Forsters 04 - Romancing the Runaway (15 page)

Gabe ground his jaw. Unfortunately for them, they’d failed to take his presence into account. He knew now to expect her guardians within the next two days and would be ready for them. All he needed to do in the meantime was to discover what it was about the Wildes that had tempted them. He’d seen absolutely nothing out of the ordinary since his arrival, and he’d been looking.

Miranda knew what it was—she must do since she was intimately acquainted with every inch of the place—but just didn’t realise it. Gabe didn’t intend to reveal the contents of Darius’s letter to her. She needed to be protected, not overset by knowledge of Nesbitt’s callousness. But she did need to know that Peacock and Nesbitt would very soon be here. Perhaps expediency would sharpen her mind and she would remember some snippet of information that could be exploited for financial gain by two ambitious and desperate men.

With a legitimate reason to follow her to her cove, Gabe reached for his coat and set out after her.

Chapter Fifteen

Gabe covered the footprints made in the frosty grass by Miranda’s small feet with his own much larger ones. Even though the sea was visible from the house, distances could be deceptive and he assumed he would be in for a long walk. The cold wind biting into his face notwithstanding, the walk would give him an opportunity to further think about Darius’s letter and how much he ought to tell Miranda. She deserved to know but the desire to protect her muddled his thinking.

He was surprised when he crested a rise in the ground and already found himself almost on the steep path that descended to the cove. The Cornish coast twisted and turned, often seeming to double back on itself, making greedy inroads into the land. The cove was a large inlet at an almost ninety degree angle to the town, making it very private, and almost inaccessible.

Gabe’s suspicions were now on high alert. He’d examined most of the Wildes estate, looking for an explanation for Peacock’s behaviour. The cove was the only area to have so far escaped his scrutiny. It hadn’t previously occurred to him that Peacock’s scheme could have anything to do with a remote, secluded little bay, especially since Miranda had told him it was inaccessible from the sea. Smuggling had been one of his first thoughts since that thrived in this part of the world. Even if that was Peacock’s intention though, he would have to be a desperate man indeed to attempt it. The locals knew the geography of the land backwards, considered it their birthright to ply the waters with their illegal cargos, and wouldn’t take kindly to Londoners trying to queer their pitch.

No, it was nothing to do with smuggling.

Hewn out of the rock face, the steps down to the cove were steep and slippery with algae. Gabe hoped Miranda had negotiated them without damaging her recently sprained ankle. There was a rope handrail, so she might have been safe enough if she took a firm hold of that.

Gabe paused to look across the foaming sea, grey and angry as large waves broke across a line of rocks and crashed onto the shingle beach. It was a thrilling sight, nature in its rawest form. He breathed deeply of the crisp air and tasted salt on his lips. Unless he mistook the matter, there was a storm brewing.

God’s beard! Gabe slapped the heel of his hand against his brow, almost doing what the wind had thus far failed to manage and dislodging his hat. How could he be so mutton-headed? He ought to have noticed at once that the rope handrail was brand new, not weathered or frayed. Every aspect of the estate had been in disrepair when they arrived. Why would anyone bother to renew a handrail to a cove that was disused and of no strategic importance? He’d bet his fortune that it wasn’t Dalton’s work.

Gabe experienced a moment’s panic. Was some ne’er-do-well already down here when Miranda arrived alone and unprotected? If she happened upon their secret, there was no telling what action they might take to silence her. He ran down the slippery steps, almost falling twice in his haste to reach her. If anyone harmed so much as one hair of on her head, by all that was holy, they’d have him to answer to.

The strength of his feelings surprised him but didn’t slow him down. When he couldn’t see her or Tobias anywhere, his unease grew. He called her name but his voice was carried off by the wind and he barely heard it himself. Forcing himself to slow his step—indeed, he had no choice since he was struggling to find purchase for his boots on the slippery shingle—the rest of the cove came into view. The wild beauty of the place even on such a day struck him, and he could understand why Miranda favoured it. Sitting here alone and simply communing with nature would be a good way to sooth a jaded spirit.

Behind him Gabe discovered the entrance to a huge cave and he supposed that must be where Miranda had taken shelter from the biting wind. Relieved, he stepped into the cavernous room and was about to call her name. Before he opened his mouth he noticed her sitting on the ground, knees pulled up to her chin and her arms wrapped around them. Her head rested on top of her knees and she was sobbing her heart out. Tobias sat beside her, head cocked to one side as he alternately whined and licked her hand. She didn’t seem to realise he was there.

