Martin
Why the blazes would their butler suggest a brandy.
The first letter was not from his sister, however, but his publisher and addressed to G. T. Oliver. Gideon quickly hid it and closed the package. He’d need to read these back at the cottage. When he looked up, Arabella was gone. Holding the package, he went in search of her.
Chapter 25
As Gideon would spend his hours in the cottage working, Arabella decided to retrieve a few books to keep her occupied. A part of her wished to remain in Anagburn, spending as much time with her family as possible, but after her uncle indicated that he didn’t expect to see much of her over the next few days, she realized that she was to spend all of her free time with her husband. As she couldn’t very well sit about the cottage staring at him while he wrote, Arabella slipped out of the parlor and into the library. Just inside were the stack of books she and Sheena had purchased while they were in Edinburgh. Two of the G.T. Oliver books were included and she chose one to take with her. How could she want to read anything else?
She was married to G. T. Oliver! Again, Arabella almost pinched herself.
“How are you fairing, Arabella?”
She nearly jumped at Rose’s words since she hadn’t realized her aunt had followed her into the library.
“I’m doing well,” she answered.
“I know the handfasting or marriage, wasn’t something you wanted, at least not as of yet, but you do understand there was little choice.”
No, she didn’t understand, but there was no point in arguing about it any further.
“You and Lord Gideon will get on well and I’m certain that in time you will be happy.”
Was Rose trying to convince herself or Arabella?
“I will be fine,” Arabella finally said. “A year and a day isna so long.”
“Are you certain that it will not be longer?” Rose worried.
“Only time will tell,” Gideon answered from the entry. “Arabella and I have decided to progress slowly in our relationship and come to know one another as well as we can before any future is set in stone.” Gideon’s eyes held Arabella’s, full of kindness and warmth. He’d stand with her in defense against her family, or perhaps it was support. Either way, Arabella was grateful that Gideon had walked in when he had.
Aye, they’d discussed a future and their hearts, but Arabella was glad that he had not shared any of that with Rose. Her family might have put them in this situation, but from now forward, what occurred between her and Gideon depended on only what they decided, and her family had no control. They’d given that away yesterday.
“Yes well, I wish you well,” Rose said uncomfortably.
At that, Arabella held up the two G. T. Oliver books. “Which do ye think I would like better?”
His eyes slightly widened as if he was afraid she’d give away his secret.
“You’ve read Oliver?” Rose inquired. “The girls have gone on and on about his stories and I must say, I’m anxious to read one of his books.” She turned to Arabella. “Or is it a she?”
“Nobody kens who G. T. Oliver is,” she answered honestly.
“I’m familiar with his writing.” Gideon cleared his throat and Arabella bit her upper lip to keep from smiling.
“Either would be to your taste if you’ve enjoyed the stories published in the Journal.”
“Then, I’ll take both with me back to the cottage.”
Rose frowned as if Arabella should no longer be reading. What else was she supposed to do? It wasn’t as if she had a household to manage or servants to instruct. She was newly married, sequestered in a cottage, with very little to occupy her time.
All in all, her family had been acting odd ever since it was decided that she’d be handfasted to Gideon. Her brothers watched him today at both meals, as if they suddenly didn’t approve of him and wanted to assure themselves that she was being treated properly and now Rose was concerned. If they were so troubled, why had they forced the issue in the first place? Or, had they expected her to decide after one night that she was now the happiest woman on earth?
Arabella didn’t understand any of them and realized that she was not looking forward to supper. In fact, she might just stay away and let them wonder or worry. It would serve them right.
“Rose,” she said after a moment. “Do ye mind if I asked Cook to have one of the servants deliver supper to the cottage this evening?”
Her aunt brightened. “Of course. It will be no trouble. I’ll ask myself.” Then she began to usher Arabella from the room, nearly taking the book from her hands.
“I’d like to take the book with me.”
Rose frowned. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.” What the blazes was wrong with everyone? “I’ll return it when I’m finished.”
Gideon cleared his throat again and looked as if he were trying to not laugh. “Shall we return to the cottage, Arabella?”
“Yes, I’d like that verra much.”
Once they were outside and out of earshot of Rose, Arabella turned to Gideon. “I doona understand any of them. Why is it so terrible about me wishin’ to have a book if I’m to remain in the cottage?”
Color stained Gideon’s cheeks. “Usually when a couple weds, at least during the first days of marriage, and they wish to be alone, it isn’t reading they are doing.”
“I suppose we could talk, but ye have yer book to write,” she whispered.
“They usually don’t spend it talking either.” His eyes bore into hers.
“Then what the blazes do they do? Stare at one another.”
Gideon brought his free hand up and rubbed the bridge of his nose, right between his eyes as if her question was trying.
“Kissin’?” she asked.
“And more,” was his replay.
