Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

G ideon awoke flushed with heat and completely unaware of his surroundings. The soft glow of moonlight painted the place in shades of gray. All he understood in his state of confusion was the delicate aroma of citrus that tickled his nose and a tactile whisper of hair that caressed his chin. He blinked into the darkness surrounding him, taking in a deep breath to sit up—only to realize that a feather-light lady was sleeping against his chest.

The memory of what happened came rushing back to him and his head gently lowered back to the siderest with a grin. That's right. He'd intended on taking a short nap with Amelia wrapped in his embrace and he supposed time had gotten away from them. It was well after dark now.

He remained still for a time, hypnotized by the steady rhythm of her breathing, his eyes slowly adapting to the night's silvered illuminations filtering in through the bay windows. His wife was a messy sleeper, and it was adorable. One arm was tucked uncomfortably between his body and the chaise, while the other was dangling off the edge, her fingers grazing the floor. Her lips remained parted slightly and Gideon was almost certain that she was drooling a little. He chuckled to himself, careful not to wake her.

The overwhelming urge to shift slightly so that he could press a kiss against her temple assaulted him. He couldn't believe that, in such a brief span of time, he'd come to feel so warmly towards her. His insatiable need was one thing but this level of contentment… he couldn't understand it. And presently, he didn't really need to. This was his wife. And she would be so forever. He could simply live in this beautiful moment.

Until morning comes and I must remember what I've set out to do.

That stark realization hit him like a ton of bricks and for the first time ever, Gideon felt a true reluctance in his quest for revenge. A purposeful reluctance that hadn't been forged in hopelessness. For the first time ever, he wished that he didn't have to deal with it at all, that his life could be as simple as any other gentleman who had just gotten married. Enjoying his time with his wife should be his priority right now, even if it was a wife he hadn't asked for.

Yet, the memory of Jasper and the debt of retribution he owed wouldn't allow it.

With a heavy sigh, Gideon sat up slowly, careful not to wake Amelia. She snored a little and it managed to chase away some of the heaviness that weighed on his heart for a moment. She remained blissfully asleep as he got to a stand, her slight figure scooped securely in his arms.

By the time he left the small library, his eyes had adjusted enough for him to see his surroundings well enough. Amelia, still ensconced in sleep, instinctively tightened her embrace around his neck, her body molding into his as though she belonged there. Gideon couldn't contain the heat that spread through his body at that thought. He didn't dare to consider what that could possibly mean.

He simply took his time as he made his way to her bedchamber, wanting to savor each second. Once inside, he gently placed her on the bed where she instinctively clutched a pillow and curled in on herself. He stood there for a moment, admiring her beauty, before he went about undressing her.

Bathed in a glow, her almost nude body under the moonlight was a sight to behold. Gideon's breeches strained at the seams as he went about his task and he knew that he was going to have a hard time sleeping tonight with the memory of her petite figure imprinted in his mind. But he stayed true to his task and, soon enough, she was down to her shift when the pins in her hair had been carefully taken out, her brown tresses splaying out on the bed pillows.

It took a lot of effort to leave.

Once there was a door between them, he felt a semblance of control return. Gideon started back down the hallway to his study. There was one final duty he had to attend to before retiring for sleep.

Right as he was approaching his study, he spotted Thomas lingering by the door. The butler turned at his footsteps. "Your Grace," he greeted with a bow. "I was just about to search you out."

"What time is it, Thomas?" Gideon asked as he stepped into his study, Thomas in tow. "Shouldn't you have retired by now?"

"I shall, shortly, Your Grace. There is a matter concerning Her Grace that I needed to convey."

Gideon's steps faltered for a moment. He'd completely forgotten that he'd asked Thomas to gather information about Amelia. "It can wait until the morning, Thomas." It could wait until forever, for all he was concerned now. His goals had shifted and, truthfully, he no longer cared for reasons to be rid of her.

"But you instructed me to report my findings immediately, Your Grace, particularly if they were consequential."

"Well, disregard that." Gideon sank behind his desk, avoiding his butler's undoubtedly confused expression. "The urgency of that matter has... lessened."

"Has something changed, Your Grace?"

Yes. Far too much has changed . "There are more pressing issues at hand now. In fact, hold on a moment while I attend to something."

Silence settled over the room as Gideon shuffled around the desk for the sheet of paper he had been writing on earlier that day. It didn't matter what Lewis said. Lewis didn't understand the pain and anguish he'd endured. He didn't live for his ailing brother, only to see him die at the hands of his negligent and na?ve father, swindled by men who had made it a sick habit to prey on the weak. The persistent guilt and sorrow that came with growing older were feelings only Gideon bore. And only he knew the remedy to be rid of them once and for all.

His letter was short and to the point. Addressed to Sir Clarkeson, he proposed purchasing the Serpent's Den for ￡100,000. Clarkeson did not possess the liberty to reject such a large sum. With the letter finalized, he neatly folded it and affixed his seal.

"Have this mailed first thing in the morning," he ordered Thomas, placing it on the side of his desk.

The butler's gaze flicked to the addressee, and his brows furrowed. "May I ask what it is in regards to, Your Grace?"

Gideon stood and made his way over to the older man. Throughout it all, Thomas had never once strayed from his side. Gideon knew that he, too, would feel a weight lifted with the culmination of this vengeance plot.

"It marks, I hope, the conclusion of our long endeavor for justice," was all he said. He patted Thomas on the shoulder. "Goodnight, Thomas. And get some rest for God's sake."

"Goodnight, Your Grace."

With that exchange, Gideon departed, leaving Thomas behind as he made his way to his own chamber. It promised to be a night of restless solitude, his mind inevitably wandering to the last image of his wife.