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Gray spent an uncomfortable night sleeping on a parlor chair. He waited for Sinclair and Charlie to join him, but they had snuck away, leaving him alone with his bloody thoughts. He kept fighting the urge to find Abigail. She slept in a bedchamber upstairs, but he didn’t know which one. He cared about her too deeply to rouse rumors of her virtue.
An innocent virtue was all a lady had to keep her standing in society. As a miss born into low beginnings, Abigail suffered from the stigma of not holding the title of a lady. While his family felt differently toward Abigail, some held the lowest opinion they could. They spent their life not appreciating the fortune of wealth they were born into.
He stretched and twisted his neck back and forth to ease the aching muscles. He should have awakened a servant and requested a bed, but he’d thought they would return to Colebourne Manor after Kincaid settled the matter with Jacqueline. However, the scoundrel kept ruining his cousin, and now the servants were soon to rise and start their daily chores. He needed to get Kincaid downstairs before any rumors started. Even though Kincaid and Jacqueline would soon wed, once the babe was born and every matron of the ton counted the dates on their fingers, speculation would surround them.
So as not to draw notice, Gray put himself to right and climbed the stairs. There were two closed doors. Now, which one was Jacqueline’s bedchamber? He pressed his ear to the first door. A soft hum whispered through the panel, then angelic lyrics swept through him. Gray closed his eyes once he realized it was Abigail. He pressed his hands against the door as if he were reaching out to her, only to draw them away with reluctance and step back. He fought his inner desires and stalked over to the other door.
He refused to delve into his reaction to Abigail so nearby. If he did, he couldn’t hold himself back from flinging the door open, taking her into his arms, and ravishing her like he did every night in his dreams. He craved a kiss from her sweet mouth. However, one kiss would never satisfy the intense need he held for Abigail. He must grab Kincaid and get the hell out of Sinclair’s home. The sooner, the better for his peace of mind.
He rapped his knuckles against the door. “Kincaid,” he hissed.
When nobody answered, he tried the knob, but it wouldn’t budge. He pounded harder. He’d lost what patience he clung to. Gray should have stopped Kincaid from traveling here.
“Leave them alone,” a soft voice whispered behind him.
Gray stilled. Her flowery scent washed over him, and the sound of her voice sent shivers racing along his spine. The very lady he fancied and fought to keep his emotions in check with stood so close by. All he had to do was turn and he could capture her in his arms, bend his head, and brush his lips across hers. Would Abigail sigh into their kiss? Would she taste like the candy she secretly savored when she thought nobody watched her?
Before he could react to his desires, he heard her footsteps walking away. He swung around and saw her skirts round the corner. He glanced at the door and back toward Abigail. “Ah, hell.”
Gray strode after Abigail as his thoughts of protecting Jacqueline from rumors fled with his one chance to spend time alone with Abigail. She had avoided him since Duncan and Selina’s wedding. Every time he sought her company, someone acted as a buffer to keep him from her.
“Abigail.” He tried to get her to stop, but she continued down the stairs. “Abigail.” Gray’s voice raised, but that only made her walk faster. However, her smaller steps were no match for his long strides. He passed her and stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
Abigail pinched her lips. “Please, step aside, Lord Gray.”
Gray growled. “Must you keep up with your insistence on addressing me with such formality? At one time I was Lucas, and you were Abigail.”
“Those occurrences are in the past. If I am to secure the role of a governess, I must learn to properly address my betters. And you, Lord Gray, are my better. A fact you made clear at the start of the season.” She stepped around him and proceeded to the breakfast room.
Gray swung around and followed her. “Will you ever allow us to pass from that awkward conversation? You misconstrued what I meant.”
Abigail smiled at Charlie and Sinclair before sitting down. “No, you were quite clear, my lord.”
“What was Lucas clear on?” Charlie asked.
“Nothing!”
After Gray snarled, Abigail explained. “The matter of how I should not have entered the season’s entertainments because of my societal standings.”
Charlie’s gaze widened. “Is that why you decided to attend the functions?”
Abigail nodded before stirring sugar in the tea the servant poured for her. She blew on the warm brew and took a sip.
“That was bloody preposterous of you, Gray. Why would you insult our dear Abigail in that manner?” Sinclair asked. “I know quite a few gentlemen who are eager to court Abby. She only needs to give her permission and a line of suitors will be at her feet.”
Abigail blushed. “Thank you, Jasper. But I am eager to start the next journey of my life on my own accord.”
Charlie reached across the table and gripped Abigail’s hand. “You have our support but know that Jasper’s offer is always standing.”
Gray pointed at Sinclair. “You address me as Lord Gray, yet you address him as Jasper?”
