“Ah yes, that makes perfect sense. It must have been lonely for you growing up alone.”
“It was, especially during the summer as my father wouldn’t allow me to wander too far from home.”
“Understandable. Are your parents still living?”
“Yes. I plan to see them before I leave for India.”
She walked to another bush, the last she was going to clean up today. Mortimer followed. “I’m sure your mother will be quite delighted to see you.”
“She’ll enjoy the diversion from taking care of my father as he’s not in the best of health. His mind has begun to go, and I know from her letters, this distresses her the most.”
“He doesn’t always know who she is?”
He nodded. “No, and I’m afraid he’s getting worse, making it harder for her to take care of him.”
“Surely she could hire a nurse or some sort of companion to help her?”
“If my father hasn’t gambled everything away.”
“Surely not. He can’t be in a position to go into the village and game.” For a second, she felt almost sorry for Mortimer. He lived so far away, leaving the burden on his mother. She wondered what he would find. When was he planning on going?
“I’ll find out. Unfortunately, the damage was done before his mind began fading. The only saving grace might be that my mother’s brother took care of matters of the estate, and I hope he kept some money set aside for my mother. If not, I’m uncertain what the future holds.
“I’m sorry, though grateful your parents have a champion in their corner.”
“Yes.” He stood there for a moment, studying her. She could feel his blue eyes watching her. “I’m going to go. Perhaps another time you’ll join me for a ride.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied without committing. His entire situation was quite unsettling. Roland had never made mention of his cousin, let alone the problems the family faced. Why? Why keep this a secret?
She stood and watched as his figure retreated out of sight before walking back to the house to change her clothes. As far as anyone would be concerned, she was going out riding. It wasn’t unusual except for the fact she would be going alone as she went to meet with Gabriel.
This time, they would be meeting at his residence rather than the tower. She felt uncomfortable meeting him there since she learned the dowager countess obviously had her being watched. Gabriel had assured her she would be safe at his home, and he would send a man to meet her on the path where the two estates met.
She chose a dark blue riding outfit and, examining herself one last time in the looking glass, decided she’d made the right choice. Norma hadn’t asked her where she was going to ride, and it caused Savannah to wonder. Did her maid know? Was she one of the dowager countess’s spies? She doubted the former. Norma seemed to have no stomach for some of Lady Dorset’s shenanigans. But did her maid know she was meeting the duke? She detested feeling paranoid in her own house, but since her discussion with the countess the night before, she was left with no choice.
“I thought I’d wear the rose-colored gown this evening, if you would make sure it’s ready,” she told Norma, who was walking toward the dressing room with the dress Savannah had just been wearing.
“Yes, ma’am. That is one of my favorites, if you don’t mind my saying.”
“Mine as well. It’s not a color I would normally choose.”
The maid bobbed her head in agreement and disappeared, leaving Savannah to wonder even more. She shook it off and headed out of the house to where a stable boy stood with her mount. She walked to the mounting block and settled herself on the animal.
She turned her horse in the opposite direction of where she was actually going. Gabriel had told her to do that and how to get to his manor house without being seen by anyone. This was crazy, but even Gabriel was uncomfortable with the fact someone might be keeping an eye on them. He agreed it was probably the dowager countess, but until he or one of his men could confront her, he told Savannah to lay low.
Finally, she met up with one of Gabriel’s stable boys in a grove of trees. The weather was proving to be typical for English summer weather. For the first time in several days, the clouds had rolled in, threatening rain. Just as she thought it would rain, the sun came through a bank of clouds.
She followed the boy until the castle came into view. As she entered what had once been the bailey, she caught a glimpse of Gabriel coming to greet her. She rode her horse to his side and let him help her down.
“Did you have any problems?” He asked.
“No, none, but let’s go in so we can speak in private.”
He arched a brow but said nothing, instead leading her to a massive oak door. He led her to the library, where he closed the door behind them. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s probably nothing, but Norma seemed to be acting a bit off this morning.”
“What do you mean?” he asked as he helped her to a deep red settee.
“She didn’t ask where I was off to, which she usually always does, and wouldn’t look me in the eye. I found it quite unnerving.”
He smiled. “It might be because I sent for Higgins very early this morning. I told him what was amiss with Lady Dorset and the plan to have her move into the dower house. Then I mentioned the fact someone was reporting back to her, telling her everything going on with you.”
“That makes sense, then, and explains why Norma was acting as she was.”
“Higgins and I agreed it might take care of the matter, but we also figure it’ll draw out whoever this person is.”
“You don’t think they’ll stop?”
“No. They might lay low for a few days, but no.”
“We can only hope for the best,” she replied.
“Higgins is also going to ready the dower house for Lady Dorset.”
“That’s all well and good, but I still don’t think she’ll go without a fuss.”
He sat next to her and took her hand. “It’s a start. Hopefully, once she’s moved in, she’ll begin to enjoy having her own residence.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said. “Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Mortimer visited me while I was working in the rose garden.”
“What did he want?”
