MARK TRIED TO control his panic. The thought of Gabrielle walking away from him over the truth was too much to fathom. He had to make her understand.
“Please don’t run,” he whispered. “Just hear me out.”
She raised her tear-filled eyes, breaking his heart. “I will try.”
“Thank you.”
Resisting the urge to touch her, he led her back to the small group and knelt on the floor again, desperately dragging things out of his backpack.
“What’s that?” Gabrielle asked, and pointed to a small, black velvet box.
Mark shook his head and grabbed for it. “That was supposed to be a surprise.” He glanced at Gabrielle, her face red with embarrassment. Mark slid the box into his pocket and picked up his watch. “This is a wristwatch.” He attached it to his arm and held it out. “Instead of pocket watches, these are used in the future.” He removed the watch and popped the back open. “It’s powered by a battery—”
“What’s a battery?”
He took apart the back of the watch and removed a small disc, holding it up for her to see. “This is a battery.”
“It powers things without using electricity,” Victoria explained.
“What’s el-ek-city?” Gabrielle asked.
Mark smiled. “Electricity. Rooms are illuminated without candles, using it. We are able to refrigerate food and cool and heat rooms as well.”
“You can cool down rooms?”
He nodded. “Yes, it’s called air-conditioning and it pulls the heat from a building or any space you want it to.”
“My word. That would be lovely in the summer.”
“It is.”
“I think we’ll leave you to talk,” Quincy said. “If you have any questions, Gabby, we’re here to answer them for you, but I’m confident Mark will answer them all.”
“Am I to believe him, then?” she asked.
“That’s up to you,” Quincy said. “But he is from the future. As are Victoria, Hannah, and Rayne.”
“Don’t forget Emma, Jamie and Sophie,” Hannah added.
“And Jessica,” Mark provided.
Gabrielle slid down into a chair.
“Are you all right?” Hannah asked. “We can stay if you need us to.”
“We will stay,” Christopher said.
“Or we can let them talk alone,” Hannah pressed. “They’re adults, love. They’re also in a very public room.”
Christopher frowned.
“It’s up to you, Gabby,” Quincy said. “We will stay if you need us to.” He narrowed his eyes toward his brother. “Or we’ll leave you to talk.”
She shook her head. “I’d like to speak with Mark in private, please.”
The group filed out of the ballroom and Mark carried a chair next to Gabrielle, sitting down and taking her hand.
“What do you need to know?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t really know what to ask. I don’t understand how any of this is possible... or believable. How did you get here?”
“It started when Jessica disappeared. Well, no, let me back up. It actually started when Sophie disappeared, but we didn’t realize that at the time.”
“Mrs. Ford?”
Mark nodded. “Yes. Sophie was very sick. Her heart was failing and she was waiting for a transplant.”
“A heart transplant?”
“Yes. They have the technology to remove a bad heart and replace it with a working one in the future.”
She laid her fingertips over her lips. “My word.”
“Don’t lose me, sweetheart. There’s so much more.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “Did you know Mrs. Ford... ah... before?”
He nodded. “Emma and I have been best friends since junior high school. Um, twelve years old. We were both involved in dance classes and when Hannah moved to the States from New Zealand—”
“Is that somewhere in England?”
“No. It’s much further away. In the South Pacific.”
“Oh.”
He squeezed her hand. “Anyway, Sophie disappeared the night before she was scheduled to go into the hospital. Emma was a mess, as was Jamie, but then he also disappeared, and the only thing left was some blood on the floor of the library. Emma went a little off the deep end then. I was on tour, but tried to visit when I could. Luckily, Hannah was there to help pick up the pieces. But then Emma disappeared and Hannah and I were left reeling, trying to figure out what was going on. Hannah went next and I was left without any information. I didn’t know what had happened until Jess was arrested for killing our grandfather—”
“What?” Gabrielle gasped. “She killed your grandfather?”
“No. My step-grandmother did, but tried to frame Jessica for it. She was exonerated for the crime, but only after she’d already made the trip back in time and returned.”
