Chapter Seven

Later that afternoon

Shopping with her niece couldn’t cheer Mary. It didn’t matter that decorating the drawing room a few hours before and sharing a tender kiss with Gabriel beneath the mistletoe had made her happy for a brief time, she couldn’t help but worry.

“Is all well, Aunt Mary? You seem a million miles away.”

The dulcet tones of Adelaide’s voice brought her back to the present. “Oh… I’m not certain.” She wrapped her fingers around the warm china teacup, for she and her niece had stopped at a tea house after shopping had concluded. “There has been some… friction between Mr. Bright and me.”

Compassion shadowed Adelaide’s blue eyes. “How can that be? I have never seen a couple more in love than you and the inspector.” She selected a jam tart from the tray and transferred it to her plate. “Perhaps since the season is so busy, you might have misinterpreted that friction?”

“I don’t know.” Truly, she thought she knew Gabriel with an intimacy that went beyond the physical, but his uncharacteristic absences and inability to tell her the complete truth left her beyond concerned. “There have been odd lapses in his familiar behavior, and when I ask him point blank about certain… worries I have, he hedges around the answers.” Yes, he’d told her that he hadn’t taken a mistress, but his gaze had been unfocused.

“Perhaps he’s distracted by Christmas. You know how he adores surprising you.” Her niece smiled, which made amusement dance in her eyes. “I wouldn’t put it past him to have acquired some sort of wonderful gift for you that he doesn’t want you to discover prematurely.”

That could possibly prove true, for Bright did love showering her with gifts, but usually he didn’t keep them secret. Or keep secrets, period. “Perhaps.”

“Also, Henry is home from university for a bit. No doubt he’s beside himself with joy to have his son back in his life, especially since neither he nor I were able to come for the wedding.”

When had her niece become so wise? She offered a smile so that Adelaide wouldn’t fret over her. “Well, it’s all neither here nor there. Christmas is two days away, and hopefully, if he is keeping a secret that corresponds to the holiday, it will be revealed then.” However, she didn’t tell the young woman that this undefined ‘something’ she felt from her husband had necessitated her potentially moving to Cassandra’s room and sharing her daughter’s bed tonight. The intention to keep herself from Gabriel’s solid form and test the bounds of their trust had sent a shock into her heart, that would no doubt grow worse as time went on.

The young lady nodded. “Do you still come for dinner on Boxing Day? I’d hoped to talk with you—and Papa—about my wardrobe for the upcoming Season.”

“Of course we are still planning to attend. My problems are my own.” And never in her wildest dreams did she think she would have marital issues with Gabriel, but she shoved aside her fear and cold disappointment until she had definitive proof something was awry. “You will prove a beautiful deb. And if your father thinks to deny you a bevy of pretty gowns, I’ll take up your cause.”

“I’m so excited.” Adelaide finished off the jam tart and wiped her fingers on her linen napkin. “However, I want you to know that I’m not a ninny, Aunt Mary. Entering society is one thing, but I don’t want to immediately find myself engaged to a man. I want to be able to explore everything life might offer, and until I know what I want my future to look like, my aim is to simply enjoy myself and have fun.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.” Knowing she could inspire independence in the next generation helped to buoy her mood and shake her out of the doldrums. “No doubt you will take your Season by storm, perhaps even prove yourself a Diamond.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” A blush stained the girl’s cheeks. “That would be lovely. Papa would be thrilled.”

“He would.” Mary’s brother was the English ambassador to Austria, and since he would be out of London through January and would come back a week after Adelaide would be launched, Mary and Gabriel had agreed to sponsor her and act as chaperones until William returned home. “I have a feeling you won’t want for potential suitors.”

Adelaide shrugged as she perused the cake plate again. “While Papa is fiercely protective of me, I will ask the inspector’s counsel before I agree to any plan or suit from anyone. There is no more honest man in London than Inspector Bright.”

