Chapter 33
Mary was jolted awake as the carriage rounded a corner too fast.
“Oi!” Gabe thumped a fist on the ceiling. “Apologies, leannan.” He returned his arm to its place across her shoulders.
She covered a yawn with the back of her hand. “Mmm, it’s just fine, Gabe.” She blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked out the window from her position on Gabe’s shoulder. “What time is it?”
He squinted out the window towards the sun hiding behind grey clouds. “Nearly a quarter of seven, I would say.”
Mary sat forward and out of the circle of Gabe’s arm. “A quarter of seven? My goodness we must have nearly reached London!”
She settled back into her seat and smiled at Gabe. It was no wonder she had fallen asleep along the ride. The man had exhausted her with his lovemaking. Why, just the thought of it sent chills over her skin.
“Hydra will expect us te report te him directly. I have already given Richie the direction,” Gabe said, running a finger along her jaw.
“Yes,” she said, her eyelids growing heavy at the contact.
“Ye changed yer scent.”
“Hm? Oh.” She smiled. “Yes. I hadn’t the chance to use my new soap and cream until I washed at the inn this morning. I found it at a shop on Bond Street just after I received my new attire from Mrs. McPhee. I loved the scent, so I bought a small crate full. Silly, no?”
“Nae,” his voice had deepened and was rough as gravel. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, hooking it around her ear and her heart fluttered. “What is it?”
“Mmm?” She closed her eyes and turned her face into his palm.
“What is the scent? It is a floral smell that I cannae place… Wildflowers?”
“Lilac.”
He pressed his lips to her neck, kissing a place just under her ear and sending shivers through her. “Mmm,” his hum sent vibrations through her neck.
She tilted her head back to give him better access.
“Tha gaol agam ort,” he mumbled. It was the second time she had heard him say that, but she had not the faintest idea what it meant.
“Pardon?” she asked.
He stilled, then pulled her earlobe in-between his teeth. “I like how ye smell.”
Somehow, she doubted that was what he said, but she simply could not concentrate with him doing—oh!
Gabe cursed soundly as the hack slowly bounced to a halt. Mary groaned.Too soon!
Gratefully Richie did not open their door, so Mary had a moment to gather her wits, press her chilled hands to her heated cheeks, and pat at her fallen coiffure.
Gabe gently gripped one of her hands in his. “Donnae fash yerself, Mary. Ye look lovely.”
She grinned broadly at his praise, warmth spreading through her chest. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
He nodded once at her. “The rain will likely take it down anyway.”
Before she could say a word in response, Gabe swooped his head down to capture her lips in a quick, passionate kiss before he pressed the door’s latch and swung it wide. With a naughty wink, he jumped to the cobblestoned ground, his boots clicking and echoing off the nearby buildings. He pulled down the step, then held his hand out to her.
With a secret smile, Mary placed her hand in his and allowed him to aid her descent, not caring a whit that the rain pelted down on them in sheets.
The air, ordinarily thick with coal smoke, now held a dense humidity, as well. The day was warm for early June, the combination creating a damp stickiness between her heavily padded breasts. Yet still, her lips curved up in a private grin as she recalled the past hours in the hack with Gabriel.
They had been ensconced in their own little pocket of heaven, tattered and jostling though it was.
