The Highborn Housekeeper Read online

  ‘I agree.’ She laughed and raised her glass to him. ‘One of the advantages of growing older is that one is no longer a prey to these starry-eyed notions of romance!’

  They drank silently, Gabriel relieved that they were remaining on good terms and surprised at how relaxing it was to dine with a woman who was not constantly looking for compliments. Or trying to persuade him into marriage. He heard the distant chime of a clock, reminding him that the evening was far advanced, but he did not want it to end just yet.

  He said, ‘Tell me about the house where you work. It is a charity, you say?’

  ‘Yes. Prospect House provides a safe and respectable home for women who have nowhere else to go. Fallen women, you might call them, although most are guilty of little more than being far too innocent and trusting of men. Once a woman loses her good character she must survive as best she can. Without references a servant cannot find work and for ladies the situation can be worse, they do not know how to work. Their education is often poor or non-existent and they are trained only in the accomplishments they require to become wives or companions.’ She looked at him. ‘You said that younger sons were of little account. Daughters have even less value, unless they find a rich husband.’

  ‘And how did you come to Prospect House—did you need a refuge?’

  ‘I ran away rather than marry the man my father had chosen for me. A rich man, notorious for his excesses.’ Her lip curled. ‘It was not only the fact that he was old enough to be my grandfather, but I knew he was a lecher with a cruel temper. The idea of shackling myself to such a man was not to be considered.’

  ‘So you ran away and used your talent for cooking to support yourself.’

  ‘Yes.’

  She fell silent and he observed the sudden shadow in her eyes, as if the memories were painful. He wanted to reach out to her, to offer some comfort, but even as he lifted a hand she straightened and gave her head a little shake. ‘Then, three years ago, I learned about Prospect House and was fortunate enough to be taken in.’

  ‘So recently?’ He frowned at her. ‘How old were you when you ran away from home?’

  ‘Eighteen.’

  ‘And you are now...?’

  ‘I shall not see thirty again.’

  ‘Then how did you live for the intervening years?’

  ‘I did what was necessary to survive.’ The closed look on her face told him quite clearly she would not talk of it. ‘When I arrived at Prospect House, everyone was sharing the chores, but it was clear that having one person to run the kitchens would be an advantage. My experience proved useful and I took charge.’ She chuckled. ‘As you have already said, I am a very managing female, but in this instance, I put the trait to good use.’

  ‘And you are happy there?’

  ‘Why, yes. I enjoy helping the women who come to us. Some are no more than girls, frightened, often desperate. We look after them, nurse them if they are ill, help them to learn new skills and try to find them a way to earn a respectable living. Some have become dressmakers, housekeepers, even a lady’s maid. Everyone who moves on leaves a bed free for someone else. And believe me, sir, there is always another poor unfortunate needing a sanctuary.’ She looked up, blushing a little. ‘I beg your pardon. I have been rattling on.’

  ‘Not at all. You have a kind heart, Nancy, but then I knew that already.’

  ‘Because I rescued you from the snow?’ Her shoulders lifted slightly. ‘Anyone would do as much. And you have been wishing me at the devil since!’

  ‘I do not deny I did so at first. I shall miss—’ he saw the warning look in her eye and continued smoothly, ‘—your culinary skills.’

  Her lips twitched. ‘I am sure you will.’

  * * *

  Nancy closed the door of her room and leaned against it, letting her breath out in a long sigh.

  There, that was not so bad. She had survived dinner with Gabriel—nay, she had enjoyed it—and returned to her room unscathed. But of course that did not mean she did not want to move on. Away from Dell House. Away from Gabriel.

  Chapter Seven

  The weather continued to play havoc with her plans to leave. Nancy busied herself in the kitchens all morning and as she did not see Gabriel, she suspected he, too, was anxious to avoid a meeting. However, it did nothing to lessen the attraction that sparked between them when they met for dinner. It was intoxicating, thought Nancy, like the thrill of an electric shock.

