Beside him, Henry chortled just as hard. The small group of men around him were all laughing.
As she approached down the long aisle, Gabe was the only one she looked at. She stopped beside him.
Slowly, the laughing ceased.
Gabriel swung around, and their gazes locked. He quickly stood, bowing slightly. “M’lady.”
“May I have a word with you?” she asked, barely able to control her excitement.
“It would be my pleasure,” Gabe said, extending his arm for her.
She hooked her hand through his arm, her heart pounding as he led her from the Great Hall. Her hand rested against his strong arm and warmth flooded through her. Just this small contact heightened her awareness of his strength, of his closeness. It was a moment later that she realized it was her deformed hand, tucked in her sleeve, that lay upon his arm. He had not pulled away in repulsion. Warmth blossomed inside her entire body.
He led her out of the Great Hall and around the corner where he paused, his gaze sweeping over her. “You look tired.”
She bowed her head. “I was up most of the night. I made you something.” She reached inside of her other sleeve and produced the small, brown piece of tapestry. For a moment, doubt festered in her and she held it tightly. “It’s not very good.”
Gabe chuckled softly and held his hand out. “That’s not something you tell the recipient of the gift.”
He was right, but it didn’t alleviate her anxiousness. She was so proud of it and, really, it was an outline at best. And not a very good one. She hesitantly handed it to him.
He took it and unfolded the square piece of fabric.
Eve’s heart pounded so hard she was sure he heard it.
He stared at it for a long moment. “You did this?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Mary helped. She showed me how. I did the stitches and… it’s nothing very elaborate. But I thought of you when I was making it and –”
He grinned at her. “I love it.”
Love it. The words on his lips sent waves of happiness through her.
“I thought you couldn’t embroider.”
She smiled full out. “Someone told me I could do whatever I put my mind to.”
“Must be a very intelligent person.”
“He is amazing,” she whispered. When his gaze lifted to pin her to the spot, she quickly dropped her stare in embarrassment to the tapestry he held delicately in his hands. “And he was absolutely correct. I know that I can never give him the treasure he has given me, so I made him this gift. It’s an –”
“Angel.” They said together.
Her gaze snapped up to his. “You know what it is?”
“Of course I do.” He traced part of the embroidery with his finger. “These are her wings, this is her dress. And she even has a little halo here.”
Her heart bloomed. Love it. Love him. She couldn’t look away from him as he stared at the tapestry. His profile was stunning, nothing short of a piece of artwork.
He looked at her.
Her gaze drifted to his lips and she realized the sudden urge to kiss him swept through her. She parted her lips in a small gasp and stepped away from him. “Yes. Correct. That’s exactly what they are.”
He looked at the tapestry again. “I thank you, m’lady. I shall always keep this close to my heart.” He delicately folded the tapestry in half and placed it inside of his jupon.
“You like it?”
“I do.” His gaze moved over her face. “Very much.” He leaned closer to her. “You will meet me in the stables after the morning meal to go horseback riding?”
