Darius’s manor house was exactly how Gabrielle had seen it in her dreams. Up close it was absolutely breathtaking. Four stories high, and made in the L-brick design, the glorified hunting lodge, as Darius had called it, was impressive.

Ivy clung to the dark gray stone and candles lit up each room, it seemed. No doubt in preparation for the master’s return.

Remont, Darius, and three carriages full of servants and other ‘items’ had followed directly behind the carriage she and Darius traveled in. It had taken them less than a week to make the journey, stopping at pleasant inns along the way. Strangely, she had already started to become accustomed to sleeping all day, and only going out at night.

It was a good thing they had left London. There she had been trapped, and even though Darius’s townhouse was beautiful, she did not like being caged.

How tempted she had been to go out on her own, to just walk out on the porch, lift her face to the sky, and feel the sun beaming down on her.

But Darius had not allowed it, saying he feared Sutherland and his spies were watching. So Gabrielle had stayed in, away from the windows, scared that somehow her ex-fiancé would ruin the happiness she had so recently found.

And she was happy.

Intensely so, and she did not care that her mother, or anyone else, did not approve.

Each night Gabrielle’s mother visited her in her dreams, and at first those dreams were always filled with warnings about Darius. But apparently even her mother was giving in, and instead her warnings were more about Sutherland and her uncle.

“She has not changed at all,” Demetri said, staring at the grand manor, his voice wistful, as though he remembered another place and time.

“Aye, it is lovely.” Gabrielle looked at Darius, who stepped out of the stagecoach, and grinned. It was evident he was thrilled to be home, and to have them all with him. He could not stop talking about it the entire way.

“For the love of God—is it raining now?” Demetri asked in disbelief, wiping a rain splatter from his brow. “Bloody hell!”

Remont laughed, but sobered instantly when Demetri shot him a nasty look.

“You sound as though you have never been to the Highlands, brother,” Darius said, taking Gabrielle by the hand. “Did you forget how cool and windy it gets?”

“No, I did not forget. I remember, and that is precisely why I live in Venice.”

They started for the manor, and Gabrielle thought back on the book she’d found in Darius’s library about Scotland’s fight for independence. She had scoured the names on the pages and had been shocked to find the MacLeod family name mentioned throughout, and even once talked about Laird Darius MacLeod and his twin brother, both who had fought so valiantly for Robert the Bruce.

Looking at the brothers now, dressed in the clothing of wealthy nineteenth century aristocrats, one would never know they were once warriors who fought hand-to-hand combat with the English.

And Darius had died on the battlefield. Had Remont not come along when he had, the man she was falling in love with would not even be here today.

Remont, who had become such a close friend and confidant, glanced at her and smiled.

Why did she always forget to watch her thoughts when around these men?

Darius lifted the door knocker, but never had a chance to use it, as the door opened.

A small, matronly woman with gray hair smiled up at them. “Welcome home, sir.”

“Thank you, Eleanor. It is nice to be home.”

“We will take good care of all of you. Fine care, indeed.” Her gaze shifted to Demetri, and her eyes widened. “Well, as I live and breathe. I never thought to see your handsome face again, my boy. It is about time you came home!”

Demetri smiled for the first time all week. “It was my brother’s idea.”

“And a good idea it was. Good for you. Now come, let me get you out of those wet clothes.”

“Well, Eleanor, I had no idea you felt that way about me,” Demetri replied, his voice low and seductive.

The old woman’s brows furrowed into a frown. “You are not so old that I cannot bend you over my knee and paddle your bottom, Demetri.”

Demetri whistled under his breath and opened his mouth.

“Jacob and the others will be bringing our bags in,” Darius said, cutting off his brother’s reply. “Eleanor, will you be sure and see everything is put away where it belongs?” Darius kissed her cheek. “Oh, and please forgive my bad manners. This is Gabrielle, who will also be staying with us. And of course you remember Remont.”

“How could I forget that handsome face,” Eleanor said, embracing Remont before turning to Gabrielle. “It is nice to meet you, lass.”

“Thank you.”

Gabrielle took in her surroundings as they walked into the landing. Everything was so elegant and yet masculine. Rich wood tones and plush rugs. Artwork that must have cost a fortune. “What lovely paintings.”

Darius smiled. “Thank you. I painted those many years ago.”

“You are the artist?”

He nodded. “Aye, I was not lying when I told you that I painted.”

“Indeed,” she said, reminded yet again of how very little she knew about him. Perhaps this visit would fix all of that.

Demetri was already up the stairs when Gabrielle, Darius, and Remont ascended. “He does not seem himself of late. Have you noticed that?” Darius asked, looking at Remont.

Remont shook his head, looking genuinely stumped. “Perhaps he was not quite ready to leave London yet. You know how he loves the city.”

At the top of the stairs they turned right. The fourth door they came to, Darius stopped and opened it. “Remont, here is your room. I hope it is satisfactory.”

