Gabriel made her promise, however, not to say anything about their future as yet. He didn’t want her tied to him until the threat was over, and nothing she said could dissuade him.There’s no need to rush.You’re mine and nothing is going to change that.He’d given her his slow, heart-stopping smile.Once I slay the dragon, then I can claim the princess.
In the interim, he’d made renewed efforts at propriety. He’d put an end to midnight visits, much to her dismay. His reasons were sound. He didn’t want to ruin her before they were even engaged. He didn’t want to dishonor his hosts and damage her family’s opinion of him before he asked for her hand. He didn’t want to scandalize Freddy, her future son.
Thea knew Gabriel was right. She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t fault him for being a gentleman. The time she got to spend with him almost made up for the hiatus in the physical side of things. They were chaperoned by her sister and oft in the company of others, which prevented more intimate talks, yet allowed them to discover more about one another bit by bit. Or at least Gabriel was learning more abouther.
His abilities as a spy became apparent as he effortlessly culled information from her. He wanted to hear stories about her family, Chudleigh Crest… if any village lad had ever tried to court her. When she admitted that a farmer’s son had once shown her interest, the possessive flare in his eyes had pleased her to no end.
When it came to his own past, Gabriel proved more reticent. She gleaned a few more details about his family; it solidified her impression that his childhood had been a cold and solitary one. Certain topics continued to remain out of bounds. He shut down whenever she tried to ask him about his marriage or his espionage days. Whenever she became frustrated with his refusal to share those experiences with her, she reminded herself that a piece wasn’t learned in a day. It would take time to excavate emotions that had been buried so deeply.
Then the day of the ambush arrived, and her fear obliterated all other concerns. Gabriel and the men left for Covent Garden before dawn. If all went well, they would catch the Spectre and put an end to the madness. Although Thea trusted in the men’s abilities, she couldn’t stem the rising tide of worry. Even playing the piano didn’t distract her; her fingers felt clumsy and wooden. She hit a jarring, discordant note.
“Do you think Papa will be all right?”
She looked up from the keyboard and saw the anxiety clouding Freddy’s blue-grey eyes. He was curled up on the nearby settee. Dr. Abernathy had paid a visit this morning and declared the boy fit as a fiddle. The good physician had imparted other advice as well, sharing a new and exciting treatment that might help the boy’s falling spells. Thea couldn’t wait to discuss it with Gabriel… when he returned.
Quelling her fear, she managed a smile. “I’m sure that your father is doing just fine. After all, he is with my brother and Mr. McLeod. They are professionals and do this sort of thing every day.”
“You mustn’t worry, Miss Thea.” Freddy’s freckled features were adorably fierce. “I will take good care of you in his absence.”
“I feel better already.” Crossing over, she ruffled the boy’s hair and sat next to him.
“Miss Thea?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Are you going to marry my papa?”
She blinked at Freddy’s grave expression. Goodness. She hadn’t been expecting that.
“Um, why do you ask?” she said, buying for time.
“Because I can tell Papa likes you. He is always looking at you,”—the boy cocked his head—“and he is in better spirits when you are around.”
Warmth unfurled. How she wanted to tell Freddy the truth: that they would soon be a family. Yet she and Gabriel had agreed to talk to the boy together after the Spectre’s capture, and she didn’t want to break her promise.
“We haven’t made any decisions about the future as yet,” she hedged. “There are too many things going on at present.”
“Well, if you were to get married, I wouldn’t mind. Actually, I think… I think I’d like having a mama again,” he said shyly.
Oh, Freddy, I’d like to be your mama. So very much.
“Would you come live with us in Hampshire?” he asked, clearly warming to the subject.
Gabriel had told her how committed he was to improving Oakhurst, his country seat, and asked if she would mind living away from London and her family. She’d responded with the truth: as long as she could visit with her siblings, she wouldn’t mind at all. She enjoyed the pace of country life and wanted to help Gabriel restore his home to its former glory. To undo the damage that the generations before him had done.
Apparently mistaking her silence for reluctance, Freddy said in a small voice, “I know it’s not the nicest estate.”
“Oh no, dear. It’s not that,” she said quickly.
“Once, when our neighbor Lord Melville came to talk to Papa about the fences between our properties, his son Horatio made fun of the manor. I overheard him laughing about. He said,What a pile of rubble. Nothing works here,”—Freddy’s voice wavered—“noteven the heir.”
Unfamiliar rage rushed through Thea. She wished Horatio Melville was here so that she could give him a sound tongue lashing and piece of her mind.
“That is utter rubbish,” she said hotly. “Only a lack wit would say such a thing.”
“Horatio is the biggest, most athletic boy in the county. He wins at everything.” Freddy’s gaze lowered to his lap. “And I can’t even leave the bedchamber.”
“You’re not in your bedchamber now,” she said.
