Katie Rose (9 page)

The carriage slowed to a halt, and Gabriel disembarked. James graciously showed him into the parlor. Gabriel could hear his mother’s light laughter, and the sound of feminine chatter coming from the tearoom. His irritation increased tenfold when Robert Wood, his mother’s fiancé, rose from
his chair and extended a hand, obviously delighted to see him.

“Gabriel, my boy! Where have you been lately? The marble company is keeping you busy, I suppose? I understand you’ve done a wonderful job with the business.”

Gabriel stared at the outstretched hand without taking it. Instead, his eyes ran over the man’s threadbare coat, shoddy boots, and worn shirt. When he still didn’t reciprocate the greeting after a long moment, Robert coughed in embarrassment, then dropped his hand to his side.

“Mary will be delighted to see you. I know she was expecting you for tea. Gabriel, I realize our engagement may have come as something of a shock to you, but I would like you to be happy for us. I think your mother is a wonderful woman, and I will do my best to deserve her.”

Gabriel gave the man a cool stare. “I’m certain you will. Mr. Wood, let me make my position clear. I have nothing against you personally, but I do care for my mother’s well-being. She tends to be a little naive in financial matters, and I am concerned for her future. I think that your circumstances may make it difficult for you to assist her.”

The older man flushed, then his gaze dropped to the floor. “I understand. It is true that my finances are not what they used to be, but I have no intention of squandering my money or your mother’s. I know that you’ve been helping her and advising her regarding her investments. I hope that you will continue in that endeavor, and rest assured that I have no interest in her money. My pension is more than enough for us to live on.”

“Good.” Gabriel reached out his hand, and took the other man’s in a warm clasp. The two men reached a silent accord. Relieved, Gabriel turned and followed the sound of his mother’s voice to the tearoom. His smile froze when he stepped into the lace-encrusted room.

“Gabriel!” His mother cried, delighted. She rose, planting a kiss on his cheek, the scent of her perfume enveloping him. “I’m so glad you’ve come! I believe you know Jennifer.”

It was her. The Appleton creature. Gabriel couldn’t believe his eyes as Jennifer looked up, her face demure, her eyes pure mischief as she greeted him politely. Outrage flooded through him, mingled with embarrassment and discomfort as she rose, extending her hand to him.

“Miss Appleton,” he managed to croak somehow, his eyes sweeping over her simple beige morning dress. Desperately he tried to find something wrong, anything about her appearance to sneer at and give him an edge, but there was nothing. The lines of her dress, while not quite the latest style, were nevertheless in perfect taste, and the tiny pearl earrings that dangled discreetly behind her burnished curls were elegant and pretty. Her gloves were of good quality, if not the best, and her handkerchief was tucked daintily inside her sleeve with a tiny edge of lace peeping out. Even her slippers, though worn, were clean and well kept. Nothing about her attire or demeanor would betray the heathen within.

Gabriel’s gaze flew back to Jennifer’s face and he could have sworn he saw amusement there. Mortification flooded through him as he vividly recalled taking her in his arms, with Allison a few feet away. Jennifer seemed to remember the moment also, for she blushed, then lowered her eyes to the table.

“I’ll go ask James for more tea. Gabriel, please keep Miss Appleton company for a moment, will you?”

Mary skittered away before he could object. He was trapped. Frustrated and angry, he put down his hat, while Jennifer folded her hands expectantly. The clock ticked loudly and Gabriel paced the room. Finally, he turned toward his adversary, determined to break the wretched silence.

“Miss Appleton, what in hell are you doing here?”

Jennifer looked at him in surprise. “I was invited to tea by your mother.” She shrugged, as if this were an everyday occurrence.

“There must be some mistake. My mother invited me to tea.”

Jennifer grinned, her dress rustled enticingly, and she looked at him with all the angelic innocence of his namesake. “Maybe she wants us to kiss and make up.”

But that only reminded him of something he’d been trying for over a week to forget. Embarrassed, he faced her directly, and spoke with as much sincerity as he could muster. “I must apologize for my behavior during our last meeting. It was completely outside my code of conduct, and ungentlemanly to say the least. I sincerely hope I haven’t compromised you in any way.”

Jennifer looked surprised, and, to his amazement, slightly disappointed. She lifted her shoulders slightly, her face solemn, but her eyes continued to dance as if she found the whole situation funny.

“No one saw me, so you needn’t worry. Your reputation is intact.”

“It wasn’t my reputation I was worried about. I just wanted to assure you that in spite of our differences, I wasn’t trying to destroy your good name for some petty revenge.”

“Then what were you doing?”

The question he’d been asking himself came from her lips. He struggled to come up with a response, but he hadn’t been able to, even for himself. He looked at her, and the indignation he’d expected wasn’t there. Instead, she appeared curious and interested in his answer, and, if he had to be honest, hopeful.

Confusion reigned within him, and once again he pictured a scene that he’d fought to erase from his memory: the vision of her after he’d kissed her. He couldn’t have
imagined the wonder and passion he’d seen in her eyes, though he’d tried a million times to convince himself it never happened. But something in her expression told him he wasn’t far from the mark.

“James will bring the tea momentarily. You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

Mary swept back into the room, looking like a cat with a dish of cream as she surveyed Jennifer and Gabriel. Gabriel picked up his hat and shook his head.

“No, but I’ll be going. I have a lot to do today, and you two will no doubt enjoy yourselves more without my presence.”

“Gabriel, you can’t!” Mary looked crestfallen.

“I’m sorry, dear, but I really must. I’ll stop by and take you to lunch this week. Good day, Miss Appleton.”

Jennifer rose, and this time, he couldn’t mistake the expression on her face. Fury shot through him even as she extended her hand once more.

She was laughing.

