The Duke's Temptation (6 page)

Chapter 6

An hour later, Elizabeth found herself searching out Phoebe. Choosing to ignore Gabe’s request to wait until the morning, she prowled through his town house, hunting for a child that could be the result of his love for another woman. Or simply further proof of Gabe’s rakish behavior. She didn’t know which she hoped for.

She didn’t believe herself to be naïve. She knew of Gabe’s various mistresses, his liaisons. Even though it hurt, knotted her stomach, she’d never been able to ignore the obvious. But to discover Gabe could be so careless, so reckless in his behavior that he had gotten a woman with child, might be too much to take in.

On the other hand, it would be more devastating to learn he loved Phoebe’s mother. If his heart was filled with affection for another, could he ever come to love her?

She assumed the child stayed in the nursery, so she’d had her maid discreetly inquire as to its whereabouts. Hoping she didn’t meet Gabe, Elizabeth continued down the expansive hall to the far wing of the house. Apprehension crept up her back as she slowly made her way to the second door on the left.

Not sure what she’d find, she peered through the crack of the door left slightly open.
Blast.
The opening was too small to distinguish anything. She took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.

Before her hand connected with the wood, she paused. Was she prepared for what was inside? Her hand still hovered before the door when it opened.

At first the room appeared empty besides the highly polished miniature furniture that was clearly new . . . until she shifted her gaze down. Down to the small child looking at her with eyes so blue Elizabeth could have been gazing into the deepest of sapphires. Surrounding the beautiful eyes was the most angelic face, topped with raven curls that fell in adorable disarray instead of perfect ringlets. Besides the blue of her eyes, the child’s features were a miniature version of Gabe’s.

Elizabeth’s heart squeezed. There was no denying he’d fathered this lovely child.

As the child kept a wary eye on her, Elizabeth glanced around the room, aglow with the afternoon light. A few toys sat amongst the various furnishings. Other than the basics, the room was void of any personal touches. Nothing that created any extra comfort. She also realized the child was alone. No housekeeper, no maid, no one. She might not be an expert on children, but she knew enough to understand one Phoebe’s age shouldn’t be left unattended. Not in a house the size of Gabe’s.

Unwilling to leave the child on her own, she decided to stay until someone came along.

She crouched to the little girl’s level. Being face to face with Phoebe only heightened the similarities between her and Gabe.

“Hello.” She smiled at the child. “I’m Elizabeth, but you may call me Lizzy. Are you Phoebe?”

She didn’t respond. Instead she continued to peer at Elizabeth as if debating to trust the stranger standing before her. Elizabeth kept quiet under the scrutiny. Finally, Phoebe gave a slight nod of her head, all the while keeping her eyes trained on Elizabeth.

“Do you have anyone to play with?”

The dark head gave an even slighter shake.

“Well, I don’t have anyone to play with, either. May I play with you?”

The child contemplated for a moment and the prospect of a playmate must have won out, for she bobbed her head in concession.

“Why, thank you.”

Her offer to play must have appeased Phoebe’s concerns, because suddenly, gone was the cautious child that had opened the door.

All settled, Phoebe turned into the room. She took a few steps then peeked over her shoulder and gave a timid smile. “Are you coming?” She didn’t wait for a reply. Instead she toddled to two dolls positioned on a rug in the center of the room, then sat.

One smile. One innocent, baby-toothed smile and Elizabeth felt her reservations disappear.

Phoebe held out one of the dolls to Elizabeth, still standing by the doorway. “You can play with Victoria.”

Understanding an invitation when presented with one, Elizabeth crossed the floor and took a seat on the rug before lifting the doll from Phoebe’s outstretched hand. “Thank you. And what is your doll’s name?”

“Jacqueline.”

“That is a pretty name. But not as pretty as Phoebe.”

As the child kept her focus on her doll, Elizabeth searched her mind for something else to draw Phoebe out. “I like your dolls. They are lovely. Where did you get them?”

“My papa.”

