Her mind wandered to Mortimer. What did he want? He must be successful at what he did for the East India Company, but why just show up? It occurred to her that word probably hadn’t reached him in India about the death of his two cousins. He most likely thought he was returning to England to take his place as earl, and instead found the title passed on to Vincent, who was the rightful heir. Until Vincent married and had children of his own, Mortimer would be her son’s heir.
Was that why he’d returned? She needed to bring up the matter with Gabriel as soon as possible. He needed to know her thoughts. After all, the situation could be as simple as Mortimer presented. Still, something niggled at her.
Chapter Twenty-one
Savannah’s mind had been made up. She would marry Gabriel. She had told him she would give his proposal some consideration, and after a couple of days decided she didn’t need to look any further. Gabriel was a reformed rake, and those, she understood, made the best husbands. He’d certainly proven that already. He adored Vincent and would make sure her son would grow up to be a fine young man. In addition, Vincent worshiped Gabriel, mimicking him every chance he got, regardless if Gabriel was there or not.
She’d been invited to dine at the duke’s castle this evening, and knowing Gabriel’s friend Parr had arrived, she hoped she and Gabriel would have a moment alone in order that she might tell him her decision. The duke’s carriage swayed from side to side as it now carried her to his castle.
Hopefully, Parr had some answers about her late husband’s long-lost cousin, Mortimer Dawson. The only thing she knew before was what little Mortimer had told her and what Parr had found out on his own.
The dowager countess and Mortimer had both been invited to dine at the duke’s this evening, but Lady Dorset declined. Grudgingly, she’d moved into the dower house a couple of days before and seemed to realize that living there, she could have her own life—away from the past.
Mortimer, on the other hand, had declined the duke’s invitation, stating a prior engagement with the village vicar, which Savannah found suspicious at best. She doubted the man had stepped inside a church in years. She had mentioned it to Gabriel when he’d come to visit Vincent the day before.
As the carriage pulled up in front of Gabriel’s castle, she said a little prayer that the evening proved to be as perfect as she envisioned it would. The evening was cooler than most, a reminder that autumn was just around the corner.
A footman helped her descend from the carriage just as Gabriel walked through the door. “Good evening, Your Grace.” He was the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on, and it wouldn’t matter if he lived in a shack in the woods. She would still love him.
He smiled and took her hand. “Mrs. Dawson.”
He led her through the front door, to the drawing room. A fire in the hearth beckoned them closer. She walked over and turned to face Gabriel, who watched her intently.
“Sherry?” he inquired.
She nodded. “Your friend Parr, did he arrive?”
“Yes, though he won’t be joining us this evening. Fool decided to ride all the way from London. His horse threw a shoe, so he ended up walking the last few miles,” he replied as he poured two glasses of sherry.
He crossed the room to pass her a glass, smiling the entire way. What was going through his mind?
“He must be exhausted.”
“He is, but looks forward to seeing you while he’s here.”
“Has he got the answers you were seeking?” She asked taking a sip of sherry. She walked over to a dark blue settee and sat, placing the glass of sherry on a table in front of her.
“He says he does, but we’ll speak in the morning.”
“I see. That means it’s just you and me this evening.”
He arched a brow and smiled. “Yes.”
“It seems a pity to use that huge dining room if there’s only the two of us. Could you have them serve dinner in the smaller room?”
He took a sip of sherry and nodded. “I took the liberty to have dinner taken up to my personal sitting room.”
Personal sitting room meant the one in his chambers. The one he shared with no one. “You must have been sure I’d agree to dining with you in your private chambers.”
He smiled seductively. “I did it on the hunch we’d be spending the evening discussing private matters,” he said. He reached over and took her hand. “You said you had something you wished to discuss with me.”
“Yes, I do.”
After a knock on the door, the butler entered. “Dinner is ready, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Higgins. I can handle the rest. I’ll set the dishes in the hall when we’re finished.”
She wondered if he was telling the butler they weren’t to be disturbed without saying the words. She was entering his inner sanctum, and not everyone was allowed there.
He turned to her. “Shall we?”
She finished her glass of sherry and set the glass back on the table. “Yes.”
He led her upstairs and down a hall to two massive oak doors. The duke’s chambers. A footman opened a door, and Savannah entered as she heard Gabriel say something to the footman before the door was closed.
She marveled at the heavy dark furniture. It was terribly masculine. She wondered how long it had been here. Near a long window sat a table set for two. Nearby, a brass serving cart stood with two bottles of wine, dessert, and an assortment of cheese and fruit.
He neared and helped her into one of the two chairs. He removed the lids from their plates before sitting across from her.
Roasted pheasant along with roasted potatoes and vegetables were neatly arranged on the plate. A basket of bread sat to one side. She watched as he picked up the bottle of wine and poured them both a glass.
“This is quite pleasant,” she casually remarked. She found herself nervous, her hands trembling ever so slightly. Never before had she been in a chamber so elegant, and certainly not one belonging to a duke.
