Chapter Two
Inspector Gabriel Bright couldn’t believe his luck in convincing his wife of nearly two years that she needed to come away with him to his brother’s country estate.
“I’m glad you’ve approved of the trip. I’m looking forward to it as well.
” With Mary’s calves and feet in his lap, she more or less lounged across the sofa where they sat in the private parlor on the third level of their house, and it took everything in his power not to pounce on her.
Sadly, it had been quite a few weeks since they were last intimate.
“Even at the expense of seeing my brother.”
The sound of her low laughter sent ripples of awareness across his skin. “I can understand that, but Francis isn’t so bad these days, and you know it.”
“Mmm.” He slipped a hand beneath her skirts. The glide of his fingertips over the silk of her embroidered stockings. “Perhaps. Now that he has recommitted to his wife and they have a new baby, they are perfectly lovely to be around.”
That wasn’t always the case, for his older brother had a tendency to be arrogant and a prick when he wanted to antagonize Gabriel.
Add to that the history he and Mary had together in their pasts?
Well, there had been tension between them ever since he’d met Mary two and a half years ago.
When he thought that Francis would fight him for Mary’s attention, his brother had decided to pour all his amorous intentions into his wife for fear of losing her, for neither Francis nor his wife had been true to their marriage vows over the years.
The change was quite refreshing.
“Well, perfectly lovely is rather a stretch.” The glance she bestowed upon him went straight to his shaft. “However, we can both agree that his place is by Vivian’s side and in being the best father he can be to his children.” Then she winked. “You, by far, are the better lover, Bright.”
“Ha. Such flattery and gammon.” Every once in a while, when he felt self-conscious about it or when Francis had made him angry at a social function or through a letter, Mary never failed to remind him that he had the better prowess and spirit.
It was now a private joke between them, but he didn’t mind.
He’d won her and married her; nothing needed to be said beyond that. “I appreciate that.”
“Is it flattery if it’s true?” One of her blonde eyebrows lifted with a challenge.
“You, my love, are being quite cheeky tonight.” And he adored it.
“What do you plan to do about it, Inspector?” She only called him that when she was in a snit or she wanted to provoke a rise from him.
“I’ll show you.” With a slight growl, he gripped her about the waist and then hauled her into his lap so that she straddled his waist. Her skirting bunched between them with the gown’s hem rising up to her thighs. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“Whose fault is that?” With every word, the warmth of her breath skated along his chin and cheek. “You work long hours and have been going out to the club more often.”
“Only because you tell me that socializing with my peers is vital for me.” As she spoke, Gabriel drew his hands up to her hips. “And I’ve had an unexpected flurry of clients who need my services.”
“I know all of that, but there are only so many moments in the day. You aren’t here for many of them.” There was only a hint of censure in her voice, but her eyes were shadowed. She brushed a shock of hair from his brow. “We all miss you.”
Damn, but she didn’t specifically say she yearned to have him in her bed. Did that mean she’d tired of him already? Unsure, he didn’t wish to ask lest that lead to an argument. Instead, he pulled her close to his body and claimed her lips with his.
As was usual with his wife, Mary gave as good as she got. Far too easily, those exploratory and loving kisses gave way to deep, drugging overtures where their tongues fought for dominance and fire licked through his blood.
With a soft groan, Gabriel wrenched away only to drag his lips down the side of her neck.
The skin still fragrant with her faint floral scent was highly addicting, and damn if he didn’t want her naked right here, right now.
Cupping her breasts, he worried the nipples into hard peaks through the fabric of her navy gown.
A shudder went through her body and transferred to him. She peered at him with passion-glazed eyes. “Perhaps we should take this into our bedchamber…”
“I would enjoy that very much,” he replied in between nipping lightly at her lower lip. “I’m so bloody aroused, I could probably drill—”
“Papa?”
The sound of Charlie’s voice in the corridor beyond the door had the same effect on his ardor as of a bucket of cold water thrown in his face.
“Shit.” He eased Mary off his lap. “What is it, Charlie?” With what felt like a puzzled look at her, he struggled to his feet, hoping his son wouldn’t notice his cockstand.
The boy appeared in the doorframe, much like a wraith in his white night shirt. He rubbed one of his eyes and frowned. “I can’t sleep.”
