They sat at a head table, one meant to display them for the small crowd, which seemed to have doubled again.
Gabriel held her chair as she took her seat. “Don’t spill any of those strawberries on your white dress,” he teased.
“It’s not mine. Lady Weatherby’s daughter wore this at her come-out nearly fifteen years ago. I’ve made it fashionable again. Well, what do we do now?” she asked, picking up her fork. “You are married to a woman you don’t know and who’s likely going to make your life a living hell.”
“You don’t seem that unpleasant.”
“Carlow, I want to go to Henbury Hall. We don’t need to travel for our honeymoon. We don’t need a honeymoon.”
“And what would I get in return?”
“Nothing. I am only asking.”
“We can negotiate. I would like a honeymoon. Just the two of us. My grandfather has a small home in Brighton and is currently in Scotland with my brother. It would be the perfect place to become acquainted. Walks along the seashore. Ride horses along the South Downs. Stroll at the Royal Pavilion. During the day.”
“That sounds lovely. Why don’t you go on without me?”
He laughed, happy to hear she wasn’t defeated. “And what will you do?”
“The Season is still in full swing. Perhaps you can give me a small allowance for a few new dresses, and I will make the rounds. Who wouldn’t welcome the new Countess of Carlow?”
“But who will keep you warm in bed at night?” he asked.
“I will get a stray cat.”
Gabriel stared at Nora, really giving her facial features a good look. Her lips were full and red, touched with rouge or some such paint, along with a splash of red on her sculpted cheeks too. Her eyes were dark, with a touch of blue. Hazel, maybe. But it was her black lashes and shapely brows that animated her face. She was a beautiful woman and could have had any man in London.
But she’d held out for a higher prize. The only thing that mattered to her.
“There are plenty of stray cats running wild at Henbury Hall. And one slightly tamed tom who might need to be scratched on occasion.” His statement was fairly insipid, but Nora blushed for the first time in twelve hours. “You didn’t think I’d forgotten about the consummation of our marriage vows, did you?”
She dabbed her linen napkin against her lips. “There is no need for such formality. Three months will pass, and we will go our separate ways. Or rather, you will. I will have Henbury Hall.”
The tables were filling. Lady Weatherby was pestering his mother about something. Ellis and Nash had piled food high on their plates and were arguing, forks in hand and waving them about.
“Nora. Dear.” He braced an elbow on the table and faced her. “Up until last night around ten o’clock, I had everything I wanted in my life. I could have declined to marry you. You would have borne the brunt of such a decision, and I am not so cruel as all that. However, I did say yes. Just as you want Henbury Hall out of this arrangement, I want you in my bed. It’s as simple as that.” She had no idea the temptation she’d posed last night. She might not have thought she was flirting with him, but her ripostes, her teasing salvoes had stirred every curiosity, every desire. That he’d even mentioned marriage surprised him, but he was well and truly attracted to her.
“There are so many women who would gladly take my place.”
“I hear such nonsense on occasion. These women seem to be invisible to me. But let us talk of something weightier. Why is Henbury Hall so important to you? It’s been years since your father died and gave up his claim on the estate.”
“You know why!” she said, her jaw clenching.
“I’d like you to tell me. You’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to win your property back.”
“Win? It is mine, and my brother’s by right. Your father swindled it out from under him.”
Gabriel felt her anger and tried to empathize. “Don’t be angry when I say this, but your father was very astute when it came to ulterior motivations. He would not fall into the same trap he so frequently employed for his own gain.”
“I don’t want to talk about this now. Not here.”
“We’re married now, Nora. There are expectations and I don’t want you to think we have something other than a ton marriage. But I will make a concession. We will stay in London until Sunday, then leave for Henbury Hall. Will that suit you?”
“Yes.”
He took her hand in a show of affection for the audience who eyed them with expectation. “I’m not your enemy.”
“Maybe you should be.”
“Have you ever been told you are a contrarian?”
She lifted one shoulder and eyed him beneath lowered lids.
“And I will take that ring back again.” He opened his palm in front of her.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She twisted it off and dropped it in his palm a second time.
“How did you get that out of my pocket?”
“I took it.”
“I mean how?”
“If you had been my father’s son, you would know how.”
“You’ll have to teach me one of these evenings.”
“Unlikely.”
“Then if you will excuse me, I need to return this to our gracious hostess.” He tossed the ring in his hand and caught it back up. He still couldn’t justify his odd sense of euphoria. He knew Nora Blasington inspired it; he just didn’t understand it.
“And I need to make the rounds and acknowledge our guests. Your mother seems shy about being introduced to your
