The Arrangement (Homestead Legacy Book 1)

by Alex Jane

  Thaddeus had been right; the gossip pages had exaggerated the extent of Nathaniel's disfigurement. Nonetheless, he had a scar, thick in places, thinner in others, which bisected the right side of his face, curving unkindly over his eye, which was a dull gray in comparison to his other bright blue iris. His right hand too was scarred but appeared able to deftly grip a stout cane that he leaned heavily on as he struggled to his feet, clearly weak in the leg of his right side.

  Most of all, though, Gabriel was struck by the sheer terror of Nathaniel's expression as he swallowed hard and appeared to have to force out the words, "Gabriel. I…it's so good to— I mean— Good morning."

  Gabriel was struck dumb and stared long enough for it to be rude before spluttering out, "Good morning, Alpha. I…uh. How are you?"

  "Well. Mostly well. And you?"

  In that moment, Gabriel had no goddamn clue whatsoever as to how he was feeling. So he simply nodded and clasped his hands in front of him. "I'm…yes."

  Nathaniel nodded back as if understanding completely what Gabriel was talking about. Then there was silence between them. It stretched on interminably until Nathaniel cleared his throat and stepped forward, saying, "I guess we should…"

  "Yes. Yes, of course."

  Gabriel moved to one side to let the Alpha pass. Only, as Nathaniel limped by, he paused, boldly taking Gabriel's hand and holding it tight. "You know," he whispered, his voice still as soft and gentle as Gabriel remembered. "You don't have to do this. I won't be in any way angry or disinclined to help you and your pack if you back out now."

  Perhaps if Nathaniel hadn't taken his hand, Gabriel might have done that very thing. But the heat from the Alpha's touch, combined with his scent and the sheer heady relief of his proximity, had Gabriel shaking his head and looking up into his eyes with absolute certainty. "I'm not backing out. Unless, of course, that's what you want?" He waited for Nathaniel to give an almost imperceptible shake of his head before saying, "Well then. I suggest we get on with it, don't you?"

  2

  What little remained of the morning passed in a haze. Gabriel's head was spinning as he followed Nathaniel out of the parlor, the after-effects of his boldness making him dizzy as much as the sensation of Nathaniel leading him by the hand. There had been an opportunity to back out and he hadn't taken it. Worse still, he felt perhaps he was strong-arming Nathaniel, that the out hadn't been so much for his sake but one that would have released Nathaniel from the obligation.

  Certainly, as soon as they had stepped over the threshold and into the hall, any of the nervousness Nathaniel had been showing before dropped away as if a shutter had fallen over him. It was like Gabriel was looking at a different man, one who appeared every inch the Alpha, strong and certain. Standing as straight as he could, Nathaniel walked with only a slightly halting step over to where Thaddeus and Abraham were in deep discussion at the foot of the stairs. The two men looked a little surprised to see them, clearly having been anticipating that Nathaniel and Gabriel would have entered into some discussion or at least conversation that lasted more than mere minutes.

  "Shall we begin?" Nathaniel's voice was business-like and showed none of the concern he'd expressed moments before.

  "I suppose so," Thaddeus said, then looking to Gabriel, added, "Shall we?"

  The slight nod Gabriel gave was enough to get everyone moving to the modest patio outside the French doors of the dining room.

  A small table and chairs had been placed there and, on a wooden platter, lay a long, wide golden ribbon. The sight of it was magnetic and Gabriel found he couldn't take his eyes off it, even as the ceremony proceeded around him. Even when Thaddeus held the thing in his hand and started to wrap it around Gabriel's wrist, he was transfixed, not by the scars twisting the skin on the hand holding his, but by the motion of the ribbon, the sound as the fabric rasped between Thaddeus's fingers.

  The idea of marriage was an insubstantial thing, an abstract concept. Not like a mating, which was very real, carnal, flesh torn with teeth as the wolves-inside made their choice, culminating in a bond that could be felt viscerally by both parties, all passion and instinct. Marriage was different, a meeting of minds, logical not wild. And yet, seeing the physical manifestation of his joining with Nathaniel, feeling the cool fabric against his skin, the heat coming from the place where their hands were pressed together— suddenly it didn't feel abstract at all.

