Gabriella tried to believe everything Emily said, but her thoughts returned to the baroness and her motives. The less contact she had with this annoying woman, the better.
A premonition crawled up her spine, that the baroness meant her harm. Of course she did. She wanted her stepdaughter to marry Jack and saw Gabriella as a threat.
But Gaby couldn’t help but think there was more to it. She just hoped that Jack didn’t do anything rash. If he did, she would have no choice but to return to the present day without telling him who she really was.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maremma, Italy
October 20, 1902
Two hours later,Gabriella was picking fresh herbs for dinner when a carriage drove up the long drive and stopped in front of the villa. Jack jumped out, and Jenee helped him gather Cynthia into his arms. He carried her into the house, with Jenee and Xavier following close behind.
Gabriella wistfully remembered what it felt like to be held in those strong arms. It was a feeling of security compared to none other. A twinge of jealousy coursed through her veins, and she tried not to let it get the better of her.
She wanted to believe that they would overcome the obstacles that arose at every turn in the road. How odd that from the moment she “landed,” she’d tried to avoid telling Jack anything about herself, but now she was desperate to tell him the truth. Would he believe her?
The blood drained from her face as she wondered what she would do if he didn’t. Then again, Em and Jen, their husbands, and Iris were there to confirm her story. But Colin and Xavier were completely and utterly in love with Em and Jen. They had believed them. But what if Jack wasn’t in love with her? After all, he hadn’t declared his affections. Gaby figured he had feelings for her that went beyond a physical attraction. But what if finding out the truth was too much? What if it only propelled him into Cynthia’s arms? Facing a future without Jack would be unbearable.
She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Antonio call out from the kitchen, nor did she hear his approach until he was upon her. “Gabriella, Lady Remington has requested tea in her rooms, and she asked that you bring it to her.”
Gabriella wiped her hands on her apron. “Of course. Thank you, Antonio.” She was anxious to talk to her friends. She wanted to tell them everything, and together they needed to figure out what to do about the painting.
Carefully balancing the tray, Gabriella walked down the hallway. As she passed Jack’s room, she was tempted to knock. Still, she didn’t, because explaining everything to him while holding a tray and standing in the hallway would be impossible.
Jack emerged from Cynthia’s room as if he’d heard her thoughts, and when their eyes met, Gaby froze. The tray shook, and the teapot and cups rattled. Jack rushed to her, grabbing her elbows and steadying her. His eyes glowed as clear and blue as a mountain tarn, and the touch of his hands awoke the embers of love that sparked when he was near.
Finding her voice, she stumbled over her words. “H-how is Cynthia?”
His beautiful lips curved up in a smile. “She will recover. Her injuries are not life-threatening. How are you? I hated staying behind without you, but it was my duty. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I understand. Cynthia’s injury required immediate attention, and there was no point in the group remaining there. We would have only gotten in the way.”
His hands still cupped her elbows, and he looked down with consternation. “I see you are once more the servant girl delivering tea.”
The tray in her hands remained a barrier between them. Perhaps it was just as well. It kept them at a circumspect distance; otherwise, Lord knew she might have wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his.
“Y-yes.” Her passion-filled thoughts sent a rush of blood to her cheeks, and a wave of heat below that made her quiver. “Lady Remington requested I bring her tea.”
Jack’s brows rose, and Gabriella wanted to tell him everything right then and there, but she couldn’t. Not in the hallway.
“Emily and I are friends. Jack,” she whispered. “I promise to explain everything soon. I have so much to tell you.”
“I suspected there was something between you and Lady Remington. I confess I look forward to hearing more about this friendship of yours. You continue to surprise me, Gaby, but why would I not believe you? I do not imagine you are a spy, a foreign agent from the Americas, or an art thief…” Amusement curled his lips into a smile. “Although, given you were the one who found the Allegretto painting, I am more than curious to hear what you have to tell me.”
“I am not a spy, a foreign agent, or an art thief, but the painting is why I am here.”
Jack’s brow furrowed. “Dear Lord, Gaby, what folderol is this? You have set my head reeling.”
“I cannot explain this to you now, but I swear I will enlighten you at the first opportunity.”
“I shan’t be able to think of anything else until you do. When might this meeting of ours take place?”
“I—uh—after dinner. Perhaps you can steal away. I’ll meet you in your bedchamber.”
She saw the excitement that lit his eyes and wanted to kick herself. Maybe meeting alone in his bedroom wasn’t such a good idea. Being in such close proximity to him and that big bed might be too great a temptation.
“Would you prefer the stable? I could meet you there.” The sensible part of her hoped he would agree to the stable, but the head-over-heels-in-love part prayed for the bedroom.
