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“Welcome to Peacehaven, my lord,” she said with a bright smile on her face and curtsied without taking her eyes off him. She had a terrible feeling that if she averted her gaze, he would disappear, and this all would prove to be one long hallucination. She hoped it wasn’t so. “What brings you here?”
“Missing my wife and wishing to see her isn’t enough cause?” He cocked a brow at her, and she simply stared.
Was he serious? Did he really miss her as much as she did him?
“Well, if you must know, I am here because we’ve been summoned.” He finally let go of her hands, and she realized he’d been holding them all that time. He dipped his hand into his coat’s inner pocket and took out a letter with a broken seal, and extended it to her. “My father, the Earl of Winchester, would like to meet you. With all haste,” he added dryly.
“Is this a good thing?” she asked, perplexed.
“Depends on your definition, but no, not in my dictionary, it isn’t. He probably just wants to inquire about our progress on his heirs. But do not fret; we shan’t be staying there long. We’ll arrive, make our introductions, and take our leave.”
He’d just gotten here and already couldn’t wait to get rid of her.
“We’ll be traveling all the way to Winchester to stay but a day?”
“Trust me; you wouldn’t want to stay longer,” he grumbled.
“All right, when do we depart?”
“As soon as you pack a small valise, we can be on our way. It’s a two-day journey to Winchester from here, so you’ll need some more clothes.”
Evie smiled tightly. “Let me get ready then.”
She turned on her heel and walked up the steps of the house, not bothering to check if he followed her or remained standing by the carriage. She was unaccountably vexed that he didn’t deem it necessary to kiss her after the long separation, while that was all she had dreamed about.
About two hours later, Evie sat opposite Gabriel in the carriage as it swayed forward.
“Just like old times, isn’t it?” he mused, grinning at her.
“Mm, yes,” she agreed. “I do hope we shan’t get robbed this time.”
“Oh, no need to worry. I know these roads like the back of my hand.” He smiled and looked out the window.
Evie sat fidgeting with the ruffles of her gown, thinking desperately about what to say to her husband. And as often happened in these situations, not one thought crossed her mind. The silence was deafening.
“So, tell me—”
“How is—”
They both started at the same time and laughed. He waved his hand, indicating for her to proceed.
“No, please, you go. I insist.” She smiled because she really didn’t know what she was going to ask him.
“How is the estate?”
“Oh. It’s good. Prospering. I’ve taken the reins of all my properties, and although I find running six estates challenging, it is also very fulfilling.”
“Splendid. Splendid,” he said, idly rotating his walking stick in his hand. “I have all the confidence in you.”
Evie smirked.I don’t.“How is… how are things in London? I assume you’ve resumed your… err… customary activities.” She frowned down at her hands, kicking herself mentally for such a revealing question.
“I’ve been quite busy,” Gabriel said, and Evie felt her heart sink.
“Oh,” was all she was able to say.
“But it’s not what you think,” Gabriel said with a smile in his voice.
“How do you know what I think?”
