Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) (25 page)

A
heavy weight
landed on Diana’s chest, knocking the air out of her lungs, then a soggy paper slapped her in the face. She groaned and shoved at the weight. “Jack, get off me.”

“Now I understand where my paper has been disappearing every morning.” Gabriel stood in the doorway, a cup of something wonderfully delicious-smelling in his hand. “We’re making progress. I believe this is the first time I’ve woken you and you didn’t put a knife to my throat.”

Gabriel strode toward her, dressed in his usually immaculate clothes, and her breath caught at how utterly handsome he appeared. She touched her hair, feeling frumpy in comparison. After last night, she thought he would look at her differently, but if anything the heat in his eyes made her feel cherished. “Is that for me?”

He stopped beside the bed and handed her the cup.

She wrapped her hand around the delicate china. The rich, sweet smell of hot chocolate rose toward her, and she closed her eyes in pleasure. When the first taste burst over her tongue, she nearly groaned.

Gabriel picked up the paper, flipping through it while she began to wake fully. For the first time since she arrived, Diana was tempted to read the ads and see if any of her cousins had left a message signaling that it was safe to come out of hiding. It had been so long, she’d given up hope of ever seeing them again.

“I thought that after people came to call, we would put our plan to recover Williams’ blackmail book into action and head toward the park.”

“Coming to call?” Alarm spiked through her. She sat up so fast she nearly spilled the chocolate. Jack took that moment to lean over and slurp the rest of the liquid out of the cup.

Gabriel peered at her over the top of the paper. “It is customary to call on the couple and congratulate them on their marriage. Some will come out of courtesy, others to show their approval, and some out of pure curiosity. I’ve been in the country for so long, we’ve become a novelty.”

The thought of people invading the house left her feeling vaguely sick. “Gabriel—”

“Was last night real?”

Her mouth snapped shut at the change in subject. It was the last thing that she expected him to ask. The school had warned her never to tell anyone about her abilities. Hell, not even her friends were aware of what she could do. The back of her throat ached at the foolish risk she took, but she cared for him too much to lie. “Yes. Williams and people like him will keep coming. This is what you’ll be sentencing yourself to for the rest of your life if you stay with me. If you can’t deal with my abilities, you need to tell me now and let me go.”

The paper wadded in his hands as he narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you think I would ever betray you? That I can’t keep you safe? Is that why you want to leave all of the sudden?

Diana was stung by his sudden attack. “I believe you would protect me with your life.”

“Damn right I would.”

She held up a hand to finish. “I don’t want to leave, but you don’t know—”

“I know enough. We are man and wife. For better or worse, we stand together. I can learn what I must.” He tossed aside the crumpled paper and cradled her face. “You can teach me what I need to know.”

“But—”

“No buts.” To silence her, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers, stealing the thoughts from her head. “I cannot say I understand everything you have gone through. Hell woman, you confuse me at every turn, but I think I deserve a chance to build a future for us…together. When I said my vows, I meant them. Did you?”

His voice was gruff, but it did nothing to cover the hint of vulnerability that crept into his expression. He tightened his hands into fists as he awaited her answer. He dangled everything that she’d ever dreamed of before her, and Diana wanted it so badly, her throat ached as she debated if she dare risk it all for a chance at happiness.

Gabriel held his breath while he waited for her answer. As the silence stretched, his heart picked up speed. He never wanted anything so much in his life. He realized, if she left him, he would be devastated. And this time, he didn’t think he would recover.

A commotion out in the hall brought him back to reality. He rose to his feet, not looking at her, so she wouldn’t see how her non-answer had destroyed him. “I will make excuses to the guest. I will not keep you here against your will.”

“Wait.”

Gabriel stopped when her hand landed on his arm, nearly trembling with the need to grab her and run away with her if that’s what was needed to keep her safe. “I…” Diana cleared her throat. “I want a future with you.”

He inhaled deeply as hope burned in his chest. “I cannot keep looking over my shoulder waiting for you to leave. I want your word that you’ll stay.” Her hand tightened on his arm, and he feared he’d pushed for too much too soon, but she needed to know what he expected. “If you stay, it will be a full marriage. You will move into my room. Every night you will sleep in my bed.” Gabriel turned to face her, hating the way his heart threatened to beat out of his chest. “Do you understand what I am asking?”

“Yes.”

Gabriel remained still, uncertain if he heard her correctly. “Yes?”

“Yes, I choose you. I want you.”

* * *

“
L
adies
, you will have to excuse us, as my wife and I have another engagement.”

Diana tried to smile, but feared it came out more of a grimace while the women rose and left.

They were predators in dresses, ruthlessly hunting down any hint of scandal to fuel their juicy gossip sessions. After three hours trapped in a room with them, Diana was ready to do violence.

“Come.” Gabriel grabbed her hand and hauled her to her feet. “You’ll feel better after we go for a ride.”

Diana could’ve kissed him. “That sounds like heaven. I bet Emilie would love to go as well.”

Gabriel studied her for a long moment, and she shifted uncomfortably. “You really mean that?”

Her brow wrinkled in confusion. “Of course.”

A small smile tipped up the corner of his mouth. “I think it’s a great idea. I’ll get the horses ready.”

Diana hurried upstairs, pausing when she heard whispers and giggles. When she knocked, the room fell silent. Diana pushed open the door to see two girls standing innocently in the middle of the room, Jack sitting to attention behind them, his tongue lolling out. She repressed a smile at the obvious mischief they were planning. “Emilie, would you like to join your father and me on a ride?”

Emilie bit her lip, then shook her head. “No, thank you. You and Daddy need to spend more time together.”

Diana knelt and tugged Emilie in her arms. “You don’t think I’m taking him away from you?”