“She returned?”
Mark nodded. “It’s how I found out everything. It’s also how I was able to finagle my way back here. When my grandmother died, I was left with no one and knew I couldn’t live without my sister. She’s the only family I have left.”
“What happened to your parents?”
“They were killed years ago while working as missionaries in Africa.”
“Oh, Mark. I’m sorry.”
He smiled. “They were amazing parents and I know they’re in a better place, but after Jess left, I was alone. I had to find her.”
“I couldn’t imagine being without my Theo and Rebecca. Even though they drive me mad on occasion.”
“When Jessica came back, she was able to locate the woman who facilitates the time portal, Madame Desmarais—”
“The seamstress?”
“Yes,” Mark said. “I convinced her to send me back. I sold what I could and turned all my money into gold, and here I am.”
Gabrielle sank back against the chair. “That explains your strange language and your unusual... ah... manner.”
Mark chuckled. “I suppose it does.”
“Are all men in the future like you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You are so respectful of my thoughts and opinions. I’m not accustomed to that.”
“I’d like to think all men are like that, but no, some aren’t. Women are much more demonstrative in the future and they are certainly our equals, but the double-standards still exist, I’m afraid. I wish they didn’t.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So if I were to leap forward, I wouldn’t find someone better than you, then?”
Mark frowned. “Is that what you want? Someone better than me?”
“Well, I need to know my options,” Gabrielle said and then giggled. “Of course not. I’m jesting with you.”
Mark groaned. “You are going to pay for that, sweetheart.”
“Promise?”
He raised her hand to his lips. “Do you believe me, then?”
She nodded. “I do. I still have many questions, but I don’t think I can take in any more information.”
“You can ask anything you like... any time you need to. I will always tell you the truth.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her quickly. “I love you, Gia.”
“I love you, too.” She smiled shyly. “What’s in the box?”
He pulled it from his pocket and pried the lid open. Nestled in black velvet was a diamond and sapphire ring, sparkling in the light of the room. A large princess-cut diamond was flanked by two trillion-cut sapphires and set in platinum. “I was going to propose to you with this. I had a plan to romance you, which I’d still like to do.”
“I don’t need romance.”
Mark grinned. “What about talking to your father?”
“I don’t need that either.”
“Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“Are you asking?”
Mark slid from the chair and knelt before her. “Gabrielle Watson Butler, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Yes.”
He grinned and slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.
“Mark, it’s stunning. Where did you find it?”
“It was my grandmother’s. She left it for me, among other pieces of her jewelry, and also left a few items for Jessica.” He sat back on the chair. “I can’t believe it fits you perfectly. Another sign.”
She dropped her head onto his shoulder. “Yes. Another sign.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. “How long do you need to prepare for a wedding?”
She faced him. “A day.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I don’t want to wait, Mark.”
He slid a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “What about your family?”
She sighed. “I suppose they should be told.”
Mark chuckled. “Gia. Yes, they should be told. And don’t you want them to be part of the party? What about your friends in Maryland?”
“Honestly, I’ve never been one for large groups of people, and I don’t really want to share you.”
“Well, I think you’ll regret it if your family’s not with you, but we could have a small ceremony wherever you’d like.”
“Truly?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’d rather not wait, either. We’ll need to figure out living arrangements, but I’ll speak with Jamie. He may have some ideas.”
“I’m making things difficult, aren’t I?”
Mark kissed her. “Not at all. All of this is an adjustment. We’ll sort it out.”
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you.” He grinned and kissed her again. “Shall we let everyone know I’m still alive?”
Gabrielle laughed. “One more kiss.”
“My pleasure.”
* * *
Arriving at the Maddens’ home the next morning a few minutes before their scheduled walk, Mark found Gabrielle pacing the parlor. She appeared agitated and wholly distracted. “Gabrielle?”
