Page 35 of Wedded to the Deviant Duke

It pained Thalia to see the poor girl in such distress. She embraced her tightly, slowly undoing Charlotte’s updo in order to gently stroke her head.

“Thalia?” Charlotte’s eyes were rimmed red, hazel hues flooded with tears. “Am I a terrible daughter? For saying those things about Father—I miss him, I really do, I just wish he hadn’t wasted his life—I wish he hadn’t—I wish–!”

Thalia slowly eased Charlotte to sit with her, waving the stable hands to tend to the horses. They worked with quiet efficiency, taking off Wanderlust’s saddle and reins before ushering him back into his stall. Then, just as quickly, they filed out of the barn, leaving only the sounds of Charlotte’s crying and Thalia’s soothing tone. A great deal of time passed before her tears turned to light sobs. And soon, she managed to pull herself somewhat together, hastily wiping her splotchy face.

“How are you feeling?” Thalia asked.

Weak laughter escaped Charlotte, briefly turning to a fit of hiccups. “Awful. I didn’t want to spend the morning with you like this.”

Thalia smiled, warmly bringing Charlotte in for another embrace. “Don’t have another thought about it. I enjoy our time together, Charlotte, no matter what we do.” They pulled away once more, her expression becoming more concerned. “Does your brother know about all of this? How you truly feel about your parents?”

Charlotte quickly shook her head. “I meant it when I said no one brings it up. Gabriel becomes so enraged, and—and then so distant.” Again, she shook her head, pulling her legs up against her chest. “He’s all I have left for family, Thalia. If I upset him… if he abandons me…”

“He would do no such thing.”

Charlotte blinked a few tears free, staring up at Thalia in surprise. In truth, Thalia herself was taken aback at the curtness of her tone, but the sentiment rang true in her chest.

“I haven’t been among your family long, Charlotte, but it’s plain as day that your brother adores you. And if he knew you were carrying this sadness around…” she paused, her hand clenching against her chest. “Charlotte, it would break his heart.”

“Or he’ll never talk to me again,” Charlotte insisted. “He loved Father—practically worshipped him! If he knew what I thought —and I don’t even know if these feelings are real.”

“Charlotte.”

“No, Thalia.” Charlotte suddenly stood, brushing her pants before heading for the barn’s entrance. “Come on; I’ve got something else we can do together.”

* * *

It was difficult to focus on his work when Gabriel’s mind was occupied elsewhere. Last night had begun so… well. Fully in his favor. If he had played it right, he might’ve managed to steal a kiss from Thalia that time around. But therein laid his ultimate problem; what to do about Thalia Sutton.

He rolled his quill between his fingers, his gaze drifting from the stacks of paperwork on his desk towards his personal collection of books. A large gap stood towards the center of the shelf, and he imagined, briefly, Thalia comfortable in her room, curled up on a chair and reading John Donne’s greater works. With nothing but a sheer nightgown, clinging to her curves and hugging her bosom like… like…

Well. Like one more facet of his ultimate problem.

Gabriel sighed, abandoning his desk for a glance out the window. What was he to do with his little rabbit? The chase was fun, yes, but he never considered what happened after the fact.

Other women would’ve left by then, leaving him to prowl the night alone in pursuit of different prey. But Thalia was not something he could simply “leave”; it had been by his own hand that she remained so closely at his side.

And it wasn’t even just her that he’d entangled himself with. Robin, too, had become quite integral to the operation, a key component in making that little marquess pay dearly for his transgressions.

A slight not even against his own family, Gabriel realized with a dark chuckle. From the start, he’d done everything for the benefit of the Sutton family, and as for himself…

What are your intentions with my sister?

Before he could continue his mulling, Gabriel’s attention was grabbed by a knock on his door. He straightened, expecting it to be the young Sutton awakened at last and ready to report his findings on Oslay Hall. He’d barely gotten the invitation out of his mouth to enter when his study’s door flew open and Charlotte came charging in, a few maids hot on her tail.

“Where did we put my painting materials?” Charlotte demanded.

Gabriel blinked, his mind still catching up to the present situation. He tilted his head around his sister’s imposing form, catching Thalia standing just beyond the door’s frame with a nervous knit to her brow.

“Sorry,” Thalia managed to mouth as the maids came into the room next.

“My lord, we’re so terribly sorry,” the first began.

“She barged right past us,” the second stammered.

Gabriel raised his hand gently, quieting the maids as his attention fixated on his sister. “Charlotte, what is the meaning of this?”

“I want my painting supplies.”

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