They were alone.
For several moments they stood in the peaceful silence, mere inches from each other in the foyer. A faint glow from the gas lamp outside the window and the fading fire in the parlor grate provided a sliver of light, but otherwise all was dark and serene.
Propriety would say that she dare not be alone with Gabriel, but after all that had happened to them that night, did propriety even matter? This was the most natural place for her to be.
He drew her close, and she pressed the side of her face against his shoulder. His arms tightened around her. “I’m sorry for what you went through tonight. I wish I could have prevented it.”
She sniffed and gave a little laugh. “I nevereverwant to go through anything like that again.”
“And you never shall. The fact that you even went through it at all will haunt me until my dying day.”
“No, no.” She shook her head, pulling away just enough to look into his eyes. “If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I insisted on getting involved, didn’t I? I really didn’t give you much of a choice.”
He chuckled but quickly sobered. “I can’t believe I didn’t figure out that Clancy was involved earlier.”
“And how would you have known that?” She smoothed the lapel of his coat before she let her hand rest on his chest. “Like you said, the two of you have worked together for a long time.”
“I missed something along the way. Tomorrow we will be questioning them, and we’ll know everything soon enough, but right now”—he readjusted his arms around her waist—“I don’t want to think about Clancy. Or Grenshaw. Or Gutt. There is only one person I want to focus on right now.”
Her heart sputtered in her chest, and she awaited his next words with sweet, breathless anticipation. How was it possible to feel so happy, so giddy after what they’d just endured?
Gabriel brushed her hair from her face, and his fingers tenderly skimmed her cheek. “I reckon you saved my life not only once but twice today. So tell me, my dear Ella, how does one go about repaying that? A simple word of gratitude hardly seems sufficient.”
Emboldened by the passion in his expression, she moved her hands from his lapels and wrapped her arms around his neck. “We never did get to finish our conversation earlier, in your office.”
“Hmm?”
“If you’ll remember, you asked me if I thought of you as more than a friend.”
“Ah yes.” He lifted his head playfully, as if finally recalling the interaction. “And if I remember, we were, uh, interrupted.”
“I’d like to revisit that, if you don’t mind.”
He leaned down so his forehead was nearly touching hers. “I’d be happy to. Before we were interrupted, I believe I had already shared my thoughts on the matter. I was waiting for you to respond.”
She could no longer resist the lure of his nearness and stroked her fingers through the curls at the base of his neck. “I fear, Gabriel, that my feelings on that matter have been decided for some time.”
“Have they?”
“They have. I think—no, I know—my feelings for you have far surpassed mere friendship. I fear, Gabriel Rowe, that my heart is now hopelessly involved.”
A smile curved his lips. “If we are to speak of hearts, then allow me to say that my heart, and everything I am, belongs to you if you will have it. Whether you knew it or not, you took possession of it weeks ago. In fact, when I was faced with the thought that I might lose you forever, I came to realize . . . that I love you.”
How sweet the words were. How beautiful and sweet.
He kissed her softly, gently.
She pressed against him and tightened her arms around his neck, reveling in the new and captivating sensation.
He deepened the kiss.
Never had she felt so safe, so happy, so connected to another person. She could stay here forever in his arms.
They remained there, together, for several blissful moments, until commotion sounded from somewhere in the house.
Startled, Ella pulled away. She turned just as a woman clad in nightclothes and carrying a candle descended the stairs. “Gabriel! I thought I heard something. What is going on?” Her confused gaze fell to Ella.
“Mary,” Gabriel said, taking a step back, “this is Miss Eleanor Wilde.”