  The ceremony took minutes. Once the appropriate words were said, instead of the cheering and clapping that should accompany the moment, there was an awkward shuffle of feet and clearing of throats as if no one really knew how to proceed.

  Thaddeus spoke first. "Well. I hope you'll join us for lunch."

  "I'm afraid not." Nathaniel's voice was as cold as his posture was stiff. "I have some further business to attend to this afternoon. Perhaps some other time?" He held out a hand to Thaddeus—who shook it with an expression of sad understanding—before doing the same to Gabriel's father.

  Abraham didn't pause before taking his hand, but he wasn't exactly overflowing with paternal joy either. "I trust we'll be seeing you both shortly. Gabriel's box should already be in your carriage so… Thank you, Alpha."

  At the formal address, Nathaniel's icy demeanor melted somewhat, and his face took on a pained expression. "Oh…oh no, sir. Please don't… I was hoping that you would be able to dine with us tomorrow? We could perhaps discuss how you would like to proceed with…?"

  For all his stature and reserve, Gabriel was surprised to see Nathaniel's fumbling attempt to ingratiate himself with his father-in-law. Abraham looked quite surprised too and only nodded at the vague invitation.

  With a few hurried goodbyes, Gabriel found himself being whisked out the front door and into the large black carriage waiting on the drive. The imposing horses and equally imposing driver—who sat atop with his old-fashioned brocaded tailcoat and top hat—had his heart quickening as if he were stepping into a hearse taking him to his own funeral rather than his marital home.

  Once seated, Nathaniel rapped on the roof with his silver-topped cane and the carriage rocked as it pulled away.

  "I suppose we should…" Nathaniel looked down at the band that was still tying their hands together. It was normal for the married couple to leave the binding on until the marriage was consummated in some way and, for a moment, Gabriel's breath caught in his chest when he supposed an intimate encounter was what Nathaniel was proposing. Somehow, it felt infinitely worse when the man simply pulled the bond free and tucked the ribbon into the breast pocket of his coat before turning away to look out of the window.

  Gabriel stared at him for a moment then moved away slightly. If he could have, he would have pressed himself into the opposite corner of the carriage and pulled his knees to his chest in an effort to curl into a ball like a pill bug. Wanting to retain at least a little of his dignity, he simply slid over a few inches and folded his hands in his lap so he could surreptitiously rub the place where the bond had been.

  "Will you be going to town for your meeting?" It was the only thing he could think to say that was neutral enough to begin a conversation.

  "I don't go to town."

  "Never?"

  "Not if I can help it. I'm quite sure town would much prefer if I didn't go at all."

  "And be deprived of your dazzling wit and humor? Surely not." It perhaps wasn't in Gabriel's best interest to be so sarcastic, but he figured his new husband should be reminded of his nature sooner rather than later. In the intervening years, Nathaniel may have forgotten exactly what Gabriel's personality was like. It certainly seemed so when the only reply was a sharp look and the abrupt pulling out of a pocket watch.

  "I asked Ruth to prepare some lunch. She'll acquaint you with the house while I attend to this issue."

  "Will you be available this afternoon? We should discuss…my place."

  "Your—?" Nathaniel frowned and the way his eyebrows closed in over his face didn't suit him at all. He didn't turn to Gabriel and gi
ven the state of his right eye, Gabriel imagined that he wasn't in Nathaniel's field of vision at all. "You are my…we're wed. That is your place. I don't see there's much more to discuss."

  Gabriel could only glare at the man. At home, he helped run the household, took care of anything his father found too strenuous. In his new abode—he couldn't bring himself to think of Nathaniel's house as home yet—he had no idea how the pack ran itself. He knew almost nothing about who else lived there or what he might be called upon to do, if anything at all. He loathed the thought he might only be kept as a prize with no purpose other than as a name to shore up Nathaniel's reputation.