“I sometimes like to eat here if it’s just myself. Especially on a rainy evening. The castle is drafty, but it’s small enough in here, the drafts don’t seem to bother.”
“How long has your family lived here?”
“I’m the twelfth duke, so we’ve lived here since the first duke was gifted the castle and surrounding lands. That makes me the twelfth generation to live in the castle.”
“That’s a long time. I could never imagine.”
“Everything is new in America, no?”
“Yes, for the most part,” she replied. She took a bite of the pheasant. I was delicious and could melt in her mouth.
“Do you miss it?” he asked as he watched her intently.
“Surprisingly not as much as I thought I would. Certainly, I miss certain aspects of it—my parents and family, friends, but not as much as I anticipated.”
Finally, Gabriel cleared their plates and set the cheese and fruit in the center of the table. He poured her another glass of wine before sitting down. She was nervous, unsure how to broach the subject of marriage with him. She decided to act coy and see how he responded. Knowing Gabriel, he’d pick right up on what she intended to say.
“Didn’t you ask something?”
He nodded. “Yes, and you wanted to think it through.”
“I can’t recall what it was you asked,” she teased.
He leaned back in his chair, picked up his glass of wine, and smiled. He swirled the liquid before responding. “I believe I asked you to marry me.”
“And I have my answer, Gabriel.”
“Go on.”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Setting the glass down on the table, he rose and made his way next to her, taking both her hands in his. “Truly?”
“Yes.”
He leaned in and kissed her—gently at first. The kiss deepened before it ended, and he smiled. “You’ve made me a very happy man, Savannah. What changed your mind?”
“My mind didn’t need to be chang
ed. I knew I would agree to marry you. I just needed to take some time for myself. It is a huge decision and one I didn’t take lightly.”
He sat again and swallowed his wine. “When would you like to marry?”
He was asking her. Not even Roland had done that. He’d simply arranged the entire matter.
“As soon as we can arrange it. Something small and private. Unless, of course, you wish something larger.”
“Small and private is perfect. I’ll arrange for a special license if that suits you.”
“That is fine,” she replied. “There’s much to be decided and done before then. I don’t have much, Gabriel. Roland left me little, as you know his shipping interests are now Vincent’s.”
“Since Vincent is an earl and has everything an earldom has to offer, how about we put anything extra in an account for any daughters we might have?”
“You’re sure?”
“I would rather do that than keep it.”
His thoughtfulness brought her close to tears. She wiped them away. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
“Come, there is no need for tears. This is a happy occasion, is it not?”
“Yes. Very happy.”
Then he drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “There is one other thing I must tell you, Savannah.”
She felt her heart stutter as the joy faded from his eyes.
“Years ago,” he said, “I was engaged to be married. I thought I loved Marie, and she me. But on the day we were to be wed, she eloped with another man.”
Savannah shook her head. “How terrible for you.”
He nodded. “At the time, it was devastating. I vowed I’d never fall in love again, let alone marry. But now...I find I want to spend my life with you, to give you everything I have. To have children of our own, if you would like. You have made me believe in love again.”
“As you have me, Gabriel.” She reached across the table to cover his hand with hers.
He turned his hand over and gripped her fingers, then gave her the lopsided grin she adored. “While we are here, would you care to see the duchess’s chambers?”
“That’s not necessary. We can do it another day.”
“Really, it’s not a bother. There’s a door over there that leads into the duchess’s sitting room.”
She’d forgotten the aristocracy partook in such practices. She stood and gazed at him. “Then show me.”
He circled the table to join her. “The rooms haven’t been used since my mother occupied them. Feel free to redecorate as you wish.”
Picking up a candle and taking her hand, he led her to the door that separated a husband and wife. Fortunately, the moon was at half and shone through the window. From best she could tell, the room was done in white, with furniture she believed came from France. Very ornate. The entire suite of rooms was quite feminine—from another era.
“I’d like to see it in the daylight.”
“Of course. I want you to make it your own, though I do have one request.”
She nodded as she strolled through the rooms. The wall covering seemed faded from time. He was right; it all needed to be redone.
“What is that?”
“I would hope you would sleep with me in my chambers, using yours to bathe and dress.”
“Of course. I’d like that. Very much.”
Setting the candle down on a table, he gathered her in his arms. “You’ve made me very happy, Savannah. I hope you’ll be happy here.”
Before she could reply, he kissed her. This time, the kiss was one of passion, of making his intentions known. She opened to him, her arms around his neck and her fingers intertwined in his dark-blond hair.
He ended the kiss with a hungry look. “You belong to me, and I intend to show you,” he growled with implacable confidence. He kissed her again, this time his hands pulled her next to his firm body. As he brought her closer, she caught the fragrance of his shaving soap and the man. She was so caught up in him and the moment that she almost didn’t realize anything else existed.