Heat flooded her face. Her family had no idea that, well, that they were not truly husband and wife. Of course, Gideon would never tell her family of their agreement, as it would probably be embarrassing for him. “Even so, a couple, newly married or not, doona spend all their time in the bedchamber, do they?” Goodness, did such an act take so long?
“That would depend on the couple.” Gideon offered his arm, beneath the other was the package he received. “Shall we return to the cottage? You can read your book and I’ll read my correspondence.”
“Aye, I’d like that very much.”
They took only a few steps before Gideon stopped. “Might we take a bottle of whisky with us?”
It was an odd request as Gideon had yet to drink much, but perhaps he felt the need.
“The note within the package indicated that I might wish for a brandy before I was finished reading. As I assume there is none to be had in the manor, I thought some whisky would do just as well.”
“Aye,” she answered. “We’ll just stop by the distillery on the way. Uncle Aiden always keeps spare bottles inside. I’m sure he willna mind us takin’ one.”
She led him down the path and slipped inside the building. Luckily no one was around, thank goodness. She’d had enough of the censuring looks from her family.
Arabella went straight to the small cabinet and opened it before removing a bottle and a glass for Gideon.
“Don’t you wish to have any?” He asked out of curiosity.
“It isna proper, as ye ken. The day of the weddin’ I was rather upset to learn who ye were and why ye’d come to Aangburn.”
“So, you do not enjoy whisky?” He asked as if to clarify.
“Nay. I enjoy it verra much.”
“Then you should bring a glass for yourself.”
Uncle Aiden would never approve and she’d done well to hide her taste for whisky from him, though her brothers had not minded, when they were alone, of course.
Except, Uncle Aiden no longer had any say over her. “Are ye certain?”
Gideon chuckled. “While it would not be proper for you to partake of whisky in a social setting, I see no reason why you cannot enjoy it when i
t is just you and I,” he assured her. “As far as I’m concerned, while alone, we can eat and drink what we please and do what we wish. Only when others are present must we adhere to what Society deems important and proper.”
With a smile, she withdrew another glass from the cupboard. “Then I suggest we avoid others whenever possible.”
He laughed and then held the door for her as she carried the items from the distillery.
“I do believe that I enjoy being with ye, Gideon.”
“The feeling is mutual, Arabella. That I promise.”
Once they reached the cottage, Gideon held the door for Arabella and ushered her inside. She placed the whisky and glasses in the kitchen while he set the package on the table next to the story he was writing. Then he went about removing his jacket and waistcoat. His words were true in that they could do as they wished when alone and he preferred to be in his shirtsleeves while relaxing and writing. He especially wished to be without a cravat, feeling liked a trussed up bird. Sometimes he admired women who only needed to worry about a dress. It must be far more comfortable then what men were required to wear. He didn’t even like boots and pulled those off so that he could completely relax. Arabella had already left her slippers by the front door and he enjoyed the two of them being here, as they wished to be.
After setting the book on the table between the chairs, she returned to the kitchen and poured two glasses of whisky, then turned to Gideon, pressing one into this hand. “Ye did say ye might need this.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“I’m sure it isna so bad,” Arabella insisted as she curled up in the chair, the glass of whisky in her hand and a book in the other.
“Normally I might not be concerned but Martin, our butler, is not an alarmist and if he suggested brandy, then there is some disturbing news somewhere in these pages.”
Arabella frowned. “I hope it isna too disquietin’.”
The first four missives were from his publisher advising that a book was going to be published sooner than planned, and the next the following month. He urged Gideon to send another manuscript post-haste. He advised that since the Gentleman’s Journal had decided to forgo publishing any further series that there had been an increased interest in his novels.
While this was good news, Gideon wasn’t certain he’d be able to finish his current story in two months, as requested.
After setting all of the letters from his publisher aside, Gideon turned his attention to those from his sister.
Gideon,
I hope this letter finds you well and wish I could claim the same for us.
Blast!
Gideon took a sip of his whisky.
My plan is to hold onto this missive, hoping you will reappear in London or in Cornwall before long. I considered sending it to Grant Manor, but as I don’t know if you remained or if the Grants would know where to forward my correspondence, I’ve decided not to post it at this time.
Oh, I do hope that Lady Bentley has been rescued and is unharmed and that you are returning to us. In the event you are not, I will leave a letter for you at the townhouse, should you return to London instead of Cornwall so that you will know where to find us.
Sophia still hadn’t told him what was wrong.
Gideon took another sip.
We are returning to Cornwall tomorrow where plans for Tristan’s nuptials will get under way.
Gideon set forward. Nuptial? Tristan?
You see, our dear brother has been compromised.
Bloody hell!
Gideon took another drink.
