Katie Rose (23 page)

“Good morning, ladies. Breakfast looks wonderful. I’ll have three eggs, over easy, and bacon and toast. And coffee.” He lifted a cup from the sideboard and poured himself a generous serving, then took a seat at the table.

“Young man, this is outrageous!” Aunt Eve sputtered, while Jennifer hid her face in her napkin. “Who do you think you are, barging in here like this, and not for the first time! This just isn’t done!”

Gabriel looked from one guilty face around the table to the next. Understanding dawned, especially when Jennifer sent him a pleading look, then dove beneath her napkin again. Winifred’s paper ruffled determinedly, and Penelope jumped up and down once as if a tack had been placed on her chair.

“I’m sorry, madam, I suppose your nieces forgot to tell you. I was invited to breakfast. Rather forcibly invited, as well.”

“What?” Eve looked around the table. Penelope had turned a particularly attractive shade of rose, while Winifred seemed inordinately interested in the society page,
which she normally derided. Finally, Jennifer laid down her napkin and faced her aunt, determined to tell the truth, no matter what the cost.

“He’s right, Auntie. We did invite him. I’ll tell you the truth, even though you may no longer want us here when you know it all.”

She took a deep breath, unwilling and unable to continue the charade any more. But before she could spill everything, Gabriel smiled charmingly at her aunt and started talking.

“What she means is, your three nieces have gone out of their way to convince me that they have my mother’s best interest at heart. As you know, I’ve had a quarrel with them for quite some time over their relationship with my mother. Jennifer invited me here so I could see firsthand that they mean her no harm. I must say she’s convinced me by her kind invitation that she and her sisters are true ladies, and as such, would never hurt anyone.”

Aunt Eve looked pleased, then nodded affectionately toward the girls. “That they are, my lambs! I understand, though a breakfast invitation is highly out of the ordinary.”

“So are your girls, Mrs. Appleton. So are your girls.”

Eve nodded, then rang for the maid. “An extra serving of eggs, please. We have a special guest. And bring out that fine jam I’ve been saving. This seems like a wonderful occasion for it.”

Jennifer groaned, burying her face in her hands. Gabriel sank back into his chair, initiating conversation with the other sisters and treating Aunt Eve to a few stories about her old friends that delighted her. When Jennifer could stand to peep at him, she noticed he looked perfectly groomed and dressed, as if he hadn’t spent the night making passionate love to her, or being jailed in the wine cellar. He gestured as he spoke, and she gazed at his hands, remembering the way they’d felt on her skin the previous
night, and her own uninhibited response. Her face flamed, and her stomach knotted with hot embarrassment.

She had to get out of here, but Jennifer knew if she bolted, she would attract entirely too much attention. She exhaled, unaware that she’d been holding her breath in horror ever since his unexpected appearance. The maid brought him his meal, and to Jennifer’s annoyance, he held reign like king in his own court. His handsome looks won him the attention of the servant, Penelope beamed over him as she did any man, and Aunt Eve seemed to change her opinion entirely about him. Winifred wisely kept to herself, and Jennifer scowled, wishing she could truly perform an incantation and whisk him away.

He seemed to read her thoughts, for he glanced up after a moment and gestured to her full plate. “Doesn’t the meal agree with you, Miss Appleton?”

Jennifer choked, particularly when everyone looked her way. “Yes, it is fine. I’m just not very hungry.” Using the excuse, she rose from the table. “I’m going to market now, Auntie. Have a good time on your trip.”

“Surely, my dear. You look a little peaked, Jennifer. You can take my shawl. I don’t want you succumbing to the ague.”

Jennifer nodded, snatching up her coat, then placing Eve’s shawl over her shoulders. Escape was uppermost in her mind. Last night was a memory that throbbed painfully, like a wound with a thorn embedded inside, and she wanted nothing more than to walk off that ache alone. To her disbelief, Gabriel rose at the same time. “I’ll accompany you. My carriage is at the livery, and I have some things to do in town as well.”

