Post by Meomi on Jun 11, 2012 16:55:35 GMT -7
A WICKED PROPOSITION
..::Chapter 10::..
Catherine stiffened when the door opened and Gabriel entered. It was late. She looked panicked.
Gabriel: You need not appear so alarmed. I'm not going to pounce on you, Catherine.
Catherine: I hoped to reason with you once more.
Gabriel: I'm not in the habit of repeating myself. You will stay until the debt is paid.
Catherine: How can you claim to have done me a fair turn and hold me to such ridiculous conditions now?
Gabriel: You could say that you have intrigued me, Catherine. Consider that a compliment.
Catherine: You know nothing about me at all.
Gabriel: Why can you not just enjoy our time together? Why do you fight it?
Catherine: Forgive me if I feel this is wrong, Gabriel, but this is not what I wanted for myself.
Gabriel: Even the most careful plans can go awry, my dear.
Catherine: I cannot make light of this. I knew after last night, I was leaving Clarice's house. Had you not interfered, I would have found the means to return home.
Gabriel: That would have been most unwise. Clarice would have hunted you down. You do not understand the agreement you made. I have heard of her methods when one of her girls runs out on their debt.
Catherine: Is the deal I make with you any better?
Gabriel: You know nothing about me. I am not the ogre you think. You will see that.
He slept soon, his face burrowed in her fur. His body curved possessively around hers, wrapping her in a cocoon of warmth. Catherine lay awake for some time. She was confused and dismayed. She wanted him and it had nothing to do with her pact she made with her sister. This was not part of the agreement she made with Lilly at all. Guilt ate at her to know it.
When Catherine awoke early the next morning, Gabriel was getting ready quietly. She lay there quietly as she watched him, fighting the urge to sigh. He was glorious to wake up to. She could not ignore the doubts she continued to have about Lord Iverleigh. He was nothing like the man her sister described. What sort of man would rescue a woman he did not even know from a brothel, yet abandon three orphans related to him by marriage? It made no sense at all. Worse, she believed she was growing weak in her resolve to meet her end of the bargain. The desire to confide in Gabriel now was overwhelming.
Gabriel: Good morning, my sweet. I trust you slept well?
Catherine: I slept very well, thank you.
Gabriel: I am free today. I thought we might take a carriage ride to show you the sights, and through the park later. Would you like that?
Catherine: Yes, that would be lovely, Gabriel.
Gabriel: I will send Mrs. Whitley up to attend you. Can you be ready to come down in an hour? I hate eating alone but I am starving, my dear.
Catherine: I can be ready, my lord. We would not want to see you starve.
Gabriel looked up in less than an hour as she entered the dining room, taking her breath away with how attractive he looked across the breakfast table from her. Gabriel was probably one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
Catherine: I believe I arrived under the allotted hour with six minutes to spare.
Gabriel: I like the punctuality, my dear. I despise waiting for anything.
Catherine ate her breakfast with careful eye upon her companion at the end of the table. Gabriel read the paper as he ate.
Catherine: Beautiful day, don't you think, Gabriel?
Her comment only elicited a mumble from the man.
Catherine: I thought about running away today.
He merely grunted a response.
Catherine: Can we just forget this silly debt of mine and consider it a gift?
He uttered something she could barely make out.
Catherine: I didn't quite hear you. Was that a yes, I heard?
The paper came down and he eyed her.
Gabriel: I apologize, you were saying, my dear?
Catherine smiled innocently and shrugged.
Catherine: Nothing, it was nothing at all.
He went back to reading the paper. She could not resist...
Catherine: I thought to run naked and chase the ducks through the park today. The lovely weather were having is too much to resist from shucking one's clothes.
He distinct grunts beyond the paper wall between them made her cover her mouth to keep from laughing aloud.
Catherine: After my run with the ducks, I think I will swim in the fountains. Do you think it would offend the other people in the park, Gabriel?
He mumbled an inaudible reply.
Catherine: I would not wish to cause a furor. I will be sure to take one of your hats.
Catherine bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud as she still got no response.
Gabriel: What did you say, my sweet? You wondered if you should wear a hat?
Catherine's lips twitched slightly.
Catherine: I asked if you had a cat, my lord.
Gabriel frowned and looked even more confused.
Gabriel: I have no cat. Why do you ask?
Catherine bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud at the adorably confused expression on his face.
Catherine: I like them, I was saying. That is all.
Gabriel: You wish for me to get you a pet?
Catherine: No, I was just saying how much I'm fond of them, is all.
He gestured to her plate.
Gabriel: Have you finished? Can we go?
Catherine nodded.
Gabriel: The thought of you running through the park naked chasing ducks will haunt me for the rest of the day, my sweet. Your intended dip in the fountain as well. And I have the very hat you can borrow to pacify the other patrons, do not worry.
Catherine blushed. Her mother had assured her a man went deaf while reading the morning paper. Clearly Gabriel was not like other men.
Catherine: I thought you weren't listening. It was a game my mother used to play upon my father. I now think he only pretended to agree everything she said.
Gabriel: I'm rather disappointed. I would have liked to see you in nothing but one of my hats.
Catherine: It was only a game, Gabriel.
Gabriel: We shall have to play that game another time. Today, I show you London in all it's glory and shame.
Catherine smiled in enthusiam.
The afternoon seemed to fly by and before she knew it they were turning into Hyde Park. Catherine's enjoyment was contagious. Her eyes were sparkling. He felt this heart skip a beat when she looked at him. She was beautiful certainly, but many of his mistresses had been. Something about her appealed to him more than the others. He watched her lean out of the window to comment on the many ducks they passed along the trail, looking over at him mischievously.
To be continued...
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