She glanced up, a surprised expression on her face. “Oh, our walk. I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”
Mark closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not entirely certain.” She clasped her hands together. “Something’s happened to my sister, but Theo won’t tell me what.”
“What do you mean, he won’t tell you?” He raised an eyebrow. “Is this retaliation for our engagement?”
“I have no idea. I don’t think he’d be so petty, but I suppose it’s possible.” Gabby frowned. “He’s down the hall with my cousins.”
Mark sighed and held out his hand. “Come with me.”
She took his hand. “Where are we going?”
“To find out what happened to your sister.”
“Theo won’t tell me. I’m sure of it.”
Mark answered by gently squeezing her hand. Reaching Clayton’s office, he knocked and pushed open the door once bid to enter. Christopher, Clayton, and Quincy stood with Theo, who set a piece of paper on Clayton’s desk.
“What can I do for you, Mark?” Theo asked.
“You can start by telling Gabrielle what’s going on with your sister,” Mark said.
He glanced at his sister and frowned. “We’ll handle this.”
Mark faced Gabrielle. “Give me a minute, okay?”
She nodded and stepped back into the hallway. Mark closed the door behind him. “She has every right to know what’s going on with Rebecca.”
“Why? She can’t assist and it will only worry her.”
“Why does that make a difference?”
“Because she would be unable to deal with the truth.”
Mark suppressed his curse. “Then, why don’t you tell me?”
“You’re not family,” Theo said.
“I will be.”
Theo turned toward the window with a shrug.
“She’s run off,” Quincy said, and handed Mark a handwritten note.
“This doesn’t really say anything,” Mark complained.
“I have men looking into it,” Christopher said. “But it’s unnerving to think she’d leave without telling her family, well, more than leaving a note, anyway.”
“Do you have any idea why she’d feel the need to flee?” Mark asked.
Theo shook his head and faced the group again. “No. She’s not the same as Gabby and me. She likes to be home. Close to her friends. This is completely out of character.”
“Why couldn’t you tell Gabrielle this information? She has a right to know what’s going on.”
Theo sighed. “Because regardless of the fact that Gabrielle is logical, she’s still a woman, and women are prone to hysterics.”
“You’re an idiot,” Mark snapped as he turned and left the room. Grasping Gabrielle’s hand, he gently pulled her down the hall.
“What’s happened?” she asked.
“Just a sec.” He pulled her into the parlor and closed the door.
“Mark, you’re frightening me.”
“Your sister’s run off—”
“What? What do you mean, run off?” Her mouth gaped. “With whom?”
“We’re not sure, sweetheart, but we’ll figure it out.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I will keep you in the loop as I find out information, okay?”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“Um, right.” He smiled. “I will tell you information as I receive it.”
“You will?”
“Of course I will. You may be able to help.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her forehead. “I think everyone’s going to end up at the Fords’ very shortly. How about I walk you over there? That way you won’t miss out on any of the information.” She burst into tears and Mark wrapped his arms around her again. “What did I say?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry. You’re just being so kind to me, and with my sister in unknown danger, I find myself unable to control my emotions.”
He lifted her chin and brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “Never feel like you have to hide anything from me, Gia. I want to see all of you.”
She smiled and shook her head. “No you don’t.”
He kissed her quickly. “Yes, I do.”
“What happened exactly?” she pressed. “How did my brother know she’d run off?”
“She left a note.”
“What did it say?”
“Gabrielle!” Theo called.
“Oh, bother.”
“We’ll talk in a little bit,” Mark offered. “I’ll answer anything I can.”
She wiped her face and forced a smile before heading toward the parlor door. “I’m here, Theo.”
Theo arrived, frowned at Mark, and then focused back on Gabrielle. “We’re heading to the captain’s home. I’ll walk you over if we leave now. Otherwise, I’ll collect you for dinner.”
“I’ll walk your sister over,” Mark said.
“Not without a chaperone.”
Gabrielle gave Mark a warning glance. Mark knew that if he made a snarky response, Theo would insist on walking her over to the captain’s home. Mark responded with a look of innocence.
