He offered his arm, which Eden accepted with a graceful inclination of her head. “Shall we find a place among the oak trees?” he suggested, guiding her a few steps forward.
Eden noted Gabriel watching them from the far edge of the blanket, a twist of excitement and guilt fluttering in her chest at the weight of his gaze, his jaw set in a contemplative line. There was something unreadable in his expression, part curiosity, part protectiveness, and perhaps a flicker of jealousy. The depth of his gaze stirred a spark of doubt in her chest even as Mr. Price’s voice droned pleasantly in her ear. A faint spark of anxiety threaded through her.
As they settled onto the soft grass, Gabriel strode forward effortlessly, his presence commanding yet unobtrusive. He offered a courteous nod to Mr. Price before turning to Eden.
“May I join you, Lady Eden?” he asked quietly.
Eden glanced at Mr. Price, whose expression remained polite but subtly possessive. Swallowing, she nodded. “Please do, my lord. There is plenty of room.”
Mr. Price rose, saying, “I will take my leave, then. I wished to speak with Thomas, and would not wish to be in the way.” Eden fought the urge to protest but allowed him to step away, disappearing briefly behind a clump of wildflowers. She turned back to Gabriel, relief and a trace of guilt warring within her.
Gabriel sat beside her, his green eyes studying her. He reached across the basket and plucked a small cluster of ripe cherries, offering them to her on a slender twig. “For you,” he said.
Eden accepted the offering, heart fluttering at the intimate gesture. She wondered if it was merely kindness or a manifestation of affection. Surely she did not imagine the emotions blossoming between them. The weight of longing nestled in her chest, fragile yet full of possibility. “Thank you.” She tasted the cherries, their sweet juice exploding against her tongue.
Gabriel leaned back on his hands, observing the others at play. Though his posture appeared relaxed, his shoulders were taut beneath his shirt, and his gaze occasionally drifted toward Eden. Lady Pavington and Thomas were deep in animated conversation about the upcoming shooting season, while Clara and Alice laughed as they examined delicate wildflower arrangements. Gabriel’s expression grew contemplative.
“Eden,” he said softly.
She turned, meeting his intense gaze. “Yes?”
He cleared his throat. “Mr. Price seems…enthralled with you.”
She smiled faintly, brushing a wisp of hair from her forehead. “Julian is a charming companion. He flatters me, but I find his compliments rather superficial. Still, my mother is charmed by him, and Thomas believes he would make a good match.”
Gabriel’s jaw twitched with something like irritation. “Flattery is his business, I suppose.”
Eden studied him thoughtfully. “You do not approve?”
He hesitated, then chuckled low. “No one flatters you better than he flatters, and yet…none flatter as honestly.”
Eden’s brow quirked. “I am not certain I follow.”
Gabriel’s gaze dropped to the grass between them, then met hers again, eyes fierce yet honest. “I flatter you honestly. I speak what I feel.”
Her breath caught. “And what do you feel?” she whispered.
His hand hovered near hers, inches away. “That I would rather spend this afternoon in your company than exchange pleasantries with anyone else.” He glanced away quickly, then back. “That does not go unnoticed by Mr. Price.”
A sudden rustling nearby drew their attention. Julian emerged from the wildflowers, holding a small spray of daisies.
“For you, Lady Eden,” he offered, bowing low. But his gaze flicked to Gabriel, darkening momentarily.
She took the daisies, her fingers brushing Mr. Price’s for a heartbeat too long. “They are lovely,” she said softly, then turned to Gabriel. “Are they not?”
“Indeed,” he said, nodding toward the path between the oak trees. “Shall we?”
Gabriel rose and offered Eden his arm. She slipped her hand into his elbow and allowed him to guide her away from the picnic. Mr. Price watched, a flicker of conflict in his eyes, but said nothing as they departed. His hand tightened at his side, and for a fleeting moment, his gaze followed Eden. The easy charm he wore like a second skin slipped just enough to reveal the struggle beneath, a silent weighing of what he might be losing.
Once they were alone in the filtered shade of the oaks, Gabriel’s restraint evaporated. He inhaled, releasing the tension coiled within him.
“It is untenable,” he said, voice low. “He courts you openly while I must pretend indifference.”
Eden’s heart sped. “You need not pretend, Gabriel.” Her voice was quiet but steady, and as she spoke, Eden reached for his hand. The contact emboldened her, sending a surge of courage through her limbs that steadied the words blooming on her tongue.
He pressed closer, warmth radiating from his form. “I do, because I promised Thomas. I do, because society demands it. I do because your parents expect you to make a better, less scandalous match.”
Eden placed a hand gently on his chest. “Are you more bound by society than by your own heart?”