A tight knot rose in Elizabeth’s throat at the word ‘papa.’ Looking away, she toyed with the lace hem of the doll’s dress. It might be fanciful, but she had always imagined her children addressing Gabe as ‘father.’

She pushed aside her feelings, for none of this was Phoebe’s fault. She plastered a smile on her face, something she found effortless as she watched the child play. “That was very nice of him.” Doubtful that Gabe had anything to do with the purchase of the dolls.

Even though Phoebe appeared unharmed, Elizabeth remained concerned such a young child had been left unattended. “Phoebe, where is Mrs. Pearce?”

Phoebe continued to arrange her doll but managed a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Elizabeth’s unease increased. “Do you always play alone?”

“Sometimes Sally plays with me.”

Elizabeth took the response as positive indication Phoebe was often alone when Sally wasn’t available, something that needed immediate amendment. Even if Gabe couldn’t find a governess or nanny to supervise the child, he should have an adequate staff to allow a maid to stay with Phoebe without disrupting the flow of the household.

“I’m having a lot of fun. Could we play again tomorrow?” she asked Phoebe.

The child raised her eyes from her doll and formed a smile that dimpled her plump cheeks, the expression so much like the one that graced Gabe’s face when he was genuinely happy. A state Elizabeth couldn’t recall seeing since he’d been a young man at Foxmoore.

“Will you?” Phoebe asked, suppressed anticipation shining in her eyes.

Based on her reaction, Elizabeth knew the child wasn’t getting the attention she needed. She found Phoebe’s enthusiasm contagious and laughed wholeheartedly. “Of course I will.” She leaned closer. “Do you want to know something?”

Eager to be included in the secret, Phoebe leaned in.

“I’m going to be staying here, too,” Elizabeth confided. “We can play every day if you wish.”

Phoebe’s eyes grew wide and practically shone with happiness, lightening the deep blue. “Every day?”

“Every day.”

“Am I interrupting?”

That voice
. Gabe
.

Cringing a bit at being caught disobeying Gabe’s request, Elizabeth slowly pivoted to look at him. Though his face carried no emotion, tension streamed from his large body. For one of the few times in her life, she didn’t know how to proceed with him. Should she apologize for seeking out his daughter? But Phoebe was her reason for being here. If anyone was being unreasonable, it was him.

Yet she felt herself flush under his relentless, hawk-like stare. Even from a distance, she noted the usual golden warmth was absent from his eyes.

With Gabe towering above her, Elizabeth couldn’t avoid him. Caught at a disadvantage, she straightened her skirt and, as ladylike as she could manage, rose to face him.

She was about to confront Gabe’s pique when a slight tug on her dress interrupted her. She glanced down to find Phoebe at her side, her hand bunching Elizabeth’s skirt in a tight fist.

Then she noticed the way Gabe’s eyes, softened with emotion, locked on his child. Apparently Phoebe’s innocence had the power to sooth even Gabe’s anger.

Unsure why, she had a sudden urge to be a bit devilish. “Would you care to join us? Phoebe was introducing me to her dolls.”

Her behavior was rewarded by a wicked curve of his lips. “Minx, you are very aware I don’t play with dolls.”

The mischievousness streak inside her refused to be silenced. Not when the smiling man before her reminded her too much of the Gabe she recalled from her childhood. “Is that so? I always thought you were merely trying to appear tough for Marcus’s sake.” She made a show of looking around the room. “There doesn’t appear to be any witnesses. Your reputation will be safe with us.”

“Sorry to disappoint, Minx, but the day the Duke of Wesbrook sits and plays with dolls, is the day I buy you a stable and fill it with the finest English mounts.”

“Careful, Gabe, I might hold you to that.”

“You do that.” Gabe quickly scanned the room. His easy smiled disappeared. “Where is the maid?”

Phoebe’s grip tightened on Elizabeth’s skirt at the roughness of Gabe’s tone.

She wouldn’t downplay it. “There was no one here when I arrived.”

He pinned her with his dark eyes. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten you are supposed to be in your chamber, resting.”

