Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) (23 page)

“Diana has a bad feeling.” Gabriel met Ashmore’s inquiring gaze in the mirror. “I hate to ask you to miss the ball, but would you be willing to stay here and look after my daughter?”

“It would be an honor.” Ashmore gave him a crooked grin. “You’ll be doing me a favor, helping me escape Aunt Gertrude’s clutches. I believe she’s decided I’ve been a bachelor too long and has been parading me around like a horse at auction.”

Both men grimaced at the thought of being tied to a woman his Aunt found suitable. “I wish you good luck with your evening.”

Gabriel shook hands with his friend. “Thank you.”

When Ashmore left, Gabriel finished his preparations. He checked his pockets, comforted by his list and the velvet box inside his jacket. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and went to say good-bye to Emilie.

* * *

D
iana stood
in front of the mirror, marveling at the magic created by Kathy’s deft, skillful hands. She looked like a princess. “You’re a miracle worker.”

“Bah, nonsense. You’re beautiful, you just needed a little polish.” But Kathy preened at the compliment. She slipped a cape over Diana’s shoulders, then shoved her toward the door. “We’d best cover you up before that husband of yours sees you, or you might not make it to the ball.”

A blush heated her cheeks and Kathy laughed, then practically shoved her out the door. “No more dawdling. You best git. I won’t wait up. When your husband sees you, he’ll want to help you out of your gown himself.”

The outrageous comment startled Diana so much she stumbled into the hall, and the door slammed shut behind her. Not ready to confront Gabriel yet, Diana headed upstairs. Mad giggles echoed down the staircase.

As she pushed open the door, she saw Emilie and Veronica on the floor, laughing hysterically at the way Jack chased the ribbons tied to his tail.

“Oh, my, you look beautiful, milady.” Cook rose from a rocker near the fire, then nodded to the children. “I hope you don’t mind. I figured that I would get the girls ready for bed together. Two is just as easy as one.”

Diana smiled. “What a wonderful idea.”

“You’re like a faerie princess.” Both girls stared up at her with awe on their faces. Emilie reached forward, her hands lightly brushing the edge of her skirt as if to test if it was real.

Diana blushed. “Thank you. Your dad and I are going out later. Did you want me to tuck you in first?”

In answer, Emilie scrambled onto the bed, Jack just seconds behind her. Cook and Veronica headed toward the door. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

Emilie waved, then scooted under the blankets. Diana pulled up the covers and tucked her in tight, then kissed her forehead. “Sleep tight.”

“You’re supposed to say love you.” Emilie crossed her arms, then nervously plucked at her blanket.

Diana’s heart turned over. “I love you.”

Emilie’s head jerked up. “Really?”

Her words were just a whisper, and Diana swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Really.”

“I love you, too.”

Diana waited until Emilie fell asleep, then rubbed Jack’s head before she turned down the gaslights and headed back downstairs. She saw Samuel emerge from his room and froze. The old man gave her a sad smile. “You look stunning, my dear. Your husband is in for a treat. Before the night is over, he’ll be putty in your hands.”

Diana was charmed despite her resolve to remain distant from him. “You’ll be accompanying us?”

Samuel puffed up his chest, and stuck out his foot to strike a pose. “Dashing, don’t you think? I’m going to be on watch, so you and Gabriel can enjoy yourselves.”

Diana snorted at his antics, and together they began to make their way down the hall. Before they reached the balcony, he stopped. “I want to make things right between us. If you’re uncomfortable in my presence, I will leave in the morning.”

She realized the sweet man was trying to put her at ease, willing to leave, even knowing that he would never see Gabriel again. He reminded her what it used to be like between Watchers and Druids—protectors and friends. “And miss all the excitement?”

Pure joy lit up his face. “Gabriel is a lucky man.”

He offered her his arm, and they went down stairs together. Samuel nattered on about ancient history, and she was grateful for the company, struggling to banish the nerves fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

When they were halfway down the stairs, Gabriel came out of his office, halting abruptly when he saw her. Her heart flipped over in her chest at how striking he looked. His clothes were immaculate, stunning in their simplicity, but it was the man inside them who stole her breath. Every time she saw him, she remembered just how big and intimidating he could be…until she glanced up and saw the heat in his eyes.

That intimate look melted her heart.

The one he reserved for her alone.

