“He’s a stubborn one that one is. Ye would do well to remember that whenever ye’re dealing with Mr. Gabriel Burns.”
With that opening, Nessa decided to find out just as much about Gabriel Burns as Cordelia was willing to share. If she knew the inside story of the handsome man it might answer her suspicions as to why he was so avid in his pursuit.
“Cordelia, tell me. Is he really as nice as he seems or am I dealing with just another wolf in sheep’s clothing?”
As she rubbed her thumb across her plump chin, Cordelia gave Nessa a quick up and down. “Ye don’t think very highly of yourself, do ye? At least not when it comes to your looks?”
Taken aback, Nessa really didn’t know what to say. Cordelia’s observation wasn’t what she’d expected. She was looking for answers about Gabriel’s ardent behavior, not an observation of her own insecurities. “I’m honest about my looks. I may not be anything special, but what’s that got to do with Gabriel?”
“How can I say this without ye taking it the wrong way?” Cordelia circled Nessa’s body, frowning as she gestured up and down Nessa’s tiny frame. “Gabriel has always been attracted to the underdog; shall we say? A woman who’s unaware of her own worth in this world is more tempting to him than a rare vintage wine.”
A coldness settled over Nessa as she returned Cordelia’s unwanted appraisal. “Look, I know I’m an excellent archeologist. I know I have a sharp mind. But that said, I’m also smart enough to realize that I’m nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to looks.”
“Ah…but don’t ye see? There’s your beauty in Gabriel’s eyes. Deep inside ye don’t think ye deserve the attention of a man like him. In your mind, ye don’t think of yourself as his equal. Ye might say ye see yourself as a bit of a lesser class.” Cordelia shook her finger in Nessa’s face as she nodded her head with each of her words.
How dare this woman stand there and psychoanalyze her. Nessa’s growing dislike for Cordelia simmered up at least a couple of notches. “So, what are you saying, Cordelia? Are you telling me Gabriel is only attracted to me because he thinks once he’s got me hooked, he’ll be able to dominate me, that I’ll do anything to make him mine? Are you telling me he thinks I’m so insecure that I’ll bow to his every whim?” Nessa’s voice shook with humiliation. It infuriated her that Cordelia had voiced what Nessa had suspected all along.
“Oh, no!” Cordelia pulled a horrified face, shaking her head as she glanced toward the opening of the tent. “What I’m telling ye is that Gabriel is attracted to women such as yourself. It…it…angers, that’s the word, it angers him that society has made it so difficult for a woman to know her true worth. Society needs to learn to see...to see…to see beauty in every shape and form! It’s almost as though building up your self-confidence is his…is his calling, a duty to which he feels honor bound. But if the two of ye do happen to fall in love, you’ll never find a more devoted man.” Cordelia stammered and sputtered her words, wringing her pudgy hands in front of her.
This conversation had gone past the point of ridiculous. Nessa smelled a rat. Why was Cordelia so nervous? Why did she keep glancing at the tent? The woman was obviously having trouble remembering her speech. If she hadn’t been so irritated, Nessa would’ve laughed. She was positive Cordelia watched to see if she believed the words she spouted. Nessa didn’t trust her. Just looking at the woman ticked her off.
Nessa hugged herself as she stood there, tapping her foot. This was just great. She would’ve liked to find a nice relationship but she wasn’t about to become a cowering bitch on a leash. It sounded as though Gabriel Burns was looking for a woman with such low self-esteem, she’d never mind walking at least two paces behind him. And there was just something odd about the nervous emotions flashing in Cordelia’s eyes. Something was wrong with Mr. Gabriel Burns, and Cordelia had just confirmed it.
Her heart fell as she realized she was going to cut this relationship off before it ever got started. Her past experiences with men had always ended in disappointment and it appeared this one wasn’t going to be any different. Great. This day just kept getting better. A perfect finale for last night’s fiasco.