  The remainder of the journey passed in silence. Luckily there wasn't far to travel, but Gabriel was glad when the carriage finally turned off the road and down a short avenue of linden and ash trees. Pulling back the shade, he was pleasantly surprised when he caught first sight of the house.

  There was a grandeur to it that somehow seemed to fit Nathaniel down to the ground. The wide, gray building had two stories with dormer windows in the gray slate roof. The Palladian entrance sported white columns and a pair of large stone urns that were devoid of greenery. Two further wings bracketed the main house although the windows seemed to be mostly shuttered.

  What the grounds lacked in trees they seemed to make up for in lawns, which stretched out from the sides of the house in such a way that intimated they did the same at the back of the house.

  When the carriage came to a halt, Nathaniel got out without a glance behind him, moving swiftly to join an older man who was coming out of the front door. They exchanged a few words before Nathaniel limped back a few steps as Gabriel descended into the shadow of the house.

  "Mr. Cohen is waiting for me in my study already so Mr. Goddard and his wife will take care of you, and Abel will take your box to your room when he's done with the horses. If you'll excuse me."

  He didn't wait for a reply, simply turning and hurrying away as if the hounds of hell were after him. Luckily, Gabriel wasn't left gawping after his husband like a fool for too long. The older man, a Beta of perhaps fifty or so, with a friendly face, wearing a smart brown waistcoat with his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, came forward to greet him. "Solomon Goddard," he said, as way of introduction.

  "Gabriel Webster. Glad to make your acquaintance."

  Solomon looked as if he was glad of it too given the warm smile he offered. "My wife, Ruth, has prepared some lunch if you feel like eating."

  "Yes," Gabriel breathed out, grateful for the friendly welcome. "That would be very much appreciated."

  "All right, then," Solomon said, turning slightly as if guiding Gabriel to the house. "We've set up the dining room so we might all eat together and make the introductions."

  Following along, Gabriel listened attentively as Solomon informed him of the house's previous owners and how they had abandoned the place due to some bad luck and a yearning to return to the old country from whence they came. Their misfortune had clearly been to Nathaniel's gain as he had snapped the property up and had lived there happily since.

  It was certainly impressive enough. Gabriel thought the building easily bigger than the Fletcher house as he found himself passing a large lavish hall, library, morning room and drawing room before they even reached the dining room. The doors were all closed but Solomon pointed each out as they swept by.

  Opening the door to the dining room—a long room with substantial windows at one end, which gave a good amount of light to show off the dense collection of paintings on the walls, elegant if sparse furniture, and lamps—gave the first sign of another living soul in the place.

  "My wife. Ruth," Solomon said proudly as he stepped toward the woman and ushered her over. "This is Gabriel."

  Ruth beamed, her face handsome and matronly, the dark hair falling about her cheeks highlighting the olive tone of her skin. "It's so nice to meet you finally. We've heard so much about you."

  Gabriel almost laughed in surprise. "Really? I mean… It's a pleasure to meet you too."

  "Oh yes. Nate talks about you all the time."

  "He does?"

  Ruth blushed a little and looked somewhat concerned that she might have spoken out of turn. "I mean…nothing bad or-or intimate…oh damn…I didn't mean—"

  Gabriel did laugh then and lay what he hoped was a reassuring hand on hers. "I dare say he has a stack of tales to tell, most of which might even be true. I'm glad you're somewhat prepared for me."

  She seemed mollified enough to let go of her embarrassment. "Your room is all ready and I'm sure Abel will join us shortly. Would you like to eat now or…?"

  "Yes, yes, of course. Don't let me be too much of a disruption to your normal day, please."

  Ruth smiled and patted his hand affectionately. "Very well, then. If you want to take a seat, I'll fetch the soup."

  Nodding to her husband, she walked jauntily out of one of the doors Gabriel could only assume led to the kitchen. It was only then, turning to the table, that he became aware of how many places had been set.

  The long mahogany table could have sat twenty or more with no problem and Gabriel suspected there were leaves stowed away that could be added to accommodate even more, should the occasion call for it. However, only one end of the table had china and glassware laid out—a place at the head of the table, clearly meant for Nathaniel, and five more, two on one side and three on the other.

