AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You are right. I shall be honest with you, I promise.” He took a deep breath and looked at her intently. “If we are to have a trusting relationship, does this mean we shall be living together? As husband and wife?”
“Yes?” Evie blinked in confusion. In her mind, they already were.
“Spend nights together? Perhaps work on creating a brood of heirs?” Gabriel waggled his brows.
Evie let out a tiny laugh. “What are you asking me?”
“I am asking if our bargain is done. Finished. Forgotten. If you would consider being my wife in all the meanings of the word. If you would have me as your husband.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Gabriel—”
“You said… That time in Winchester manor, you said that if we had marital relations, if we spent a night together, you wouldn’t be able to let me go. Now that we have… You didn’t change your mind, did you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I didn’t change my mind.”
“Good.” Gabriel nodded. “Now, remember you said that because I am not letting you go either. You are stuck with me. Forever.”
Evie let out a small laugh.
“When I was standing on that dueling field, covered in sweat, my stomach tied in knots. I thought I might die. And my only regret was that I was an idiot enough not to realize sooner… Not to tell you sooner.” Gabriel cleared his throat.
“Tell me what?”
“That I love you.”
Evie’s shy smile turned into a broad grin. “I already knew that.”
Gabriel raised his brow.
Evie leaned in closer to him so that their lips were hairbreadth away. “I love you too.” She covered his mouth with hers and kissed him deeply.
“So, will you tell me?” he asked when he raised his head. “How did the meeting go with your cousins?”
Evie beamed up at him. “Splendidly. I threatened them with social ruin, and it surprisingly felt very… liberating. Both Clydesdale and your father did insist on leaving their footmen to watch the Montbrooks, however. And we shall have a few more guards about our estates until we are certain that they left the country. But I think it went well.”
“Mm, I knew you would do wonderful. Never doubted you for a moment.”
The door opened then, and Winchester sauntered into the room. “Son, you’re awake.”
“I am.” Gabriel took Evie’s hand and curled their fingers.
Winchester’s gaze followed the action, and he smiled. “So I see you feel better.”
“Yes, much.”
“Good, I just confirmed with the doctor. The low dose of arsenic that you ingested should be out of your blood by now. So, he says you should be back to your regular activities as soon as tonight.”
“Good news. I was just thinking about renewing my… regular activities.” He threw a suggestive look toward Evie, and she pursed her lips in disapproval, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.
“Right, I shall leave then,” Winchester said and turned to leave.
Evie squeezed Gabriel’s hand and raised her brows.
“Father,” Gabriel called.
“Yes?” The earl turned his head.
“Thank you.”