An ache set up around Mary’s heart, but she nodded and blinked away the ready tears threatening. “He is indeed a good man and an even better judge of character. I’m sure he will take that responsibility seriously in your father’s absence.”

So why was she experiencing her own personal doubts regarding her husband?

“Oh, Aunt Mary, I’m sorry.” Adelaide rested a hand atop Mary’s. “I know in my heart the inspector wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or cause you distress. He loves you to distraction, and I’m quite jealous of that.”

“What?”

She nodded. “I want to find a man of his character and convictions, because men like that are worth their weight in gold, salt, silver, spices… whatever the unit of wealth and measurement is.” There was nothing except earnestness in her expression. “It is difficult to find men like him, and after everything, you have been quite fortunate. I know Papa is glad you have someone to take care of you.”

A snicker escaped her. “Why, because he didn’t want the responsibility?” For years, she had kept house for her brother, until that fateful Christmas house party last year.

“No, because you deserve a good life with a decent man.” Adelaide smiled. “And you are still recently married. You should enjoy that honeymoon period, especially during Christmastide.”

“Thank you for the reminder.” Perhaps it was silly to feel this way, but that didn’t negate the fact Bright was indeed holding something back. “Now, I don’t wish to talk about myself any longer. Let’s discuss what invitations you’ve already received and which ones you are going to accept…”

When Mary returned home after dropping Adelaide off at her townhouse, Gabriel must have been waiting for her because he met her in the entry hall as she shed her outerwear and bonnet.

“Did you enjoy your visit with Miss Swanson?” A bit of mischief twinkled in the deep brown depths of his eyes as he drew her away from the footman.

“I did. It was a lovely tea, and Adelaide is quite excited for her Come Out. I’m just saddened that William will miss it.”

“He’ll be back for the bulk of the Season, but you and I will make certain your niece has the time of her life.” After taking her hand, Gabriel escorted her to the main staircase. “I’ve a surprise for you this evening.”

“Oh?” Her traitorous heartbeat accelerated. “Will I like it?”

“There is always that hope.” Though he grinned, the gesture didn’t reach his eyes, and those dark depths were shadowed with worry. “However, I need you to go upstairs and summon your maid.”

“Why?” She frowned. Was this his way of asking her to pack her bags? Surely, he wouldn’t be high-handed enough to evict her from her own house.

“You’ll want to change into a gown appropriate for a night at Vauxhall Gardens. I’ve arranged for the use of a sleigh that will carry us through Mayfair to our destination. Once there, we shall amuse ourselves with the entertainments there, eat foods from the handcart vendors, perhaps indulge in mulled wine, and there might be jugglers, acrobats, and a night circus to usher in the holiday season.”

It all sounded quite lovely, which made it all the more suspect. “Will Henry and Cassandra accompany us?”

“They will not. Henry has plans with some of his friends, and Cassandra was nearly asleep on her feet not thirty minutes past. No doubt she’ll retire directly after she takes dinner with her governess.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “While you attend to your toilette, I will tell our daughter a story as she is accustomed to. Then we will proceed with our evening away from the house.” With an odd expression of vulnerability, he cleared his throat. “Unless you don’t wish to linger in my company, which I will understand.”

Why the devil was he so adorable even when she was out of charity with him? With a sigh, she squeezed his fingers. “Of course I want your company. The evening sounds lovely.” She climbed the first tread of the steps. “Do you have a gown color preference?” Perhaps it made her a ninny, but trusting her husband was easier than thinking the worst of him for no reason other than someone else’s misdeeds against her.

He visibly relaxed at her words. “Wear something festive. I shall meet you at the foot of the stairs in an hour.”

“All right.” Feeling unaccountably lighter than she had in a couple of days, Mary hurried quickly upstairs to the suite she shared with him and immediately yanked on the bell pull. It had been ages since they’d been afforded a night alone since their wedding, and she didn’t intend to waste a moment of it.

