Page 14 of The Mistress (Foxgloves #1)

GIDEON

G ideon was having a hard time with the idea of leaving. The hour was growing late, and he knew it was too soon to stay as an overnight guest at Coventry House, but the evening had been so wonderful, he didn’t want to leave. Amelia looked absolutely radiant as he approached where she sat on the pale couch in the drawing room after he and Thomas had finished their brandy and cigars.

The peculiar conversation in the dining room and Thomas’s impatience still circled Gideon’s mind. It didn’t seem like Thomas was coming from a place of anger. In fact, Gideon was sure Thomas was encouraging him and was disappointed that Gideon hadn’t declared anything. But Gideon knew better than to open the topic tonight.

This evening was only his third interaction with Amelia, and she was his priority. Her comfort and consent came first, and tonight felt like another unexpected breakthrough for them. From her side, as well as his. He had been able to comfort her. She was starting to trust in his ability to care for her. Even more surprisingly, however, he was starting to believe he could trust her to do the same for him. Comfort and care for him and all his broken, neglected pieces. He had never before considered such a thing possible.

No, he thought as he stepped towards her on the sofa, this was a perfect evening. Everything was progressing beyond his wildest expectations. Staying the night or discussing matters too soon with Thomas would push Amelia too far, too fast. Best to let things continue on their current course and let Amelia guide him on when and where to push. She wasn’t ready for more tonight.

As she watched him stride up to her now, her light chocolate eyes sparkling in the firelight, he realized he wasn’t ready for more yet either. He was impatient for everything to finally be resolved, yes, but now that he had decided he was going to open up to her, Gideon wanted that first.

And so, he knew, it was time to take his leave. His heart felt full as he sat down on Amelia’s vacant side. It was a novel feeling, and one he was eager to always maintain.

“I must be off, my dear,” he whispered to her, aware that her sister could hear the endearment before she subtly excused herself to join Thomas by the mantle.

“So soon?” Amelia asked, the disappointment evident in her voice if not by the slight downturn of her lips.

“I’m afraid so,” he gave her a warm and understanding smile, pleased by how her thoughts mirrored his own. How aligned they were in their desires. She didn’t want him to leave either. “I will see you in a few short days at the Humphry’s Garden Party. You still plan on attending, do you not?” he asked, adding a note of teasing to his voice.

She sighed, her eyes dropping to the floor with feigned drama. “It seems I must. The company I wish to keep requires it.”

“Is that so? Such demands this company makes of you. Parading about with the gossips in your finery.”

“Oh, the gossips have thus far left me quite alone,” she commented. He’d noticed how members of the ton had avoided conversation with Amelia at the Welsey’s Ball and the unkind looks thrown her way, which Lydia had also mentioned. He couldn’t blame them, if he were being honest, but he hadn’t expected Amelia to notice. He’d tried to keep her focus on him the entire night. Likely adding more fodder to their whispers, but he gave not the slightest damn about that. “And I do enjoy the finery. But I’d much rather spend my nights like tonight, in peaceful intimacy with close friends.”

“As would I,” he agreed, overwhelmed by a feeling of contentment as he pictured quiet evenings at home with her. Eating, reading, simply enjoying the calmness of time spent together. “We will have that soon, my dear. First, we must do this right, and then I can’t imagine anything more perfect than spending the rest of my days in peaceful quiet with you.”

The smile she gave him then lit up his whole soul. And he meant it. The promise of their future, her smile every day – Gideon couldn’t imagine a better way to spend his life, nor could he wait for it to begin.