The rigid edge of his voice was unmistakable. She placed a hand on Phoebe’s shoulder and felt a tremor flow through the child.

The tension in the room already high, Elizabeth fought to keep herself calm, even though her insides were screaming to match his hostility with some of her own. No one, not even her brother, dictated to her in such a way—and in front of his daughter! How could he not realize he was frightening the child? She briefly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and collected herself.

“We can discuss that later, away from Phoebe.” She leaned down to the child. “Sweet, why don’t you play with your pretty dolls while I speak with your father.” Phoebe didn’t move. “It is all right. I’ll be right here if you need me.”

The child hesitated a moment longer before she relented. Taking a bit of time to collect herself, Elizabeth kept her unfocused eyes on Phoebe as the girl returned to her dolls.

Being at odds with Gabe made her uncomfortable. Their relationship had always been easygoing and fun. The animosity that had sparked between them worried her. Made her wonder what happened to the young man who had dried her tears so many years ago.

Gabe harrumphed softly behind her. She smiled. That was the Gabe she knew, always impatient and arrogant enough to let it be known. She turned and noted his features were relaxed once more. He must have used the same moment to let go of his anger.

“You are good with her.” He gave a slight nod in Phoebe’s direction.

She glanced to the tiny sprite, intently playing with her dolls, before she answered. “Thank you.” She caught his gaze and held it. “She is very beautiful.”

His voice was a low murmur. “Yes, she is.”

“She looks just like you. Well, besides her eyes.” She was about to question if Phoebe’s mother had similar eyes but found herself unprepared to broach
that
subject. Instead she decided to address a more pressing issue. “Shouldn’t someone be here with Phoebe at all times?”

“Yes, there should be. I’m not sure why there is not.” His brown eyes burned hot. She’d hate to be the one to explain why Phoebe was alone. “Believe me, I’ll be checking into it. For now, I’ll make sure someone is with her until tomorrow. After that, you can review the staff and determine a schedule. I want someone always with her. She is still unfamiliar with the house. I don’t want her wandering around. The household can manage with a few less maids until a governess or additional staff can be hired.”

He raised his brow at her. “Since it seems you’ve already made her acquaintance, do you mind staying with her until I locate Mrs. Pearce and have a maid sent up?”

Her head spun slightly from the way Gabe had taken control of the situation, but she somehow managed to give an answer. “I would love to.”

By God, how Elizabeth tempted him! But Gabe feared the other side of the world couldn’t provide enough distance to keep him from desiring her. One thing he did know. He would never find peace in his own home.

Not when his body knew a slender, but well-endowed, female inhabited the bedroom a mere floor above him. It seemed her very essence had penetrated every door and wall of the house, giving him no escape.

How that had been possible in a few short hours he had no idea, but nonetheless, he didn’t like it. And he didn’t like the man he’d become around her. She’d generously offered her time to assist with his daughter, but he couldn’t stop the irritation that stroked him whenever they were in the same room. Purely because he knew he could never have her as he wished.

He took a deep breath, hoping to find the strength to deal with his newly acquired female companions. Trying to stop the craving pulsing through his body, he rested his head against the high-back seat and closed his eyes.

A vision of Elizabeth in a light gossamer gown played across his mind.

His eyes snapped open, erasing the picture, all too familiar with where such thoughts would take him. He already straddled a cliff with his arousal. He didn't need to be pushed over the edge with no release available.

Hell, he’d never get through this night if he didn’t settle his brain on more mundane things. Even now he was on the verge of doing something he hadn’t done in an awfully long time—retiring before midnight.

“Pardon the interruption, Your Grace, but this was just delivered for you.”

Wilkes crossed the study to present Gabe the letter before retreating as silently as he’d appeared.

A case of self-preservation screamed for Gabe to discard the letter, unread, for it looked exactly like the one he’d discovered the night before. So much for hoping his blackmailer had come to his senses.

Since ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away, Gabe unfolded the paper.

How daring of you to add more females to your household. Especially, the Earl of Foxmoore’s sister. Aren’t you afraid you’ll send her to her death just like poor Mary?