I blame the entire situation on the lady involved. She took advantage of our dear brother, who has been removed from Society for so long that he was not used to the manipulations of ladies of the ton. As you may be aware, Lady Jillian Simpson had set her cap for Tristan almost as soon as we began appearing in public. Tristan, always the gentleman, was kind, but not encouraging. Unfortunately, Lady Jillian was not willing to be discouraged and set out to trap our brother. When he stepped out into the gardens for fresh air during a ball, she followed. He had wished to escape the crowds, noise and all of the things he’s come to detest about being in London, and put himself out of sight to relax. Lady Jillian found him and then proceeded to kiss him right before she was discovered by her father, the Duke of Eldridge, the most unpleasant person I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting.
Of course, His Grace immediately insisted on a marriage, catching Tristian quite unawares, but with little recourse, he had no choice but to agree. The two were married this morning and are already on their way to Cornwall.
If they married this morning, why must Gideon return for their nuptials?
However, only the families know of the hasty wedding, and Eldridge is quite insistent that there be no suspicious cast upon his innocent daughter and intends for the banns to be cried at our parish church for three Sundays and then the two will marry before the vicar. We are not to breathe a word of the first marriage and all of Society is to believe they married by banns.
Oh, I do hope you can make it home in time. Tristan is quite unhappy with the situation, but has vowed to make the best of it. The poor dear tried to offer comfort to me by stating that he’d already had a love of his life and as there’d never be anyone who could come close to replacing Elaina in his heart, he might as well give their children a step-mother.
It is just horrible and I wish there was something that could be done, but I’m afraid it is far too late. Besides, Eldridge holds far too much power that if Tristan would have tried to remove himself from the situation and marriage, we could have all been quite ruined.
Gideon folded the parchment and set it aside.
“Was it as distressin’ as ye feared?” Arabella asked.
“That depends on your perspective,” he answered. “You can read it for yourself.” With that he handed the letter over to her.
“Oh, I couldna read yer personal correspondence and never would.”
“I am asking you to as it will save me needing to explain.” He took a sip of the whisky. “As they are now your family, you’ll need to know of the predicament my oldest brother found himself in.”
“The marquess?” She asked as her eyes widened.
“Yes,” Gideon confirmed.
Gideon lifted the next letter from Sophia and took a drink of his whisky, draining it from the glass when he looked over at Arabella. She was watching him with concern.
“Yer brother was compromised just as ye.”
“I was not compromised,” he assured her. “You were.”
Color stole into her cheeks. “Still, it isna the best way to start a marriage.”
“In that, I agree.” Then he stood and kissed her forehead. “However, I have no regrets, whereas my brother, will probably have many.” Gideon strode to the kitchen area, taking Sophia’s next letter with him, and refilled his glass with whisky. As he opened the parchment, he hoped Tristan and Lady Jillian learned to get on well with one another because he couldn’t imagine living with a woman under such circumstances.
Gideon,
I do wish I knew where you are. As before, I’ll hold onto this letter until I’ve found you.
Within hours of Tristan leaving for Cornwall we received word that Jamie had been arrested.
He’s been accused of being a horse thief.
The glass slipped from Gideon’s hand, shattering against the wooden floor.
Bloody hell. That was a hanging offense.
Of course, we know he did no such a thing, but the bill of sale is missing and the only witness to the purchase is you.
Chapter 26
Arabella jumped from the chair at the shattering of glass and rushed to Gideon, who was near the kitchen. Something dreadful had happened. It was written all over his face.
“What is it?” she asked just as she reached his side, then she screeched as pain sliced through her foot. Halting in her steps, she lifted her foot. A piece of glass was imbedded in the flesh
y part of her foot, right beneath her big toe and blood dripped on the floor. Gideon scooped her up in his arms in an instant. And though he walked gingerly to avoid cutting his feet, still, he hurried to the bed where he settled her and then knelt on the floor to view what damage had been done.
Arabella tried to look, but became very light-headed when she viewed the shard of glass sticking out of her foot again, blood pooling around it and still dripping.
She thought seeing her falcons with a kill was bad but this was worse. Oh, she’d never been good with any kind of injury, especially when she was the one who was hurt, and there was blood…lots of it. The room tilted and darkened, but she took deep breaths. People were not supposed to faint from so minor a wound.
“I need to lie down.”
Gideon was on his feet in an instant and placed a pillow in the middle of the bed as he helped her lie down upon it, then he was back to examining her foot as if the blood was no more disturbing than water.
“Arabella, I am so sorry.”
“It isna yer fault.”
“I should have stopped you from walking near me.”
He could not take this on, especially since he’d just received horrible news. Not that she knew what had been written, but he’d gone pale and dropped his glass, so whatever it was, something terrible had happened to someone in his family. Of that she was certain.
“I shoulda been more aware,” she argued weekly. “It’s a cut, and nothin’ to be worried about.” Which was far easier said than believed. In truth, it probably was minor, she just couldn’t stand to look at it.
“I’m going to get my boots, then get some water,” Gideon spoke slow and comforting. “When I return I’ll need to remove the glass and cleanse the wound.”
She nodded. “Will there be more blood?”
“Is it the blood more than the pain?” Gideon asked.
Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart #2) Page 18