An Enchanted Christmas Collection : Regency Romance

by Wendy Vella

  “I have, of course, tried to do so, but it is not easy to find such a place, and now I have run out of time. Don’t you see, we are to leave London soon, and the sale will go through at the end of December. These children will perish on the streets!”

  “And I am to blame for this?” Gabe felt his temper tweak as she yelled at him. “Stop roaring at me and converse like an adult.”

  Frustration tightened her pretty features.

  “I’m an adult attempting to help people! I’m sorry if your considerable ego is tweaked, Gabriel, but I do not have time to pander to it today. Good day, I must see to my children, but before I do so, I must ask again that you keep your silence about Spoke House.”

  He grabbed her arm as she began to walk away from him, turning her back to face him.

  “I do not have a considerable ego,” he snapped. “And don’t dismiss me, you little baggage.”

  “Let me go.” Her chin rose.

  He pulled her closer, so close that her breasts brushed his chest.

  “I am going to watch you closely from now on, Maddie.”

  Her face flushed with color. Those lovely lips opened and closed twice before sound came out.

  “Why?”

  “Because you are playing a dangerous game coming here, and I will not have that on my conscience when something happens to you.”

  “What will happen, for pity’s sake? Please, Gabriel, you must see there is no danger. I walk in the door from the carriage and out of it when it draws up outside.”

  He touched her cheek simply because he wanted to test the texture of her skin.

  “I don’t trust you and believe it would not take a great deal of provocation to have you doing something foolish, Maddie. Especially if it involves the occupants of this place.”

  “Clearly you have an unflattering opinion of me, Lord Lockhart, but let me educate you on something.” She tried to shake her arm free, but Gabe simply tightened his grip. “I don’t give a fig what you think of me. Now release me.”

  Gabe let his eyes run over her face, settling on her lips. “You are a beautiful woman, Maddie.”

  “Verity is beautiful.” The words had lost their fire and were said softly, her eyes focused on his.

  “No. Yours is a true beauty, deep inside the bones.” Gabe traced a finger along the ridge of one cheekbone.

  “Gabe, please....”

  “Please what, Maddie?”

  She didn’t speak or move, instead lifted her face to take his kiss.

  She tasted like heaven, and he lost all thought but one.

  More.

  He angled her head so he could take the kiss deeper, drinking from the sweetness of her mouth as his arms slipped around her waist. She didn’t pull away, her hands clutching the lapels of his jacket, holding him as close as he was holding her.

  Their first kiss, and he knew now it would be far from their last.

  He wasn’t sure how long they stood there in each other’s arms. A minute or ten; Gabe lost all track of time and only knew that in his arms was a woman who felt right.

  Maddie.

  A loud bang above them had her jumping free. They stood facing each other, both breathless, and yes, shocked over what had just happened. The hand she raised to her mouth trembled.

  “Maddie....” He didn’t know what to say. His head was a jumbled mass of thoughts that he struggled to clear.

  “Leave now and never return.” She ran around him and in seconds had disappeared.

  Gabe did not follow.

  Chapter Seven

  Maddie spent time with the children upon her return and tried to make sense of her treacherous thoughts. Why had Gabe kissed her? Why had she wanted him to kiss her? Was she a hussy? A woman of loose morals who wished for a man’s touch?

  Surely not.

  She had never wanted it before. But in that moment when Gabe pulled her close, she’d felt desperate to have his lips on hers. The need to feel his arms around her had urged her to grip his jacket and hold him tight.

  God Lord, what does this mean?

  “It is time for us to leave now, Miss Spencer.”

  Remembering her mother’s warning, she nodded and collected her things, pleased to push her thoughts aside, no matter how briefly.

  “You will stay warm in here and keep the fire going,” Maddie said before departing. The children nodded, but she didn’t hold out much hope they’d all be there when she returned.

  Thankfully, there was no sign of either Gabe or Frank Blackley when they left Spoke House.

  Maddie directed the carriage to stop briefly at a shop on the return journey. She dashed in and purchased the gifts she’d told her mother were the reason for leaving the house today. She then directed James, who sat beside the driver, to take her home.

  Touching her lips, Maddie could still not believe Gabe had kissed her. The man she’d thought cold and snooty had placed his lips on hers, and she’d felt anything but cold. In fact, warmth had filled her body from her toes to her fingertips.

  She’d once hoped for this. Believed they were meant to be together—but not now. Now they were strangers... or so she’d thought. Today had turned that belief on its head.

  When he’d grabbed her and his hand touched her thigh, Gabriel had been as shocked as she was. The look on his face when he’d released her had confirmed that.

  “A cup of tea will ward off the chill, I think, Miss Spencer,” Penny said as they left the carriage and made their way up the four front steps to the Spencer townhouse.

  “Indeed, Penny, that sounds just the thing.”

  Maddie pushed Gabriel from her mind. She had more important matters to think about and needed to focus on Spoke House now.

  “Good day to you, Phillips.” She handed the butler her bonnet and cloak.

  “Good day, Miss Spencer. Your mother has asked that you attend her in the morning parlor upon your return.”