  Somewhat shocked, he turned to Solomon and asked, "Where are the other places?"

  The man looked confused. "I don't… This is all. I know the Alpha is occupied, Lord knows it's a challenge to drag him away from work to eat at the best of times, but we still set a place for him. Eunice should come along with Ruth, and Abel will be down shortly."

  "You are only a pack of five? In this big house?"

  Gabriel knew he was probably being rude but Solomon didn't appear to take the question that way at all. Smiling, he clapped a hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Six now. And more soon I hope, if some of your pack choose to join us. Don't worry. We have plates enough for everyone."

  Gabriel swallowed down his astonishment and moved to the chair Solomon indicated was his without another word. He couldn't place exactly why he was so shocked at the circumstances. He had known, of course, that Nathaniel had been cast out of his family but until now he had somehow assumed there had been someone to support him, some pack of sorts. And given his financial success and the house and…Gabriel had simply assumed he would find himself part of a bustling household, not as a pea rattling around in a manor house with few enough people that they could share a carriage and still have space enough to swing a cat.

  As Gabriel found his chair—on what would be the right-hand side of the Alpha if he had been joining them—Ruth returned, bringing with her a tureen of deliciously scented soup, and, carrying a rather splendid pie, a girl of around fifteen who Solomon introduced as Eunice.

  Eunice was slight and fair, seemingly shy but curious, dressed as if it was cleaning day rather than to be receiving visitors. Moments later, they were joined by Abel, who Gabriel recognized as the coach driver. Much less imposing—and far younger looking—without his black tails and hat despite being a tall man. His smile was cheerful and friendly enough, although it was clear his interest was in the imminent meal rather than the new arrival.

  Once everyone was settled, the food was shared out with no formality and felt very much as a family meal should. Gabriel mostly kept quiet, listening to the other four talking about the day and explaining to him all manner of things as they came up; about the temperament of the large ginger cat who stalked the gardens occasionally, or the state the new chimney sweep's boy had left the place in on his last visit, or where the best lard for the pastry came from this time of year. Occasionally, they asked him questions and he replied as best he could, dabbing the corner of his mouth with his napkin and glancing at the door, wondering whether his new husband intended to show his face. He thought he was being subtle but clearly not as a
bly as he thought.

  "He won't come now," Solomon said, wiping a speck of soup from his mouth. "I'll take him a plate once Mr. Cohen has left. Unless you'd like to…" Gabriel shook his head at the offer. Solomon shrugged. "We'll see him for dinner, I expect."

  "I'm surprised he didn't invite his associate to eat with us." Gabriel didn't think it a particularly controversial statement but the sounds of eating quieted somewhat around the table.

  "The Alpha isn't one for socializing," Ruth said quietly, smoothing down her skirts under the table and replacing her napkin. "He likes to keep his business affairs separate. You're probably the first company this house has seen in a long time. Although I'm not sure I can call you that, being as you're family now."

  Gabriel would have scoffed but the blinding smile she directed at him made him rethink it. "Do you find it…isolating? My pack is hardly vast but with only four…"

  "It's more work, I suppose," Solomon said.

  "It's better when Miss Priscilla is here," Eunice piped up, smiling between sips of her soup. "She's like a whirlwind enough that she takes up space for two or three."

  "Does she visit often?" Gabriel asked, suddenly seeing some light on the horizon. Nathaniel's sister had been younger but he'd found her to be good company even when she was child, despite her mischief. "It would be nice to see her again."

  "At the moment, she's visiting friends in California, but she should be back in a few weeks. She flits here and there but when she's home, she lives here in the house." The cautious way Ruth said it, Gabriel thought she was gauging his reaction, as if he might not want her there. Of course, Gabriel's thoughts on the matter were quite the contrary.

  "How wonderful. I'm sure she's changed beyond recognition from the last time I saw her. She used to dance everywhere on her tiptoes and badger Nathaniel endlessly to set her on his shoulders and carry her about." He smiled at the memory.