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“Do I look like I’m lying to you?” Gabriel asked.
Nathaniel stared at Gabriel as if he were looking into his soul. The two men barely moved as they eyed each other, and Eleanor remained as quiet as a church mouse.
“Tell me again,” Nathaniel instructed.
“Only if you don’t stick your finger into my chest again,” Gabriel replied.
“She is my sister; the person I care about more than anything else in this world, save for my mother. I want to be completely sure of your intentions.”
“And I want to be completely sure that you are hearing exactly what I need to say,” Gabriel countered. “When I spent time with Eleanor, I developed feelings for her, and then I fell in love with her. That has nothing to do with any kiss or potential scandal. I would have asked for her hand either way.”
Nathaniel took a deep breath in through his nose. He nodded a couple of times and then looked deeply into Gabriel’s eyes again.
“You love my sister?” Nathaniel asked.
“I do. I love your sister,” Gabriel repeated. “I love Eleanor.”
Nathaniel held his gaze intently the entire time. Gabriel didn’t back away or look away. He knew in his heart that he loved Eleanor, and he didn’t care who knew it. He was ready to shout it from the rooftops if he had to.
Nathaniel’s lips widened into a tight, guarded smile. He looked into Gabriel’s eyes, saying nothing initially.
After what felt like an eternity, Nathaniel looked away from Gabriel.
“Mother, it is time for us to take our leave,” Nathaniel said. “I have only just arrived back in England, and there is a lot I must see to, especially if I am to return to France soon. We do not wish to overstay our welcome with the newlyweds.”
“It will be fine to have you in the home once more,” Margaret admitted, “especially since Eleanor won’t be there any longer. That does make me sad.”
“It makes me sad, too,” Nathaniel admitted. “She has her own life to live now, and her own path to follow. His Grace will be with her as she does so.”
“Thank you for visiting,” Gabriel told them. “I’m glad we had this chance to talk.”
“As am I,” Nathaniel admitted.
Gabriel looked at Eleanor, and she looked to be in a state of shock.
Margaret went to her son and linked arms; they made their way toward the door. Nathaniel paused at the doorway.
“You have said what you needed to say to me, and I am grateful for that, Your Grace,” Nathaniel said. “But perhaps I am not the only one you must speak to.”
Nathaniel left without expanding on that, taking his mother with him.
The couple was left alone once more.
CHAPTER 31
Eleanor was in a daze. She looked at the empty doorway that her brother and mother had just vacated, but she could not look at the duke just yet. She dared not dream of what might be. She had heard the word come from his mouth for the first time, and Nathaniel had believed her, but was that because it was the truth or because the duke was that persuasive?
“I didn’t know what to expect when my brother showed up here,” Eleanor admitted. “I barely got to say a word to him after missing him for so long, and now he is gone.”
“You shall get a chance to sit down with him soon,” Gabriel told her. “I shall make sure of it. Perhaps we can have Nathaniel and your mother over for supper. I have also missed him.”
“I would like that,” Eleanor admitted. “We can…Is it over now? I mean, there will be no scandal, and my family accepts what we have, and…”
“I meant it, Eleanor,” Gabriel told her.
He crossed the short distance between them and took her head in his hands, one hand on each side, and he caressed each cheek with his thumbs.
Eleanor looked into his eyes this time, just as her brother had, and she looked for any sign that he was only saying that to placate her, or that it was some sort of ruse on his part. She found only honesty in his eyes.