At exactly five
P.M.
the following evening, Jennifer glanced into the looking glass to check her appearance. Dressed in her aunt’s bulky cape, she was content that her figure was completely concealed within the voluminous folds of the garment. After donning her biggest, darkest bonnet, she pulled down the veil so that only her chin showed beneath the filmy cloth. Smiling in satisfaction, she crept out of the house, certain no one could easily identify her.

A thrill of excitement swept through her as she hailed a cab. As the coach pulled up, she had to step back to avoid being doused by a torrent of water from the street. She managed to keep her shoes dry, however, and when the cabbie apologized profusely, then helped her inside as if she were an elderly widow, she knew her costume was sufficient. Giving the man the address of Gabriel’s town house, she sank into the back, her nerves keen as the carriage lurched ahead.

She was on a spy mission, the same as any detective, but her objective was even more elusive than a murderer’s trail. She needed to find out as much as she could about Gabriel’s daily schedule, so that she could conveniently
accost him when he least expected it. Excitement filled her at the very idea, even as a warning flashed through her mind. She had to make sure that she wasn’t caught, or all would be in vain.

Penelope had wanted to come with her, but Jennifer realized it would be far easier to slip in and out of crowds alone. It would also be more difficult to remain anonymous with Penelope, for her beautiful sister stood out like the sun in any gathering. No, far better this way, and when she had some information, she would gladly make use of her sister’s expertise to conspire against Gabriel.

A smug giggle escaped her as she thought of his reaction at tea the previous morning. Surely he knew of Charles’s defection by now, and must be boiling at the very thought. She was even more pleased by his apology and assurance that he hadn’t been out to ruin her with his passionate kiss in the garden. He didn’t seem to have any explanation for it, and appeared very uncomfortable in her presence. Jennifer wasn’t quite the expert on men that Penelope was, but even she knew enough to be encouraged by his awkwardness.

He felt something for her. He had to. In spite of her plotting, the feminine part of Jennifer was very pleased that handsome, thrilling Mr. Forester seemed to be, as Penelope said, taken with her. A part of her worried about why it had become so important, and why his opinion mattered, but she dismissed the concern quickly. Now if she could only manage to spend enough time in his presence, she truly might be able to bring him to hand.

That thought led to other, darker ones that had cropped up repeatedly since his heated kiss. Jennifer felt a tingle of anticipation, for Gabriel had already demonstrated to her that he was irresistibly masculine, and would certainly act upon his impulses. Secretly, she wondered what they led to, for her mother had never told her much, and her aunt only whispered warnings about
gentlemen taking liberties and the dire results. She had surmised some from the whispered giggles of the other girls, but all she knew for sure was that his kiss had been exciting beyond measure. Surely anything else would be equally rewarding.

The carriage stopped outside Gabriel’s door. Instructing the driver to wait, she settled down inside, away from nosy eyes. She knew that Gabriel walked in the park at lunchtime, but what he did at night was a mystery. She decided to follow him from his house in the cab, and see where he went.

She didn’t have to wait long for her quarry to appear. Gabriel strolled down the street at exactly five-fifteen, then stepped inside the door of his town house. Jennifer counted out the minutes for what seemed to be an eternity, but he didn’t reappear.

“Miss, I’ve got to go. I’ve other fares tonight, you know,” the cabbie called out, obviously annoyed to be parked on the street when he could be making money.

Jennifer alighted, then pressed a coin in the man’s hand. “Can you come back in an hour? We may need to follow someone.”

The cabbie nodded, pleased with the coin she’d given him. “I will that, miss.” He helped her down to the street.

As the cab pulled away, Jennifer sprinted across the street, then stood before the door. She supposed she could just wait and see if he came out … Idly, she glanced down the road, but it was a residential area with no restaurants or places where she could watch. The wind blew ominously, and darkness was already threatening. Her eyes fell to the doorknob. She didn’t dare … surely, he had locked it anyway. Her hand slipped out of the cloak and she gently tried the knob, fully prepared to dodge the other way if he appeared. Unbelievably, the door opened, and she stepped inside.

It was beautiful. Jennifer’s breath caught in her throat
as she surveyed the lovely house, and she removed her bonnet to get a better look. The foyer floor where she stood was marble, from his shop, she surmised, and glowed with emerald green and white tiles. A framed watercolor of a seascape graced the wall, as well as a gilt looking glass that must have cost a considerable sum. A china cabinet filled with expensive Delft porcelain gleamed from the end of the corridor, and elegant swags graced the curved Georgian windows. A dark hallway led from there into the parlor, and a round staircase curved enticingly toward the bed chambers upstairs.

Jennifer paused, her heart in her throat. She could see Gabriel’s walking stick tossed carelessly on the stairs, and knew that he had gone in that direction. Did she have the audacity to follow him into his private bedroom?

Bracing herself, Jennifer started down the hall, hushing any sound she might possibly make. This was mad, she told herself, hopelessly mad, but she’d come this far and had too much gumption to stop. She took short, quiet breaths, stepping so carefully on each tile that even the touch of her boots didn’t give her away.

Climbing the stairs was more difficult, but she was reassured as she heard him slamming a door somewhere above. The fifth step creaked and she paused, terrified. Her foot was poised to take the next step, and she held it in midair, her heart pounding so hard it seemed it would come out of her chest. Luck was with her, however, for no one appeared, and she made her way up the rest of the stairs undisturbed.

Gabriel walked past the hallway, completely oblivious to his intruder. Jennifer quickly ducked into an adjoining bedroom. Her eyes closed with relief when he continued past, and he entered the room exactly next to her. She could, hear the metallic clanking of his toiletries, and the soft rush of water pouring into a basin. Unable to resist, she stepped closer to the doorway and peeked inside.