“You will leave this house immediately. If you ever come close to the duchess again, I will kill you.”
Despite being wheezing and dizzy, Blackwell still found the nerve to sneer. “What are you, their guard dog? I’ll leave now. But this is not over.” With a malevolent glare, he staggered away.
Gabriel watched. Wondering if he had done the right thing by letting him go. Almost wishing the blackguard would turn around and give him an excuse to finish him. His breathing was steady, but inside, his thirst for blood had not abated.
And then Hannah’s soft hand slid into his. He held on tight as if it was his anchor in a whirlwind of violence. Her touch grounded him. Abating his bloodlust with a rush of tenderness. He turned to study her. His anxious gaze roaming over her face and body, assessing for any injuries.
“Are you truly well? Did he harm you in any way?”
“I’m well. You arrived in the nick of time.”
“In the nick of time? That implies he planned something nefarious. What if I had not been here... Bloody hell, Hannah. I can’t bear to think of the consequences. You must promise me to take better care. You must not go anywhere alone–”
“I know. And I don’t. I rarely venture any farther than the gardens these days, and when I go out, I always take the carriage and a couple of footmen with me. But today... Well, I was hoping to meet you. It was imprudent to seek this encounter, I know. I’m sorry, it’s just that I haven’t seen you in so long.”
“Don’t apologize. I wanted to see you, too. Away from the house and all the guests.” He ran his hands up and down her arms. Small tremors still shook her body. “You are trembling like a leaf. Come, let’s go to your folly.”
“You did? Want to see me, I mean.”
He looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Did you doubt it?”
She looked down at their entwined hands as they walked towards her retreat. “It crossed my mind that you might have forgotten me. Or at least, that you were trying to put me out of your mind. I wouldn’t blame you, but I —”
He interrupted her with a kiss. He couldn’t let her think for even one moment that he had forgotten her. She was the very air he breathed. He couldn’t forget her even when he slept. Pouring all the emotions he couldn’t express with words into the kiss, he possessed her lips until they were both breathless and dizzy with desire.
Desire that would have to go unsatisfied.
But it was enough to have her company. To have her delicate hand in his. To feast his eyes upon her for a few moments. It would have to be enough. Anything was better than the utter desolation of not having her.
When they got to the folly, Hannah tried to open the door to her retreat, but her shaky hands made it difficult to insert the key in the lock. Gabriel took the key from her stiff fingers and opened the door himself, ushering her inside.
“I’m such a silly goose. I’m still a bit shaken.”
“You are not silly. I’m terrified myself of what he could have done before I arrived. The few minutes it took me to get to you...” He enveloped her with a protective embrace, whispering soothing words to ease her fears and let her know she was secure. That he would always protect her. She winced. “What is it?”
Hannah shook her head. “It’s nothing. My shoulder is a little sore.”
Gabriel came instantly alert. “What did he do? If he hurt you in any way, I will kill him.”
Her eyes roamed his face with a puzzled expression. “You mean that literally, don’t you? I wouldn’t have believed you had that capacity for violence. Stupid of me, I know. After all, you were an officer. But you have always been so congenial, so steady. I just didn’t think... And yet today, fighting him, you looked... lethal.”
Gabriel looked away. Not wanting her to see the darkness. But she was right. His words were no mere figure of speech. He would kill the bastard if he ever harmed her. But there was no point in upsetting her any more than she already was.
“I regret you had to witness that,” he said, evading the question. “I would rather die than allow any harm to come to you or the baby.”
She nodded. “It was unnerving. But also a little thrilling. The way you came to my aid.”
“I will always come when you need me. You don’t even have to ask.” He drew close, pressing his forehead to hers. His hands roamed from her cheeks, down her neck, and over her shoulders. Re-learning her contours. She seemed softer, more delicate. And as beautiful as ever.
She remained still, allowing him the pleasure of absorbing the feel of her satiny skin. The inhale of her tender fragrance. Atlast, his hands slid down her arms and came to rest on the place he had been dying to touch. Her belly.
It was rounder, firmer. For now, her gown did a good job of disguising it, but already the changes were noticeable to the touch. It would get even bigger before their child was born. He smoothed his hands over it, pretending his child could feel the caress.
“Hannah, can I see it? Can I see your belly?”
She frowned, uncertain. “I’m so fat and swollen. It’s not a pretty sight.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. If possible, you look even more lovely while pregnant. How has it been?”
