“Very well; if he will not be home, I should love to visit Mrs. Perkins.”
Rebekah brightened and Gabby finally saw the woman that had piqued Aaron’s brother’s interest. “Come, we will need to change into warmer clothes if we are to walk in this weather.”
They walked as far as the landing before separating to go to their own rooms.
Gabby dressed quickly, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Rebekah was her first genuine friend, except for maybe Caroline and now Eleanor—but they felt more like older sisters than friends.
Even while Gabby had been in London with the Kirtleys, no other young ladies had taken the time to become friends with her. She suspected Rebekah was not the only one who’d felt Gabby was trying to take something—or someone—she had no right to. She suspected it was the reason she and Miss Carter were at constant odds with each other.
Lady Brinton was not the only person here who needed a friend.
Gabby hurried back to the sitting room to retrieve the baby blanket she had finished embroidering. She wrapped the blanket in some tissue she’d found in her trunk.
When she got to the entryway, Rebekah was already waiting for her. “Are you ready?”
Gabby slipped on her pelisse and quickly tied her bonnet. “Yes. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Rebekah waved her comment aside. “I have only been here a moment.” She turned toward the doors. “The snow has let up. Let’s go before it starts again.”
They followed the path toward the cottages. Thankfully others had already made the journey back and forth so the snow was fairly packed, keeping it from coming over the tops of Gabby’s half-boots. The trees and hedges sparkled, as the sun peeked through a small break in the clouds. Gabby held her hand up to her eyes. “It is so bright. I had nearly forgotten what it was like to be out of doors.”
Rebekah sucked in a deep breath. “Yes. It is nice, isn’t it?”
They arrived at the Perkins’ cottage and Rebekah knocked on the door. Mrs. Perkins answered. She smiled at the two ladies as she curtsied slightly. “Good day, Lady Brinton.” She nodded to Gabby but did not greet her.
“And good day to you.” Rebekah motioned to Gabby. “I do not believe you have met my dear friend, Miss Babineaux.”
Mrs. Perkins shook her head. “She came with Lord Brinton to deliver the St. Stephen’s Day gift—very generous it was—but he did not make introductions.” Mrs. Perkins nodded again. “Miss Babineaux.”
“We came to inquire after you. That babe is to arrive soon, is it not?” Lady Brinton dropped her eyes to the woman’s abdomen.
Mrs. Perkins rubbed a hand over her belly. “Yes. It should be any day now.”
Rebekah thrust a package into the woman’s hands and Gabby followed suit.
“We wanted you to have these before the babe came.”
Gabby wiggled her toes in her boots, trying to relieve the prickling of cold in the soles of her feet.
“Thank ye, my lady. It is very kind of ye to think of us.”
Rebekah nodded. “Miss Babineaux stitched the blanket.”
Mrs. Perkins looked slightly uncomfortable at the gift from a near stranger. “Thank you, Miss Babineaux.”
“You are most welcome.” Gabby rubbed her hands up and down her arms slowly. “I hope it keeps the baby warm.” She paused. Dare she mention the herbs? “When the times comes, I know of some herbs that may help you deliver more comfortably.”
The woman looked at her like she didn’t believe Gabby could know anything of the sort.
“I discovered them when my father was ill. They seemed to help.” Why was she still prattling on? The woman obviously did not desire Gabby’s help.
A thumping sounded, and the door flew open. Mr. Perkins’s face appeared at the door. He smiled when he looked at Lady Brinton, but the smile quickly faded when he spied Gabby. “What is she doing here, Patience?”
Gabby took two steps back.
“Which one is from her?” He motioned to the parcels in his wife’s hands.
She lifted the tissue-wrapped gift from Gabby and he yanked it from her. “We don’t want your gifts.” He threw the blanket on the snowy ground at Gabby’s feet. “Meaning no disrespect to you, my lady,” he said to Rebekah, “but the Frog is not welcome.” He turned and moved back into the house. “What’s the major thinking, allowing a spy to stay in his ’ouse?” he muttered.