“Why not?” Gabriel came toward the child a few steps.
“There might be a wolf beneath my bed. Can’t settle until you search it out, Papa.”
Though he hated the interruption between him and Mary, he couldn’t fault the boy. Monsters came in all shapes and sizes. “Do you think you are imagining a wolf because your governess taught you about them today?”
Charlie’s shrug lifted his thin shoulders. “Perhaps but I don’t want one under my bed.”
Of course, it could also be the fact that they’d recently moved the children down from the attic space where the schoolroom was housed to their own rooms on this level.
He might not be quite used to the new area.
“Neither would I, my boy.” To Mary, he shot a rueful glance.
“Perhaps we’ll continue our conversation later? ”
She nodded with amusement and concern shadowing her eyes. “I hope so. These moments are few and far between.”
“Indeed, they are.” And that was troubling.
Good thing they had a holiday ahead to look forward to.
Then he thrust those thoughts from his mind to focus on Charlie.
“Let’s go search beneath your bed, hmm?” Then he accompanied the child into the corridor and into his room.
As much as he loved his children, having them underfoot sometimes wasn’t as ideal as he would like.
April 28, 1821
Mrs. Stout’s Tea House
Mayfair, London
Gabriel had stopped for an afternoon repast at a tea house, or rather he’d met with a potential new client there, and once the man went on his own way, there was time to enjoy the slower pace that tea demanded.
However, once he exited the charming shop, he nearly ran bodily into Major Kourier on the pavement. “Steady on, Kourier,” he said as the other man stumbled back a few steps to avoid a full-on collision. “Coming in for tea?”
“I was thinking about it, and since tea is more socially acceptable at this time of day than brandy, it sounds a good idea.” He glanced into the tea house then retreated to one side of the pavement so that he and Gabriel could talk without being constantly jostled.
“What has you in a morass of thought?”
The major waved a glove-covered hand in dismissal. “I have just come from paying a visit to Caroline. We weren’t allowed to be alone due to her family ‘popping’ in. Frankly, her family doesn’t really care for me, don’t think I’m nearly good enough to marry a viscount’s daughter.”
“But you are engaged,” Bright protested with a frown. “It’s a bit too late for them to still protest the match.”
“I agree, but the animosity is there nonetheless.”
“Well, keep at it. You’re marrying Caroline, not her family, and your relationship is not theirs. And love will prevail.” Three years ago, those words coming out of his mouth would have sounded like gammon, but now? He fully believed in them because he’d lived through it.
“I’ll try to remember that, but I’ve been on my own a long time.” The major shot him an amused glance. “By the by, you look a bit exhausted and worn out yourself, Bright. Is all well?”
“Interesting question.” Last night had taken him much longer to settle Charlie than he’d thought.
By the time he’d returned to the family parlor, Mary had abandoned it.
When he’d found her in their shared suite, she was already asleep, and he’d hated to wake her.
“I’m afraid Mary and I aren’t in step any longer. ”
And he’d gone to bed frustrated.
“How is that possible?” Major Kourier narrowed his eyes. “Your marriage is as solid as any I’ve seen, and it’s something that inspires me. Mary adores you, as do the children.”
“Yes, this is true, and I adore my family, but there are times when I think we should have waited to have the children in our lives.” He paused to consider his next words. “Time alone with Mary is at a premium these days.”
“Are you telling me that the charming and clever Inspector Bright can’t manage to woo his wife?”
“Ha.” Gabriel snorted. “I only wish it was that easy. My case load is enormous. The cases aren’t too challenging, and none of them have involved murder since October of last year, but the volume is heavy. This demands that I work long hours, which is causing friction.”
“It’s only natural since your business is private, and you’re providing for your family’s future.”
“Yes, I understand all that, but it tears at my time. Mary is occupied with overseeing the running of the household as well as the children and their education.” He paused to frown.
“We rarely see each other anymore, in any capacity. I keep meaning to court her again, but time gets away from me, and she doesn’t make the effort either, no doubt for the same reasons… ”
Damn, the more he tried to explain it, the more ridiculous it sounded.
Surprise creased the major’s features. “But you love those children. Surely you won’t set them back onto the streets.”