Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

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The last time Gabi had flown into Heathrow, she’d taken the Express into the station and then cabbed it to Stephen’s house in St. John’s Wood. This time, however, she flew into Gatwick and Will met her there. They made the drive to Chatsworth Hall in Will’s car, a peppy little thing that made her wonder how he could ever fit behind the wheel with his long legs. It was drizzling, and the drive was not as picturesque as she remembered. The traffic on the A281 was heavy and Gabi’s nerves made her muscles tense. She wasn’t sure how she could make it through a whole weekend like this.

“It’s going to be okay,” Will promised. “The family will come around.”

“You’re optimistic,” she said darkly, but he reached over and took her hand. “They need to know the truth, that’s all.”

Gabi knew he thought that, but she’d had a different thought. They didn’t just need to know the truth, they needed to believe it. And in the weeks since Charlotte had walked in on them in Will’s flat, Stephen had not once offered any additional information.

“So what’s the plan for tonight?”

“A quiet dinner on our own. Tomorrow is Maman’s party. Just family, but she’s planning a lavish meal and it’s cocktail dress.”

“I brought something suitable.” She was at least confident in her dress and appearance. That was the only thing she was confident about.

“If you like, we can go out riding tomorrow. Or into Bramley to browse around.”

“Let’s not make anything firm. Being locked into plans makes me even more nervous.”

“Sweetheart. We’re in this together.”

They drove on for several minutes before Gabi spoke up again. “Do you ever wonder if we’re being crazy? Falling so hard, so fast?” Her heart hammered in her chest. “What if they’re right, Will? What if we’re being foolish?”

He glanced over, his lips thin, though he kept his voice carefully even. “Do you think we’re being foolish?”

“Maybe.” Her stomach somersaulted as she said it.

“Do you think what we have is real?”

She blinked against sudden tears. “I’m sure it is. I’ve never felt this way. Not even with Luca.”

“Then relax. The course of true love never did run smooth.”

She reached over and gave his arm a little punch, but she smiled a bit. It was three days. Not even three whole days. If they could get through this, they could get through anything and it would be smooth sailing.

The lane to the manor finally appeared and Gabi felt a bit of déjà vu as they drove up to the house. She’d come here only weeks ago, and while she had changed, the house and the gardens had not. Oh, perhaps a few blooms had gone out of season and others had taken their place, but everything else was as majestic and perfect as she remembered.

“Home sweet home,” Will murmured, and despite his light words, she saw his jaw was set.

He stopped the car and killed the engine, then reached over and took her hand as he looked in her eyes in one last private moment before going inside. “Together,” he said firmly. “We do this together.”

“Together,” she echoed, though she thought she sounded far more confident than she felt.

The only one at home was Arabella, and they encountered her only five minutes after entering. She was coming down the stairs just as they were preparing to go up, and halted on a small landing where the stairs made a turn.

“Bella,” Will said, his voice unsure.

Bella looked from Will to Gabi, and back to Will again. “You have guts, I’ll give you that,” she said, but then she smiled and gracefully descended several more steps to meet them. She held her hand out to Gabi. “Gabriella,” she said quietly. “Welcome back to the lion’s den.”

Gabi gasped and laughed at the same time, and Bella’s eyes twinkled a bit. Gabi understood that while she was on notice, this woman could be a potential ally, and that wasn’t something she took lightly. “Thank you, Bella.”

“Stephen is in London and coming down tomorrow. Christophe will be here late tonight, and Charlotte and Maman are flying in together from Paris in the morning.” The itinerary gave Gabi an idea of what to expect when, and from whom. “Tonight it’s just us. You can breathe a bit easier. I’m trying to keep an open mind and be Switzerland.”

“Thank you, Bella. That means a lot.”

She pinned Gabi with an assessing look. “I do expect some sort of an explanation, though. With this sort of family drama, it’s hard to go on faith, you understand.”

Gabi nodded quickly. “I do, and of course.”