He had a hold of the young lady’s arm and he dragged her down the pathway as he snapped and bickered. She clearly did not wish to go with him, but there was little that she could do. To make matters even worse, there were few others in the park, but they all took notice of the scene that was forming around the angry lord. Worse still, they did nothing.
“Disgusting,” Gabriel agreed. “Some men just do not know – what are you doing? Sophia! Where are you going?”
Sophia stormed down the pathway and toward the angry young lord. She wore a look on her face that would make children cry and so angry was she that Gabriel would not be surprised if fire began to spew from her mouth.
“Excuse me!” she called to the lord. “Excuse me! Yes, you. I am talking to you!”
Gabriel stood frozen as he watched her intercept the young lord and lady. His first instinct was to hurry after her, figuring she might need his presence if she was to talk the lord down and intimidate him. He decided on staying back to watch… curious about what would happen.
Is it so strange that a part of me almost feels sorry for this young lord? The poor man has no idea what he is in for.
“I think it is quite clear that she does not wish to go with you.” Sophia put her hands on her hips and glared daggers.
“Who are you?” the lord snarled.
“Who I am does not matter.” She looked right at him, her lips curled, her expression rueful. “What matters is that this young woman clearly reviles you, and if you know what is good for you, you will let her go and be on your way.” She cocked a warning eyebrow at him.
The young lord gawked. “Are you insane? Why don’t you mind your own business.”
“This is my business,” she fired back. “Now, are you going to leave her be, or do I need to make your day that much worse than it already is?”
Sophia was not particularly imposing. Petite in stature, willowy in her frame, her features were soft and innocent, while her thick lashes and large eyes were undeniable feminine. No man, anywhere, should worry about being found on the wrong end of her ire. And yet…
The young lord started… hesitated… looked around the park where he noticed people watching. His face hardened, Gabriel braced himself to rush forward and intercept him in case he did something foolish. But for some reason, the young lord relented and then released the young woman.
He took a step back and waved his hand in dismissal. “Fine. Like I care. Take the wench and be done with it….” The young lord offered Sophia a sneer, turned, and hustled down the path.
Gabriel stayed where he was, gawking at the scene that just unfolded, no idea what to make of any of it.
He had known that Sophia was different to most women, that there was a side to her that was bold and fiery and free thinking. That was why he had married her in the first place! But this… this was beyond anything he imagined. She was not just different, she was special. And better still, she was his wife.
A fire lit in Gabriel’s belly, it spread through his limbs and warmed him, and it reached his lips and his eyes so he smiled broadly for all to see. Not only was he proud of Sophia, but he was moved by her. She was indescribable, unique, and he could not get enough.
She turned, saw him smiling, and returned it. That made his stomach squirm as if he was suddenly nervous. He thought to walk to her, to take her hand, to pull her into a kiss…
No, not yet. She knows how I feel, and that should be enough for now. No sense risking making things awkward or worse. Not when we have all the time in the world.
Gabriel was happy, and that was what mattered most. Married to a woman he was starting to fall for, changing slowly into a better person, and looking forward to the future like he never had before.
“Are we going?” Sophia said as she appeared beside him again.
“Yes…” He laughed and shook his head. “Lead the way.”
And that’s exactly what she did.
CHAPTER 23
“What shall we do tomorrow?” Sophia asked Gabriel.
“You’re asking?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Now, isn’t that a surprise.”
“And what does that mean?” Sophia knew that he was just making fun, but that did not stop her from scowling at him as if she was upset.
“Just that in my experience, you don’t tend to ask. You simply…” He reached for his glass of wine and took a long sip, letting the silence build. Once he swallowed, he smacked his lips and set the glass down. “… do as you please, consequences be damned.”
She blew through her lips. “Just living my life as it pleases me.”
“A little too freely, if you ask me.”