Gabe’s instinctive reaction was to go to her, pull her into his arms and comfort her. He’d been fighting that impulse with increasing regularity over the past few days, and now she’d presented him with the perfect excuse to indulge his baser instincts. No, not base, he told himself but natural brotherly concern.

Yes
,
definitely brotherly
,
nothing more.

Gabe almost laughed aloud, unable to convince even himself. He hesitated to take ungentlemanly advantage of her distress. Something told him she wouldn’t thank him for barging in on her at such a moment and so instead he remained concealed by an outcrop of rock and tried to decide what could have overset her. Was it returning to the Wildes and finding it so dilapidated and devoid of family heirlooms? That would be understandable, but somehow he didn’t think it was the reason. The Miranda he was getting to know had greater fortitude than that.

Gabe retraced his steps until he was standing in the very entrance to the cave again, cleared his throat and called to her.

“Miss Cantrell, are you in there?”

He heard snuffling, the sound of a nose being blown and then Miranda’s voice. “Lord Gabriel? What are you doing here?”

“I might ask you the same question,” he said, smiling as she and Tobias approached him. He bent to ruffle Tobias’s ears, observing Miranda without making it obvious. She looked more composed than he would have imagined possible, given the extent of her recent distress. He pretended not to see her swollen eyes and red nose.

“Excuse me. I didn’t realise that I had to ask your permission before walking on my own land.”

“The weather’s closing in. There’s a storm on the way and I was concerned when I couldn’t find you.”

“Thank you, but I’m perfectly able to take care of myself.”

“You told the truth about the labyrinth of caves,” he said, glancing around with interest.

“Oh yes, it’s an extensive network that links half the properties along this part of the coast, particularly ours and our neighbours, Mr. Banks.”

“I didn’t realise they were linked. You should have said something.”

“Why?” She arched a brow. “What possible significance can it have?”

“I’m unsure, but it’s the only part of the estate that holds secrets.”

“You think Mr. Peacock is interested in the cove and the caves?” She blinked repeatedly. “Why?”

“That,” he said smiling, “is what I would very much like to know.”

“This is my special place,” she replied with a brittle smile. “And no one would dare to invade it. Not even the odious Mr. Peacock.”

Gabe was trying to decide whether to mention the new rope handrail when she spoke again.

“Why did you really come in search of me, Lord Gabriel? I’m persuaded you weren’t motivated by the metrological concerns.” Her lips lifted briefly. “Perhaps you were looking for an excuse to abandon chopping logs, for which I don’t blame you in the least. It’s hardly an occupation worthy of a marquess’s son.”

“On the contrary, I enjoyed the exercise. There’s something immensely satisfying about stretching one’s legs in front of a roaring blaze of an evening, knowing one’s responsible for providing those logs in the first place.”

“That must be a novel experience for you, and one you will soon grow tired of.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Miss Cantrell? Have I done something to offend you?”

“Not in the least,” she replied, her tone implying precisely the opposite. “I am entirely at your service, as are my servants.”

“Ah, so that’s what it is. You think I’ve overstepped my authority.”

“I don’t think about you at all.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her towards him until she was compelled to meet his gaze. “Never imagine for a moment that I doubt your ability to manage your own affairs, sweet Miranda,” he said softly. “You must forgive me if I seem overbearing. It’s just that I’m accustomed to giving orders, you see. Besides, I desperately want to help you restore the Wildes. It’s a wonderful house and I can quite see why you’re so attached to it.”

“That’s as may be, but there’s no need to dismiss my views as inconsequential.”

“Would you have agreed to my hiring so much help, had I consulted you beforehand?”

“Of course not. I can’t afford to pay them.”

“Precisely my point. Your pride would have put up too many objections. I however can pay them without noticing the cost.”

Her eyes darkened, but he could see she was no longer angry with him, merely confused. “Perhaps, but why would you—”

“Take pity on a poor man who’s never had to lift a finger to help himself in his entire life, if you possibly can. I’m enjoying myself enormously, and learning a great deal about myself at the same time.”

“Well, I suppose if you put it like that.” She shook her head. “But still, it doesn’t seem right. I’m not a charity case.”

