ONCE EMMA LEFT the foyer, Mark waited until Theo did the same and then escorted Gabrielle into the parlor. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused problems with your brother.”

She smiled. “I’m not.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Yes. He needed that. No one ever stands up to him. Well, other than me, of course. He’s the only son of a wealthy businessman and plans to go into the family business. Everyone kowtows to him. Don’t misconstrue my intent, he’s a good man, but sometimes, his, ah, position in the world makes him arrogant.”

“Arrogance is never an attractive quality.”

“That’s not true.” Gabrielle laughed. “I find you incredibly attractive.”

“Are you saying I’m arrogant?”

“Are you saying you’re not?”

“Touché.” He couldn’t help a smile. “Although, confidence and arrogance aren’t always one and the same.”

“I suppose that’s true. My brother is one of my favorite people, and you and he have several of the same qualities. Most of the time, his arrogance works in my favor, but I have to admit, having someone on my side when he’s being bossy toward me is a nice change.”

“Is he going to give us a hard time about our courtship?”

“Um... what does hard time mean?”

“Right, sorry.” He smiled. “Will he make things difficult?”

“Oh. No, I don’t think so. Once he’s over his embarrassment of you besting him, he’ll see the logic in your words and figure a way to accept the inevitable.”

“The inevitable?”

She blushed. “The fact his sister is falling in love with a man he can’t control.”

Mark grinned, leaning down to kiss her quickly. “You’re already falling in love with me?”

“As ridiculous as that is, yes. I believe I am.”

“Thank God,” he said as he lifted her palm to his lips. “I’m already there. I think it may have happened the moment you crossed out that soldier’s name on your dance card, so I’d have the waltz.”

She gasped. “You saw that?”

“I did.”

“You’re a beast for noticing, let alone reminding me of my abhorrent actions.”

He chuckled. “Am I? Forgive me.”

“No.”

He leaned down to kiss her again. “No?”

She shook her head.

He grinned and covered her lips with his. She sighed and deepened the kiss, sliding her arms around his waist and gripping the fabric of his jacket. He broke the kiss and stroked her cheek. “Now?”

“Now, what?” she asked, but gave him the smile she’d been trying so hard to hide.

He didn’t get a chance to answer.

“Hello, you two.”

Mark turned toward his sister’s voice and smiled. “Hi, Jess.”

“Are you waiting for me?”

He nodded, gripping Gabrielle’s hand even though she tried to pull away. “I thought you might want to ride back with me.”

“Not on horseback.”

“Still?” he asked. His sister had always been frightened of horses, but he couldn’t imagine how she’d get away with it here. Walking everywhere wouldn’t be logical.

She glanced at Gabrielle then back at Mark. “Travis is going to pick me up when he’s done. So, you can go, if you like.”

“You can always ride with me, Jess.”

She shook her head. “Nope. It’s not a problem. Travis will collect me in the buggy.”

“I should get the horses back,” he said. “They’ll freeze outside.”

“We can talk later,” Jessica said. “Sound good?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“I’ll leave you to your good-byes then.”

Jessica left the room and Mark faced Gabrielle. “I’ll see you at dinner, yes?”

She nodded. “Yes. I look forward to it.”

He kissed her again, grabbed his coat, and headed outside. He returned the horses to the Fords’ barn and trudged back to the house. He went looking for his sister and found her in the drawing room.

Jessica looked up from the book she was reading and smiled. “Hi. You’re back late.”

“Yeah. You don’t realize how long things take without a car.”

“Oh, I know, right? I had to learn to plan activities accordingly.” She laid the book aside. “How was your date?”

“Weird. But good. Where’s Travis?”

“He had a few errands to run, so he dropped me here and went back out again.” Jessica patted the seat next to her. “Tell me about your date. You look keyed up. Is it because of your fight with Theo?”

“I can’t believe you can still tell.”

“For me it’s only been six months, remember.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” He flopped down beside her. “It wasn’t actually a fight, by the way. He just came at Gabrielle and it didn’t sit well with me.”

