Gabby blushed at the very knowing, very male look in her husband’s eyes.
“You do look different, Mama.” Fiona studied her with a disconcertingly keen gaze. “Your cheeks are glowing and your eyes are brighter. You look very pretty.”
“Mama is always pretty,” Max said.
Fiona rolled her eyes. “You are such a sycophant, Maximillian.”
Gabby felt her brows rise at the same time that Adam said sternly, “An impressive word, although not one that applies to your brother.”
“I’m sorry, Max,” Fiona muttered.
“I’m not a sycophant.” Max scowled at his sister. “Whatever that is.”
“It’s a toadying sort of person,” Fiona explained.
“Where did you learn the word?” Gabby asked curiously.
“Olivia taught it to me. She learned it from her papa, who was describing members of the Queen’s court.”
“A word used in its proper context.” Adam’s expression turned to one of amusement.
“Context is important.” Gabby narrowed her eyes at her husband, which only made his lips quirk. “But no matter the situation, it isn’t nice to make judgements of others, for no one is perfect. Recall the proverb about glass houses.”
“Yes, Mama,” Fi and Max chorused.
Relieved and rather surprised by the children’s obedience, Gabby smiled at them. “Papa and I brought back presents for the two of you. After our valises are unpacked, we’ll bring them to the nursery. For now, run along with Miss Thornton.”
The children dashed off.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I actually missed the mayhem,” Adam remarked.
Gabby tried out a coy look. “Did I not provide enough excitement for you, Mr. Garrity?”
“Minx.” His eyes gleamed. “I really did create a monster. Lucky me.”
He was pulling her close when Burke came into the antechamber. At the sight of his master and mistress embracing, the ancient retainer turned a bright shade of red.
“Oh…beg pardon,” he said hastily.
“It’s quite all right, Burke.”
Flustered, Gabby swatted ineffectually at Adam’s hands, which remained clamped on her waist. He returned her beseeching look with an amused but unyielding one of his own. His words rang in her head.
From now on, I won’t limit my desire for you in any way.
Not even in front of the servants, apparently.
Her embarrassment gave way to her true desire. She and Adam had years of intimacy to make up for. If he wanted to indulge in public displays of affection, who was she to argue?
Relaxing against Adam, she addressed the butler. “Was there something you wanted?”
“A letter arrived for you, madam.” Burke extended the silver salver with the note the way one might hold out a steak to a rabid dog. “It is from Mrs. Kent. The messenger said it was important.”
Gabby’s entire being froze. A message from Tessa…it could only be about one thing. What happiness had pushed from her mind.
Jessabelle.
Aware of Adam behind her, she took the note with numb fingers. “Thank you, Burke.”
