypsies."
“What an odd skirt the lady has on?" mused Emily as the female acrobat dismounted a white stallion by somersaulting off its rump.
“I believe those are pantaloons from the Far East," Jane spoke up. When Freddy gave Jane an awed glance, the young lady blushed to the roots of her hair and stammered, “I read about them in a book."
Ellison dolefully shook his head. “Ain't the thing for a woman to wear pants."
“But those do not show the shape of her legs," Emily said. “And see how much more freedom she has. She could never ride like that in a cumbersome skirt."
With one finger laid along the side of his nose, Freddy answered in an overly loud whisper, “They ain't British, you know."
Gabriel, while inclined to chuckle over Freddy's succinct explanation for the performers' peculiarities, had an uneasy suspicion that Emily's questions were prompted by more than casual interest. “That is not something an ordinary person can do, Emily."
Without taking her gaze off the acrobats, she cocked her head to one side. “No, but it must be very exciting, all the same."
Tom, who had slipped in late with Prudence on his arm, chided, “Don't be beacon-brained, Em."
Warning signals suddenly went off in Gabriel's head. If Emily's brother felt the need to admonish her, surely that spelled trouble. “Em--"
“Oh pooh," she laughed before Gabriel could say more. “Not you, too, my lord. What harm can there be in daydreaming about doing such feats."
Tom had an answer. “It ain't ladylike, that's what for one."
“That has never stopped your sister before," Sylvia sniped.
Seeing the light dim in the depths of Emily's eyes, Gabriel decided to side with his wood sprite. "Emily's right, Tom. There's not a one of us who hasn't fantasized of achieving some daring feat. After all, where would this world be if we couldn't fall back on our dreams to get us through the rough parts."
Emily turned to Gabriel and rewarded him with a dazzling smile, though she made no comment. It was enough just to know that he did understand. And one more reason why she was finding it extremely difficult to break the engagement. Turning her gaze back to the acrobats, she was more confused than ever.
The show ended and their little group moved on to the next attraction. Emily was highly conscious of Gabriel's hand at the small of her back as he solicitously guided her through the crowd. By the time they gathered at the landau, it was nearing the hour for tea. Ladies Raines and Spivey had long since taken their places in the carriage, anxious to return to the Park.
As they passed the carriage, Emily noted her aunt's curious eyes on her while Lady Raines, looking particularly grumpy, said, “I am as open minded as the next, but all this mingling with the hoi-poli is hardly beneficial. It can only give them airs above their stations."
“Perhaps," replied Gabriel, putting his hands about Emily's waist, then lifting her on Marabell's back. “But it amounts for a fun outing."
“And you, Emily?" asked Esmeralda, vigorously fanning herself. “Did you enjoy mixing with the rabble like some republican?"
Before Emily could reply, Gabriel winked at her and said, “We all did, Lady Spivey, as well as your goddaughter, Miss Burke-White."
The only one who did not enjoy the day was Ellison. He confided to Emily on the ride back that he detested ladies who hung on his arm.
“Don't mean I ain't partial to females, mind you," the dandy added, giving her a meaningful look after glaring at Sylvia's back where she rode beside Gabriel. “But can't abide clinging vines. All that grasping quite tends to put creases in smooth lines of one's sleeve, you know."
Glancing ahead, Emily saw Gabriel politely listening to Sylvia
's chatter. He appeared the perfect host, although she noticed how he scowled every time his eyes strayed to Deborah and Cecil, who rode with Freddy and Chesterfield. Of course, she was disappointed that Sylvia had maneuvered Gabriel away from her. But for once, Emily was too preoccupied with ideas she’d gleaned from the fair to be perturbed.
###
At breakfast the next morning, Gabriel planned to entice Emily in a ride about his estate. More and more, he craved her smiles, her laughter. He was disappointed when his wood sprite didn't show and decided to ride out to see one of his tenants. He was headed for the stable when his bailiff waylaid him going down the hall.
“Good morning, milord," Gibson hailed him. “May I have a word with you?"
“Can it wait, Gibson?"
“I require only a moment of your time, milord."
Nodding his consent, Gabriel led the way to his study. Once the door was shut, Gibson came straight to the point.
“I thought you'd want to know there's been talk of a stranger hanging about."
“Have you a description of the man?"
“No one's seen enough of him to do that. Shies away from folk, and he wears his cap pulled down so it covers his face. He's been hanging around the west boundary mostly. I checked the old gamekeeper's place, and there are signs of someone using it recently."
Gabriel was silent for a moment as he assimilated this information.
“Shall I set a trap for the poacher?"
Gabriel caught the expectant glint in his loyal bailiff's eyes. “He's not a poacher. But he's likely armed and could be dangerous. Just keep an eye on the hut, Gibson, and report back to me anything you see."
At the stable, Gabriel ran down his head groom in the tackle room. “Have you seen Miss Pendleton this morning, Gresham?"
“Aye, milord." The gray haired man laid aside the bridle he'd been mending. “The little miss had me saddle up that mare of hers over an hour ago. Headed out toward the north pasture," the old man added with a knowing grin. “Ain't no cause to worry none, milord. I sent Jeb out with the little miss."
Still, Gabriel found this unsettling. With Cecil's accomplice close at hand--for there was little doubt of the identity of the interloper at the old gamekeeper's hut--Gabriel was now anxious to find Emily. There was no telling the trouble she could get into on her own.
The Hopeless Hoyden Page 17