“He was heading into the village and invited me to join him. I told him I had other plans.”
He said nothing, as though searching for the right words. “Interesting. Anything else?”
She told him of her uneasiness being around him and what he’d mentioned to her about his own family. “I thought you’d want to know. I was hoping it might help.”
“Yes, it’ll be quite helpful. I wrote Parr and told him about the man just showing up, so he’ll send men around to investigate.”
“Now they can investigate the village where he says he grew up. I thought his property was in the north.”
“I intend to do just that. Anyway, I expect Parr to arrive soon. As far as his property, it is in the north, but there is an old family home nearby.”
She smiled. “That explains a great deal. Your sister will arrive soon as well.”
“Yes, and you’ll like Frannie.”
He ran his thumb slowly across her cheek. “Gabriel?”
“Hmmm?”
“What was it you said you wanted to discuss with me?”
His face turned even more serious that it had been. “Marry me, Savannah.”
Her mind danced around that word—marry. It sent a thousand different thoughts racing through her mind. Did she dare marry this man? Though she already cared for him deeply, love was another matter.
“Gabriel, what brings this on? We haven’t known each other two months, and you propose marriage?”
“Others marry in mere weeks. Love is something that grows with time.”
“You still haven’t answered my question: what brings this on?”
“I find myself falling in love with you, and now just seems to be a perfect time,” he replied. He
brushed her cheek.
She sighed at his touch. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with everything going on with Lady Dorset, would it?”
“No, though I will admit I’m uneasy with both Lady Dorset and Mortimer.”
She gazed into his eyes. “You could just offer us your protection if you feel that strongly.”
“It’s not the same. I want more. I want you.”
She kissed his finger as he ran it across her lips. “Will you give me time to think about it? I only ask because I have Vincent to take into account.”
He appeared disappointed, but regardless of her own feelings, she had to take her son into consideration. This was a huge commitment, and Gabriel had been the last man she would have thought would propose marriage. They’d had a tumultuous relationship starting out. Could they make it work? The last thing she wanted to have happen was to find herself in a loveless marriage, with her and her husband leading separate lives and Gabriel coming to her bedchambers only to use her body for his needs. No, that wasn’t how she envisioned marriage. This time around, she was wiser, and she knew what was involved, what she wanted.
“Since the subject makes you ill at ease at the moment, we’ll discuss it another time.”
She nodded. “Your proposal doesn’t make me feel ill at ease. There is more to it than just my saying yes.”
“Understood. Just don’t play with my feelings, Savannah.”
“I could never do that to you, nor would I.”
Slowly, with both hands on her face he drew her toward him. He leaned down and caught her lips with his. Her hand curled around his nape, running her fingers through his hair while the other drifted up to his chest. She shivered as he nibbled at an earlobe, making her shiver.
“Gabriel, someone might enter.”
“Anyone opening that door without announcing themselves knows they’ll be let go,” he replied.
“I’m not used to this.”
“What? Being with a man outside the bedroom? What about the tower?”
“That was different.”
“Should I lock the door? Or should I take you to my chambers using a secret passageway?”
“A secret passageway?”
He nodded. “Yes. Most old castles had them. They were mainly used to hide women and children during a siege or to escape the castle undetected.”
“And your valet?”
“Knows if the door to my chamber is closed not to disturb me,” he growled. He rose from the settee and headed across the room.
“Where are you going?”
“To lock the door. I’m going to make love to you.”
He dropped to his knees in front of her and lifted her skirts. Quickly removing her undergarments and parting her legs, he gazed down at her. Her breath hitched in anticipation of what came next. He ran his fingers over her hipbones before running his tongue along her folds.
She moaned low as his tongue pressed against her clitoris before sucking and making her quiver with anticipation. He lifted her legs and raised them over his shoulders and continued to tease her with his tongue. Finally, all the buildup exploded, taking her over the edge. He lifted his head and mounted her, grinding his hardened cock against her wet womanhood.
Hurriedly, she fumbled at the placard of his breeches to open them and spring his cock free of its prison.
She reached for his cock and found the tip wet. She smeared the wetness onto her thigh, then guided him to her opening. Another small orgasm raced through her as he penetrated her. He pushed farther.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered.
He continued deeper into her and pushed until he was seated to the hilt. He began to slowly thrust in and out as they established a rhythm together.
“You feel so good,” he gasped.
“Gabriel!” She cried out his name as she met him stroke for stroke.
Finally, he exploded inside her. Her name and other filthy words flew from his mouth as he finally slowed and pushed one last time. They remained like that for a few moments. He didn’t know if it were mere seconds, a minute, an hour, or a day. He was in utopia and never wanted it to end. He wanted to carry her upstairs and take her again, this time completely naked, where he could taste her breasts and feel the rest of her body against his.
“I want more,” he murmured. “I want to touch every part of your body. I want you to touch me.”
“I do too.”
“You do?” He hadn’t expected that from her.
“Yes. Is the tower far from here?”