“Well, I think it’s a little early for discussions about devotion,” Nessa snapped as they walked through the door. Nessa motioned Cordelia inside with a snap of the canvas flap and looked toward the corner where Gabriel sat with his foot propped in a chair.
“Devotion? What has this wee minx been telling ye about devotion?” Gabriel eased his foot down out of the seat. His lips curled into his predatory smile as he edged his way up onto his crutches.
Planting both hands on her ample hips, Cordelia adopted her fiercest stance. “Nothing about devotion, ye great hulking beast. Just a good deal about stubbornness and how strongly ye embrace that trait. Now on your way and into the car with ye or I’ll be bringing Mother over to box your ears.” She urged Gabriel toward the door, casting an apologetic smile at Nessa as she passed.
Gabriel paused in front of Nessa on his way out. “I’m determined, lass, to hear a yes. So ye promise? As soon as I’m released from this tyrant, we’ll retry our first date?” Gabriel leaned closer. He fixed her with his most beguiling smile and waited.
Nessa forced the irritation out of her voice and phrased her careful reply. “I promise I will think about it, Gabriel. Now listen to Cordelia and try to get some rest.” She took a slight step back. Her heart sank with renewed disappointment. Even with the odd misgivings she’d felt around Gabriel, she’d hoped there was a little bit of excitement to be found. Now even the thrill of a new chase was gone. As it turned out, she’d only been wasting her time.
A puzzled look shadowed his face. Gabriel didn’t miss Nessa’s step away. He tilted his head and studied her. His eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer and balanced himself with his crutches and one uninjured leg. “I’ll ring ye tomorrow then?”
Nessa slid another step back, shrugging as she crossed her arms over her chest. “With the new find, I’ll probably be out of pocket all week. But you can always leave a message.”
Gabriel’s smile disappeared at Nessa’s silent dismissal. “Very well then.” With a curt nod, he turned and left without another word.
Leaning across her desk, Trish’s face reddened as she held her tongue while Gabriel and Cordelia made their way to the car. She bit her lip until she saw they were well out of earshot and then she exploded. “Okay, Nessa. Out with it! Would you mind telling me just what the hell that little dance was all about?”
Nessa dropped into the chair behind the desk and pillowed her head in her arms. In a muffled voice filled with despair, she barely peeped above her arms as she replied, “What little dance?”
Trish rose to circle Nessa with her hands on her hips and wiggled her butt to a little jig. “You know what I’m talking about. Your obvious pink slip to Gabriel and the body language that’s clearly hanging out the sign that says this chick’s not for sale.”
Trish perched on the corner of Nessa’s desk and patted her friend’s dark curly head. “I thought you said you liked him. You said last night that if not for the wreck, the evening had started out kind of okay.”
Nessa propped her head and pinched the bridge of her nose, squinting her burning eyes for relief. “Things change, okay? Maybe I don’t know what I like anymore. All I know is that I’m tired.”
Trish pursed her lips and bent her head, scowling at Nessa with determination. “What you need is some fresh air and a change of scenery. The MacKays just called and invited us over for tea. Come on. Get your jacket.” Trish swatted Nessa’s shoulder with a handful of papers and hopped off the corner of her desk.
Nessa shook her head. She slumped back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “I am not going. I do not like tea. I’m tired. Nightmares kept me up all night. Besides, the students have made a significant find that requires my presence here.”
Trish tapped one foot and motioned toward the outer flap of the tent. “You have to go. I already told them we’d be happy to come. Besides, Fiona says Brodie has several brothers that she’d be more than happy to introduce us to. Come on. Some new faces will make you feel better.”
“I said I’m not going,” Nessa snapped. What little control she had left crumbled away as she stood up from her chair. “I am sick and tired of your hormones dragging me around from one disappointment to the next. From now on, Trish leave me out of your sexual scavenger hunts. If I want companionship, I will get myself a dog. Heaven knows they’re the only creatures on earth capable of unconditional love.”
