Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

Kate finished walking through all the guest rooms once more, fixing quilts and making sure the windows were clean, and each room smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. She wished for their guests to feel warm and welcome and at ease.

“It’s good,” Gabriel said, stopping in the hallway to poke his head in. “Damn near perfect, actually.”

“Wherever I am concerned, yes, I tend to agree.”

She was feeling especially cheeky. Ever since earlier this morning at the castle when he had stalked her in the hallway as she searched for Ben. His eyes were fire, burning her, possessing her.

Even the thought of the way he gazed at her in the kitchen, clutching the old cat in her arms while covered in butter. She had never been gazed upon with such… feeling before.

He leaned against the doorjamb, assessing her. “Ye need a new dress for tonight. To welcome our guests.”

“Your guests.”

He shook his head. “None of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for yer help, Kate. I was in the weeds, and ye managed to sort things out better than my property manager back in Paris. Ye’ve a mind for figures, but more than that, ye’ve a special touch to make everyone welcome. That’s a gift.”

She flashed a quick, embarrassed smile. For the past year, she had felt nothing more than a burden and a disgrace. She felt as if she had nothing to look forward to. And here she was in the Highlands, having hoped to have hidden out from the world, and instead, she had found a home with dear friends.

And Gabriel.

Kate brushed at her skirts. He was right, but she hadn’t the funds for new dresses. “Only if you first allow me to thank you for the opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

She approached him slowly, willing her hands to stay by her side. But that was the problem. She was in far too deep for there to be an easy out of this affair with Gabriel. She had been curious and fell heart first, and it was too late.

Long past flirtation. She feared she was in love.

Not lust as she had been with the marquess. What she shared with Gabriel was far different. It was bigger and deeper and in so many more ways serious than whatever silly debutante crush she had with London’s most notorious rake.

He had burned her.

And she feared, as Gabriel reached out and pinched a black curl between his finger and thumb, it would happen again soon.

She didn’t wish to remain in London when they treated her as a pariah, and she didn’t know if she wished to remain in Scotland. So where did she belong?

That slow, warm smile of his spread across his face. The one full of unspoken promises. The one that almost made her believe he would ask her to stay.

And she might agree.

“There ye both are,” Elsie said, clearing her throat.

Kate jumped back from Gabriel, pulling her glance away but feeling his piercing stare all the same.

“I’ve a dress for ye,” Elsie continued, juggling a large box. “Fresh from Paris. And just in time. The guests have arrived downstairs.” She turned toward her brother. “Gabe, move along.”

“Thank ye for yer help, Katherine.” He nodded as if he were suddenly in a London ballroom about to ask for the next dance. All fine manners and polish.

She was still stuck in him uttering her full name when she blinked and realized he had retreated down the hallway, and Elsie was grabbing her arm and steering her into the guest room.

“We’ll dress ye here.”

“What do ye mean?”

“Ye’ll be hostess this evening, nae?”

Kate laughed up toward the ceiling before appraising Elsie in a fine tartan shawl. “Shouldn’t you be hostess?”

“Nae, this is my brother’s venture. I was happy enough in Edinburgh before I received news about Tavish. Go on,” she urged Kate, “open the box.”

Kate peeled back the thick paper wrapping, fighting off a fresh sweep of nerves. She placed her hands over the fine box, then slowly lifted up the top to reveal lavender-scented tissue. Her stomach sank. Never had she worn a gown made in Paris. Never…

“Go on, will ye?” Elsie bounced on her feet, giddy as Kate gave a nervous laugh.

She opened the tissue to reveal a beautiful sky-blue silk bodice. She traced her fingers over the exquisite appliqué work of roses and leaves, and the beautiful frothy lace sewn at the edge of the bodice.

“I can’t accept this,” she whispered. When she left London, she accepted she would never have a life full of beautiful things. She wasn’t allowed such luxury after what she had done. And yet, this dress was under her fingertips now, and she was here about to welcome the first guests at the inn.