  She tried to ignore it as Gabriel held her chair for her, but when his fingers grazed the back of her neck it was as much as she could do not to jump out of her seat. They sat in silence as Hester brought in the first dishes, but even when they were alone they spoke little. Gabriel seemed distracted and Nancy thought that he, too, must be aware of the charged atmosphere. She forced herself to make light conversation and was grateful when he followed her lead.

  Nancy tasted next to nothing of the meal and it was almost a relief when the covers were removed. Neither of them had taken much wine and the decanter was still half-full. Gabriel held it up, his mouth twisting.

  ‘John will think I am ailing if I leave this much.’

  She feasted her eyes on the long fingers holding the decanter as he topped up his glass, imagining them on her skin, slipping around her neck and pulling her close. The very thought of it made her stomach swoop and set her heart pounding. He glanced across at her, lifting an eyebrow in enquiry, and she shook her head.

  ‘Thank you, but I must not drink more. I need to keep a clear head for the morning.’ She pushed herself out of her seat and went to the fireplace. ‘William thinks the road will be clear enough to drive the coach to Markham tomorrow.’ She salved her conscience with the thought that he had said it might be clear. ‘From there we can pick up the Great North Road. I want to be packed and ready.’

  ‘You are impatient to be away from here.’

  ‘Why, yes.’ She began to straighten the ornaments on the mantelshelf, refusing to turn and look at him. He was too adept at reading her thoughts. ‘I have been here for more than a se’ennight—’

  ‘Nine days.’

  His voice was very close and Nancy’s spine tingled. She had not heard him leave the table, but he must be standing just behind her. She gripped the mantelshelf, not daring to turn around. She stared down into the fire, every nerve end screaming.

  ‘You feel it, too, don’t you?’

  His voice was a low caress that set her nerves tingling. She shook her head.

  ‘It is just...being shut in like this. We agreed.’

  ‘Being so much in each other’s company,’ he murmured, his breath warm on the back of her neck.

  ‘D-dining alone...’

  Her throat dried as she felt his lips on her skin. It was no more than a butterfly’s touch, but it sent a thrill skittering down her spine. For the life of her she could not stop her eyes closing and her head going back as he trailed light kisses down to her shoulder.

  ‘And the wine.’ His voice was ragged as he turned her to face him. He cupped her face with his hands. ‘One becomes prey to temptation.’

  His blue eyes were hot, burning with desire, and her lips parted, inviting his kiss. He did not hesitate. She made no pretence of resistance when he captured her lips. Instead she answered him hungrily, twining her arms about his neck and clinging to him while he plundered her mouth, drawing up the desire from deep in her core. Her legs felt weak, she thought she might swoon with the delightful havoc he was wreaking within her body and she gave a little mewl of protest when he raised his head.

  His sigh was deep and heartfelt. He held her close, resting his cheek against the top of her head.

  ‘Ah, no. Much as I want to, I must not compromise you further. Tomorrow you may be leaving. We can be strong for one more night.’

  Every nerve in her body cried out against that. The blood was pounding through
her—she was stunned by the hot, aching need that suffused her body. Suddenly everything was clear.

  ‘No,’ she said, her voice calm, steady. ‘I want you, Gabriel. Even for one night, if that is all we have. I want that memory to carry away with me.’

  ‘Nancy—’

  She put her hands against his chest and looked up into his face. ‘Please, Gabriel. I am thirty years old and no innocent, I know what it is that I am doing. I want no promises, no ties. Just take me to bed.’

  His eyes blazed and she stared back boldly. Without a word he caught her hand and led her out of the room. Silently they crossed the empty hall and made their way up the stairs.

  ‘My room,’ he muttered, leading her past the door of her bedchamber. ‘We shall not be disturbed there.’