“Evaline will accompany us,” she said. “I have already sent for her.”
“Very well. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Gabrielle smiled. “All right.”
Theo left the room, but pushed the door further open as he walked into the hallway. A silent admonishment. Mark chuckled and lifted Gabby’s palm to his lips.
“Why are you laughing?” she asked.
“Because now I know you’re ready to marry me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know that?”
“Because you’re already telling me what to do without saying a word.”
She grinned. “Perhaps I am.”
“Miss Butler?” Evaline said from the doorway. “Anytime you’re ready, I’m here.”
“Thank you, Evaline.” She smiled and turned to Mark. “Will now work?”
He nodded. “Perfectly.”
They gathered up their outerwear and headed to the Fords’. The day was quite mild, so they chose to walk. Mark kept a firm grip on Gabrielle’s hand as they trudged through the tightly packed snow.
* * *
Once dinner came to an end, the group dispersed to different parts of the Fords’ home, some opting for music, others for bourbon, while Gabrielle sat with Mark in the drawing room. She was intent on teaching him how to play Whist; however, he wasn’t quite grasping the object of the game.
She giggled when he played an ace. “Not quite. Don’t play such a high card, unless you don’t have a lower card of the same suit. Which I happen to know you do. See the original card? It’s a two of hearts. You don’t want to waste your ace on such a low card.”
“So, I should play the three?”
“Yes.”
“But not the ten?”
“No.” She smiled. “And now you’ve just told me your cards, so I can do this.” She laid down a Jack.
“And that’s not good for me, is it?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s not good for you.”
He laid his cards down. “I think we should change the rules of the game.”
“Oh?”
He leaned forward with a grin. “Every time I play poorly, you kiss me.”
Gabrielle cocked her head. “Oh?”
“Yes, and once we’re married, we’ll play strip Whist.”
“But then how will you ever learn to play well?”
“I wouldn’t, but I’d be a happy, happy man.”
Gabrielle laughed. “Charmer.”
“Miss Butler?”
Gabby looked up to find Bessie standing in the open doorway. “Yes, Bessie.”
“One of the soldiers has come to collect you to take you back to Mr. Madden’s home. He said it’s urgent business about your sister.”
Gabby stood so quickly, her cards flew to the floor. She scurried to pick them up, but Mark stayed her hand.
“I’ll take care of the cards,” Mark said. “Get your coat on and I’ll walk you next door.”
“Thank you,” she said and rushed from the room. She recognized the young soldier standing in the foyer as the man she’d danced with at the ball.
He gave her a polite nod. “Miss Butler.”
She forced a smile. “Corporal Jones, is it?”
He nodded, a grin forming, obviously happy she’d remembered him. “Yes, ma’am. Your brother needs you to return home. Your sister has arrived.”
“Oh, my. Yes. Thank you.”
“I’ll wait to escort you, if you like.”
“That’s all right, Corporal,” Mark said as he entered the foyer. “I’ll escort Miss Butler.”
“Mr. Butler was very specific in his instructions,” the soldier pressed.
“I’m sure he was.” Mark gave the soldier a placating smile. “What did he say about a chaperone?”
“Her maid’s outside waiting for us.”
John had taken Evaline for a walk after they finished supper. The corporal must have intercepted them returning to the house.
“You made her wait in the cold?” Mark asked.
“Mark, it’s all right.” Gabrielle was already shrugging into the coat Bessie held for her. “We should hurry.”
“I have a buggy outside,” the corporal said.
Gabby bit her lip and stared up at Mark, waffling between the need to get to her sister and the fact she didn’t really want to leave without Mark.
“Go with the corporal, sweetheart,” Mark said, and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right behind you. Come on, I’ll get you settled and then follow you over.”
She slid on her gloves and slipped her arm into Mark’s, following the corporal outside.
Once Mark assured Evaline was comfortable, he lifted Gabrielle into the warmth of the small carriage and squeezed her hand.
