Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

" W hat was your assessment of the condition of the house, Gabriel?" Barr asked him as the footman served the dessert.

Alyssa noted this was the first such question to Gabe about his new situation.

They sat at the candlelit table. Sconces on the walls flickered with the glow of more candles throwing mellow tones across the faces of the four dining. Gabe's nieces, Rosalind and Marie, were dining with the boys up in the nursery. The four adults could enjoy their frank conversation without hindrance.

"The manor house is in poor condition. The roof needs new shingles. A leak has ruined the servants' back bedrooms on the fourth floor. The floors have not been scrubbed or waxed in years, I'd say. And the window dressings are in tatters. If the house were not so close to town and to the tenants' cottages, I'd shutter it up or let the wild boars have at it. My cousin, God rest him, gave no thought to the place."

The sound of children laughing came through the floorboards.

Gabe frowned. "Nor did he fill his two children with the care they have needed since their mother died."

"They've come here," said Dora, "to play with Reg and Thomas."

Gabe cast her a loving look. "For that, I am grateful. They need to feel wanted."

"Everyone does," Alyssa added on impulse. "Losing one's mother leaves an open wound in one's heart."

"I cannot be their mother," Gabe said, twirling his wine glass, then taking stock of Dora, Barr and her. "But I can provide a comfortable home and a fond uncle's guidance now that I am here."

Dora nodded. "I know you will do more than that, Gabriel."

Barr shook his head. "You must call on us if we can provide any help. I understand four of your tenants have left for York. Two of them were handy with carpentry and stonework. We have two such men with those skills here and I would happily send them to you."

"The same," added Dora, "for your house staff. My housekeeper told me last week that your scullery maid has left and so too your upstairs maid."

Gabe cleared his throat. "My butler tells me they departed because they did not wish to serve me."

Alyssa recoiled at the news, angry for his loss. "Better that they go."

He stared at her with those bright grey eyes. "Agreed. I have enough work to do to straighten out the house and improve the estate's crop production without having to play sycophant to those who believe me capable of seducing innocent women."

"Many," Dora said, "have forgotten." She didn't elaborate, but the looks that were exchanged round the table told the tale. A few did remember the scandal that had resulted in Gabe being sent away and Alyssa's broken engagement and banishment.

"I have no need to curry anyone's favor," Gabe said, a sting to his tone that would warn anyone away. "I've too much work to do. Tenants, animals, land all need to be nourished. Like all else I own, I will give them my fullest attention."

Alyssa knew the challenges he faced were enormous and would make a less determined man pale. Yet Gabe would prevail because he had the dedication to urgency and excellence.

"Have you any thought," asked Barr, "how to juggle that with the management of Shaw Imports?"

"I did not set foot on the ship for home before I had secured the company's future. I left my man of business in charge in Leghorn with orders to tighten the reins on all our offices along the Mediterranean. When he believes he may leave it to operate efficiently at a distance, he comes north to London, to me."

"You sound as though you've thought of everything," Barr said.

"So I do hope you have it in mind to enjoy yourself here." Dora lifted her glass in a toast to Gabe. "We've invited half the shire for tomorrow night's ball. I'm sure you will remember many of them."

Alyssa bit her lip. Perhaps he does not wish to.

"I will do my best, Dora." He lifted his wine glass and sipped, more gracious about this topic than Alyssa. "Four years is a long time. I had no time to gauge anyone's reactions to my uncle's decision. I left the next morning for London and beyond."

"You are not angry," Alyssa said with shock and delight.

He settled his gaze on her with a serenity that she applauded. "A useless emotion now that circumstances have changed my life entirely."

Alyssa applauded his resilience. His expression in the glow of candlelight afforded her a renewed appreciation of his striking black hair and sun-kissed complexion. The turn about the ice had added a healthy red to his cheeks. As for his lips…

Well. She took a deep breath and forced her gaze to her plate.

