The Earl's Snow-Kissed Proposal

‘Enough.’ Gabe moved forward and in one seamless move slammed Tommy against the wall. He saw the surprise in the other man’s eyes and revelled in it. ‘Let’s keep this clean, shall we? Say what you need to say and get out.’

He released his grasp and for a second he thought the other man would go for him—he saw the malevolent gleam in his eye. Bring it on.

But then Tommy shrugged, walked over to a chair, and sprawled in it. ‘I want to speak to you alone, Etta.’

‘No.’ Etta folded her arms across her chest. ‘Whatever you need to say you can say it in front of Gabe.’

‘Whatever?’ The word dripped with malice. ‘Perhaps we can take a trip down memory lane? I can tell the toff exactly what you like and the best way to make you listen.’

Against all probability Etta’s complexion took on an even deeper pallor.

‘If that’s how you want to spend your ten minutes, feel free. But the clock’s ticking, Tommy,’ Gabe told him.

‘Say what you need to say.’ Etta’s voice was low, but steady, and Gabe hoped the reminder of his presence had helped. ‘I’ve consulted a lawyer too. You’re not on the birth certificate. You have no parental responsibility.’

‘But I can apply for a court order. Or... Cathy is sixteen—if she wanted she could even move in with me.’

‘She’d need my consent until she was eighteen.’

‘That’s a technicality and you know it. I think in real life there won’t be anything you can do about it.’ Tommy smiled and settled back in the chair. ‘You know I always hated the idea of a family, but now I’m thinking maybe I was wrong. I like the idea of having a daughter—someone who carries my blood, my genes—and I believe I have the right to be part of her life. Teach her my ways and my beliefs. You took that opportunity from me, Etta—you ran away and you took away my chance to be a dad.’

‘You didn’t want to be a father.’ Etta’s voice was tight, and her hands rubbed up and down her arms. ‘You punched me in the stomach to try and get rid of the baby.’

Gabe’s blood chilled and he stepped forward even as Tommy shook his head. ‘That was your fault, Etta. You defied me and you know I don’t like that. That’s something Cathy will need to learn too. It’s something I had to learn from my father, and it’s a tough lesson but an important one.’ He rose to his feet. ‘Of course I would never hurt Cathy—I’m a reformed man. You see how I didn’t lay a finger on your toff, here. I came because I want to give you a heads-up. Let you know I’m coming after my daughter. You took her from me once—now it’s my turn. You and me...we’ve unfinished business. I owe you, and another thing my old man taught me is to always pay my debts.’

Etta stood as if rooted to the spot, her tawny eyes shocked, and anger made Gabe’s fists clench. ‘You’ve said your piece. I’ll see you out.’

As he walked Tommy to the door Gabe held tight to his anger—yes, his foot itched to boot the man as far as he could kick him, but that wouldn’t help the situation.

‘Don’t come back.’

Gabe shut and locked the door and made his way back to the kitchen. Etta was standing exactly where he’d left her, his arms wrapped around her body, shivering, her lip caught between her teeth.

‘He’s gone.’ Gabe moved towards her. ‘Come into the lounge. I’ll light a fire and get us a drink.’

Ten minutes later he rose from the fireplace as the logs caught and the flames crackled into a blaze. The scent of pine invaded the air and Etta released a small sigh, as if the warmth gave her comfort. Gabe strode to the lacquered drinks cabinet, selected a bottle of cognac and poured a generous measure into two balloon glasses.

‘Here.’

Etta reached up from the depths of the armchair she had curled into. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re still shivering.’ Gabe pulled his thick knitted jumper over his head and handed it to her. ‘Put this on until the fire kicks in.’

A hesitation, and then she accepted it. ‘Sorry. Tommy really spooked me this time.’

‘No need to apologise. The man is clearly, as you said, a first-class nutter and downright scary. I’m sorry you ever hooked up with him—it must have been hell.’ The memory of her words, the revelation of how he had hurt her, still iced his veins, made him want to force Tommy to his knees to grovel before her.

‘It was.’ The words were simple. ‘But I’m glad he came here today.’ She straightened up and tugged at the sleeves of his jumper so she could pick up her glass. ‘Because it’s made my decision. I know how I’ll deal with Tommy.’

‘How?’

‘Exactly how I did sixteen years ago. I’m going to run—take Cathy and disappear.’

‘Or you could stand your ground.’

‘I can’t fight him. You saw it for yourself—he’s a nutter. No amount of restraining orders will stop him—even if I could get one. I won’t risk Cathy, and it won’t be for ever. Tommy is a criminal, through and through. All I have to do is run until he gets himself put behind bars again. Cathy and I can take off—go backpacking somewhere or relocate for a while.’

‘And then what? What happens when he gets out of prison the next time?’