“Don’t be long,” she said.
Mark grinned. “Minutes behind you. I promise.”
The corporal climbed up beside her, released the brake, and clicked the horse forward. Gabby couldn’t stop herself from glancing back to the house, smiling when Mark waved and made his way toward the barn.
Once at the Maddens’, the soldier lifted Gabrielle down from the buggy and she rushed inside. Theo paced the foyer, a nasty scowl creating lines on his face. “There you are. What took so long?”
Gabrielle pulled off her coat and set it on the bench. “I came right away. Where’s Becca?”
He waved his hand toward the parlor. “In there. You talk with her. She refuses to speak to me.”
“Well, perhaps if you weren’t such a bully, she would.”
“Not now, Gabby. I want to know why the hell our sister traveled all this way without the knowledge of our parents.”
“Who brought her?”
“George,” he grumbled. “He and Chris are taking care of the horses.”
“Oh, my.” George Watson was a cousin on their mother’s side and a generally unpleasant sort of fellow. Becca must have been desperate if she’d agreed to travel with him.
“All right, Theo,” Gabby sighed. “Give me some time and I’ll find out.” She pushed open the parlor door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. “Beck?”
“Oh, Gabby.” Becca burst into tears, rushing to her sister and pulling her in for a hug. “Something terrible has happened.”
“What’s going on?”
“Papa,” Becca sobbed.
“Papa? Is he hurt or in trouble? Does Theo need to do something?”
“No! He... he... has been unfaithful.”
Gabrielle handed her sister a handkerchief and led her to the sofa. “Sit down, dear. Tell me. What do you mean, Papa’s been unfaithful?”
Becca wrung her hands in frustration and Gabby’s stomach churned as her sister tried to bring her emotions under control.
“Papa. He was unfaithful. He had a child with another... woman,” Rebecca stuttered. “A Negro woman.”
“What?” Gabby shook her head. “No. You must be mistaken, dear.”
“I’m not mistaken,” she snapped. “I heard Mama and Papa arguing about it.”
Gabrielle patted her sister’s hand. “All right. What did you hear?”
She wrung her hands again, a habit she’d had since she was little. “Papa admitted to having an affair with one of the slaves a long time ago. Right before you were born. And Mama demanded to know who it was.” More sobbing.
“Shh, shh, shh. All will be well.” Gabrielle rubbed her sister’s back. “Tell me.”
“He... he... it was Evaline’s mother. Evaline is our sister.”
“What?”
Rebecca’s head nearly fell off with her vigorous nodding. “He had an affair with Nanette, Gabby, and they had a child. Evaline. She’s our sister.”
Gabrielle sank against the back of the sofa, stunned beyond belief. The sound of her sister’s sobs seemed like a dream as she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that not only had her father been unfaithful to her mother, but her closest friend was actually her sister.
“Ah... let me talk to Theo for a minute. I’ll be right back.” Gabby stood and walked out of the parlor in a haze.
“What the hell is going on?” her brother snapped.
“Father has done something.”
Theo took Gabrielle’s arm and pulled her back into the parlor. “One of you needs to start talking.”
“I’d highly suggest you watch your tone,” Mark warned from the doorway. “And removing your hand from Gabrielle’s arm would be a good idea as well.”
“This is a family matter,” Theo snapped, but he did remove his hand. He glared at his sister. “Deal with this, will you?”
Gabrielle bit her lip and made her way to Mark. “Mark, will you give us a minute, please?”
“Of course.” He squeezed her arms gently. “I can leave if that’s easier, and see you tomorrow.”
“No, I’d rather you didn’t.” She raised an eyebrow. “Will you stay?”
He smiled. “Absolutely. I’ll be within shouting distance.”
“Thank you.”
Mark left the room and Gabrielle closed the door.
* * *
“What’s going on?” Emma whispered.
Mark turned to find Emma peeking out from a room down the hall. He shrugged. “Not sure yet.”
She waved her hand. “Come here.”
