Gabriel had faced a hard past: contracts, scandals, men who smiled while attempting to ruin him, but nothing quite prepared him for Amelia’s sister.
Bethany cornered him near the edge of the receiving room while guests still milled about in celebration, wine flowing, laughter echoing through the manor. Bethany stood with her arms folded, her expression far too pleased for someone issuing what was clearly a warning.
“You hurt my sister,” she said lightly, tilting her head, “and I will haunt you. I am quite inventive. I can make your life miserable in at least twelve different ways without breaking a sweat.”
Gabriel blinked once. Then, after a beat, he gave her a slow nod. “I understand completely.”
Bethany narrowed her eyes. “That was not the reaction I was hoping for. You are supposed to look frightened.”
“I am,” he replied gravely. “Deeply.”
That earned him a suspicious squint, as if she did not entirely believe him but was willing to accept effort.
Amelia appeared beside them before Bethany could escalate further, slipping her hand into Gabriel’s as though anchoring herself there without thinking. The gesture alone eased something in him he had not realized was still tense.
“I assume you are threatening my husband,” Amelia said calmly.
“Only lightly,” Bethany replied. “For tradition.”
Gabriel exhaled something that might have been a laugh.
Then, more seriously, he turned back to Bethany. “For what it is worth,” he said, voice steady, “I intend to spend the rest of my life ensuring she is happy. Nothing less.”
Bethany studied him for a long moment. Then she nodded once. “Good,” she said simply. “Because if you fail, I will absolutely make good on my earlier promise.”
Amelia groaned softly. “I am surrounded by lunatics.”
“You married one,” Bethany pointed out helpfully.
Gabriel chose not to argue with that assessment and smiled.
David rushed over like a small storm of excitement, clinging briefly to Amelia’s hand, then Gabriel’s coat, then anyone who would listen. His voice carried above the remaining chatter.
“We have a big family now!” he declared, eyes bright. “And cousins! Lilly and Nadia! And more people!”
Gabriel crouched slightly to his level, unable to hide the faint smile tugging at his mouth. “That is correct.”
David’s face lit up further. “I like it.”
Amelia laughed softly beside them. “That is very good to hear.”
David tilted his head thoughtfully, then looked up at Gabriel. “Will there be more?”
“More what?” Gabriel asked.
“Family,” David said as though it were obvious. “More children. More cousins. More everything.”
Gabriel hesitated only briefly. Something in Amelia’s expression softened beside him, though she said nothing.
Then he asked carefully, “Would you like a little brother or sister one day?”
David froze. Then his entire face transformed.
“Yes,” he said immediately. “Yes, I would like that very much. A very small one. I would teach them things.”
Gabriel felt something unfamiliar tighten in his chest. No discomfort. Something warmer.
For family.