“No, you most certainly aren’t.”

“Then why are you doing this? Why are you still here, come to that?” Confusion clouded her eyes. “I don’t understand any of it.”

Nor did Gabe, not really. He knew he should remove his hands from her shoulders, but couldn’t bring himself to do so for no other reason than he enjoyed touching her. They were standing way too close, his clothing brushing against hers, his breath peppering her upturned face. She looked directly at him, as though searching for clues. Her expression of naïve enquiry was at variance with the flicker of awareness that illuminated her eyes. Even so, he was sure she couldn’t understand what was happening between them, or very soon would if he didn’t put daylight between them absolutely immediately.

His emotional investment in Miranda and her affairs was too strong, his recollection of her sobbing her heart out still too fresh in his mind for him to do the sensible thing. His hands slipped from her shoulders to her waist, closing the almost nonexistent space between them by pulling her towards him until their bodies collided with a soft thud. Her breathing hitched but she made no attempt to pull away. He cupped her chin with one hand, his vision hazy as he briefly contemplated the wisdom of the step he was about to take.

Very briefly.

Recklessness and a disregard for all the reasons why he shouldn’t do this streaked through him in unstoppable waves. Her lips were so plump, so damnably tempting, that he was lost to all reason. More to the point, they were so close to his that it would take a stronger man then he would ever be to resist kissing her. Just one brief kiss, he promised himself. Surely there could be no harm in that?

Gabe slanted his mouth over hers, euphoria ripping through him as he finally claimed her lips, thoughts of which had caused him many a sleepless night since he’d met the little witch. He remained passive, giving her the opportunity to get accustomed to his mouth on hers, giving her every opportunity to protest. Hopefully she’d managed to retain a modicum of common sense and would put him firmly in his place since it was beyond him to end what he should never have started.

She didn’t. Instead, with a soft sigh, she leaned into him and her arms worked their way around his neck. Her reaction caused his spirits to soar, even as the tiny part of his brain still capable of rational thought screamed at him not to do this. It might as well have been speaking to him in double Dutch for all the notice he took of it. He felt the pressure of her breasts squashed against his chest and had the good sense to know he was lost. That being the case, he might as well permit himself a moment’s pleasure. Just one brief moment, and then he’d be himself again.

With a smothered oath he took control of the situation and deepened the kiss, savouring the gift of her sweet mouth as the tip of his tongue tangled with hers. With their mouths fused together, he explored the contours of hers with seductive strokes of his tongue and drew on her lower lip until she expelled a needy little moan.

Miranda endeavoured to return his kiss, clearly acting on instinct since she had no real idea how to go about it. The child hadn’t been kissed before and the desire to instruct her in the best way to respond to him actually brought Gabe to his senses. If he didn’t stop this now, there was no telling where it would lead. Abruptly he broke the kiss and released his hold on her. She almost stumbled without his arm to support her back, and he reached out a hand to steady her.

“Miranda, I’m sorry, that shouldn’t—”

“Shush.” She smiled up at him, her eyes now sparkling with an emotion Gabe preferred not to examine too closely. “Of course it should not, but it’s of no consequence. I dare say elegant gentlemen like you kiss ladies all the time. It meant nothing and is already quite forgotten, Lord Gabriel.”

For her, perhaps. Gabe took a moment, waiting for his tumescence to subside so he would have better control of himself.

“Gabe,” he said softly. “My friends call me Gabe.”

“I’m sure they do, but we are hardly friends. We don’t even mix in the same social circles.”

She was looking everywhere except at him, probably confused by what had just happened. Gabe took full responsibility for that.

“Nevertheless,” he said. “I just kissed you, which makes us anything but strangers. Oblige me, if you please, and use my given name.”

“If you wish.”

She was likely too embarrassed to talk about what had just happened between them. Gabe would explain it to her if he could, but it was beyond his abilities at that precise moment since he still didn’t understand it himself. Further apology would simply muddy the waters and so he looked for something else to say.

“I would enjoy a guided tour.”

“Certainly, but if we go much deeper we shall need a lantern.”

“Ah, that we should, but I can see daylight here,” he said, wandering a little deeper and glancing upwards.

“Yes, we’re below Mr. Banks’s land here. There are several areas such as this where light filters through the upper strata.”

“Natural chimneys.”