“I can imagine.”

“What I can’t quite figure out is...” He patted his chest.

“The overwhelming emotion?”

“Yeah. Exactly. It’s all so intense.”

“Sophie told me it’s the time travel phenomena. You know who your true love is very quickly.”

“Yeah, Em mentioned something about that. This still feels weird to me though. I love her. I can’t explain it, but I do.” He raised an eyebrow. “Is that what it was like with Travis?”

She nodded. “Worse.”

“How so?”

“We didn’t really mesh at the beginning. I was sure I was going home, so I didn’t want to get attached, and then I had a tough choice to make when I found myself back in the future and trying to figure out if I should come back.”

“I thought he proposed to you before you came to the future?”

Jessica nodded. “He did, but what I didn’t tell you was we weren’t really getting along up until he proposed.”

“Jess,” he sighed. “You made him sound like the greatest man alive.”

“He is.” She shifted in her seat. “Well, at least he is to me. We just had a rough start.”

“I’m hearing that phrase in reference to him quite a bit.”

“I’ll tell you some of the story, but you have to zip it while I do.” He opened his mouth, but she squeezed his arm. “And I don’t want your opinion, unless it’s positive.”

“When am I ever negative?”

“Okay, fine. Black and white, whatever. And overprotective to a fault.”

“Hey, I’m nowhere near overprotective compared to these men.” He twirled a finger in the air. “You’ve got nothin’ to complain about, sissy.”

She smiled. “Oh, now you’re pulling that card? You are still you, and I always said you should have been born in the olden days, anyway. Nice try, bud.”

He rolled his eyes. “Carry on with your story... I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I promise,” he stressed.

“Okay. A little while after I got here, I caught the flu—”

“I told you not to get that stupid flu shot. I don’t know why you don’t just listen to me to begin with. Life would be so much easier for you.”

“Reindeer!”

He grinned and raised his hands. “Sorry.”

She shook her head. “Anyway, I got really sick right as Hannah was ready to have Penny, so Sophie and Jamie had to leave me, which meant I was stuck in a house with people I didn’t know. Travis stayed, even though he needed to deal with Army stuff. He refused to leave me and ended up sitting in the hallway just outside my room most of the night just in case I needed him... of course, I didn’t know he was there, but still. When I woke up freezing, I stumbled out of my room and literally fell on top of him. He stoked the fire and waited for me to go back to sleep. The problem was, I had a couple of nasty nightmares, and in his effort to comfort me, he fell asleep on my bed. With me.”

Mark shrugged. “So?”

“So, we were found the next morning by Mrs. Peterson—”

He lowered his voice. “The old lady who looks like she sucks lemons for a living?”

Jessica giggled. “Yep. She’s still a little leery of Travis, but she’s at least civil to him now we’re married. Anyway, she told Jamie, and Travis told his uncle, so of course, Travis insisted he “do the right thing” and marry me.”

“And how did that go?”

“I refused him.”

“Was he relieved?”

“The opposite, actually. He was so mad. Of course, he wouldn’t just tell me he loved me... he had to make up this B.S. story about how he’d do right by me, yada yada. It all worked out in the end, but we did the whole hard-to-get thing for a little while.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “He’s good to you, right?”

Jessica nodded. “So good, Mark. I promise. He’s had to make a lot of adjustments, but he’s amazing.”

“So you don’t need me to lay down some justice, then?”

She shook her head and giggled. “I don’t know if you’d have much of a chance even if you tried.”

“Excuse me?”

“On account of you being a sissy dancer and all.”

He made a move to noogie her again, but she raised her hands with a laugh. “I know, I know... you might be tall and lanky, but you fight dirty. And I heard about the thing with Theo earlier.” She sighed. “Gabby’s all giggly about it.”

“I’m happy to demonstrate, little sister.” He made an exaggerated karate chop motion.

“No, it’s good.” Jessica giggled again. “So, what’s the end result with Gabby?”