An hour later, Mary slowly came down the stairs accompanied by the rustle of the green taffeta gown she and her maid had chosen for the evening. Trimmed with golden embroidery and a gold satin ribbon about her waist which set off a sheer overskirt of the finest tulle that had tiny golden beads sewn randomly to it, she felt every inch like a holiday goddess as she descended to the ground floor.

“You are a vision tonight, sweeting.” Of course, Gabriel stood waiting at the base of the stairs, just as he’d promised, and the rumble of his voice sent heated tingles through her lower belly.

“Thank you, and you are delicious enough to eat,” she said in an equally soft voice.

He was ridiculously handsome in modified evening dress that looked far too natural on him. Though he’d chosen to wear the evening tailcoat and had paired it with a gold and cream brocade waistcoat, the shiny Hessian-style boots with the buff-colored breeches added an air of adventure and a devil-may-care attitude to his toilette. His thick brown hair couldn’t be tamed, but then, it was one of the things she loved about him, and rogue that he was, he hadn’t opted to go out clean-shaven. That subtle shadow on his jaw and chin had her mind skittering into dark and wicked places.

Leaning close to her as he took her hand, he said against the shell of her ear, “That can easily be arranged.”

Heat sneaked into Mary’s cheeks. “Let us see how the evening goes, hmm?” Though repairing the dented relationship was uppermost in her mind, she needed to protect her heart if something, indeed, had gone foul.

“Fair enough.” He pulled away, but not before she caught the fleeting stamp of hurt in his expression. “In any event, we should gather our outerwear. It will no doubt prove a chilly evening.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say the words that would forgive him of everything, but past experience held her back. Instead, she followed him into the entry hall and accepted her black velvet cloak from the butler. As she tied the satin ribbons of her bonnet beneath her chin, she then tugged her gloves on in silence while Gabriel shoved his sleeves into his greatcoat. Once he had his top hat resting upon his head, she mouthed a goodnight to the butler, and then went into the night with her husband.

The sleigh was a dear little vehicle containing only one bench. There was a driver on the box and one pretty horse who was snow white except for a black-tipped nose. Maroon crushed velvet comprised the upholstery, and when Bright handed her into the sleigh, she sighed at the well-squabbed bench.

“Where did you find such a lovely vehicle?”

He gave her a tight grin as he settled beside her. “It was actually through my brother. One of his friends. The man gave me the use of it tonight if I would look into the disappearance of his dog in exchange.”

Since there were no doors on the sleigh and no steps to put up, the driver set them into motion with alacrity once Gabriel gave him a direction.

Mary frowned. “Are things so bad that you’ll investigate cases regarding household pets?”

“One does what one must in order to gain notice for better cases.” He shrugged, and the movement caused his arm to brush hers. Heated tingles chased down her arm from the contact. “Besides, you know I would never take a large, high-profile case unless I knew you would partner me in the investigation.”

“That’s sweet.” Her heart trembled, for he truly was the best of all men. When the scent of sandalwood, orange, and spice wafted to her nose, awareness shivered over her skin. “I have missed puzzling out clues and tracking down murderers.”

“You don’t enjoy domestic life?”

“I do. Of course I do. Being a mother is something I’ve longed for, and enjoying dinner with you each night has a way of uplifting my spirits.” A sigh escaped her. “It’s just…” How should she finish that sentence?

“Lacking excitement? Nearly dull?”

When she glanced into his face and caught the resignation there, she frowned again. “Not exactly. There is just a nagging feeling that something is missing, and I don’t understand it. Our family is lovely, and having Henry with us is fun too.”

He nodded. “I know how you feel. Perhaps something will come along to change the dynamic and then you might feel complete.”

“I can’t imagine what it would be.” Was that his way of telling her that he was going to leave? She couldn’t think beyond tonight. “It’s a beautiful night. Thank you for taking me out.” As she looked into the midnight velvet sky, pinpricks of stars dotted the darkness. “I’m glad it stopped snowing, at least for a time.”