Gabrielle peeked in. It was beautiful. The walls were painted a dark hue that offset the white marble fireplace. A huge four-poster bed looked almost small in the large room. “Thank you, Darius. It shall be perfect.”

A door shut loudly, seemingly from the very next room. No doubt Demetri’s chamber.

“We shall see you shortly,” Darius said, taking Gabrielle’s hand within his own. He was so happy to be home. She could see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He felt safe here, as did she.

Darius’s room was at the end of the hallway, and was massive. Everything had been well thought out, from the furniture, to the drapes, to the carpet beneath her feet. “It is beautiful, as is the rest of the manor. You must be successful to have such lovely things.”

He shrugged. “When you live long enough, you begin to realize what you are good at.”

“Meaning business?’

“Aye, I own many businesses throughout Scotland, England, and Wales, and even in America,” he said, his tone not at all boastful.

Her heart leapt. “Have you ever been to America?”

He nodded. “Many times.”

“I should like to go one day.”

“Then I shall take you.” He opened his arms and she went into them.

Resting her head against his chest, she settled against him and said a silent prayer of thanks. How safe she felt with this man. “Your heart pumps so slowly—except on certain occasions.”

“And what occasions would that be?”

She grinned. “When we make love.”

Smiling, he bent his head and kissed her. “I want nothing more than to make love to you, but I shall have to refrain until later. I must tend to some matters first.”

“And after you attend to business?”

How heavy-lidded his gaze was as he stared at her like she was a sweet. “Then I shall attend to you.”

* * *

Remont sat on the edge of the bed, watching Demetri pace the carpet. He had not been settled in his room for five minutes when his lover came bursting through the door.

“What is happening to you?” he asked, coming to a halt before Remont. “You have been acting strangely for a week now. Hell, the carriage ride here was excruciating. You barely talked to me.”

Remont ran a hand through his hair. “It is rather difficult to speak with you when you chose to ride your horse beside the carriage the majority of the time so that you would not have to suffer my company.”

Demetri closed his eyes and sighed heavily. “That is not at all what I meant. You test my patience, Remont.”

Remont could tell that Demetri tried to probe his mind, something he had not attempted for years. Perhaps they had grown too comfortable and that was why they now felt like strangers, with nothing to say except for the obvious, pointless questions.

And for the sake of his sanity, Remont knew he had to let his lover go. “You are right in some ways, Demetri. I have been giving our relationship a lot of thought, actually, and I think we might both benefit from spending time apart.”

Demetri’s ice-blue eyes narrowed. “You waited until we came all this way to tell me this?”

“It is a decision I made during our trip.”

Demetri shook his head in disbelief. “Perhaps I should leave.”

“Do what you must,” Remont replied, feeling quite sick.

“You do not care either way?”

“I will be content with whatever you decide, Demetri. I shall stay on for a while longer, at least until I know Sutherland and Gabrielle’s uncle are no longer a threat.”

“Perhaps if I leave you will be happier. And you could always invite your French couple to visit you?”

Remont had to refrain from rolling his eyes. How melodramatic his lover could be. “I do not wish them to visit.”

“You are lying.”

“I am not lying, Demetri.” How very exhausting this little game was becoming. “I do not want them to visit me here. I do not want them, period. One time was enough.”

Demetri stared at him without blinking. “You think of them. I see it in your thoughts. I know what happened.”

Remont stood, exasperated that things had finally come to this. “Do you now?”

“Yes.”

“How is it you knew I was having sex while you were busy fucking Lord Whitcomb’s whore at the same time?”

Demetri blanched. “Is that why you were with them?”

“No,” he said too quickly.

“Were you with them just the one time?”

“Were you with Whitcomb’s whore just once?”

“Yes.”

Liar. Remont bit his bottom lip. How many other things had he lied about?

“I am not lying to you,” Demetri said. “I was only with her that one night.”

“So now you read my thoughts?”

“I cannot very well help it now, can I? You are not the same.” He ran a trembling hand through his thick, dark hair. “You do not want me touching you, and you can barely tolerate sitting next to me.” Demetri crossed the room, stopping just inches from Remont. “Do you care for me?”

Remont’s insides twisted. “Of course I do.”

“Do you want me?”

Taking a deep breath, Remont whispered, “I do not know.”

Demetri’s eyes widened in disbelief. His gaze searched Remont’s face, and it was all Remont could do not to take the words back and tell him that he did want him. That he would always want him, and that no one could ever take his place. But he had come too far and suffered in silence for far too long to go back to the way things were.

“Stay strong,” Gabrielle had told him. And that was exactly what he planned to do.

“So that is the way of it,” Demetri said, his voice deadly calm. “I shall make this easy for you then.” He headed for the door. “I will leave. Goodbye, Remont.”

Remont refused to say a word, but his throat felt so tight he could not swallow.

With a final glance, Demetri walked out the door, slamming it behind him.