“She agreed to let me court her.”

“Wow, that was quick.”

“I know.” Mark frowned. “Too quick, do you think?”

“Honestly? No. Things just seem to happen really fast here. I don’t know if it’s because it’s war time, or if it’s the... ah...,” she glanced toward the door and lowered her voice, “... the time travel thing.”

“So you say, but I haven’t actually experienced anything like this before.”

“Not even with Hannah?”

Mark chuckled. “Not even close.”

“Well, that’s saying something, I think.” Jessica smiled. “What will you do when Gabby goes home?”

“She asked me the same thing.” Mark ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, to be honest. I need to get things in order here, I suppose. I’ve just found you again, I’m not living apart from you one second longer.”

Jessica dropped her head onto his shoulder. “That is the absolute right answer.”

He looped an arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Interested in moving to Maryland?”

Jessica laughed. “Not really, no.”

“Damn it.”

“But I will help you ‘get the girl,’ so to speak.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

She smiled up at him. “Remember Dad’s get-the-girl-advice speech?”

Mark dropped his head back with a groan. “Son, you gotta always remember to meet the mother before you make a commitment,” he said as he mimicked his father’s voice. “If her mother’s a looker, marry the girl.”

“And I asked, ‘Daddy, what did my real mommy look like? Was she pretty?’”

“The look on his face was priceless. Mom had to bail him out.”

“That question must have devastated her,” Jessica whispered, the joy in the room dissipating.

“She knew you loved her, Jitterbug. It didn’t matter to any of us you were adopted. We all fell in love with you the moment we met you. You must know that.”

“I do. I guess I just feel like I didn’t have enough time to erase that memory for her.” Jessica pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and pressed it to her eyes.

“Hey. Shit happens sometimes, Jess. It sucks they died, I agree, but you have to put aside the thoughts that make you second-guess what they knew.” He lifted her chin. “They knew we loved them, knew they loved us, and knew the God they lived their life... and died... for.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “You’re right.”

“I’m always right.”

“Jake?”

Mark glanced at a scowling Travis as he made his way toward them.

“Why is my wife always crying when she’s with you?” Travis snapped.

“Maybe she feels she can cry when she’s with me,” Mark retorted. “Perhaps I provide a measure of comfort she’s unused to.”

“Reindeer!” Jessica snapped.

Mark raised his hands in surrender.

Jessica stood and laid her hand on Travis’s chest. “I was remembering something sad, Travis. I’m okay.”

Mark stood as well and crossed his arms. He wanted to like his brother-in-law, but Travis made it damn hard.

“What were you remembering, sweetheart?” Travis asked as he took her hand.

“Just talking about our parents. It’s fine.”

“You’re with child, Jake. You shouldn’t be upset.” He sent Mark a glare of warning.

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Women have had babies for centuries, babe. I can’t be the only one who’s cried on occasion.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “I think I’ll take a walk.”

“Snow’s comin’ down hard,” Travis said.

“Good thing I love the snow.”

Jessica grabbed his arm. “Love you.”

Mark smiled and kissed her cheek. “Love you, too. I’ll see you at dinner.”

* * *

Mark went looking for his coat, which was no longer in the foyer where he’d left it. He wondered if he’d ever get used to the “staff” moving his gear. He’d started looking for someone to retrieve it for him when a knock at the front door sounded. Pulling open the door, he smiled, then frowned when he saw Gabrielle standing on the porch.

“What are you doing out in this weather?” he asked. “Come in.”

She grimaced as she stepped inside. “Freezing.”

Mark closed the door and took her hand. “Is everything okay?”

“Hmm?”

“Ah. Is everything all right? Did something happen with your brother?”

She nodded. “Oh, no. I mean, yes, everything’s all right. Nothing happened with my brother.”

“Let’s get you warm,” he said, and led her into the parlor, where the fire had been lit in preparation for the guests due to arrive for dinner in a few hours.

