Chapter 17
971 Words
Gabriel
“What was all that about??” I demanded as I walked back out to the back patio. My aunt was sitting and glaring at me.
“It had to be done.”
“You had no right to talk to her like that! She basically flew from here because of your insults!”
“At least she had the decency to do so.” She stood from her seat and her eyes hardened. “What do you think you are doing Gabriel? Openly kissing her in your home, in front of your servants and without shame? She is a married woman!”
I gritted my teeth not wanting to argue with her. I knew that what she was saying was right, that Cecilia and I were in the wrong but I couldn’t care. For the first time I had Cecilia in my arms, she wanted me and I wanted her. She was on the verge of being mine and my aunt disrupted that.
“What do you think was going to happen Gabriel? That she was going to leave Leon for you? That she could easily end the marriage and vows she made before God? And you expect her to do this for you?” Aunt Michelle held up a finger to my face. “Your mother and father raised you better than this. What would they be thinking now? What shame are you willing to bring upon yourself and your family name over a foolish girl?”
I took a deep breath. Knowing well I was in no position to argue but I hated what she had to say. The ashamed, heartbroken and regretful eyes on Cecilia’s face was enough to break me. Seconds before she had looked at me with so much excitement and need that it sent waves of desire through me, but then it all ended too fast. Knowing what I had to do I turned my back to my aunt and marched towards the stables.
“Where do you think you’re going Gabriel?!” My Aunt shouted.
Without looking back I responded , “I’m going after the woman I love.”
***
Cecilia
I was on my way home when I realized I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t return and face Leon after I had agreed to give myself to his friend and after I had run out of his house ashamed of my actions. Leon hated me, but he was good at reading people, he wouldn’t leave me alone until I told him where I was and what happened. So I asked the driver to take me into a nearby town and send message that I would be staying at the Inn. I asked him to write to Sophie that I felt ill and tired and didn’t want to risk worsening through the trip.
In the small and warm room, I took off my shoes, hat, gloves and unpinned my hair. I also took off my earrings and necklace, the jewels feeling too heavy and my head began to hurt. I needed the time to myself, I needed time to think and I had the opportunity to do so.
The driver had left with a messenger when there was a hard knock on the door. I opened it and before me stood a sweaty, panting and wide eyed Gabriel. His white shirt clung to him because of his sweat, his pale hair was stuck up in all ends and large hands against the wall.
“Gabriel? What are you doing here?” I asked confused and surprised.
Gabriel walked past me into the room and took deep breaths. “I came for you of course, why else?”
His words made my heart flutter but I shook my head. “You shouldn’t be here Gabriel.. your aunt.. she was right.”
Gabriel’s large warm hands gripped my shoulders tight and then caressed my face. “No Cecilia, she has no idea what she’s talking about!”
“But.. I’m married. You’re a great man of title and wealth, this is shameful.. it’s not right.. I’m so sorry.” My eyes filled with tears and I tried pulling away. “I’m so sorry I got you involved Gabriel. I should have known better. This was wrong of me.”
Gabriel shook his head. “Absolutely not. look at me Cecilia.” When I did, his brown eyes were serious and wide. “I have wanted you from the moment I met you- from the moment I saw you. You captured me in a matter of seconds. You wanting me in return.. it’s a blessing to me. It’s a dream come true.”
My lips trembled but I tried to smile. “That long?”
Gabriel nodded and smiled too. “That long. You kissing me, touching me and wanting more with me means more to me than you understand.”
I laughed and he wiped some of my tears away. “I still want you. But your aunt is still right.. if we were to be discovered.. you’d be ruined. I’d be ruined and Leon would hurt me.”
“I won’t let him hurt you. I’ll never let him touch you Cecilia. I promise.”
I nodded, my body relaxing. Gabriel pushed my hair back and looked at me with so much care and intensity that it gave me goosebumps.
“No one has ever looked at me the way you do.” I said.
He smiled and nodded. “No one has ever wanted you the way I do.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh is that so?”
Gabriel grinned and leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh yes. And I plan on showing you tonight... in detail. And I’m going to take my time.”
- Writer