He also looked ready for battle. All he needed to complete the image of an ancient warrior was a broadsword strapped to his back.

“You look breathtaking.” The rasp in his voice sent shivers down her spine, and she shook the fantasy from her head.

Diana halted a short distance from Gabriel for propriety’s sake, barely curbing the impulse to leap into his arms. “And you, my husband, are everything I ever dreamed of in a man.”

Her pulse sped up when Gabriel moved toward her, until someone cleared their throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but if we don’t leave now, you’re going to be late to your own ball.”

There was no mistaking the humor in Samuel’s voice…or the promise in Gabriel’s eyes that tonight, finally, they would finish what she started.

* * *

T
he carriage pulled
up to a stately mansion in the middle of town. Servants bustled around outside, taking care of last-minute preparations. The exterior was lit with torches and candles, and a pebbled path wrapped around the side of the house, a slight mist making it seem almost a portal to another world. The warm night air held a hint of expectation, the place almost magical in its beauty, and the interior was just as spectacular. Swatches of silver fabric shimmered down from the ceiling and wrapped around columns. Flowers and greenery created a bower fit for a king.

Rand stood when she entered and whistled as she approached. “Gabriel’s going to have his hands full with you, I see.”

Diana snorted and smiled at him. “Only if he can catch me.”

A startled laugh burst out of him, and Gabriel scowled as he entered. “Don’t encourage her. She gets into enough mischief already. She doesn’t need help from the likes of you.”

“Here, now—”

“If I remember correctly, you were the one who convinced us to tie our sheets together and sneak out of the school window in the middle of the night to go to a cock fight.”

Rand appeared perfectly innocent as he straightened his jacket. “How was I to know the headmaster would be there?”

Gabriel snorted and crossed his arms. “We might have been fine if you hadn’t panicked when he grabbed you by the collar and shoved him into the ring with the chickens.”

Rand was breathless with laughter. “He still carries that scar on his hand today. Every time he sees me, he rubs it and curses.”

Diana watched the interaction, amazed to see how quickly grown men reverted back into boys.

“I haven’t seen them act that way in ten years.” Tallie came to a stop next to her, a soft smile on her face as she watched the men. “While you boys recall your adolescent stunts, we girls are going to go upstairs and finish preparing for the ball. Stay out of trouble.”

The men straightened and sobered for a second.

“Of course.”

Then Rand grinned and winked at Tallie.

As Tallie led her from the room, Diana realized that she wanted to be a part of that camaraderie. Her throat ached when she thought about how much she missed her friends. She was tired of running and hiding and being so alone her soul ached.

If Gabriel gave her a chance, she would prove to him they belonged together.

G
abriel listened
to Lord Thumpton talk about his gout, wondering when Diana would join them. This was an important night, and nothing could go wrong. The extra guards Rand hired were patrolling the grounds, pretending to be servants, keeping an eye out for Williams in case the man decided to cause trouble.

Gabriel had grown so accustomed to having Diana near that when she wasn’t in sight, he couldn’t seem to stand still. The only way to appease the need was to seek her out.

“Well, I say. Who’s that?” His companion stopped mid-sentence, and Gabriel turned to see what grabbed his attention.

And his breath stopped in his lungs when he spied Diana descending the stairs. Her blue gown was so pale it appeared silver in the candlelight and shimmered with her every move. The tiny sleeves were pulled off her shoulders, revealing smooth, toned arms that invited him to explore. The dressed revealed curves only hinted at previously, the material gathered in a way that whispered of long legs that were meant to wrap around a man’s waist. Her hair was piled high, the sleek tresses woven in and out of an intricate knot that fascinated him, and his fingers itched to tangle in them and watch her come undone.

A faerie princess had replaced his warrior, and he found both sides of her captivating.

Unable to help himself, he left his companion without a word, stopping at the bottom of the stairs to watch her approach. When their eyes met, an intimate smile curled her lips, and his gut tightened at knowing that she was all his. With a quick shake of his head, he reached out and brushed the back of her knuckles with a kiss, smiling when she inhaled sharply.

“Lady wife, you are beautiful.” It astounded him to see a slight blush spread up her neck. Coming to himself, he patted his pockets then removed a velvet box. “I have something for you.” He carefully raised the lid. He had planned to give this to her before the guests arrived, but she had disappeared.