“Come. I will show you the rooms tomorrow in the daylight,” he said. He picked up the candle and led her back into his suite of rooms.
“Where is the nursery?” she asked.
“It’s easier to show you rather than explain, but I will tell you this. It is on this floor, but beyond a door that separates the nursery from this area of the house. There is another set of stairs to access it.”
“I take it you and your siblings spent a lot of time there?”
“Yes, of course. My mother, though, did make a point of visiting with us once or twice a day. She would come have tea with us, and she always came in to say good night. As I hope to say good night to you, with a kiss, every night from here to forever.”
His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her deeply, his tongue slipping past her lips to toy with hers. He tasted like liquor and perhaps cigars. She felt his fingers working her clothing until she was down to her chemise. Slowly, he pulled it over her head. His hands reached for her breasts, stroking them tenderly before he pinched her nipple. He led her to the bed and quickly undressed before kissing her neck.
“Gabriel,” she moaned.
She ran her hands down his back. He was nude, his skin hot to the touch. He lay atop her, his weight settling between her thighs.
She felt the tip of his cock nudge her as he found her entrance and thrust inside. He shifted back and rocked, gently, each small thrust pushing him deeper. He hooked his hands under her knees and lifted them over his shoulders. He kissed her mouth, then feathered kisses to her breasts, torturing her.
He was in control, and would make love to her in the manner he desired. She arched up, silently asking him to touch her more. She ran her hands through his hair and hung on, kissing him back and moving submissively under him.
He groaned as his hips worked a little faster, his cock deep inside her. She felt each thrust and moaned, wanting more. She arched her back and met him with equal fervor. She wanted this man more than life itself.
He broke their kiss and slid his fingers down her side, between their bodies. He pressed his thumb down on her clitoris.
“Come with me,” he rasped. His shoulders were bunched with muscle, strands of hair clinging to his face as his green eyes stared wildly into hers.
“I can’t.”
His thumb circled her nipple as his cock continued to fill her.
She arched her head and cried out, his mouth catching the sound. She’d never experienced anything like this before. He propped himself up on his elbows and kissed her gently as he made love to her, then threw back his head as his body jerked into hers. He called out her name as his seed flooded her.
“My God, Savannah, what are you doing to me?”
Slowly, he withdrew and lay on his side, pulling her close to him. Savannah had never felt such bliss before. She absentmindedly ran her fingers through his chest hair, feeling his chest rise and fall as he settled.
“I could ask the same thing of you.”
“What?”
She sat up. “I’ve never experienced the closeness I feel when we’re one.”
He smiled. “Good to know. There is so much more I want to teach you. That is, if you’re interested.”
“Yes. I want you to show me.”
He grinned. “I can’t wait until we’re married and don’t have to sneak around.”
“We’re not sneaking around, Gabriel. You have a houseful of servants who know exactly what we’re about.”
“Which is none of their concern,” he replied briskly. He got out of bed. “Brandy?”
“Yes, please.”
Someone knocked quite hard on the outside door. Gabriel threw on his banyan and stormed out of the room. “The castle better be on fire, or else I intend to sack whoever’s on the other side of that door.”
She couldn’t understand what was being said as the door to his chamber was closed. All she could hear were raised voices at first. Then the door shut, and
the chamber door flew open. Gabriel’s scowl told her something was terribly amiss.
He sat beside her on the bed and took one of her hands. “That was Higgins. Seems your butler dispatched a footman to come.”
“Why? Is Vincent ill?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“What’s the problem? Higgins wouldn’t send someone if it weren’t important. Tell me what it is, Gabriel.”
“Vincent seems to be missing.”
“Missing? Impossible. They should know him well enough to know he loves to explore at any hour of the day or night.”
“True, but he’s nowhere to be found,” he replied softly. “Mortimer is nowhere to be found either. They’re both gone.”
She gasped and clutched her chest. “Are you saying Mortimer took Vincent?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“We have to go. We must find him.”
“The carriage is being readied. Let’s dress, and we’ll go to Sky View. I’ll wake Parr. He might be able to help. He’s good at this sort of thing.”
She began to pick up her clothes from the floor and dressed. “Has Lady Dorset been informed? He could be there, at the dower house.”
“Right now, I’m not sure. If she hasn’t been, I’ll send someone to tell her.”
A few minutes later, she was ready. She pinned her hair back up as neatly as she could, her fingers trembling as she did. Her body shook with fear. Fear of the unknown and what had happened to her son. She rushed downstairs and found Gabriel and another man in the drawing room talking.
“Mrs. Dawson, may I present the Earl of Wexford,” Gabriel said when he noticed her.
“Mrs. Dawson,” the earl greeted her. “Please call me Parr. All my friends do.”
She nodded and asked Gabriel, “Have you told him what’s going on and about Mortimer?”
“We were just discussing the matter. After we speak with Higgins, we’ll know better which way to take the search.”
Wish Upon a Duke Page 17
