Page 52 of Dare it all for Love

Gabriel’s jaw was very tight.

Helena’s expression softened, her voice full of understanding. “Let the poor man up, Gabe. I know she’s your little girl, but she is no longer a child. She is a grown woman, and she loves him. She’s made her choice, and I for one think it is a good one. Perhaps you would not have chosen him, but he is a good man and I believe he loves her. He’ll take care of her, you know that.”

Gabriel turned and glowered at Henry, the desire to sink his fist into Henry’s face shining in his eyes all too clearly. He glared for a moment longer, and then let out an uneven breath and climbed off Henry, getting to his feet.

“Henry!” Florence cried, running to him. “Oh, darling, are you hurt?”

“Mostly my pride,” Henry muttered, rubbing irritably at his jaw which was throbbing.

“You don’t go near her again without a chaperone,” Gabriel said, pointing a threatening finger at Henry who could do nothing else but nod in agreement.

“Probably best.”

Gabriel looked like he wanted to murder him all over again.

“And it will be a very long engagement,” he said through his teeth.

Henry had known this was coming and had enough sense to realise this was not the moment to argue. Sadly he was unable to communicate this to Florence.

“That’s not fair! Papa, Henry did nothing wrong, and I want to marry him as soon as possible.”

“Well, when I feel less like dismembering him and chopping the sections up into small pieces, and then the pieces into bite sized chunks, we’ll talk about it,” her father said, still vibrating with anger. “I had a brief spell working for a butcher in my youth,” he added for Henry’s benefit, and quite unnecessarily in his opinion.

Helena dragged her furious husband away by the arm. “Come along, we shall all return to the house and take tea like civilised people and discuss it properly,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

Gabriel made a noise that sounded very much like a growl but allowed her to propel him back in the direction of the house. Helena glanced over her shoulder to Florence and mouthed, I’ll talk to him, before sending them both an encouraging smile.

Henry sighed, and they followed them back up the path. He turned to see Florence watching him anxiously.

“Are you cross with me?”

“With you?” Henry frowned in consternation.

“Yes, for getting you into trouble. It’s just like Mama said, isn’t it? It’s all my fault. You didn’t stand a chance. I’ve chased you and tormented you and forced you to kiss me. If I hadn’t, you’d have never…”

She blushed then and Henry’s heart felt as if it was being squeezed in his chest. She was utterly delicious, and he would marry her if it was the last thing he did. Even if Gabriel made him wait for years.

“Yes, indeed, it is undoubtedly all your fault, you wicked girl. You made me fall head over ears in love with you and tempted me beyond reason. I shall never be the same… and I’ve never been happier about anything, you little nitwit.”

The look of relief in her eyes made Henry smile and he reached out, taking her hand.

“Keep your distance, Stanhope!” Gabriel yelled.

Henry sighed and let go of her hand.

“Oh, Gabe, leave them be,” Helena scolded him.

The sound of husband and wife bickering as they returned to the house made Henry smile. “They are still as much in love as they were when they met.”

“Yes,” Florence said simply. “They don’t always agree, and occasionally they have the most spectacular rows, but there’s never any question that they adore each other. I think they work hard though, to keep understanding each other. They talk a lot.”

Henry nodded. “I suppose I need some practise with that. It’s only been me, Florence, for such a long time. I’m not used to discussing my thoughts or… sharing decisions, but I will try.”

Florence glanced ahead to see her mother and father were still discussing things and slid her arm through his. “Oh, don’t worry, darling, I shall remind you whenever the need arises.”

Henry laughed.

Chapter 14