  No candles burned, but the firelight was sufficient for their needs. Nancy was already untying the ribbons of her bodice by the time Gabriel had locked the door. He pushed the satin gown from her shoulders and it slid with a whisper to puddle around her feet. She forced herself to keep still as he ran a finger along her collarbone and down into the valley of her breasts, but when he hooked it into the top of her stays and pulled her close she gave a shuddering sigh and with a growl he dragged her into his arms, capturing her mouth for a fierce, hungry kiss. She responded eagerly, clinging to him as he swept her into his arms and carried her across to the bed.

  For a few moments there was a frantic scramble in between the hot kisses. Shoes were kicked off, Gabriel’s coat, waistcoat and breeches were discarded before Nancy clutched at his billowing shirtsleeves and dragged him down on top of her, too impatient to wait any longer. Her body moved instinctively against his, hips lifting towards him, inviting him to enter her. It was a wild, joyous coupling born of need and only afterwards did they remove the remainder of their clothes and slip, naked, beneath the covers.

  Gabriel gathered her in his arms and kissed her hair, murmuring, ‘Why did you not tell me?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘That you were a virgin. I beg your pardon, I thought, assumed...from your manner, the things you have told me—’

  She said bitterly, ‘In my experience, men find unprotected virgins irresistible.’

  ‘Not I.’

  ‘Oh.’ She bit her lip, her sudden anger fading as quickly as it had come. ‘How did you know? Was I not...satisfactory?’

  His arms tightened. ‘More than satisfactory, but let us just say I am...experienced in these matters.’

  ‘You have had many women?’

  ‘Enough, but I had made it a rule never to seduce a virgin. Unfortunately, by the time I realised, it was too late.’

  He sounded rueful and she wanted to reassure him.

  ‘You did not seduce me,’ she said, raising herself on one elbow. ‘I asked you to take me to bed and I do not regret it.’

  ‘I hope I never give you cause to regret it. But if I had known—’

  She put her fingers on his lips to silence him.

  ‘If you had known you would not have done it?’

  ‘Oh, yes, I would! But I might have been a little more gentle. And a lot more circumspect.’

  She shook her head at him. ‘I did not want you to be gentle! And I am fully aware of the possible consequences of what we have just done. I am old enough to deal with it. I will not ask anything more from you than a night’s pleasure. At thirty, I have no expectation of marriage, and I am quite content to return to my friends in the north and continue my life there, I promise you.’

  ‘Nancy—’

  ‘Hush now and let us enjoy this moment.’ She snuggled down against him. ‘I wanted this as much as you, Gabriel. Perhaps more, since it was a new experience for me.’

  He chuckled sleepily. ‘Then I hope I did not disappoint you.’

  ‘Oh, no.’ She closed her eyes, smiling in the darkness. ‘You did not disappoint me at all.’

  * * *

  Nancy awoke some time later to near darkness, the fire no more than a sullen glow. She turned towards Gabriel, who responded immediately. She felt the delicious swoop deep inside when he pressed against her, hard and aroused. This time they made love slowly. He gave his attention to every part of her and she moved restlessly beneath the gentle but unrelenting pleasuring he inflicted with his hands and tongue. Her whole body was singing and she ran her own hands over him, exploring and caressing, revelling in the firm contours of his muscled body.

  When the ripples of excitement began to overwhelm her, she gave a little groan and gripped his shoulders while he covered her and they moved together, soaring, flying, hurtling towards that final joyous climax. Their cries rang out in the darkness. Nancy clung to him as her body bucked and writhed and Gabriel held her, safe within his arms, until at last they sank back on to the bed, sated, exhausted.

  * * *

  Nancy stretched luxuriously as she awoke from a deep, dreamless sleep. Slowly she became aware of the smooth cotton of her nightgown against her skin and the fact that she was in her own bed. At some point in the night she and Gabriel had agreed that she should return to her own room. The glowing embers of the fire had provided sufficient light for her to dress, putting on just enough clothes to be decent and carrying the rest back to her own room, so that when Hester came in with her morning coffee, there would be no sign that anything untoward had occurred. A smile of deep satisfaction bloomed inside and curved her lips. No outward sign, at least.

