Page 66 of A Winter Scandal

He shot her a hard look. “Do not fight me on this, Thea. I will not leave you and Matthew exposed to danger. What I would prefer is to be there myself to make sure nothing happens, but obviously that is not a possibility. And even if I take Matthew to the Priory with me, it would still leave you vulnerable.” His face was a study in frustration. “The only thing I can do to protect you both is to put one of my servants there at night, and I will do so.”

Ordinarily his peremptory tone would have been enough to make Thea argue, but she could see how much he disliked his comparative lack of power in this situation, so she only nodded her head. Rising, she went over to where he stood in front of the window, and he looped an arm around her shoulders, tucking her against his side. For a long moment they stood silently, gazing out at the snowy scene in front of them. Gabriel bent and kissed the top of her head. “I think I would prefer to stay right here instead of going home, frankly.”

Thea smiled and rubbed her head against him. “It seems much more pleasant. But I fear we could not stay here forever. For one thing, we are getting low on milk.”

“I think it comes from that goat out back.”

Thea tilted her head back to look at him skeptically. “And are you planning to try to milk that goat?”

He looked offended. “You think I could not?”

Thea laughed. “I am wiser than to offer you such a challenge.” She returned to her contemplation of the snow outside. She understood what Gabriel meant. It would be wonderful to stay here together, alone except for Matthew. She could smile at Gabriel whenever she wanted or reach out to touch his arm without worrying about what someone observing them might think. There were no rules here or gossip or other people, only the sweet excitement of his hands and mouth on her, the indescribable fulfillment as he plunged to his peak within her.

Unconsciously she let out a little sigh. Gabriel leaned down to whisper in her ear. “We could celebrate our very own Christmas here, you know.”

She cast a teasing glance up at him. “Indeed?” She glanced around. “Here?”

“Of course. We have everything we need.”

“Oh, really? And what do we have of Christmas?”

“First, and most important, we have the best present that either of us could have received.” He held Matthew out to her. “We found Matthew.”

Thea laughed and reached out to take the baby. “That is true enough.”

“But it is only the beginning.” Gabriel went over to the fireplace and dug amongst the wood piled beside it, pulling out the largest of the logs. Brandishing it triumphantly, he said, “We have the Yule log.”

“Oh, and the Yule candles.” Thea pointed to a low, fat candle sitting on a saucer on the counter.

“Indeed. And … we also have a feast.”

“A feast?”

“Of course.” Gabriel offered Thea his arm in his most courtly manner and escorted her back to the table, where he pulled out a chair for her with a flourish.

He went into the pantry, returning with a chunk of wrapped cheese and the piece of roast beef. He added the bread to the table and stepped back, his hands behind his back.

“My. What more could we ask?”

“Dessert.” He brought his hand out from behind his back, presenting, with a flourish, a faintly withered apple.

Thea laughed. “It is a feast indeed.”

She realized that she was hungry, and they both tucked into the food with a hearty appetite. It tasted, she thought, as good as any meal she had ever had. Whether it was her hunger which made it so or the company in which she ate, she knew that she would never forget the meal.

Afterward, she put Matthew down to play on the floor a little distance from the fireplace. Gabriel sat in the armchair beside the fire and pulled Thea into his lap. She leaned against his chest and watched the baby play. Gabriel’s arms were wrapped around her and his head rested on hers. She felt cocooned in his warmth, his heartbeat steady and reassuring beneath her ear. Now and then he trailed his fingers down her arm or stroked his hand along her hip, and at his touch, heat blossomed. She was amazed to think that desire could rise up in her yet again.

“I think,” she said, “that I must be a wanton.”

His laughter rumbled in his chest. “I am very glad for that.” He nuzzled her neck, sending bright little shivers running through her.

“A lady should not feel this way. I am sure of it.”

“What way is that?” He slid his thumb up her arm.

“All fizzy and warm whenever you touch me.”

“Ah. And what about when I do this?” He slipped his hand down her front, his finger circling her nipple.