John blinked. “A ball?”
“Must you repeat everything I say?” Gabriel groaned.
John laughed loudly enough to attract several curious glances from nearby tables. “You are hosting a ball? Have you suffered a head injury? That is not like you at all.”
Gabriel resisted the urge to throw a drink at him. “It is for Valerie. Her debut is approaching. I thought it might benefit her to spend time among country society before London.”
John nodded thoughtfully. “A sensible idea. Better to practice among neighbors before being thrown into the lion’s den.”
The food arrived moments later: steaming bowls of thick stew accompanied by fresh bread, wedges of cheese, and ale.
Both men turned their attention to the meal. Gabriel realized he was hungrier than expected and ate several spoonfuls before speaking again.
Around them, the tavern continued buzzing with conversation and laughter. Gabriel delighted in overhearing the chatter as people discussed tenant concerns, crop yields, repairs to cottages, and several village disputes. It was all wonderfully straightforward compared to the chaos currently unfolding in his household.
I could listen to this all day instead of the bold words of a certain woman with golden hair.
Eventually, John set down his spoon and fixed Gabriel with a suspicious look. “I find myself wondering something.”
Gabriel immediately regretted coming.
“What?” he asked flatly, setting down his spoon with more force than necessary.
John smiled over the rim of his tankard, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“I wonder whether a certain governess is the true reason you wished to escape home,” he said, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms.
Gabriel closed his eyes briefly and pinched the bridge of his nose.
I should not have come and sent a written invitation instead.
“There it is,” John said triumphantly, pointing at him as though he had just solved a complicated medical mystery.
“There is nothing,” Gabriel replied, opening his eyes and reaching for his ale.
“There is absolutely something,” John countered, wagging a finger at him while struggling not to laugh.
Gabriel returned to his meal with deliberate concentration. Unfortunately, John remained undeterred.
“You’ve changed,” the physician continued. “The entire household has changed.”
Gabriel refused to respond.
“Miss Amelia has certainly caused a stir,” John said.
Still, Gabriel remained silent.
“And yet you haven’t dismissed her as I would have expected you would,” John said.
“John… do not,” Gabriel started.
“Do not what? Point out the obvious?” John continued.
Gabriel glared at him. John appeared delighted by the glare. Some people valued their lives far too little.
“Miss Amelia is a lady,” John continued. “There would be no shame in considering her as more than a governess. In fact, as your physician, I recommend it. She has brought a light to you I have not seen before.”
Gabriel’s expression hardened. “Do not do this,” Gabriel said sharply, setting his tankard down with a firm thud.
