AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It is stupid,” Millie answered.
Evie grinned. “I am not disagreeing with you.”
Millie chewed thoughtfully. “Can I become a duchess when I grow up?”
“Yes, if you marry a duke.”
“What if I don’t want to marry a duke?”
Evie chewed thoughtfully before answering. “Sometimes, the Queen can create a title to bestow an honor upon someone. Perhaps if you’re distinguished in some way, the queen can create a title for you.”
Millie’s face lit up at the thought.
“Please, do not encourage her,” Vane said quietly.
Evie pursed her lips and gave a conspiratorial wink toward Millie. The girl giggled merrily and proceeded to eat her food.
Vane and St. Clare exchanged a look. Evie was wonderful with the girl. The marquess was probably thinking the same thing. She would be a lovely mother.
Gabriel sucked in a breath. Did she want children? He knew what their bargain entailed, but he wondered whether she was changing her mind.
Evie continued an animated conversation with Millie while Button shifted to sit beside her and placed his head on her lap. Gabriel shook his head in wonder. Everyone flocked to her. Gentlemen, matrons, children, and, as it turned out, even dogs loved Evie.
And she was his.
He smiled, then shifted his gaze and collided with Vane’s amused one.
Damn, the bastard had caught him admiring his own wife. Gabriel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to claim Evie as his, to have her on his arm. Having her by his side would make many society functions more bearable and nights more pleasurable. He took his cup of tea and hid his face behind it as he drank, hoping that nobody would guess the thoughts that were going through his mind.
After breakfast, Gabriel asked Vane to spare a carriage and two fine mounts for them to continue to London. He’d leave the equipage at Vane’s London townhouse upon their arrival. The latter agreed, so Gabriel settled Evie in the carriage and regarded their host.
“Thank you for your hospitality. If you’re ever in London, I shall be sure to repay it.”
“I might take you up on your offer, but perhaps I’d need the help of your wife.”
Gabriel raised his brow in question.
“You saw how she was with Millie. I am convinced more than ever now that the right female influence is what Millie needs.”
“Well, you can’t have my wife,” Gabriel said, only half-joking.
Vane puffed a laugh. “I didn’t think I could. But perhaps she can help me find one of my own.”
Gabriel patted Vane on his shoulder. “Call on us when you come to London,” he said and hopped into the carriage.
He settled down against the seat and thumped on the roof. Only then did he realize that even if Vane did come to London, Evie would no longer be by Gabriel’s side.
* * *
Evie rested her head against the carriage seat, her eyes closed, her mind busy with the events of the morning. She could still feel Gabriel’s hands on her, his hot, hard shaft moving between her thighs. She felt liquid seep out of her center, and she tensed. Just the thought of him sent her mind reeling. What would the act feel like? Should she just give in and damn the consequences?
“What are you thinking about?” Gabriel asked her suddenly.
Evie opened her eyes in the dimly lit carriage. Her cheeks were burning, and she only hoped Gabriel couldn’t decipher her thoughts. “How did you know I wasn’t sleeping?”
“Your breathing,” he said with a smile in his voice, “I already know the depth of your breath when you’re asleep, wife.”
Evie smiled in answer. It was definitely a strange journey. She felt like they had been on it forever. It was almost unfathomable to think that tomorrow they’d reach London and then go their separate ways.