Emilie rolled her eyes. “Daddy sneaks in my room every night and every morning. He even visits for tea s’mtimes.” She scuffed her shoe on the carpet. “For you, I will share him like I share my toys with Veronica.”

Diana was surprised by her answer, and her heart warmed at Gabriel’s obvious love for his daughter.

“Anyway, you already love me.” Her eyes were very solemn as she peered up at her through her lashes. “Now you need to fall in love with Daddy so we can become a real family.” Emilie kissed her cheek then quickly skipped away to go back to her plotting.

Diana was flabbergasted by her reply. Emilie was obviously a lot more perceptive than she’d given her credit…and a lot smarter than a lot of adults. Diana watched them play for a few more seconds, then worked her way downstairs.

Gabriel waited for her, his brows lowering when he saw she was alone.

Diana refused to share what Emilie had said. It was too personal and much too revealing to tell him. “She’s in the middle of plotting a cookie raid on the kitchen with Veronica. I believe they were offering part of their loot to Jack if he would be the distraction. We have her permission to leave.”

Gabriel snorted, then ushered her outside to the waiting horses. He slipped his hands around her waist, and Diana touched his shoulder to halt him, enjoying the feel of his muscles under her palms. “I am capable of mounting on my own.”

A small smile crept across his face, the effect devastating to her ability to think rationally. “But it would be my pleasure.”

He lifted her easily on top of the waiting mare, his hands lingering a tad more than was proper before slowly retreating.

Her breath caught in her throat at his gentleness. He looked so smug about rattling her that Diana caught his hand before he could walk away, and kissed his palm, enjoying a little payback. His eyes darkened, and he looked half ready to pull her down into his arms when the groom cleared his throat.

Gabriel blinked as if waking, then backed a way. With one last look over his shoulder, he mounted his own horse.

When they arrived at the crowded park, they nodded to acquaintances, and Diana was grateful when they didn’t stop. Only when they reached the Serpentine did Gabriel seem to find what he wanted. He dismounted and reached up to help her down. Before releasing her, he reached into his pocket and held out a small package.

“What is this?”

“Open it.” His mysterious words and mischievous expression sent her pulse fluttering.

Diana didn’t like surprises, but Gabriel was teaching her that not all of them were bad. Anticipation stirred as she opened the parcel and peered inside. Brows furrowed, she looked up at him. “Bread crumbs?”

Gabriel grabbed her shoulders, and turned her around to face the water.

Understanding dawned and tears blurred her vision. “You took me to the park to feed the geese?”

He appeared uncomfortable, almost defensive. “I thought it was something you would enjoy.”

Diana couldn’t speak for a few seconds, then with the entire society watching, she reached up and kissed him full on the lips. When his arms wrapped around her, she leaned back to look into his beautiful eyes. “Thank you. I love it.”

At his bemused, slightly befuddled look, Diana laughed and whirled away. She clucked her tongue and stepped closer to the water. The geese understood the ritual, and a flock of them quickly swam to the shore. Surrounded in minutes, Diana laughed, and scattered handful after handful of crumbs to the waiting birds. They squawked for attention and Diana glanced up at Gabriel, unable to contain her joy.

When she finally ran out of food, she left the flock and went to stand by his side, twining their fingers together. “This was perfect.”

“If it isn’t the loving couple.” Pastor Williams approached with Mrs. Ashmore on his arm, a malicious gleam in his eyes as he stared at her sending a shiver down her spine.

Diana jumped at the sound of his voice, cursing herself for letting down her guard. Although she’d been expecting him, needed him to put in an appearance for their plan to work, it didn’t explain why the hair on the back of her neck rose.

Gabriel gathered her into the protection of his arms. Diana didn’t know if she should be grateful or fearful of the increased danger he invited at the open display of affection.

When Williams took a step closer, the geese picked up on her unease and took offense, charging at the pastor in a cacophony of honks.

“Did you see the way she had those creatures attack me?” Williams’ voice boomed over the park, drawing attention. He yelped as another goose charged him, its beak open and emitting a horrendous honk. The man drew himself up…only to dash around his companion when the goose gave chase.

Gabriel snorted at the picture he presented. “You interrupted their feeding. Of course the animals would go after you. There’s no need to hide behind a woman’s skirts.”

People around them laughed at the spectacle he made.

Williams smiled, his stained teeth emphasizing his skeletal look. “It’s a shame what happened to your daughter.”

Mrs. Ashmore marched closer, her hair wrapped up in a turban like a queen lording over her people. “The dear girl should come and live with me, where I can raise her right and keep an eye on the poor thing.”

Diana’s sense of unease grew.

This was supposed to be a trap, so why did she feel like they were the ones who’d been caught?

“What did you do?”

Williams’ oily grin made her skin crawl. “I don’t know what you mean. I have been with this dear woman all morning making visits.” He emerged cautiously out from his hiding place. “I can supply names if you need them.”

Diana turned in Gabriel’s arms. “We need to return home. Now. Something’s not right.” Diana tried to reach for Jack. The lines of her tattoos began to burn, but no matter how she searched, she was not able to reach him.

There was only a blank spot…like he never existed.

Panic clawed up her chest, and she pulled free of Gabriel’s arms.

He could not be dead.

Diana clutched Gabriel’s arm to gain his attention. “They planned this. We need to head back. Something’s wrong.”

Without waiting, she pulled away, marching toward the horses. Grabbing her horse’s mane, she swung up unassisted, and nudged the animal into a gallop. Hooves thundered upon the green behind her, and she was grateful to know Gabriel had followed.

The ride became interminable, her sense of urgency growing as they closed the distance. At the house, Diana kicked free of the horse and landed on her feet before pelting up the stairs. She threw the double doors wide and skidded on the floor in her haste. “Jack!”