“It might be a bit chilly with the wind blowing over the cliffs. That’s the reason I wanted to take the curricle, but Mr. Marlowe assures me it will be more of a nuisance than a help.”
She laughed. “My coat is warm, and I am perfectly capable of a fifteen-minute walk.”
“In that case.” He offered his arm and together they left the inn behind to walk along the path that cut through low cliffs. He carried the picnic basket on his other arm.
They walked for a while in comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to talk. That was another surprise. How they could simply be. When they spotted the gigantic rock formation called Durdle Door, they started descending towards the beach through a steep set of stairs cut into the face of the cliff. She slipped, her heart lodged in her throat with fear, but Gabriel was there, holding her safe, keeping her from falling before her brain even had time to react.
“These steps are treacherous,” she breathed, still nonplussed.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Duchess.”
“Why do you call me duchess?” She was genuinely intrigued. He used her name often, almost as often as he gave her endearments. And yet, he persisted on sometimes using the formality of her title.
He shrugged. “I guess I need the reminder. Can’t let myself completely forget who we are and our proper places.”
She studied him. The words were said without bitterness, and yet she heard the pain. A pain that echoed in her own heart.
“I understand. This place, this time, feels almost magical. Far removed from our normal lives.”
“Yes. But the real world is waiting. Our real lives will intrude soon enough.”
“How soon?” She was afraid to know. As long as she didn’t know the exact day they were to depart, she could ignore it. But she was no coward. She had to face reality.
They had reached the beach, and he took his time to respond while they selected a spot to sit near the rock wall. Here they were in the shadow of the cliff, but at least the rock providedsome protection against the wind. The beach was deserted. It seemed they were the only lunatics who thought to walk on the beach in December.
“In five days,” he finally replied.
“Oh, I see.”
So soon! She wanted to cry. Couldn’t they stay here an entire month? But of course not. She was being silly. Christmas was coming soon. She needed to be back at the abbey by then. Not to mention she was concerned about Harold. She had telegraphed him the day after their arrival, to inform him where he could find her, but still...
“I wish we could stay longer.” His tone was laced with regret. “But I’ll find a way for us to continue seeing each other. Maybe you could visit my estate at Christmas?”
She shook her head. “I doubt Harold would be able to travel.”
“Of course,” he said, turning away. Busying himself by taking the blanket out of the basket and laying it on the sand for them to sit.
“I’m sorry. Was it terribly gauche of me to mention Harold? I don’t know how to approach the subject, or even if I should. This is all so far out of my scope–”
Gabriel took one of her hands. “Hannah, you should feel free to talk to me about anything. There’s no forbidden subject between us. Besides, I do want to talk about the duke. He is...” He hesitated. She thought he was about to say the duke was his father, but then he finished, “He is the man who sired me. I want to learn more about him.”
“Thank you, Gabriel.”
“For what?” He looked genuinely puzzled. As if he didn’t understand what a precious gift his open attitude was to her.
“For putting me at ease. For giving me the freedom to speak my mind. You can ask me anything you want as well.”
“Anything?” he asked, and there was a hint of a tease in his stormy eyes. Eyes that looked so much like the sea on this winter morning.
Her lips twitched in response, dispelling the rioting emotions of the moment, as was no doubt his intent. “Well, you can ask. I can’t promise that I will answer.”
“Yes, you will,” he said, helping her sit on the blanket and sprawling next to her. “I will get you to tell me all your secrets.”
She laughed. “I have no secrets. At least none that you don’t know. My life has been exceedingly dull until we embarked on this adventure.”
“Everybody has secrets.”
“Do you have secrets?”