He shook his head, but did as she asked. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into a small, but well-appointed office. “Is this your husband’s office?”
She nodded. “I’ve stolen it.”
Mark laughed. “Of course you have.”
“What’s up with the Butlers?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know... but you look like you know something.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line and shook her head.
“Emma Justine, spill,” he demanded.
She put a finger to her lips and walked to the wall connecting the office and parlor, laying her ear against plaster.
“What? Do you want to know what’s going on or not?”
“Not enough to invade Gabrielle’s privacy.” He crossed his arms. “I’ll let her tell me what’s going on in her own time.”
“Fine.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “You’re still the good guy, I see. So boring.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Show me where I can get some bourbon.”
Emma did her best impression of Vanna White and waved toward the walnut cabinet in the corner. “We have a variety of single malts, shall I pour?”
“Yes, please.”
Mark took a seat just as Clayton walked into the room.
“Here you are,” he said and made his way to his wife, kissing her cheek.
“Hi, baby. Mark and I were just going to have a drink. Want one?”
“Please.”
Mark watched Clayton for signs of irritation, but saw none, so let himself relax. Emma handed them both a drink and poured just a small one for herself.
“So, why have you taken over my office this time, sweet?” Clayton asked.
“Oh, she’s been eavesdropping.”
“Mark,” Emma admonished mockingly, and then grinned.
Clayton smiled. “Did he fall for it?”
Emma sighed. “Nope. So boring.”
“Fall for what?” Mark asked.
Clayton chuckled. “You can’t actually hear anything through the wall, but Emma has decided she’s going to test people by trying to get them to listen.”
Mark groaned. “Emma.”
She shrugged. “What? It’s a good plan.”
“And who have you tested this way?”
“No one.”
Mark glanced at Clayton. “Everyone we know so far,” Clayton provided.
“And how did that work out for you?” Mark asked. “Wait, let me guess. Sophie rolled her eyes and gave you a lecture before actually listening, Hannah laid her ear against the wall immediately, and Jessica shuffled her feet, appearing as though she really, really wanted to, but then turned you down.”
Emma gasped. “How did you know about the feet-shuffling thing?”
“She is my sister, Em.” Mark chuckled. “She does it when she’s trying to figure out if she should do the right thing. She’s done it since she was two.”
“Okay, smarty pants.” Emma raised a finger. “But for your information, Hannah waited a little while before listening. Christopher and Clayton were talking about Christmas gifts, and you know what Hannah’s like when there’s presents involved.”
Mark nearly spit out his drink. “What Hannah’s like? You’re the one who can’t keep a secret.”
Clayton chuckled and kissed her cheek. “He’s got you there, sweetheart.”
“Both of you suck.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mark retorted.
“Did you prepare a room for Theo’s sister?” Clayton asked her.
Emma nodded. “Hattie’s on it. I think she sent one of the maids. Walter’s getting the fire lit.”
Clayton smiled and sat in the large office chair behind the desk, pulling Emma onto his lap. She grinned and leaned over to kiss him quickly.
“I wonder if I should check on Gabrielle,” Mark said.
Clayton shook his head. “Hattie promised to let her know where you were.”
Mark smiled. So, Clayton knew Mark had been there the whole time. Perhaps he was loosening up a bit.
“Is Henry sleeping?” Mark asked.
Emma nodded. “Yep. Finally. He just didn’t want to go down tonight. I swear he and Penny tag-team. One will sleep perfectly and the other will scream for attention. I’m glad we hired Julianne to help while we’re all here.
“Who’s Julianne again?”
“Sarah’s sister. Sophie’s nanny.”
“Oh, right.”
“Mr. Battaglia is right down here, Miss Butler.” Hattie’s voice filtered through the open doorway.
Mark stood and slipped out of the office, meeting her halfway. “Hi. Everything okay?”
She forced a smile, her eyes still wet with tears. “Not really, no.”