“I have missed being with you in a husbandly capacity,” he admitted in a low voice. “While I adore our family as you do, I can’t help but think back to our unorthodox honeymoon at that pleasure spa during the case we worked.”

Heat slapped at her cheeks. “That was quite memorable.”

“We should promise ourselves to have one weekend a month to chase that energy again, to keep our marriage fresh and exciting.”

“I would like that.” Perhaps that was all that bothered her, the removal of intimacy with him. Yes, they still enjoyed each other carnally, but not as much as before Cassandra came into their lives.

Eventually, they reached Vauxhall Gardens, and Bright squired her through the area, taking her around to all the entertainments available.

They were wowed by acrobats in colorful silk costumes. Then there was a bear in a metal collar and lead chain who did tricks at the crack of a whip from his handler. After that, a pair of jugglers dressed like old fashioned court jesters bandied balls, fruit, and even someone’s boot in the air over the walking path.

As Gabriel treated her to both savory and sweet treats from handcart vendors, they ate and walked the paths. There was an organ grinder and his pet monkey who performed a little gig for a coin. At one point, they witnessed what someone in a stall claimed was a mermaid, but all Mary saw was a dark tank with wooden sides and occasionally a tail fin—allegedly—would make an appearance over the top. When they were able to gawk at an elephant, she was amazed at the sheer size and weight of the animal as it walked about its cage on a wheeled platform.

By the time her husband led her into a darkened area of the gardens and off the more popular paths, she shivered with anticipation, for she could almost anticipate what he would do next. So when he took her into his arms in an impromptu waltz, she couldn’t help but grin, for he was nothing if not charming.

“You never cease to surprise me, Bright,” Mary murmured as her skirt flared and twisted about their ankles.

“In good ways, I hope.”

“Most of the time.” There was no time for the tightness to return to her chest, for he brought them to a halt, and when she assumed he would pull away, he kissed her instead.

And she was lost.

With a sigh, she moved her hands up his chest, and when she slipped them about the breadth of his shoulders, he pulled her closer to his body. In the space of a heartbeat, he deepened the embrace, and all too soon she was consumed by the familiar heat he imparted. As he moved his mouth over hers, she mimicked him. Seconds later, he chased her tongue with his, and she gladly surrendered to him in that moment, for she’d missed him in this capacity.

Not that they’d been without intimacy like this for a long length of time.

Briefly, she broke the kiss to peer into his eyes, but it was too dark to read his expression. “Gabriel, I—”

The clearing of a masculine throat interrupted whatever she would have said. They both sprang apart, for a man stood a few feet away from them. “Move along, if you please. This isn’t the place for that sort of behavior.”

On the heels of a gasp, Gabriel snorted with laughter. “Merriweather?”

“Who else?” The more robust man chuckled. “If I’d have known that was you, Inspector Bright, I would have run you out of here sooner.”

He grinned and glanced at her. “That is Constable Merriweather. I used to work beside him when we were both principal officers.”

“Ah.” Mary nodded at the other man even though her cheeks were still heated. “Goodnight, Constable. We were just heading back.”

“Very good.” With a wink at Bright, the man continued on his way along the path into the more darkened parts of the gardens.

With a good-natured laugh, Gabriel guided her hand through the crook of his elbow. “Shall we continue this at a later point?”

As much as she wished to keep space between them for protection or to steel herself from potential hurt, Mary nodded. She was hopelessly addicted to him. “I would like that.”

“So would I.”

Her decision was further cemented when, as they both snuggled into the sleigh, he put a warmed brick at her feet and threw a lap blanket over them. Truly, Bright was a decent sort, and he was trying to repair the unexplained rift between them…

With a sigh, she laid her head on his shoulder as his arm came around her. Perhaps it didn’t matter what the future held. In this moment, there was her and there was him, and there was still banked heat simmering with each touch. After all, love meant giving one’s spouse the benefit of the doubt, and trusting that he would still hold her heart in his care.

For they’d promised each other forever.

I’ll let my worries have at me in the morning.