Rebekah let out a gasp. “Mr. Perkins!”
Gabby bit the side of her cheek to stop herself from crying. Slowly, she stooped and gathered up the package, the tissue paper dripping in her hands. Was this only because of that Mireille woman Aaron had told her about?
Her hands shook. This had been a mistake. She should never have made this trip with Rebekah.
Mrs. Perkins held up a hand. “Please, my lady. Just go. It will only make things worse,” she whispered; she closed the door without uttering a proper goodbye.
“I have never—” Rebekah sputtered. “Even when I was only a vicar’s daughter I have never been treated so abominably. I have a mind to speak with Aaron and demand he remove that man from the property.” Rebekah looped her arm through Gabby’s, pulling her close.
“Please Rebekah, do not mention this to Lord Brinton.” This was her fault, not Mr. Perkins. Gabby knew his opinion of her and still she had come.
“And why should I not?” Rebekah looked wide-eyed at Gabby. “That man was dreadful.”
She sighed. “Mr. Perkins was one of Lord Brinton’s men. I am sure he saw many terrible things in the war and is only reacting out of fear. I will only be here a short time. There is no reason to make that man and his family leave. Especially not in this weather and with a babe on the way.” Gabby paused. “Is he dangerous do you think?”
“He blusters a bit, but I do not believe he would harm anyone. Besides, Aaron told Henry to collect both his and Mr. Millard’s weapon’s as a condition of their lease. Our gamekeeper provides them with meat.” She glanced back at the cottages and raised a brow. “But you may be right. Now is not the time to force them off the land. But Aaron should know how Mr. Perkins treated us.”
Gabby squeezed Rebekah’s arm against her body. If there was no danger, why must Aaron be made aware? “Please. Summer will come and we will both be gone. I will simply stay away from the tenant cottages until I leave.”
Rebekah narrowed her eyes. “I do not agree with your silence. But I will not tell Aaron of this incident if you oppose it.” She sighed. “And thank you for reminding me of my impending departure.”
Gabby exhaled. “It is a reality for us both. Should we not embrace it?”
“I should have preferred a few days more of peace before I had to think on it, but I suppose you are correct. I should accept the notion of leaving.”
Gabby knew exactly how Rebekah felt. The thoughts of leaving Ivydale held less appeal with each passing day.
Chapter 14
Aaron leaned back against the settee, his book in his lap. A noise sounded in the corridor and he looked up at the door. Was she coming? He stared for several moments before he accepted that no one was coming.
He huffed out a breath. He had been sitting in the library pretending to read for more than an hour waiting for Gabrielle.
She seemed to spend as much time as she could in this room, except for today, when he was hoping to find her here.
He looked at the book in his lap but saw none of the words on the page. The door opened and Aaron shot to his feet, smiling widely. The maid who entered took a step back when she saw him.
His body slumped. Where the devil was she? He should just go in search of her. But what would he tell her when he discovered her? That was why he’d come to the library. He did not need an excuse to be in the library, but if he sought her out, what would he say was his reason?
The maid curtsied. “Begging your pardon, my lord. I can come back later.”
Aaron raised a hand. “No. I will leave. I am finished in here anyhow.” He
tossed the book on the side table. Maybe he should just retire to his study. The staff would not be doing the end-of-year cleaning in that room. Perhaps then he could think of a reason to seek out Gabrielle.
He strode down the corridor and into his study, stopping midstride on his way to his desk. Rebekah sat on the sofa next to the fire. How long had she been in here? Could it be she was doing the same thing he had been doing only a moment ago? Waiting for a specific person to arrive in the room?
He cleared his throat. “Rebekah. I was not expecting you. I’m sorry if I have kept you waiting.”
She shook her head. “I was just thinking and waiting. I hope you are not angry with me for invading your study, but it seems to be the only room not subject to a flurry of cleaning.”
Aaron chuckled. “Yes, I noticed that as well.” He motioned to the couch. “Please, stay.”