  Maddie bit back a groan. Clearly, they had a visitor.

  “Penny, can you please take my things up to my room.”

  She didn’t exactly stomp to the parlor, but it was a near thing. Her mother had many friends, as did Verity, so they often had callers. The rumble of a deep voice greeted her as she opened the door. Maddie thought seriously about retreating when she saw who was chatting to Verity and her mother.

  “Maddie, dear. Look who has come to visit us today.”

  “How wonderful.” The insincerity in her voice was noticed only by Gabriel. “And on such a cold day, Lord Lockhart. We are indeed honored.”

  He was on his feet bowing when she reached him. She sent him a foul look; his reply was a wide smile that flashed his white, straight teeth.

  “You promised,” she mouthed before joining her mother on the sofa.

  “Gabriel has asked us to join him at the pantomime this evening, dear. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Exceedingly,” Maddie muttered.

  “Of course, my fiancé has a box so I will be with him, but I am grateful for your invitation, Gabriel,” Verity simpered.

  Maddie gnashed her teeth.

  “And when do you leave London, Lord Lockhart?” she asked with an insincere smile on her lips.

  “Gabriel or Gabe, please; we are old friends, after all.” He smiled back.

  “Gabriel,” she managed to get out without choking.

  “I am unsure as yet. I have business to finish before I leave. Something unexpected has turned up that may delay me.”

  He’s talking about me. She didn’t want him to stay in London and meddle in her affairs.

  “And what of you, Lady Spencer. When will you leave for Chasten?”

  “As soon as my husband returns, Gabriel. He is at present attending meetings on government business.”

  “Of course, and we are grateful for all his work on our behalf. And now I must leave you, as I too have business to attend to, but will see you tonight.”

  “Maddie, see Gabriel out, please.”

  “Yes, Mama.�
��

  Closing the door behind her, she walked Gabe toward the front door.

  “My intention for coming here was genuine, Maddie. I thought you and your family would like to go to the pantomime this evening.”

  “And yet before today you have kept your distance from us.”

  “Because I was disappointed in the person you appeared to have become. That was wrong of me, I see that now. I should have tried harder to speak with you, but I didn’t. You were new to London, I wasn’t. Forgive me.”

  She hadn’t expected an apology.

  “Perhaps I should have tried harder also,” Maddie conceded.

  “Perhaps?” He was teasing her now.

  “Just perhaps at this stage, Gabriel.”

  Phillips appeared when they reached the front door and handed Gabe his coat and hat.

  “I shall see you tonight then, Maddie.”

  “Yes.”

  He moved closer so only she heard what he said next.

  “Promise me you won’t go back to Spitalfields alone.”

  “I can’t promise you that, but what I will promise is that I will always have two people with me and will show caution.”

  His eyes ran over her face briefly.

  “I don’t think you know how to show caution.”

  “I have promised you that I will try. Is that not enough for now?”

  “Not nearly enough.” He touched her chin, and then he was gone, leaving her wondering what had happened to her life since she’d opened her eyes that morning.

  Suddenly she felt off-balance. As if something monumental and life changing had happened.

  Shaking her head, Maddie headed up to her room, where she found her maid sobbing.

  “Penny. What has happened?” Maddie took her hands, gripping them hard.

  “My br-brother’s boy, he’s missing. James said my other nephew came to the rear entrance to tell me. He’s been gone four days now.”

  “Oh dear, that’s terrible.”

  “He’s been running with a bad crowd, Miss Spencer. My brother, Fred, has six children, and Lewis is the eldest. Fred works long hours, and his wife has the others to watch over.”

  “And Lewis cannot be watched all the time?”

  Penny nodded.

  “What do you believe has happened to him?”

  “I fear he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t and they’ve put him in prison. I worry he’ll be deported.” Penny sniffed.

  “What is being done to find him?”

  “Fred is spending his evenings searching, but so far nothing.”

  “I’m so sorry. If you need to go and be with your family, please do so.”

  Her maid sniffed. “Thank you, but there is little I can do at the moment but pray.”

  Maddie couldn’t imagine how it would feel to have a child go missing. She worried constantly for the children of Spoke House and what could happen to them, but they were not of her blood.

  “I’m sure all will go well, Penny.” Her words sounded empty, but Maddie could think of no other way to help her maid. She would give the matter some thought, but for now she had to prepare for an evening in Gabriel’s company.

  The thought should not be as pleasing as it was.

  Chapter Eight

  Maddie still had not come up with a resolution for Spoke House as she readied herself for the pantomime.

  Would Gabe help? Dared she asked him to? Wouldn’t he have offered if he wanted to?

  “Oh, Miss Spencer!”

  Penny rushed in, clasping a note in her hands.

  “What have you heard? Is it about Lewis?”

  “He is in prison because he was caught stealing a fob watch. Fred tried to get him released but was informed that was impossible, and in all likelihood he would end up on a ship bound for the colonies.”

  “Your poor family, they must be distraught.”

  “Yes. B-but we have no one to turn to, no one who will help. He is a criminal, and as such he will be punished,” Penny cried.

  Maddie wasn’t sure how she could help, but knew she had to try.

