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"Not so long ago"
He was quiet for a moment before he asked, "Would you come with me to my home?"
"In London?"
"No, that's just a place I keep when I'm in town. My home is actually here in Gloucestershire, about thirty minutes from here."
"How long have you lived there?"
"Since I moved from Dublin. Bought it sight unseen because of its proximity to Whispering Winds. I was pleasantly surprised and I think Nick pulled some strings because it really is a wonderful property and for what I paid, a real treasure."
Quinn moved around the monopoly board and climbed onto Gabriel's lap, her legs straddling his hips, as his hands moved under her sweater to touch bare skin.
"I'd love to see your home."
His voice was whisper-soft when he replied, "Thank you."
Gabriel turned his car onto a long drive and Quinn waited in anticipation at seeing his home for the first time, but even her wildest imagination didn't come close to the beauty of the place.
A large black iron gate separated his little piece of paradise from the rest of the world. Gardens filled with brightly-colored flowers in chaotic harmony surrounded his home which had lush rolling hills of green as its backdrop. The house itself was a massive Baroque-style estate, the ashlar sandstone had weathered to a yellowish-hue patina. Early morning sun glinted off the dozens of windows and there were six chimney stacks some of which had smoke curling up into the crisp air. Gabriel drove his Aston Marten into the back where the detached garages, surrounded by more gardens, were located.
"It's beautiful, Gabriel."
He parked and shut off the engine then looked over at Quinn with obvious pleasure written all over his face. "I'm really glad you like it. I'll give you the tour?"
"Please."
Inside looked exactly as she hoped it would, beautiful antique furnishings, tapestries, period accurate window treatments, vintage rugs and fireplaces. The place was a showpiece but it was also a warm home. A place where she would feel comfortable walking around with bare feet and wouldn't be afraid to sit on the sofa or drink from the crystal. He had surrounded himself with beauty but he had made his home livable and, compared to how he had started out, it was amazing. She felt sad though because even among all of this beauty he was still alone.
"What? Why the tears?"
She wiped at her eyes feeling foolish. But it was heart-breaking that even with everything he'd accomplished he didn't have anyone to share it with, until now.
"I just don't like thinking of you alone," she said.
He touched her chin with his finger and lifted her gaze to his. "I'm not alone anymore."
She met his stare evenly and when she spoke her vow was so very earnest. "Not now and not ever again."
They stood quietly for a moment then Gabriel said, "Come, you must meet my housekeeper and butler, two more lively seniors you will never meet."
They walked down a long corridor and even before they reached the door that led into the kitchen, they could hear the raised voices. Quinn was concerned until she realized Gabriel was grinning like an idiot. He pushed the door open and, to Quinn's horror, there were two people standing nose to nose. Based on the flush of temper on their cheeks and the fire burning in their eyes, they were in the midst of one hell of a fight.
Gabriel lowered his head to whisper in her ear so he didn't disrupt his housekeeper and butler's argument. "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Payne. Aren't they great?"
Quinn turned her head to look at Gabriel like he was a talking potato. "Great? They're married?"
"Yeah."
"She's wielding a meat cleaver at his head."
"I know. I really like it when they start throwing things."
"Throwing things?"
"Yeah, sometimes I just grab a bag of chips and watch them. I've never seen anything like it but every night they go to sleep in the same room."
Quinn wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. They were obviously a very dysfunctional couple but for Gabriel who had never witnessed any other kind of relationship, Quinn could understand his draw to their passion.