Abigail smirked. “He is a close friend.”
“And I am what?”
“A lord of the ton who I must respect his rank and not overstep it by becoming too familiar.”
Sinclair rose and rounded the table. It was best to remove Gray before the bloke offended Abigail again. Gray had the tendency to speak without thinking his thoughts through rationally when his emotions got the better of him. Much like Charlie. “Let us see to having a carriage readied to escort the ladies home. You and Kincaid need to arrive separately so as not to bring attention toward the ladies.”
“Too late for that,” Gray muttered, following Sinclair from the room. He glanced over his shoulder to find Charlie smirking her amusement at him and Abigail ignoring him as if he had never even been there.
“Perhaps so. But I am sure Colebourne already has a plan to smooth it over.”
“As always, my father’s madness will prevail.”
Sinclair chuckled. “That it will. However, your madness toward Abigail is beyond control.”
“I only wish she would see reason and know her position.”
Sinclair stopped and confronted Gray. “And what do you deem her position to be?”
“Why, as a member of our family. Not as a servant to another family. Why would she sacrifice the comforts my father has provided her with to place herself in what could be an unpleasant position?”
“Perhaps because she feels she does not belong and wishes to discover a home where she might. Her friends are starting their own families, and she longs for the same.”
Gray scoffed. “She belongs at Colebourne Manor.”
Sinclair shook his head at Gray’s foolishness. Gray didn’t understand, and it would take a miracle for him to. Colebourne would handle it, but the duke would need the entire family’s help to make happen. “I hold the same opinion, but voicing your foolish demands will not convince Abigail otherwise.” And since Gray wouldn’t admit to how he felt about Abigail, it didn’t make his case any easier.
Gray frowned. “My demands are not foolish.”
Sinclair slapped him on the back. “However you need to convince yourself, my friend.”
“What is Lucas trying to convince himself of?” Jacqueline asked.
They turned to find Jacqueline and Kincaid standing on the bottom step, holding hands. Both of them wore a smile full of happiness. Gray snarled at them, knowing they would agree with Sinclair. Before answering them, he stalked off to the stables.
“Gray is making demands of Abigail again in her new position and how she needs to remain at Colebourne Manor. I told him he was foolish, and he refuses to admit to his mistakes on how he treats Abigail,” Sinclair explained.
“It will be no small feat for Uncle Theo to make their match.” Jacqueline said.
“No, it shall not. Am I the first to offer my congratulations?”
Kincaid lifted their joined hands and kissed Jacqueline’s fingers. “You are.”
“Excellent. I am off to ready a carriage to drive the ladies home.”
After Sinclair left, Kincaid stepped down, swinging Jacqueline off the steps and around in a circle. Her laughter bounced off the walls. “I’d best ride ahead and make myself presentable before we speak to your uncle.”
“I shall miss you.” Jacqueline’s smile beamed up at him.
Kincaid bent his head and took her lips beneath his, kissing her slowly. He drew out their affection until he heard a soft harrumph behind them. He reluctantly pulled away, but not before pressing his lips against hers for one more. “And I you, my love.” He looked behind them to see Charlie and Abigail grinning their amusement at them. “Good morning, ladies.”
Charlie smirked. “Good morning, Lord Kincaid. Did you sleep well?”
Kincaid smiled at Jacqueline. “Yes, my lady. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“’Tis nothing. However, I think it wise for you to take your leave before the servants gossip.”
Kincaid nodded. “Yes, I agree.” He lifted Jacqueline’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss across her knuckles. “I will await your return with eagerness.”
Jacqueline sighed as Kincaid walked away. His renewed confidence showed in his swagger. As much as she enjoyed him walking toward her, him walking away from her was a sight upon itself.
Charlie and Abigail sighed behind her. “Yes, I made an excellent match, if I do not say so myself,” Charlie quipped.
Jacqueline laughed, hugging her sister. “I do not think Uncle Theo will give you the credit.”
Charlie winked. “We shall see about that.”
Abigail hooked her arms in her friends’, and they started toward the front of the house, where Sinclair had instructed the carriage to wait. “I will have to agree with Jacqueline. While Uncle Theo may need help with his matchmaking at times, he will not allow another to take credit.”
Charlie continued to argue her case as they climbed into the carriage. Sinclair smiled fondly at his wife as he waited outside the carriage for the ladies to enter. During the entire ride to Colebourne Manor, she didn’t let up on her argument, even when the other ladies laughed at her points. Because in the end, it didn’t matter who claimed victory. Only the success of another match mattered, one that included a bonus with the union. Uncle Theo would declare this the grandest match yet. Not only did he wish to see his wards married off, but he also hoped for little ones to follow.