Page 67 of My Darling Rogue
“Tessa, milord. With your supper.”
Celia snorted in disgust, whirling away so she now faced the window. Pulling the curtain back slightly, she could see out into the dark night and the courtyard below illuminated by lamplight.
But what held her attention was the wavy reflection in the glass of the room behind her. She watched as Gabriel rose from the chair and unlocked the door. Tessa entered with a small cart holding two covered platters, a bottle of wine, and two goblets.
Tessa looked from Celia to Gabriel, head cocked as though aware of the tension between the couple. In the window’s reflection, Celia saw the young woman lean against Gabriel and whisper in his ear.
Celia’s lips tightened.Brazen tart.
Gabriel took a step back with a barely imperceptible shake of his head. “This is all we require tonight, Tessa. You may come back in the morning and retrieve the cart.”
Tessa frowned at the dismissal, but she obeyed Gabriel. Celia huffed again. No doubt, that woman had been on the receiving end of many an order from Gabriel Rose. Her single-minded pursuit betrayed the depths of her interest in the man.
Once the door closed again, Gabriel resumed his seat in the oak chair. The suppers waiting on the cart were ignored as he rolled up his shirtsleeves to expose leanly muscled forearms.
“Come to me, Celia.”
His voice was a low rumble that did such strange things to Celia’s insides. She dared not look at him for fear she would launch herself into his arms. Why she felt so tightly wound, like a string ready to snap, she wasn’t sure. There was electricity in the room now, its sudden appearance turning things dark and murky. Whatever this man meant to do, she suspected she would allow.
Willingly, or perhaps not.
“No,” Celia said in a voice that trembled with exquisite anticipation and only a small amount of dread.
“No?” He echoed her refusal as though surprised to hear it. “That was not a request, wife. Come here so we may address this matter properly.”
“Will you snap your fingers next?” Celia whirled around; her eyes blazing with uncertainty and irrational anger. “Summon me like a stray foxhound to your side?”
“If need be,” Gabriel replied calmly. “Although I doubt that will work with you. Bringing you to heel will require different measures.”
“Bring me to heel?” Celia stared at him in disbelief while repeating his words.
The next moment she was striding across the room. Upon reaching him, her hand flew with the intent of delivering a resounding slap across his handsome face.
Gabriel caught her wrist before the blow could land. A split second later, his boot swung out, taking her feet out from under her so that she tumbled awkwardly across his lap. With quick, precise movements, he arranged her body. She was thrown over one knee, his other leg trapping both of hers while effectively pinning her in place. His heavy arm and huge hand splayed across her lower back.
Celia was so stunned that she was speechless. Then fury erupted like a wild summer storm.
Squealing with alarm, she twisted and turned in a futile attempt at escape.
Gabriel chuckled at her efforts which only infuriated her even more.
“Be still, my little thorny sugarplum. And refrain from crying out as well. That is, unless you enjoy having an audience.”
CHAPTER28
That ominous threat succeeded in arresting Celia’s movements. Horrified that he might actually follow through on his statement, she immediately stopped struggling.
“See? Youcanobey my commands without creating greater problems for yourself.” Gabriel was the embodiment of serenity. His hand continued pressing down on her back, his fingers splayed wide. “Being a brat is never acceptable, but I know how to handle you when you act like this. And I imagine, given your nature, this will be a common occurrence.”
Celia choked on an enraged sob, but even so, she did not move. Instead, she hung over his knee in a state of suspended trepidation. She was becoming lightheaded. Whether that was from her current position or the impossible situation, she did not know.
“Now, let us sort this out in a manner which will bring us both resolution. It is acceptable that you have strong feelings when it comes to our marriage. I have them as well. I understand this lashing out is simply your way of dealing with your emotions. Emotions you’ve probably never experienced before. You are frightened of what is to come in our marriage. Worried about being a wife in a new home and with new responsibilities. This is all new to you, but you must remember it is new to me as well.” Gabriel sighed, and with his free hand began pulling the pins from her hair and tossing them aside. Eventually, her coiffure unraveled enough that the tresses tumbled down her back in a cascade of ebony-hued waves. “What I am about to do will accomplish two goals.”
“And those are?” Celia bit out in a strangled voice. He sounded so caring and protective when he spoke like this. All while threatening to punish her. She did not understand why the two sentiments meshed so well when he addressed her. Nor why she liked it so much.
“It is my duty to ease your anxiety and prove my complete and utter devotion to you.” Gabriel’s head bent closer, his breath warm in her ear. “So, I will allow you to stand, Celia, but you must do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”
Celia wished for the strength to tell him to go to the Devil, but her body was clamoring for something. Something that was turning her into a needy, desperate mess. Unable to form a rational thought. Unable to think of a reason why she shouldn’t do as Gabriel demanded.