Gabrielle stood by the fire and after a few minutes, removed her coat and gloves. She wore a stunning pale pink gown, off the shoulder, and enticing enough it should be considered illegal in Mark’s opinion. He took her hands between his to warm them, and then leaned down to kiss her, because he had to.

Gabrielle broke the kiss and smiled. “I have to admit, I wasn’t quite expecting such a warm welcome.”

Mark kissed her palm. “Well, be duly warned for next time. I find you irresistible.”

“I seem to find myself thinking the same thing, of late.”

“That you find yourself irresistible?”

She chuckled. “Yes.”

“Now, tell me, is everything really all right?” he asked.

“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

“Everyone’s arriving in,” he glanced at the clock on the mantle, “two and a half hours. You are technically quite early.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not for me.” He grinned. “And certainly not when you’re dressed like that.”

She looked down and then back at him. “Is this too revealing?”

He stroked her cheek. “No, not at all. You’re just ridiculously beautiful. In fact, that seems inadequate, somehow.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

Just as he leaned down to kiss her again...

“Mr. Battaglia?”

He turned to the housekeeper and tried to keep his face neutral. “Good evening, Mrs. Peterson.”

Mrs. Peterson’s lips took on the familiar pucker. “I believe Miss Butler would be more comfortable in the drawing room. Where Mrs. Ford is reading.”

“Yes,” Gabrielle said. “Thank you. I was somewhat sidetracked upon my arrival.”

The housekeeper gathered up Gabrielle’s discarded outerwear.

“I’ll walk with you,” Mark offered.

“That’s not necessary, Mr. Battaglia. I’ll be happy to do that,” the housekeeper said rather pointedly.

Mark refrained from a snarky response, knowing it would only hurt Gabrielle’s reputation. As the housekeeper led her from the room, Gabrielle glanced back and mouthed, “Sorry,” then smiled her devastatingly sexy smile and disappeared from his sight.

Mark stood in the parlor for what he hoped was an adequate amount of time before heading toward the drawing room.

“Mr. Battaglia.”

Damn it!

He turned and forced a smile. “Mrs. Peterson. We meet again.”

“Yes sir. Captain Ford would like a word with you in his office.”

Mark nodded and tried not to scowl. He headed to Jamie’s office and let himself into the room. The door closed behind him and he turned to find Gabrielle grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Where’s Jamie?”

Gabrielle placed her finger to her lips. “In the drawing room,” she whispered.

He grinned and cupped her neck, pulling her closer. “Perfect.” He leaned down to kiss her, sliding his arm around her waist to anchor her against him. She wove her fingers into his hair and deepened the kiss.

She broke the kiss with a groan and grasped his lapels. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Why not?”

“Because it will ruin my reputation.”

He sighed, squeezing her shoulders gently. “Right.”

“Of course, I’m starting to believe a good reputation is somewhat overrated.”

He grimaced. “If you didn’t have a protective and loving family, I might agree with you.”

“Yes, they do tend to make things difficult. I’m expected to heed their direction.”

He kissed her again.

“But with kisses like that, you make me want to disobey,” Gabby admitted.

“Oh, believe me, I want you to disobey.” He kissed her again and then put some distance between them. “I think we should quit while we’re ahead, though. I’m sure Sophie’s looking for you.”

“I’m fairly certain she’s not.”

“Oh?”

She grinned “Who do you think told me to come in here?”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Gabby nodded.

He couldn’t help a chuckle. “In that case...” He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her with abandon.

Sophie collected the couple just before dinner and Mark made an effort to stay by Gabrielle’s side as much as he could. Unfortunately, the night came to a close earlier than expected, with Hannah still unwell and Emma having chosen to stay behind with her.

Richard and Charity were also unable to attend, so the rest of the group decided to forego dancing and head home after dessert.

Mark stole a few more precious moments with Gabrielle before Theo insisted on taking her home, although he was far more respectful in his request this time.

Mark assisted Gabrielle with her coat, kissed her cheek, and then headed upstairs to bed.