His lips had always been a special point of her desire. They were generous. In a complementary line to his wide jaw, his lips were firm. But when he spoke, they formed perfect words given forth in a heartfelt baritone. And when he smiled, they went wide with glee. When he kissed, his lips turned kind. And demanding.

Ravenous.

That was the word that set her breasts to tingle.

Ravenous.

That was the thrill she relived over the past four years every time she closed her eyes and…

"Alyssa?" Dora called to her. "I say! Are you ill?"

Her eyes snapped open. "Not at all. Don't mind me. A moment's memory of a past Christmas. I am so excited for tomorrow night's ball. And happy to be here." She threw a smile at Dora and Barr. A glance at Gabe told her he considered her with narrowed circumspection and a heat that told of old desire. Well, yes. The man knew her too well.

"I'll walk you down to the foyer, shall I?" Alyssa had to have a few minutes alone with him. The evening conversation had been more than friendly, convivial really, but she required more specifics about his immediate plans. Tomorrow night would give her nothing in that regard, either. One look at the newest Earl of Darby in a formal cut of black attire, and the local maidens would drool to be presented and happily hand him their dance cards. Alyssa would stand no chance of a few minutes of frank conversation.

The four stood in the family parlor. Dora had indicated she would roust the children from their play and get the girls to come down.

Barr, too, was ready to retire. "A late night tomorrow."

"I look forward to it," Gabe said to his friends and bid them good night. To Alyssa, he offered his arm.

They took the stairs, the old butler waiting patiently for them at the door.

Gabe allowed the man to assist him with his greatcoat and thanked him for his service. "I will speak with Miss Waring," he said and the man bowed himself away.

"You'll save a place for me on your dance card tomorrow night, I do hope?" He gave her the lift of that wicked dark brow and put his hands to her upper arms.

"All my dances will be open. Pick any one you'd like."

"I'll take them all, Al."

He was too charming. She tipped her head and grinned at him. "To the shock of the neighbors."

"To hell with them," he bit off and lifted her chin. "I come tomorrow night only to dance with you."

"You will disappoint every young thing for miles around."

"I wish to gain only your favor." He brushed his thumbs across the arch of her cheeks. "Will you dance with me?"

So full of the enchantment of him, tears welled in her eyes. "If I do, we'll create another scandal."

"Third time's a charm, Barr told me last week."

She sniffed back tears and swallowed loudly.

He gathered her against him, his lips in her hair.

She clung to him shamelessly. "I never thought to see you again."

"Nor I you, my darling."

His endearment brought out a sob and she clutched him closer. Her cheek against his warm hard chest, she ventured, "Do you stay in Darby Park for long?"

He was suddenly speaking against the lobe of her ear. "As long as it takes to right all past wrongs."

At his words, she wanted to rub herself against him like a cat. Instead she fought to be wise. "The crop failures have been devastating. Bountiful yields could take years."

"I give it months here, then south to London. I commit to coming back and forth. I'll not see my business fail because I devoted myself exclusively to this. But I wonder," he said as he lifted her chin, "how long you remain here."

"After Christmas I return home." She should leave soon to save herself heartache at losing him once more.

"Might I persuade you to stay longer?"

She must not. To stand near him, to admire him, to want him so was more dangerous than ever it had been. He was older, more virile, worldly, and she was more smitten by him than she'd thought possible. To even gaze upon him this close was to melt into the euphoria of wanting him. Still she could be foolish enough to ask, "How would you do that?"

"I'd kiss you in the middle of a grand foyer against all our precedents." He grinned, his mouth brushing across hers in soft waves of pleasure. "How successful would that be?"

"Very. No one is left to part us."

"Or send us away."

The patter of little feet upon the marble had her lowering her forehead to his chest. The next sound was Dora clearing her throat as she descended the stairs.

"Tomorrow night," he whispered and stepped backward.

In another moment, he and his nieces vanished into the blustery winter night.