He carefully lifted the necklace. “If you would turn, I will secure it for you.”

Without a word, Diana presented him with her back. Faint blue lines of her tattoos dipped in and out of her dress, almost looking like they were a part of the design. He secured the necklace, trailing a finger over the chain, unable to resist touching her smooth creamy skin, and—in for a penny, in for a pound—he gave into the impulse to kiss her nape.

He pulled away from temptation, and when she turned, his eyes fell to the crescent pendant. Disgruntlement curled through him the way the necklace brought attention to her breasts, and he narrowed his eyes, now regretting having given her the necklace where he wouldn’t be the only one to notice her alluring attributes.

Damn.

He touched the pale blue diamond, positioning it, and dropped his hand before he forgot their audience.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you!” The heat in her eyes held him captive. When Tallie cleared her throat, Gabriel was startled to see the woman standing next to Diana, a bemused smile on her face.

“Mendenhall, why don’t you introduce me to your beautiful companion?” Gabriel repressed a groan when Lord Thumpton spoke from behind him.

It was already starting.

He placed an arm securely around Diana’s waist, gritting his teeth as he made the introductions and watched the man ogle his wife, then settled himself in for a long night ahead of him.

* * *

A
s the evening progressed
, Diana surveyed the crowded ballroom and the colorful gowns, feeling out of place surrounded by women and their gossip. She watched Gabriel enviously where he stood on the opposite side of the room, talking with the men.

But he didn’t seem to be enjoying himself either. As the night wore on, he appeared to grow increasingly more tense and uncommunicative. She stopped herself from reaching for her blades, wondering if attending a ball might have been a mistake after all.

When she spied Samuel at the refreshment table, she excused herself and joined him.

Samuel saw her approach and held out a cup. “For the lady.”

“Thank you.” She gratefully took a sip, searching for Gabriel in the crowd. She smiled to find him watching her. When he did not return the gesture, her own faltered. “Do you know what’s wrong with Gabriel? He’s been acting strange all evening.”

At Samuel’s chuckle, Diana turned and narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing.” But the way his eyebrows lifted so innocently belied his protest.

Frustration nipped at her temper, and Diana set down her drink. If there was a threat, she needed to be prepared. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Samuel held up his hands in surrender, his amusement leaving her uneasy. “He’s jealous.”

“Of what?” It took her seconds to connect what he said, then she snorted. “Don’t be absurd.” But a tiny spark of pleasure warmed her cheeks at the possibility, and she couldn’t resist peeking over at Gabriel in wonder.

“For someone so intelligent, you can be very naïve.” Samuel seemed amused by her answer, then his expression became serious. “What do you know about his first marriage?”

Her stomach churned as she remembered Gabriel’s pain when he spoke of his first wife. He hid it well, but the little bitch had nearly destroyed him with her selfishness. “I am aware of what happened.”

“He told you.” He seemed startled by the news. “Meredith loved balls and became addicted to the attention. It only grew worse as their marriage progressed, and Gabriel continued to give her unfettered access to his funds. Gabriel’s devotion wasn’t enough. She needed the adoration of everyone.”

Diana stared at the twirling dancers and felt none of the allure. “I’m not her.”

“You’re right, but it’s worse with you. With you, he actually cares.” Samuel shook his head and murmured, “Some things are hard to forget.”

Diana only half heard him as Gabriel began to prowl through the crowd, his long strides covering the ground quickly. To her surprise, he stepped in the path of another gentleman. He must have said something, because the man scrambled away a few seconds later.

When Gabriel inhaled, his shoulders moved, then he turned and began to stalk toward her. “Dance with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

Diana didn’t care, willingly placing her hands into his, her cheeks heating at the memory of the last time they danced. He pulled her into the middle of the dance floor, and she carefully placed her hand on his shoulder. “You chased that man away.”

Gabriel lifted a brow but didn’t deny it.

Amusement lifted her mood. “You’ve been doing it all night, haven’t you?”

His mouth tightened slightly, tension bracketing his eyes, as if bracing himself for a rebuke.

“Thank you.”

Gabriel appeared startled, his focus growing more intense as he stared down at her.

Instead of being offended, Diana enjoyed the novelty of his possessiveness.