“You guys have the room,” Emma offered, Clayton standing behind her. “We’ll give you some privacy.”
“Thanks, Em.” Mark wrapped an arm around Gabrielle’s waist and ushered her into the office, closing the door behind them. “What’s going on?”
She burst into tears. “My father has done something terrible and I do believe it could be the downfall of our family... and my friendship with Evaline.”
“Oh, Gia. Come here,” he whispered, and pulled her close. He held her for several minutes until her shoulders stopped shaking and he heard her take a deep breath. He guided her to one of the chairs and once she sat down, he pulled a chair over to face her. He leaned forward and took her hands in his. “Tell me what’s happened.”
She licked her lips and took another deep breath. “It would appear my father has had an extramarital affair, sometime before I was born. Out of that affair came Evaline.”
“Wow.”
“She has been my best friend and my closest confidant since before I can remember, but now I wonder how much she’s kept from me.”
“How do you know that she’s kept anything?”
She shook her head. “I don’t.”
“Sweetheart, you need to ask her. Don’t make trouble where there isn’t any.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I will have to distance myself.”
“Why?”
“Because we will be shunned, Mark. Once this gets out, no one will have anything to do with us if we continue to have a relationship with Evaline and her mother.”
Mark swore. “You don’t have to give up your relationship with Evaline, Gia. I won’t let that happen.”
“I just don’t understand how Papa would have even known Nanette. He didn’t buy her until Evaline was six. After I begged him to. And then he gave them their freedom.” She rubbed her temples. “None of this makes any sense.”
“We’ll figure it out, Gabrielle. Where’s Theo?”
“He’s preparing to go home.”
“Does that mean you have to leave as well?”
She shook her head. “No. Rebecca and I will stay here. Chris has promised to act as guardian until Theo can get a few answers. She and I will share my bedroom.”
“Or you could come and stay at the Fords’ where you’ll have your own.”
“I don’t want to impose. I’m perfectly happy to share with my sister. We’ve done it before.”
He stroked her cheek. “My motivation isn’t just for you to have your own space.”
She blushed. “I had a feeling that was the case.”
“I’d love to kiss you before you fall asleep and do the same when you wake up in the morning.”
“Mark,” she whispered. “You are truly charming. Dangerously so.”
He smiled. “I’m not trying to be charming, Gia. I’m simply telling you how I feel.”
“And that is charming.”
“I love you,” Mark said. “The thought of not being with you every minute of the day makes me crazy.”
Gabrielle giggled. “My, that sounds quite severe.”
“It is. Believe me, I’m not used to feeling this way.”
“Will it help if I tell you I feel much the same way?”
“Yes, it does help.” He kissed her.
“I don’t want to wait, Mark.”
“What do you mean?”
She grasped his lapels. “I want to marry you right away. Tonight. Captain Ford’s a chaplain, right? Theo and Rebecca are here, as are my favorite cousins. I’d like to marry you now. We can sort out everything else later.”
He stroked her arms. “Are you sure you want to rush into this?”
“Unless you’re having second thoughts?”
“Not at all. I just don’t want you to feel as though there’s any urgency. You’ve just been dealt a blow that might be clouding your judgment.”
She nodded. “I want to know you’ll never leave me.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I will never leave you... or cheat on you... or disrespect you.” He kissed her palms. “But we don’t need to get married for me to make that promise.”
“I know.” She smiled. “But I want to marry you, and I don’t want my family to try to stop us.”
“Are you sure?” At her nod, he squeezed her hands. “I’ll talk to Jamie and find out what we need to do,” he promised.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “That will solve the dilemma of where I’ll sleep tonight.”
“Yes. Yes it will.” Mark closed his eyes with a sigh. “I think I’ll speak with Jamie right now.”
“Shall I come with you?”
“And let you out of speaking with Evaline? No.”
“Oh, bother. I’d hoped you wouldn’t notice.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Would you like me to stay?”
She dropped her head. “No. I should do that myself.”
“Okay, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed her one last time and left the house.