Page 41 of Her Tempting Traitor
He had something to offer.
And with that possibility, with the knowledge that he was no longer in limbo, he could startbuildingthat future.
He could woo another wife. He could find happiness. He couldmake offers.
And he knew where he wanted to start.
CHAPTER 8
Had it been a bad idea to wash her hair after everyone had retired from dinner?
Gabby frowned at her reflection in the tiny looking glass as she brushed out her still-damp auburn tresses. The room she’d been given in Inverlochy Castle was the smallest guest chamber—befitting the unmarried sister of an invited professional—and didn’t have an attached bathing chamber.
She’d had to take the time to wash her hair in the shared bathing chamber down the hall, and hoped it hadn’t been a mistake. Her hair tended to curl as it dried, and she didn’t want to take the time to?—
“Gabs, are ye in here?” Hunter’s voice asked as he knocked, then pushed open the door.
Scowling at his cheerful reflection, she pushed her hair back over her shoulder and smoothed down the lines of the simple blouse she wore. “Yes I am, and luckily for you, I am dressed.”
“Och, it wouldnae be the first time I’d had an eyeful of yer arse,” Hunter muttered, throwing himself onto the small chaise by the hearth. “We shared a womb, remember.”
“How could I forget?” she muttered, sliding her bare feet into slippers. “And why are you here?”
“Hiding.” Hunter stacked his hands behind his head and glared up at the ceiling. “If I’m here, I dinnae have to listen to Sir Dickie’s incessant questions. I cannae believe I let ye talk me into this foolish scheme.”
Sighing, Gabby met her own eyes in the mirror, silently agreeing with him. “Perhaps it would have been better to tell the truth from the beginning, thatIam the veterinarian.”
“He’s a good fellow, but has made it clear he doesnae think ye have enough medical experience to be allowed near his precious—and expensive—Elizabeth. I think he doesnae ken what to do if shedoesgive birth. Two elephants?” Shaking his head, Hunter crossed one booted ankle over the other. “But what if she up and dies? Can ye imagine having to dig a grave for the beast?”
Gabby whirled. “She is not going to die! Is she?” Good Lord, sheneededa chance to examine the animal. It was just that…well. Today she’d been distracted.
The tea in the salon this afternoon had been…remarkable. Hearing Cassian’s sweet words and his acceptance of her help had been one thing, but then to see how affected he’d been by Dickie and Zilphia’s announcement?
She hadn’t bothered to stop her own tears.
She’d seen the exact moment he’d realized he had aplace, which is what he’d confessed missing. He had a future now.
Unless he is a traitor.
Well, yes, unless that.
Unless Gabby’s actions here at Inverlochy resulted in him being arrested and sentenced to hang. There was that.
But…
She was a logical woman. Known for it. And shecaredabout Cassian.
Could she be duped into caring about an evil man? Perhaps.
But at the same time, she wanted more of him—more of his touch, more of his kisses…and more of his heart and mind. She wanted to learn all she could about him, so she could know if hewasthe person to give herself to after waiting so long for the right man.
“—right, Gabs?” Hunter had said something, and she’d missed it. His expression was tortured. “We must get ye out there to examine Elizabeth. I’m telling ye, when I stuck my hand up—damnation,up there, ye ken what I mean—I didnae feel a baby elephant.”
The memory of that awkward exam—during which Gabby was less than useless because, despite her brother’s insistence she be present, she’d had to stand on the other side of the room behind the equally unqualified Dickie and Gus—made her focus on Hunter’s concerns.
“Surely you just did not know what you were looking for. Tell me once more: did you feel a leg? If the baby is turned,and she is farther along than expected, that would explain?—”
“My hand was squished in gloop, the elephant was angry, and I didnae feel a damn thing, Gabs!” He pushed himself upright, running a hand through his hair. “And afterward, I took a scalding bath and burned my shirt.Yeneed to examine her, because I’m fooking useless. I’ll distract the guards and ye can sneak out there tonight.”
