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“Very well, I shall sit through tomorrow’s supper like a good little soldier, but in return, you will let me do whatever I want to do to you in bed.”
Evie swallowed hard and looked about the room, her cheeks heating rapidly. It was Gabriel’s time to put a smug smile on his face.
“What else did you do today? Is there any news, gossip?” he asked, digging into his food.
“No gossip but some news. I received a letter from Sam. She invited us to spend a month or so with her in Bedford. Apparently, her estate is so beautiful now that she can’t wait to show it off. And after she heard about Peacehaven…” His wife trailed off, her face turning somber.
Gabriel covered her hand with his. “We are going to rebuild it, darling.”
“I know. I just can’t let myself think about it for too long. Perhaps we should just let it rest for a year… or two.”
Footmen cleared their plates and brought in the second course. Gabriel looked at his plate and then turned to Evie in astonishment. She blinked and raised her face to his.
“Did you not instruct the cook of your food preferences?” he asked.
Evie sputtered a laugh. “I—no. I’ve been so down since I came here that I’ve barely spoken to my servants.”
“I feel like this should be the first thing you say to your cook. I don’t like fish, and then good afternoon.”
Evie chuckled and covered her mouth with her hand. “This is probably what I should have done. I have not briefed her on anything. A poor example of a mistress, I am.”
“Now that we live together, we should just bring Matilda. She cooks splendidly, and you do love her buns.” He grinned.
“It is not my cook’s fault. I should have instructed her on the menu, but I was too busy—”
“Wallowing in self-pity?” Gabriel raised a brow at her.
“Yes, if you must know. Exactly that.”
“Sometimes, it is healthy to wallow in a bit of self-pity.”
Evie laughed. “I just felt the weight of the whole world on my shoulders. I was frightened and alone….”
Gabriel took a deep breath. “You’re not alone. No matter what is going on between us, please know that from now on, you will never be alone.”
Evie smiled. “I know, but I suppose I had to go through that. I needed a reprieve, sleeping in, quiet evenings.”
“Oh, we can have plenty of ‘quiet evenings’ coming forth.”
Evie laughed again. “No evening is ever quiet with you.”
“All right, plenty of loud quiet evenings.” Gabriel sawed into the fish and popped a piece into his mouth. “Hmm, it isn’t too bad.”
“Just know that if you eat it, you’re not allowed to kiss me with your fish breath.”
“Fish breath?”
Evie quirked her brow. Gabriel slowly wiped his hands and mouth with a napkin, then stood. Evie watched him warily. Gabriel adjusted his cravat and lunged at Evie. She shrieked and shot out of her chair. Gabriel chased her around the table, and she laughed, scrambling to get away.
Finally, Gabriel caught her in his arms and twirled her. He backed her against the table and lowered his mouth to hers. Evie averted her face at the last moment, and he kissed her cheek, then down her neck. He crushed her closer to him while licking above her bodice.
“Hm, you are far more delicious than the fish,” he murmured.
“Gabriel, the servants,” she whispered.
“Right.” He turned toward the footmen who stood by the wall, pretending that nothing untoward was happening. “Take the food and clear out.” When the servants left, he turned back to Evie. “I shall have my dessert now.”
* * *
