She didn’t bother to stop at Eloise’s front door. Watling was elderly and too slow—and having waited too many months for this moment, she simply couldn’t wait any longer. She ran to the back, knowing the salon doors leading onto the terrace would be open. She burst into the room only to find Eloise sitting alone. “Pruitt said he’s back! Oh, Eloise! You must be so pleased! Where is he? How does he look? Handsome as ever, I’m sure. Is he injured? Oh, dear. Why isn’t he here?”
“Because he was stupid enough to wait for you by the front door,” came the laughing response from the entry hall. “I ought to have known better.”
Daisy whirled on her heels. “Gabriel!” His left arm was in a sling and a crutch supported his right arm. “You’re hurt!”
“No, love. Never felt better.” He limped toward her, a ridiculous grin on his face that faded as he drew close. “You’ve grown even more beautiful than I thought possible,” he said in a raw whisper.
“So have you, more handsome, that is. You’ve lost a little weight.” She wanted to rush into his arms and never let him go, but he was awfully banged up and bruised, and though he tried to hide it, she saw that he was in terrible pain. “A new scar,” she said, running a finger lightly over his forehead.
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, Gabriel! I want to throw my arms about you, but don’t dare. Look at you! You must ache all over. I fear to touch you, lest I knock you over. I’ve missed you so much. When did you return?”
“Only this morning. I went home first, but you were already out of the house, paying a call on your family. I meant to come sooner, but had business to settle with your father first. We met up with him and your uncle at their club.”
“What for? He gave his permission to our marriage. And he’s been banging his breast about the family’s nearly fatal mistake ever since the Malinors were arrested. What a delicious scandal! He now thinks I’m brilliant. They all do, especially Julia. I think she and Lumley Hornby will soon have an announcement to make.”
“He of the gherkins and weak nasal cavities?”
She let out a chuckle as she nodded. “He’s gone up in my estimation. He worships Julia and sincerely adores Harry, who’s as much of a scamp as ever. But a happy scamp, and that’s what counts.” She inhaled lightly. “You said ‘we’ met up with my father and Uncle George. Who is ‘we’?”
“Wellington and I.”
“Wellington!”
“He wishes to meet you, too.” His grin broadened. “So does Prinny. The four of us had an audience with him a short while ago.”
“You, Wellington, my father and uncle?” She stared at him in amazement. “Met with Prinny?”
He nodded. “I wanted your family to know the truth about me now that Napoleon is no longer a threat, and what better way to do it than to hear it from reliable sources? My days of intrigue are over, Daisy. My cover will now be blown and the gossips will have their day, whispering only good things about me from now on . . . well, mostly good things, I hope. It’s up to some other poor sod to risk his life for king and country.”
“Thank goodness. Where are my father and Uncle George now?”
“They’ll be along soon. They wanted to give me a little time alone with you.”
“My mother and sisters will be along soon as well. I tore out of the house when I saw the title of this Newton book.” She held it up between them. He nudged it aside and drew her up against him.
“I’m expecting more guests,” Eloise said with a gentle laugh, reminding them that they were not alone. “But I think we can all stand in the hall until you’ve quite finished in here.” She slipped away and quietly closed the door behind her, her last glance an indulgent, tearful smile.
Daisy heard more female voices and knew her mother and sisters had arrived and would be escorted in by Watling. Eloise would keep to her word and not allow them to intrude, but all of them would be listening at the keyhole. Even now, she heard their squeals and whispers behind the tightly shut door. They weren’t in the least discreet, no Farthingale ever was. “Give me a moment, Gabriel. I’ll tell them to go back home.”
“Leave them be. Stop hopping about and stand still.” His voice was raw and husky, and held promise of wondrous things to come. “Now, close your eyes.”
She sighed. “But I want to see you.”
“All well and good, but I want to kiss you first. It’s been forever since I tasted your lips on mine,” he said, his voice still husky and still promising wondrous things to come. “Close your eyes, sweetheart.”