Page 30 of Lady of Providence
CHAPTER14
Elizabeth could feel the breeze fluttering the edges of the bonnet around her face, the warmth of the sun upon her back, and the softness of the grass beneath her boots. She could hear the water of the fountain trickling down over the stone, the murmur of voices far away from them.
And oh, she could smell Gabriel’s scent, the musk of the cologne he had always worn that was so distinct she could recognize it anywhere. He tasted of oranges and whiskey, a strange yet delectable mix.
It wasn’t as though he were kissing her senseless — no, it was rather that all of her senses were heightened. If she opened her eyes, she thought that even colors would be brighter, but she was loathe to do so for then, perhaps, she would remember where they were, who they were, what they were doing, and rational thought would once more overcome her and force her to push away, to quit this kiss and all the promise and potential it held.
Gabriel never did anything halfway — all he did was with purpose, including this kiss. One strong, warm hand cupped her face, tilting it just so, his other splayed across her back as he held her close against him.
Why, oh why, could something that felt so very right be so wrong?
His tongue swept within her mouth, tasting, teasing, and she nearly wept with how adept he was, how skilled he was, that he could cause such pleasure to course through her very soul.
A skill that was well practiced, she reminded herself, which slightly colored this moment with a different lens. Yet, her body still begged for more.
If footsteps hadn’t approached, Elizabeth had no idea what she would have done — if she would have continued to accept his kisses and caresses, to forget herself, as she had five years ago in that garden gazebo. She was typically a decisive, practical woman who used her mind rather than emotion to make decisions.
But with Gabriel, everything was different.
Before she could allow him to convince her otherwise, Elizabeth finally pushed him away and stepped back quickly, feeling her cheeks flaming as she turned from him and looked down so as not to meet the gaze of the gentleman approaching. Instead, she simply nodded her head and walked back the way they had come, feeling Gabriel at her elbow.
He said nothing for a few moments as they walked, and Elizabeth found her heightened senses remained. The grass smelled fresher, the sun seemed brighter, and the birds chirped a cheerier song. But it wasn’t only everything around her. Elizabeth’s own body seemed to be nearly humming with life. It was as though she could feel the blood pumping from her heart and rushing through her veins. Her lips were tingling as the pressure of Gabriel’s remained.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Gabriel said, and Elizabeth nodded, unsure of what else to say. When she stole a glance at Gabriel, he was smiling as though he had not a care in the world, while she was in turmoil.
Why had she let him kiss her? She was well aware from the last time it had happened that it would only confuse her all the more. Even now, as he began to make light conversation once again as he returned her home, her mind, which she had always so relied upon, was unable to properly grasp a thought.
And as he walked her to her door, brought her hand to his lips, kissing it with his eyes intent upon hers, she knew with certainty that she was tearing herself in two — for as much as her head told her not to give in to his charms once more, that she was better off without him, her body was resisting the fight against her attraction to him. And her heart — well, that she had decided to completely ignore, for it wasn’t to be trusted at all.
* * *
Elizabeth wokethe next day with new resolve to ignore any thoughts of Gabriel — for now, at least, until she was on smoother footing at the bank. It would only be a few more months, she consoled herself, and then she was sure she would feel more confident, would have a more solid foundation to work from. How long would it truly take many of the partners and clients to realize her abilities?
Perhaps not as soon as she thought, she realized as she sat down at her desk, finding the correspondence atop it. She noted one of the first envelopes was from one of their wealthiest clients, a baronet involved in shipping, and she broke the seal and opened it with fingers of trepidation, for she had been attempting to call upon him for some time, but had been rejected time and again.
Her stomach sank as she read the words within, and she closed her eyes, hoping that when she opened them the words would have transposed themselves on the page. But, unfortunately, it was not to be.
For the letter, addressed to her, clearly stated that the man had no desire to remain further involved as a client with the bank, and could he please meet with the manager, Mr. Bates (certainly not her, she inferred), to discuss removing his funds from the bank in order to invest elsewhere?
Elizabeth dropped her head on the desk, fighting the headache that threatened — and the day had only just begun. Why, oh why, had Sir Hugo not even given her a chance?
She knew very well why. Because she was a woman, which some men would never accept.
Such as this one, entering her office at the very moment.
“Henry,” she said warily. “What are you doing here?”
“I am a partner of the bank,” he said, smoothly sliding into the chair across from her and crossing one leg over the other. “Can I not come to meet with the most senior partner with my pressing concerns?”
“Of course you can, Henry,” Elizabeth said, summoning all the patience she had ever held as she regarded him across the desk. “However, most first make an appointment, as I have previously requested of you.”
“But we are family,” he said with what Elizabeth was sure he thought was a charming grin, while in all actuality, it made her skin crawl. “Does that not count for something?”
“Of course, Henry, family counts for many things,” she said with icy politeness, “such as loyalty, does it not?”
“It does,” he said with a smile. “And honesty.”
“As we have always found with one another?”
