“I’m . . . err . . . going to get dressed. Can you make some coffee?” His head snaps up to meet my eyes before he agrees, and I leave the room quickly, taking the stairs two at a time.
Once in my room I take a few deep breaths. My head is right; I don’t want to rush this despite how my body reacts to him. But then I knew it would. It did in private just thinking about him, even when I thought there was never a chance we’d be together, so having him right in front of me, kissing me... yeah, I need to slow down.
By the time I’m dressed and back downstairs, Gabriel has made the coffee and plated the pastries he brought with him.
“Thanks,” I say, sliding into the seat at the kitchen table and picking up a pain au chocolat and taking a bite.
“What are your plans for today?” Gabriel asks, and I glance at him in case he’s about to announce some grand plan, like when we were kids and he decided we were going to explore the forestall day or make a hideout in the copse at the edge of the heath. But then he wouldn’t ask, he’d tell me and expect me to join him, which of course I did every time. That he’s asking is very adult of him, and I can see only a genuine query on his face.
“Rest mostly. It’s been a busy week and I’m tired. Then mundane adult stuff like laundry and groceries. I’ll probably call in and see Pete.” I feel I ought to check in on him. I used to call him regularly when I was away and he’s the only family I have.
“Do you want to come to dinner tonight?” The way he asks isn’t casual like every other invitation he’s issued. I can see the way his face twists in an almost painful expression.
“You’ve told Immy and Mim about us, haven’t you?” I ask and his face scrunches up further.
“No, not as such. Immy guessed as she saw menotmurdering Oscar when we left the room, and she must have told Mother as she cornered me this morning.”
“They’re alright with it I suppose?” I take a swig of my coffee. I don’t have a problem with them knowing, but Gabriel has had a lifetime of being told where his duty lies.
“They’re ecstatic, especially Mother, and I only just managed to escape this morning.” I’m glad they approve, especially of me, but I know how over-the-top Immy and Mim can be when they’re not having to show their reserved British upperclass manners. Now the impromptu breakfast is starting to make sense.
“I thought you brought me breakfast because you wanted to see me, not just because you can’t cope with your family.” I knock my knee against his under the table so he knows I’m kidding, and he grins.
“Please come to dinner, Charley. I’m planning on spending the day schooling the young horses, but I have to go back sometime and they won’t be so bad if you’re there too.”
“Gabby, this isn’t like the time you stole your dad’s Bentley and drove round all the fields until you got it stuck in the mud.” I recount one of the many times I’ve been used as a buffer between him and his parents. He grins and nudges my knee back; he remembers those times too. The secret code we shared for so long, used now, makes my heart almost burst with joy. I sigh. The truth is, I don’t feel like playing the role of buffer tonight, and as I’m involved there’s every chance it won’t work but will only be ten times worse. I do want to see Gabriel later, though, so I have a better idea.
“Come to dinner here instead. I’ll cook us something. It’ll be just the two of us.”
His face lights up.
“I’d really like that. Thanks, Charley.”
He rises and comes round the table, leaning down to give me a quick kiss. “I’d better go. I promised Kirsty I’d be there by ten. I’ll see you later.”
“Be here at seven,” I call as he leaves. I slowly finish my coffee and then wash the cups and plates we’ve used. I can’t wipe the smile from my face, nor do I want to. I have no idea what I’m going to cook for him. I want it to be simple, because I don’t want to spend all day cooking—I was serious about needing rest—but I also want it to be special and romantic to show Gabriel how much he means to me. My mind comes up blank, but luckily for me I live next door to a chef and I send Simon a quick text to ask for his help.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
GABRIEL
“Where are you off to?” Immy’s voice echoes across the large hallway, and I pause with my hand on the door. I knew I should’ve snuck out the back door or through the garden room.
“Haven’t you got a home to go to?” I spin round, glaring at her as she saunters over, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. I’m starting to regret my decision to let her and Oliver have a suite of rooms here. They officially live in Spain, though, so it doesn’t make sense to keep a house in England too. We have more than enough room and I know Mother likes to have them here.
“Stop avoiding the question.” She stands in front of me and takes a deep sniff. “Hmm cologne, do you have a date?”
“No!” I say sharply. At least I don’t think it’s a date. Charley never said it was a date. Is it a date? I mean, I did take an extra long shower and I’m wearing my favourite cream shirt and dark moss cords. But that’s because I want to look like I’ve made aneffort, not turn up in my polo whites and dirty boots. Immy just laughs at me.
“Have fun, brother,” she says.
“It’s just dinner,” I mumble and slip through the door before she can say anything else. I mutter the same words as I drive a UTV down to the cottage.
If it’s just dinner, why am I standing in front of his door with a dry mouth and needing to wipe my hands on my trousers? I take a deep breath and stand taller. I’m Lord Sinclair and I’ve been trained for every social occasion imaginable. Except perhaps dinner with the man I’ve been in love with for years and found out yesterday he feels the same way. They don’t cover that in Social Etiquette 101. I take another deep breath and knock on the door.
“Hey,” Charley says, opening the door with a smile.
“Hey, yourself,” I reply as I enter. He’s wearing the soft blue sweater that matches his eyes, and I want to hold him, so I do. I pull him in for a kiss, wrapping my arms around him. It grounds me, even though it still feels strange and blows my mind if I think about it too hard, but having Charley in my arms and him kissing me back brings a kind of peace.