Rebekah stood up, the hand at her side rubbing back and forth at a fold in her gown. “I wished to speak to you if you have a moment.”
Aaron stifled a sigh. He wanted to tell her he did not have the time, but that would have been a lie. It would also mean he had to make himself look busy. And he really had no notion of what he would do. He had finished going through all the ledgers and his meeting with Mr. Babcock, his bailiff, was days off.
Besides, ledgers and matters of the estate were not what had been occupying his mind. He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
“Would you mind terribly if we sat by the fire? I cannot seem to get warm today.” Rebekah had not moved even a step away from her seat. She sat down on the settee.
Aaron eyed the safety of his desk but nodded as he turned back toward the fireplace. “Certainly. Your comfort is of the utmost importance.” He grimaced at the slight tone of sarcasm in his voice. He glanced at Rebekah, but she did not seem to have noticed.
He lowered himself into the winged back chair opposite Rebekah. He was less leery of her now that she acted with some decorum. “What did you wish to talk to me about?”
She swallowed. “I have made my decision regarding which option I should prefer.” She rubbed her hands together in her lap.
“It has only been a few days. You need not decide yet. I thought I had made myself clear on that.”
She nodded. “Yes, you did. It is not for you that I have decided quickly, but for me.” She studied her thumbnail. “Until I make my choice, I believe I will feel unsettled. I realize I must move on with my life. I know you gave me until summer, but I believe I will leave as soon as the weather warms enough for me to travel safely.”
Aaron glanced out the window. “It could be June before that happens.”
Rebekah grinned. “Yes, I know.”
“What have you decided then?” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He truly did not care which option she picked, but he believed the house near Bath would be best for her. It would put her in proximity to society, even if it was smaller than that in London. And it would also allow her to use her small jointure for personal things, rather than to let a house and pay the wages of the servants.
Her face brightened. “I have wish to take the cottage in Charlcombe.” Her frame relaxed as if just saying the words had eased all her anxiety.
Aaron smiled and steepled his fingers in front of his chin. “I think it a good decision. Did your father agree?”
She shook her head. “I have not yet heard from him, but I am confident in my choice.” A heavy breath pushed from her lips.
“If you change your mind, you need only come talk to me. Once the snow shows signs of letting up for good, I will send a note to the caretaker of Peterfeld and inform him of your plans. He should have the place ready and staffed by the time you arrive in the spring.”
She took a deep cleansing breath. “That would be lovely. Thank you, Aaron.”
He dipped his head. This was the woman he had pictured after reading Henry’s letters. He was glad she had returned.
“And Aaron?”
He raised a brow in question.
“You asserted, once, that it was only Henry who had made a love match. That is not true. I loved him very much and you will never know how much it pained me to pretend otherwise. But I could see no other option.” Her lips quivered slightly. “Thank you for providing one.” She pushed herself up and hurried from the room.
Aaron winced. In thinking back on the exchange, he had not been kind in his words. He could excuse his behavior with hers, but in truth, he should have realized she was acting out of desperation.
And now she had fled before he’d even been able to stand, let alone offer a proper apology.
He glanced at the open door. Perhaps he would give her some time before he invaded her privacy to do so. He could find her this evening or in the morning.
He sat back and dropped his hands into his lap. He was back to the problem of having nothing to do. He rubbed a hand over the old wound in his shoulder, exhaustion seeping into his bones. Perhaps he should lie down and rest.
He moved to the couch and kicked off his Wellingtons before unbuttoning his tailcoat and tossing it onto the chair. Grabbing a cushion, he tucked it under his head and relaxed. His eyes drifted closed just as a flurry of voices carried down the corridor.
What the devil was going on? It must be the Kirtley children, though where they were going, he could not guess. The roads were still quite impassible.
Several laughs carried over the top of the voices.
Aaron grunted and slung his arm over his eyes. Surely the noise would die down if he gave it a moment.
Sure enough, the voices receded and quiet again filled the house. He sighed and snuggled a little deeper into the cushions. The fire crackled, and he rotated his neck several times, allowing his eyes to drift shut.
