Post by Meomi on Jun 4, 2012 18:35:19 GMT -7
A WICKED PROPOSITION
..::Chapter 8::..
Satisfaction filled Lilly to know her little sister was successful. She smirked at how easily her plan had fallen into the place. All she had to do is offer her little sister up to Gabriel and he took the bait like a bee to honey. Things had worked out better than she could have ever dreamed. Lilly knew to expect to hear from Catherine, knowing her little sister would be panicking right about now. A pity she planned to ignore her for a time.
Nicholas remained quiet as he glanced between Catherine and Gabriel. He frowned at the girl's icy demeanor. The girl did not appear happy to be leaving with them. She stared gloomily outside. It was clear she was upset to be going with him now.
Gabriel: I don't think I have ever known you to be so quiet after a night at Clarice's. I saw your three companions on my way to Clarice's office. How do you do it, my friend?
Nicholas: I wouldn't want to regale you and offend your companion.
Gabriel: Catherine is a bit sensitive this morning, you could say.
Nicholas: Yes, so she is.
Nicholas tried to catch Catherine's eye a number of times. He told himself if he saw one look of fear, he was stepping in and putting a stop to this.
The coach stopped in front of Nicholas' residence. He uttered a short response as Gabriel bid him farewell. Nicholas felt a sense of disappointment as he watched the Earl of Iverleigh's coach make it's way down the cobblestone lane.
Catherine felt panic as she watched Gabriel out the corner of her eye.
Gabriel: You don't appear pleased to be leaving with me, my dear. Don't tell me that you wish to go back?
Catherine: I have no wish to return there! I have no wish to be your plaything either, my lord. It appears I had no choice in it. You were a trifle high-handed in this.
Gabriel: So I was, but what do you expect? Do you think I would merely hand Clarice over three thousand pounds to let you walk away? That is a bit naive, even for you.
Catherine: Do not expect my thanks, or my gratitude! You did not ask me what I wanted at all! You took all upon yourself! I feel I owe you nothing.
Gabriel: Had you a better plan of making your way in the world, you would not have sold youself to Clarice. Do not blame me if you chose poorly.
She longed to slap his handsome, arrogant face. It was his fault she made such a choice at all.
Gabriel: I can only assume from your continued silence, you realize you are better off with me. How old are you? I begin to feel like I'm raiding the nursery.
Catherine: I turned eighteen last month on the twelfth, my lord. Might you have asked my age last night if you were that worried over it?
Gabriel: I admit to a certain bit of distraction, my sweet. Forgive me if your beauty and passion held me incapable of reason.
Catherine: Must you always say such outrageous things, my lord?
Gabriel: Catherine, after how we spent last night you can quit taking offense to everything I say.
Catherine: Please, just do not speak of it! I would rather not think of it at all. Do you make it a habit of buying unfortunate women, my lord? Yvetta said you already have one mistress. What do you need with two, pray tell? Or are you like your scandalous friend? How many did he entertain last night? Three was it?
Gabriel: I am not in the habit of buying women. I believed I was doing you a kindness back there. I still do, despite your incessant complaints.
Catherine: Had you done me a kindness, you would have let me go on my way like a true gentleman, my lord.
Gabriel: Let us be clear on this, Catherine, I am hardly the gentleman you think. I will decide when the debt is paid. Until then, it might be your interest to apply yourself.
Gabriel would no doubt be furious when he found her gone. It pleased her to think of his anger when she fled. Catherine ignored Gabriel for the duration of the short trip to his home.
Gabriel: We are home at last, my sweet.
Catherine: This will never be my home!
Gabriel: Well, for an indefinite period of time it will be. I know you are angry at me now. In time you will accept our arrangement. I can be a very generous man, Catherine. You will be richly compensated when our relationship ends.
Catherine: I did not ask you for anything! I simply wish to go home now.
Gabriel: And how do you propose to live? You told me your parents left you penniless. Going back there hardly improves your lot. Stay with me until the debt is paid. I will see you are returned to your home with enough money to stay anew. That seems a more sensible decision.
Catherine: Do you always get what you want, Gabriel?
Gabriel: Truthfully, I do not always have to try this hard. Most women leap into my arms, if you must know.
The driver opened the door to the coach and Gabriel stepped down. He assisted her down and she stared up at the luxurious house despairingly.
Gabriel: Too late to make a run for it, my sweet.
He guided her up the stone steps. The door opened and the butler stood aside.
Gabriel: Higgins, see that Miss... ah...?
Gabriel began and smiled down at Catherine questioningly.
Gabriel: What was your last name, my dear?
Catherine: I didn't give it, my lord.
Gabriel: Higgins, this is Catherine. She will be staying with us for an extended stay. See that her things are brought up to my room, and a bath prepared for her at once.
Higgins complied, leaving them alone. A woman in a servant's uniform soon arrived. This was the housekeeper. Mrs. Whitley was her name.
Gabriel: I leave you in capable hands then, Catherine. I have a series of errands to run this afternoon. I will be gone until dinner. Make yourself at home, my dear. Do not think to leave, Catherine. You would not wish to know how determined I can be should you attempt to run.
Catherine: You do not own me, Gabriel. I know you paid a great deal to get my release from Clarice, but I had no say in it. If I see an opportunity to leave, I will take it.
Gabriel: I was afraid you would say that.
Mrs. Whitley returned. He stepped away and spoke privately. Catherine gave him a withering look as the housekeeper gestured for her to follow her upstairs.
The housekeeper led her down a hallway until they came to the end. She opened the door for Catherine and she stepped inside a large room. The maids were there already preparing her bath. Mrs. Whitley closed the door and Catherine heard a definite click in the lock. She ran to the door and cursed to know the housekeeper had locked her in under Gabriel's orders. Gabriel's servants would no doubt do whatever he asked. She looked at the large tub longingly. A bath sounded divine, a nap even more so.
To be continued...
Click for Chapter 9