Jennifer sputtered. “But I was planning to walk—”

“Nonsense,” Aunt Eve said quickly. “You don’t look well, and since I’ve ordered our own carriage for my trip, it will do you good to accept Mr. Forester’s kind offer. Besides, the weather is cold and damp.”

Winifred dove beneath the paper and Penelope shrugged helplessly. Jennifer was trapped. She could do nothing but accept Gabriel’s arm as he escorted her in a gentlemanly fashion out the door. Frustrated beyond measure at being forced into his company, Jennifer waited until they were outside, but she could see the curtain twitch and knew her aunt was at the window. She could do nothing but smile sweetly and accept his help into the coach.

No sooner did the door shut than she turned on him. “There is no need for you to come with me. I appreciate your covering up for us, for it would upset Aunt Eve tremendously to know the truth—”

“What, that I am your captive?” Gabriel grinned rakishly, calling to the coachman to drive to market. “I surmised she wasn’t in on the caper.”

“It’s not funny!” Jennifer exclaimed. “I told you, we didn’t mean for things to go so far—” She blushed hotly as soon as the words came out of her mouth. “What I mean is—”

“I know what you meant. Jennifer, we need to talk about this. I know you’re hurt and upset about what happened between us, but please don’t be. I know what an effort it must have been for you to admit your feelings to me last night, and I have a confession to make. I have many of the same feelings for you.”

“You do?” Jennifer stared at him in astonishment. A tiny spark of hope began inside her, one that she didn’t dare examine.

“Yes, I do. I care about you, though God knows I didn’t want to. I also haven’t the faintest idea what to do about it. In the meantime, I don’t think it makes sense to pretend it didn’t happen, or to sweep it under the rug, much as you would like to do that. There may be other repercussions as well.”

Jennifer stared at him in confusion, then his meaning slowly dawned on her. She could feel the reddened blush creep up her face, and she looked away in embarrassment.

“I see you understand my meaning. Jennifer, I made love to you last night, not knowing you were a virgin. I didn’t take precautions, nor did I discuss that with you, which was foolish. I just thought …” His voice trailed off and Jennifer looked at him sharply.

“You thought what? That I was experienced and would know about these things? That the notorious Jennifer Appleton was a … tart, as well? Let me out of this coach! I won’t stay here another minute!”

She reached for the carriage door, but Gabriel stopped her. His hand clamped down on her arm, holding her tightly while she squirmed.

“No, you aren’t running away from me this time. I confess, I did think that, and I apologize. Jennifer, you are unlike any other woman I’ve ever known. I didn’t know what to think. Can you understand that?”

She did understand, though it still hurt. Jennifer realized he was being honest, but somehow that didn’t help. She nodded, and he released her arm. She made a grand gesture of rubbing the abused limb, then she turned to him stiffly.

“I accept your apology, and my own responsibility for what happened. I’m sorry for everything, and I suppose I only have myself to blame for kidnapping you. Since you apparently don’t have any evil motive, there is no need to continue any of this. Good day, Mr. Forester. I have my shopping to do.”

She alighted from the coach, more than grateful when the coachman opened the door and held out his hand. She wanted nothing more than to get away, to comfort her own roiling emotions. Her insides felt tattered, and she needed to distance herself from Gabriel. To her amazement, he stepped up beside her as she approached the market stalls.

“I thought I said—”

“Miss Appleton, I believe you indicated that I was to be held captive for the weekend. As it happens, I have nothing planned that I can’t miss, and I find the entire idea very appealing. You might as well take advantage of my help, for I am not going anywhere.”

“Gabriel, you really don’t have to do this,” Jennifer insisted, although she sensed she was wasting her time arguing with him. “I’m sure you could be doing a lot of more interesting things than going to market.”