Growing up, she had become the logical protector of the group. She was the most athletic, the fiercest of the group, and her accelerated training made her the most logical choice. It was a lovely change having someone else take care of her.

They danced in perfect harmony, the people around them fading into the background. His deep blue eyes darkened, and he began to relax as they fell into a rhythm. She allowed herself to be drawn closer, enjoying his heat and delicious scent.

He spun her around and around until they left the dance floor, and she followed him out onto the balcony, a little breathless at his nearness. Diana placed her hands on the stone, but it did nothing to cool her visceral awareness of him. Gabriel moved behind her, his arms bracketing hers as he placed his hands next to hers on the balcony railing. Slowly, as if unsure of her reception, he entwined their hands, crossing their arms around her until she was surrounded by his warmth.

His arousal pressed intimately against her, and her breath halted in her lungs. She waited for his next move, anticipation leaving her almost giddy, and she marveled at his open show of affection.

Gabriel cursed his own stupidity for thinking he could touch Diana and not react to her physically. He needed to back off and get his body under control before they re-entered the ballroom, but damned if he wanted to move. With a final caress, he leaned forward and kissed her neck. “We should go back inside before we’re missed.”

It took all his willpower to release her and not sweep her out into the garden to show her how much he wanted her. He was giving that thought more consideration when a commotion in the ballroom caught his attention. All his senses went on alert.

He tightened his hold on Diana for a few seconds then grabbed her hand and pulled her after him into the ballroom. No way in hell was she going to leave his side. His height gave him the advantage, and he easily spotted Pastor Williams in the crowd. He took a step forward when Diana tightened her grip on his hand and held him back. “Not now. You promised.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw as he ground his teeth in frustration. He wanted to confront the man who’d terrorized his wife for so long. The pastor deserved a taste of his own medicine. But when he glanced down at her pale face, noted the way she stared at Williams, as if seeing a ghost, he relented. “What did you see in your vision?”

“If you don’t confront him, nothing will happen.” He frowned at the slight tremble in her voice. She was so fearless, he sometimes forgot how fragile she actually was.

Gabriel pulled her close and kissed the crown of her head. “For tonight, I will do as you wish.”

Tension immediately washed out of her body. Wanting her away from the hateful pastor, Gabriel guided her through the crowd while keeping an eye on Williams, always making sure the man never came within speaking distance of Diana.

Rumors began to swirl around them, but nothing concrete, nothing he could counter without starting a scandal. Even as he watched, the ballroom split into two groups. Most of the gentry avoided Williams like the plague. He was an outsider, his fervor making others uncomfortable. Unfortunately, a few people were so hungry for gossip they were easily swayed by Williams thanks to the help of—Gabriel squinted and leaned forward—“Gertrude Ashmore.”

“What?”

He glanced down at Diana, wishing he could protect her, but thanks to him, he might actually be her downfall. His former mother-in-law was a vindictive bitch. He should have expected her retaliation “Lady Ashmore is helping Williams.”

He braced himself for her reaction to his failure.

He’d gone to extraordinary lengths to protect her, and it galled him to admit that she probably was more capable of protecting herself than he was. Without his interference, she could have kept outrunning Williams, and probably could have handled the situation before it escalated.

To his utter shock, instead of casting blame, Diana snorted and rolled her eyes. “They deserve one another. Eventually, they will turn on each other and will no longer be our problem.”

Not giving a damn what anyone thought, he cupped her face and kissed her.

Ignoring the speculative looks, Gabriel drew Diana into another dance, needing to touch her without causing more tongues to wag.

As the evening wound down, the gossip swirled around them.

In the end, it wasn’t Williams’ lies that swept through the
ton
, it was the riveting news that he’d fallen in love with his new wife.

* * *

D
iana was exhausted
by the time they said good-bye to the last guest.

“You were a resounding success.” Tallie smiled warmly.

“But did it work?” Diana pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear while keeping an eye on Rand and Gabriel chatting nearby.

Tallie gave her a quizzical look. “They think you’re the love match of the century. You managed to tame the notorious Beast and lay claim to a reclusive bachelor in the process.”

Diana glared at Tallie, and the woman lifted her hands in surrender. “When Meredith didn’t get her way, she would call Mendenhall a
Beast
, and the name stuck.”

Diana gritted her teeth. “The more I learn about Meredith, the less I like her.”