  “Firstly, Penny, you must go to your brother and his family after I have left for the evening,” Maddie said. “I will not return until late as I must attend the pantomime at the Theatre Royal.”

  “Thank you, I-I would like to support them.” Penny sniffed.

  “Of course. And I will think about what can be done. I may have to rise early and go to the prison myself, before the household wakes, to see if I can secure Lewis’s release.”

  “You’re never going to the prison, Miss Spencer!” Penny looked shocked. “I could not live with myself if something happened to you.”

  “I will tell James I want the carriage early and take him with me. Surely there must be someone there I can discuss Lewis’s release with?”

  Hope flared in Penny’s eyes.

  “Once I have your nephew, I shall return him home and then be back here before anyone realizes I have left.” Hopefully. “But you must keep quiet about this, Penny. If any of my family hear, they will not be pleased.”

  “But you’ve never been to such a place! Surely it is dangerous? How will you know who to speak with?” Penny’s words echoed Maddie’s thoughts. Although she sounded confident, inside she was far from it.

  “I shall be fine with James at my side. But I cannot promise unequivocally that I will be able to get Lewis released, Penny, so do not tell your family anything yet.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you, Miss Spencer.”

  “Say nothing more. Now go and get James for me, please.”

  Penny nodded and went to summon the footman.

  He was not pleased.

  “It’s folly to go to such a place, Miss Spencer.”

  “Very likely, but a little boy is depending on me, James. We must try something.”

  “And I’ll say again, ’tis folly,” the footman muttered before walking away, leaving Maddie to wonder if indeed he was right.

  Maddie, Verity, and their mother arrived at the Pantomime to a light flurry of snow. Verity was soon claimed by her fiancé and went off at his side giggling, which Maddie found nauseating.

  “Don’t scowl, Maddie.”

  “Sorry, Mama, but I fear my head is sore this evening.” She planted the seed that would allow her to sleep late tomorrow. Should anything go amiss at the prison and she was delayed returning, no one would bother her, especially if she locked her door. “These late nights are catching up on me.”

  “Then you must sleep late tomorrow, darling.”

  “I believe I will, Mama.”

  Of course, everything could go amiss at the prison, and she wondered what she could do to aid Lewis’s release—if anything. This was unknown territory for Maddie. The problem was, she had no one to ask for help. Her mother would be horrified, and her father was not home.

  Dare she asked Gabe?

  “If your head pain increases, Maddie, we shall leave, and Stephen will see Verity home, I am sure.”

  “Very well, thank you, Mother.” Maddie pushed down the guilt.

  “Lady Spencer, Madeline. How beautiful you both look this evening.”

  Stay calm. Maddie looked at Gabriel, who had sneaked up on her. He wore a black jacket and waistcoat teamed with the white of his shirt; it was a contrast that only added to the impact of this man.

  Before, the only emotion he’d stirred inside her had been irritation and perhaps disappointment, and yet now, since this morning, there was so much more.

  “Good evening, Gabriel,” Maddie said slowly.

  “Why are you frowning?”

  “She has a sore head, but it is not bad enough for us to return home,” Lady Spencer answered him. “Excuse me one moment, I see someone I need to speak with.”

  “Who?” Maddie looked around them, but her mother did not answer and had soon disappeared.

  “Can I get you anything, Maddie?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “I was be
ing solicitous.”

  “And I am grateful for your solicitousness.”

  “I always find that an extremely long word and one that is hard to get your tongue around.”

  “I’m sure it is a hard word for some to say,” Maddie said.

  He placed a hand against her spine and nudged her to a wall a few feet away so they were not constantly being bumped into.

  “You really should be nicer to me, considering what I know about you, Maddie.”

  “I was teasing you, and you promised to keep my secret. You are a fiend to suggest otherwise. Now I really must return to my mother.” Maddie only managed two steps before a hand gripped her skirts, stopping further progress.

  “What are you doing?” Her whisper was furious.

  “Stopping you, as I have not finished our conversation,” he drawled.

  No one could see what he was doing, but if she tried to wrench free, they would.

  “Now turn around, Maddie.”

  “I can’t believe you did that.” She turned to face him. “Are you quite mad?”

  He looked far too happy with himself.

  “Perhaps, but then you do bring out the worst in me.”

  Maddie laughed. He’d often said that when they were children.

  “Can I ask you a question, Gabriel?”

  “Of course. My considerable knowledge is at your service.”

  “Your arrogance is showing.”

  “Can I help that my intellect is vast?”

  Maddie didn’t reply to that.

  “If someone is restrained in an institution—”

  “Like a prison such as Newgate?”

  “Yes, exactly. How would you go about securing their release, Gabe?”

  He lost his relaxed stance and was suddenly alert.

  “Who is in prison?”

  “Oh, no one I know, it was simply a question.”

  “It’s a very strange question to simply ask. Now tell me why you really want to know.” His brows drew together as he frowned at her.

  “I like to know things,” Maddie said vaguely. “But you are right, it is a silly conversation.” She quickly skirted around him and hurried to where her mother stood before he could stop her again.