Something smashed into the window, and Aaron jumped to his feet, sleep pushed from his mind. Voices and laughter sounded just outside. He looked over to the window, ensuring the glass had not broken. Slush and bits of snow formed a watery path down the pane until it stopped at the grille.
Aaron grumbled as he walked to the window and peered out. He longed for the deep slumber he’d enjoyed before going off to the continent to fight. It was the Kirtley children…and Gabrielle. So the nursery was where she’d been hiding. He should have realized that sooner.
He grinned, his earlier fatigue and irritation gone, and the sudden urge for snow games gripped him. He padded across the room and yanked on his boots. Perhaps this snow was good for something after all.
Aaron stopped at the corner of the house, peering around as he fastened the last button on his greatcoat. The children, even the little one, ran about the grounds, scooping up snow and tossing it at each other. Aaron raised a brow. Was the governess even taking part?
He had seen little of her since their arrival, but from his brief observations, she had appeared rather stiff. He would never have expected her to participate in such activities.
Gabrielle stayed with the littlest child, blocking any snow thrown in her direction. The girl laughed, picking up snow in her small hands and throwing it over Gabrielle’s shoulder. Or rather, she tried to throw it over Gabrielle’s shoulder, but the little girl was not quite tall enough—even in Gabrielle’s seated position—and the snow splattered against Gabrielle’s pelisse.
“Babby, Babby.” The little girl clapped and yelled as Gabrielle packed the snow tight in her hand and handed it off to the tot.
Gabrielle then formed her own snowball. She threw it and thumped the Kirtley boy between the shoulders.
He turned, eyes wide, and scooped up snow in his hand as he changed course and headed for Gabrielle. She gathered the little one up in her arms, shrieking with laughter as she took off at a run.
“You cannot escape me, Gabby,” he hollered as he released the snowball and sent it flying toward her.
Gabby? Was that what the boy had called her?
Hmm. He studied her while his presence was still unknown. Gabby. The name was short and
concise. It fit her somehow.
Aaron kneeled and filled both hands with snow. Pressing them together, he formed a tight ball. He saw Gabby duck behind a large bush, the little girl huddled behind her. Little giggles sounded and Gabby placed her finger to her lips. “Shh, Sophie. We don’t want them to hear us.”
If he snuck through the herb garden, he could come at the bush from behind. She would never see him coming. He grinned.
Sophia’s little gloved hands covered her own mouth. “Shhh,” she repeated.
Aaron moved wide, using a row of hedges for cover until he slipped into the garden. With all of the herbs now covered in snow, there was little to hide behind, but the children were yelling and shrieking enough to mask his steps. Crouching low, he came in behind the bush Gabby huddled behind. “Gabby, you are missing out on the fun, hiding behind this bush.”
Her head whipped around, her eyes wide until she spied the smile on his face. “What are doing out here?”
“I could not sleep through all the ruckus you were making, so I thought to join you instead.” He frowned. “Or is this for family only?”
She placed a hand on his arm, and his body warmed. “I’m sorry we woke you.” Her brow creased in concern.
He put his hand on top of hers, hoping to delay its removal and shook his head. “I would take a good snowball fight over sleep any time.” He winked and held up his ball. “Now, who shall we target first?”
Gabby tucked her mouth into her muffler, but her eyes twinkled with mischief. She peered around the bush. “Winston is about to throw one at Miss Carter. Hurry; hit him before he can strike.”
Aaron stood up and threw his snowball. It caught Winston in the upper shoulder.
Winston let out a yelp and pivoted to find where the snowball had come from, but Aaron dropped to his knees quickly.
Gabby giggled. “Did he see you?”
Excitement bubbled up in Aaron’s chest and he nearly giggled too. He shook his head. “I do not believe so. But perhaps we should move to a different hideout.” He reached out and lifted Sophia onto his back.
Thawing the Viscount's Heart: A Christmas Regency Romance (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 3) Page 12