October 21, 1902
Gaby ran toher tiny garret in the servants’ quarters and flung herself on her bed. Tears poured from her as she relived the last few minutes. Jack’s reaction, his misreading of her intentions, and his accusations devastated her. Had she fallen in love with a heartless monster? Or worse, a Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? It didn’t seem possible. She knew the pressures he was suffering under, but she felt like she was on a roller coaster, and the ups and downs were getting to her.
How would she survive this latest disappointment and the truth of having fallen in love with a man so changeable and mutable that the slightest provocation could cause him to change direction midstream? He claimed to love her but didn’t trust her, which was irreconcilable in her mind. For her, there could be no love without trust, and it was heartbreaking to realize that was where their relationship stood. She wanted to shake him like a rag doll until he came to his senses.
She cried until her nose felt as red as Rudolph the reindeer’s, and her eyes were swollen to where she could barely see out of them. She stared at the ceiling, wondering how to make the best of a terrible situation.
He might have listened if she could only have told him everything Jenee and Iris had told her, but she could not betray their confidences. Emily had said to trust her, but what could she possibly do to make things right? Now, all Gaby wanted was to go home to her family and try to forget Jack.
But in the deepest part of her psyche, Gabriella knew she would never get over him. The only man she had ever loved seemed lost to her, and she didn’t know how to get him back and make him see that the only losers of this disaster were she and he.
*
Jack paced thegrounds of Nido dell’ Aquila, puffing on a cheroot. He was bereft, like a person in mourning, waiting for something to happen that would change everything he thought to be true. His chest ached as if his heart was broken into a million pieces. He wanted to punch his fist through a wall or ride Xanthus to the bluff, spur him forward, and gallop over the edge, disappearing into the rocky waters below.
Suicide—he’d never considered it in his entire life. Not even as a boy living in a loveless, motherless manor, or when he’d returned from Egypt and been devastated by Beauford’s ghastly deeds. He always rose above his troubles, swore to do better, and vowed to fight for what was rightfully his.
He’d tried to be a good son and live a worthy life, and then the false rumors began. At first, he’d paid them no mind, thinking they would disappear with time, as idle gossip usually does, but they persisted. He wasn’t sure how they traveled back to England from Luxor, but they did.
But never had Jack lost heart or belief in himself—until now. Thank God Kitty had believed him, although she worried over the damage done to him and whether it could be amended. But he didn’t really care whether he was accepted in civil society ever again. So long as he reclaimed his earldom and inheritance, he would be just as happy living as a recluse at Singly Hall, so long as Gaby was there. But now he’d certainly mucked that up.
Replaying everything he’d said to Gaby, he cringed with self-loathing. He’d seen the pain in her face, yet continued, cruelly taking aim at her as if she were the cause of his misfortunes. What kind of man would do that to the woman he loved?
And love her he did, more than anything in this world. Somehow in the few days since she’d come into his life, she’d become the source of his hopes and dreams—and look what he’d done to her. He’d doubted her sincerity, questioned her loyalty, and made her feel less than worthy of his love, when it was he who was unworthy.
He could take the coward’s way out and blame Beauford for his actions, but that would be a lie. Taking responsibility was the only course open to him. He needed to get on his knees and beg her forgiveness. And then, perhaps after his contrition, she might mercifully forgive him.
Then would come the hard part—penance. He had to make amends by giving her something she desired, no matter the cost to his pride or ego. Not a monetary compensation or meaningless words, neither of which would right the wrong he’d done to her. For Gaby, only an act of absolute emotional truth would reach her heart, allowing her to forgive the unforgivable—but where to start?
*
Emily rapped softlyon Gabriella’s door. She was distressed to see her friend living in the servants’ quarters, even though they were nicer than many in London. Still, she was mainly worried for Gaby after Jack’s rebuke. Emily knew her friend was a sensitive person with a fragile ego. Gaby was accomplished and strong, but her childhood had left her with scars, and a past relationship had left her with a broken heart—the bastard wine salesman who had not only cheated on her with women throughout the country but failed to mention that he was married. The creep was a serial cheater. Emily would have liked to kick him in the arse, but ladies didn’t do things like that. Still…
“Gaby, it’s me. May I come in?”
“Yes, oh Em, please do!”
When she opened the door, Emily was careful not to show her distress with the dismal, dingy room that reminded her of a prison cell, with only a tiny window too high up to provide much light. She did notice and took heart from the crockery and vase filled with roses.
She sat on the bed and took Gaby’s hand. “I know you’re in pain, but I promise you, it will all work out. I know he behaved like an arsehole, but give him some time to figure it out. Men are daft when it comes to love. They know how to deal with situations, but their emotional vulnerability sometimes overwhelms them.”
“I know you’re right, but he’s so unpredictable,” Gaby said. “The way he turned on me surprised me. I just didn’t expect it.”
“He’s an arse for sure, but I need you to be present for Iris. Her life truly hangs in the balance, and we must stay focused on helping her.”
“You’re right; I’m being selfish. All I want is to go home and leave this all behind, get back to my kitchen and family, and do what I’m good at.” Gaby chuckled through her tears. “It’s obvious I’m not good at love, but I can cook.”
“You sure can, as my thickening waistline can testify. I’ve been eating like a horse, but there’s nothing wrong with your ability to love or be loved. By the way, where in God’s name is the painting? Stefano told me that Jack has moved it, but to where?”
Gaby looked surprised. “I don’t know. I suggested that he hang it in a prominent place for all to see, and we’d find out what fish our bait attracts, but we’ll have to ask him.”
“Let us go look for it.”
“You haven’t told me what happened with Beauford and Cynthia.”
“Let’s start with the fact they are truly in love, and he is the father of the babe growing inside of her,” Emily said. “Iris was right—the baroness is at the root of his actions. She put him up to disenfranchising Jack. It’s all part of her evil plan to possessIl Letoand the time-travel portal. Beauford is the source of the lies against Jack.”
“I don’t even know what the rumors were, but they were terrible enough to cause him to be shunned from society and for his father to disinherit him.”