“Not at all,” Gabriel said, walking very quickly to keep up with her. It took every ounce of his agility to stay by her side as she ducked and turned between the market stalls. New York’s Fulton was a bustling place, full of bonnets and derbies, working-class hats and maid’s caps, and it was no easy matter to continually pick out Aunt Eve’s shawl. “I’m rather looking forward to it,” he continued when he caught her. “I haven’t been to market since I was a boy. Where do we start?”

Jennifer sighed, defeated. She was stuck with him. Determined not to lose her composure, she approached a familiar stall where a dark Italian man stacked row after row of potatoes, turnips, and other winter vegetables. He grinned when he saw Jennifer, and put his hand over his heart.

“It is she! My day is complete! How are you, Miss Appleton?”

Gabriel’s face darkened and Jennifer had to laugh at
his scowl. She extended her hand, all part of the morning ritual, and Lorenzo placed a kiss on her glove as if she were royalty.

“I’m fine, Lorenzo. Now, I want a good price for the potatoes today, not like last week. You positively cheated me on those onions!” Jennifer sounded desolate, but a jaunty grin played about her lips as she handed him her list.

“Cheat! I never cheat, especially one so beautiful as you! I tell you what—I let you have five pounds today for a dime, how’s that?”

“No more than a nickel,” Jennifer said firmly. “And even that is highway robbery! Why, I could have ten pounds at O’Leary’s for a nickel!”

“O’Leary! O’Leary! He wouldn’t know a good potato from a rutabaga! Bah, O’Leary!” When Jennifer bestowed a melting look on him, the grocer shrugged helplessly. “All right, a nickel! But will you ask your sister to come with you next time? The beautiful one, with the hair like the sun! My God, that woman is magnificent!”

Jennifer nodded and smiled, knowing the poor grocer was in love with Penelope. Her sister barely noticed the man, but that didn’t stop him from following her around like a smitten puppy. She watched closely as he selected the potatoes, objecting once when one of his choices was a little soft. Lorenzo shrugged as if it was all part of the game, then moved to the fruits.

“Would you ladies like some oranges? These are the last of the season, brought up on the train from the south. We won’t have them much longer with winter coming.” He displayed the soft orange globe enticingly. “They are sweet and wonderful.”

Jennifer nodded, then got into a heated disagreement with him over price. Gabriel watched in awe as she whittled the man down on each and every item, getting fantastic prices, but always keeping the tone light and funny. It took quite a bit of talent, Gabriel thought, understanding
now why the family allowed Jennifer this task. When the grocer handed her last month’s bill, she scrutinized it like a hawk, going over each item and double-checking it. Lorenzo squirmed as she found an error and sweetly insisted that it be corrected before she parted with her precious coin.

Lorenzo grumbled and sighed, but took the coin and grinned, shaking her hand. Both parties appeared satisfied with the outcome of the game, although the grocer had one parting shot.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, you drive a hard bargain! I will have to be firm next time, or you will make me a pauper!”

“And I will have to stay on my toes, or you will send me into bankruptcy!” Jennifer replied, though she smiled brilliantly.

The grocer grinned, then handed Jennifer a receipt. While she scanned the slip of paper, his eye met Gabriel’s.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“No, I’m with the lady,” Gabriel answered firmly, refusing to acknowledge Jennifer’s glare.

Lorenzo looked at him curiously, taking in his expensive suit, his good linen shirt, and his wool coat. Then shrewdness replaced his curiosity, and, like any good salesman, he suddenly seemed determined to make the most of the opportunity. Reaching beneath the counter, he withdrew a small flask, then displayed the ornate bottle in all its glory. Jennifer snapped her purse shut and frowned as he opened the elaborate cask and held it enticingly beneath her nose.

“What do you think of that, miss? Wonderful, eh? This will make any man fall instantly in love with you!” He glanced at Gabriel with a meaningful look.

Mortified and desperate to quiet the man, Jennifer quickly took the bottle, then pretended to be absorbed in examining the label. “Martha Washington’s Perfume Waters.
I’ve never heard of this.” She sampled the perfume, entranced by the heady aroma.