  It must have been her companion’s brisk step that had awoken her, for almost immediately the door opened and Hester came in, wishing her a cheery good morning. Nancy sat up slowly, blinking as Hester dragged open the curtains to let in the grey morning light. She drank her coffee while the older woman built up the fire.

  ‘Thank you, Hester, but I will see to that,’ she said, when her companion turned her attention towards the tangle of satin and linen thrown over a chair. ‘You have more than enough to do without waiting upon me.’

  ‘Well, if you are sure, ma’am, I would like to get on with preparing breakfast.’

  Having assured Hester that she could manage perfectly well and sent her away, Nancy put down her coffee cup and snuggled back beneath the covers. She did not want to get up just yet. She wanted to go over every moment of her night with Gabriel. To relive the wonder of it and remember how safe she had felt in his arms and how much she had enjoyed his caresses. He had been so gentle, so tender, there had been no pain, no fear.

  With my body I thee worship.

  Restlessly Nancy threw back the covers and slipped out of bed. Why she should think of those words from the marriage service now she really had no idea. She had told Gabriel she wanted nothing from him save one night to remember and it was true. The fact that the night had been so...so delicious would make the coming parting all the more difficult, but she did not regret a moment of it.

  She scrambled into her day gown, but when she had put up her hair she stood for a long moment, staring into the looking glass, wondering if anyone would notice the added sparkle in her eyes, the faint, hectic flush upon her cheek. And even if they missed those telltale signs, surely she would give herself away when she and Gabriel met again.

  Gabriel. Just the thought of him knotted her insides, but there was a cautionary voice in her head that told her not to expect too much. Her experience might come mostly from the stories she had heard from her friends at Prospect House, but she knew that for most men the excitement of the chase was everything. Now that Gabriel had bedded her, he would probably show her no more than common politeness.

  ‘Which is all to the good,’ she told her reflection. ‘We both have our own lives to lead and the sooner we get on with them the better!’

  And on this salutary note, she made her way downstairs.

  * * *

  Her courage faltered for a moment when she entered the kitchen to find Gabriel sitting at the kitchen table. He wa
s talking to Hester, who was busy cooking his breakfast. They looked up as she came in and she managed a general word of greeting before moving swiftly across to the larder, pointlessly moving bottles and jars as if checking on the ingredients required for dinner. When at last she felt sufficiently collected to return to the kitchen, she was greeted with news that should have been welcome.

  ‘William and Mr Thoresby have gone off to Markham,’ Hester told her. ‘William heard tell that the road was clear for a carriage now. He had it from a farmer’s boy who went by at first light, so they’ve ridden out to see for themselves. William thinks it would be as well if we set off later today and we can follow the night mail northwards.’

  ‘I see.’ She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat on the opposite side of the table to Gabriel, as far away from him as she could manage without falling off the end of the bench.

  ‘So, as soon as we have finished breakfast I shall go and pack your trunks, Miss Nancy, ready to be on our way this afternoon,’ declared Hester.

  She put a plate of bacon and eggs before Gabriel, who said now, ‘There is no definite news yet about the Great North Road?’

  ‘No, sir, but if we can get to Markham that will be a start.’

  ‘Perhaps it might be best to wait another day,’ Gabriel spoke casually, giving his attention to cutting up his bacon. ‘I do not like to think of you ladies setting out until we know the main road is clear.’

  ‘Perhaps we should wait until we are sure,’ remarked Nancy, avoiding Hester’s eye. ‘We have tarried this long; another night is neither here nor there.’

  ‘Quite,’ said Gabriel. ‘Although I have to confess I have a vested interest in your remaining.’ He sent a glinting smile down the table. ‘I shall be loath to return to John’s cooking.’