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Chapter 27
“Aduel, Gabriel? Are you out of your mind?” Clydesdale leapt from the chair and stared at him wide-eyed.
“The bastard dared to accost Evie. And he is not the only one. I realize I made my bed when I spent years tupping different gentlemen’s wives every night, but I didn’t think I’d ever be married. Now Evie is the one paying the price. If I don’t put a stop to it now, she will never be safe.”
“Every time I got you out of a duel was not only to save your precious arse, you know. I do not condone duels.”
“So, will you be my second or not?” Gabriel raised his brow.
Clydesdale heaved a loud sigh and settled back into his chair. “Or course, I shall be your second. What do you want me to do?”
After instructing Clydesdale on his terms, Gabriel walked slowly to Evie’s townhouse. He didn’t take the carriage, as her townhouse was on the same street as Clydesdale’s. Also, he wanted to make sure that by the time he got back, his father would not be there.
Evie seemed to genuinely like the old man, and since he was helpful to her, Gabriel mused he’d have to learn to tolerate him. Perhaps it was time to put the past behind him and move forward. Together with his wife.
Gabriel wondered at what changed between the moment he took her to the hell and the moment they’d made love. His wife was a mysterious creature, but he never imagined that telling her he did not and would not love her would prompt such a reaction from her. Or had she heard something different in his words? Did it even matter?
As of last night, she was truly his, and he would do everything in his power to keep it that way.
Gabriel approached the house and ran up the front steps. He entered the gloomy hall and looked around. It was quiet and empty. They’d have to do something about the decor. The feel of this townhouse was all wrong. It was not the house he’d imagined his wife living in. There were no flowers, no paintings; the walls were bare. He climbed the steps and was just about to round the corner when Evie appeared in front of him.
“Oh, you’re home.” She smiled up at him, and he felt all warm inside.Home.
“Has our guest left yet?”
“Yes, a few minutes ago. And you’re just in time for supper. Come.” She took him by the arm and led him into the dining room.
He looked at the long dining table, then back at her. “We don’t have to sit six feet apart, do we?”
“As you wish, my lord.” She smiled coyly, and he grinned. He then took the plates from one side of the table and settled next to her.
“Tell me, how was your day, wife?” he asked, as the footmen brought in the first course.
“Very well, husband. I’ve done quite a bit of work, and I honestly think you would have benefited from being present at the meeting with the earl. The investments are one thing, but as a landowner, you need to learn the boring parts as well.”
“How about we strike another bargain? You deal with the boring parts, and I deal with the exciting parts.”
Evie threw him a narrowed gaze. “No, there will be no bargains in our marriage from now on.”
“How about wagers?”
“Gabriel,” she said sternly.
“All right, all right. I shall sit in on the meeting with you and the earl next time he comes. Are you happy now?”
Evie froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Truly?”
“Yes, truly.”
Evie smiled widely and proceeded to eat.
“I do recognize that I need to learn about the intricacies of running our estates,” he said thoughtfully. “I want to be of use to you. Besides, perhaps it might be time to let go of old grudges.”
She smiled slowly. “You are always of use to me. But that’s marvelous that you’re willing to forgive the earl, and also, just in time. Because he is coming tomorrow for supper, so you’d see him anyhow.”
Gabriel raised his brows. “You devious little wench.”
She licked the food off the fork with a superior look on her face.