And still, she was unmarried.

Not that she wished for a husband or had left London in search of one.

Certainly, not Gabriel.

“I thought ye could use a few new gowns. I had my dressmaker send a few over. I hope ye don’t mind,” Elsie said, lifting the dress out of her hands and trying it against Kate’s body for size. “Come, look in the mirror. Well, that’s bonny.”

Kate whirled around and grabbed the dress from Elsie’s hand. She slipped behind the screen in the corner to change into the beautiful gown before she could think better of it. It had been a kind act to do what Elsie had just done. They both knew this gown arrived not because of Elsie.

Kate laughed to herself behind the screen, holding her hand up to her mouth as she sniffed back her surprise. This.

It was always this way with Gabriel.

These small acts as if…

“Does it fit?”

“Perfectly.” She twirled out from behind the screen and grabbed her skirts, sinking down into the perfect curtsy.

“Fit for the queen. I daresay these guests will think they have traveled to London.”

“Really?” Kate ducked down to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror and balked at her hair.

“Nae, they’re here for the festival. They could sleep out in the stable and probably be happy enough.”

Kate straightened. “Have you seen the stable? I have been so busy with the inn, not all the work…”

Except that wasn’t the whole truth. She had spent time with Gabriel in the stable the evening before.

“They’re grand, Katie dear. Like ye in this bonny dress. The stable is a fair cry better than when I arrived. Come here and I’ll help with yer hair, then turn ye loose on the unsuspecting guests.”

Elsie’s fingers deftly discovered the pins scattered throughout Kate’s curls and slipped each out, then carefully twisted and twirled her hair.

“My brother,” she said softly, “he has a kind heart even if the outside is a bit… rough.”

That he did. Kate’s stomach dropped, fearing what would come next. Knowing Elsie tolerated her enough, but she was to steer clear of Gabriel or to leave all altogether.

“I imagine you decided just now to pretend you purchased this dress, when you and I both know he ordered it.”

Elsie nodded, her mouth full of pins. “I… I wish to call ye my sister, Kate. I do. But I ken my brother, and he’ll muck this up. I ken what happened in London, and I dinna wish ye to be hurt again. Has he made any promises? My brother, I mean.”

Kate scratched her cheek, dread swallowing up the protests in her throat. “No.”

“Then he should be courtin’ ye like ye deserve, like a gentleman.” She spun Kate around and squeezed her shoulders. “Dinna let a fool ruin yer chance at love. I ken that well enough. And ye dinna ken what to make of it here or where ye fit. Ye’re lost, Katherine Bancroft. Before ye fall in love with my brother, I only ask ye love yerself first because ye’ll break his heart if ye have doubts.”

Didn’t everyone feel adrift at some point in their lives? She might have been lost, but she was enjoying finding her way at the moment, however messy that may be. If she was dismissed, then she would return to Charlotte and accept a quiet life as a spinster, outside the edges of the beau monde. Or perhaps she would manage to save up enough funds to move and pretend to be a widow.

Kate reached into the box and discovered a smaller package. She opened it to reveal a beautiful lace shawl and draped it across her shoulders.

“That’s no’ practical,” Elsie grumbled. “Ye’ll catch yer death.”

“But what a fine death that’ll be, looking like this.” She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, watching the flush of love color her cheeks.

“We need a drink.”

“Don’t you dare!” Kate said, laughing. She spun and held up her hands. “I wouldn’t again if you forced me.” She rushed to the door, then paused. “Though I could be persuaded after everyone is settled.”

“Gabe is an eejit if he lets ye walk around here without his name soon enough. ”

Kate gripped the doorway, seriousness dripping from her voice. “Please, don’t tell.”

“Him or the rest of the village?”

“You don’t think he knows?”

“That ye’re in love with him?” Elsie gathered up the discarded box and paper and grinned.

“ Sshhh !”

“Ye two are as dim as a closet with no candles.”

Kate wouldn’t allow herself to think about that. Did he care about her as she cared for him?