“Far enough, but it sounds like rain is hitting the windows.”
“Drat,” she replied. “I suppose we’re left with no choice but to stay in your chambers, Your Grace.”
He laughed and kissed her. “Get dressed.”
They put themselves to right and then left the library and stepped into the hallway. It was eerily quiet, but then Gabriel’s servants knew how to disappear into the woodwork. Taking her hand, he led her into a small dining room.
“What is this?” she asked, eyeing the table laid out with food.
“I thought we’d enjoy lunch in here. I was going to have it served on the balcony, but the weather changed all that.”
“This is nice. Is it where you usually take your meals?”
He nodded. “Yes. The main dining room is far too big for one or two people. I started out having breakfast here, and it grew into eating all my meals here.”
“I like it. I wish Lady Dorset would allow us to take other meals in the breakfast room, but as you saw, she’s quite consumed by tradition.”
“As I told you, it’s your decision to make, not Lady Dorset’s. Hopefully, she’ll move into the dower house in a few days. It’ll make it easier for you to make such decisions,” he said with a smirk. “Of course, you could always marry me and move here, where you’d be my duchess and in charge of the household.”
“Gabriel...”
“I know, I know. You wish a few days.”
She speared a strawberry from her plate. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to have your carriage take me back if this rain doesn’t let up. I hope it clears up, or else everyone’s going to know where I’ve been.”
“And that matters to you? It shouldn’t.”
“I know it shouldn’t matter, but I have Vincent to think of.”
“As you’ve reminded me several times,” he replied gruffly.
He was letting his frustration show. He didn’t mean anything by it. As much as she really wanted to marry him, she needed to discuss it with Vincent. Ever since Roland had died, the one thing Savannah had been was honest and forthcoming.
“I’ll give you my answer in a couple of days.”
“About what?” he inquired slyly.
“You know very well to what I refer.”
Before Gabriel could answer, there was a knock on the door. The butler, Simmons, apologized for interrupting their meal and walked across the room to Gabriel to present him with a silver tray containing correspondence. Gabriel nodded and took the paper.
“The man is waiting for a reply, Your Grace.”
Gabriel nodded as he broke the seal. “Send him to the kitchen to eat. Tell him I’ll have my reply shortly.”
After the door closed behind the butler, Gabriel sat back in his chair and read the message. Savannah tried not to stare but couldn’t help herself. She found she was fascinated trying to imagine what the message might be about just by the expressions on Gabriel’s face.
“I hope everything is all right,” she said. She picked up a piece of cheddar cheese and bit into it. It was made on Gabriel’s estate and was among the best she’d tasted.
“This is from Parr. He’ll be here in three days. In the meantime, he tells me our runner has found out that Mortimer does reside in India, but does not work for the Crown.”
“Whom does he work for if not the Crown?”
“It seems he works for the East India Company. He procures spices and tea, along with salt.”
>
“Why would he lie about what he does?”
“I imagine because part of his job is to purchase opium.”
She shook her head. “Opium? That would explain it. Many people have mixed emotions about it.”
“True,” he replied. “Anyway, Parr states he’ll give me a more detailed briefing once he arrives at Brook Fall.”
She nodded. “You best write him a reply.”
“I shall once we’ve finished eating. I thought you would enjoy a walk through the castle afterwards.”
“Yes, I would. This is the only castle I’ve ever been in,” she said, picking up another piece of cheese. “This cheese is quite delicious.”
Gabriel smiled. “I’ll make sure you get a wheel when you leave.”
“Thank you.”
“It is made here on my estate, and enough is made to sell to a shop in the village as well as a couple of other villages.”
“What else do you make?”
“We smoke hams and sell them to some of the local butchers in the area.”
“So the estate is making money to keep it running?”
He nodded, picking up a piece of cheese and bread. “Yes. As with most estates, the grains are grown to sell, cattle and sheep are raised for consumption. The rest of it are the fruits of labor.”
“Does Vincent’s estate do the same?”
“Yes, though when the dowager countess got me involved, I found the estate had been losing money because some things were being neglected.”
“I trust you’ve righted the situation?”
“Yes. By next year, it should start to turn around.”
She nodded. “That’s good to know. I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”
“No need.” He speared a strawberry and popped it into his mouth. Gabriel rose. “If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I’m going to go write Parr a reply.”
“Go ahead. I think I’ll sit here and enjoy a cup of tea.”
“Don’t forget to try the pineapple. It’s grown in a greenhouse here on the estate.”
“You have a pineapple stove?”
“Yes,” he replied as he moved toward the door.
“I want to see it.” She watched as he walked through the opening and the door closed.
She was indeed grateful Gabriel was overseeing Vincent’s interests. He had some grand ideas. She would make some notes this evening and talk with Gabriel in more detail about them. If he could do it, why couldn’t they? Even if she accepted his marriage proposal, it would be nice to have Vincent’s estate make extra money. By the time he would be old enough to take over the earldom, he would have a comfortable cushion with which to run his estate.
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