Page 37 of The Gilded Lady
Well that explained the plates of steaming food and coffee pot on the table. She was gratified to see that there were two plates. He meant to take his own breakfast with her.
“I feel good, but thank you.” She really needed some water, but other than that and a light headache, she felt better than she should. “I’d rather have breakfast with you than go downstairs.”
His expression changed in an instant. His eyes became hooded and deep and he gave her body a quick sweep as if remembering what she looked like beneath the clothes. Her nipples beaded again, sending a tight dart of pleasure rushing through her. His gaze warmed every place it touched her.
His smile broadened and he set the pitcher of water down and walked over to her. Coming to a stop only inches away from her, he tilted her chin up. He was so tall and broad he completely towered over her. At first she had found that unsettling, but now it made her feel protected and safe. He wouldn’t use his strength to bring her harm.
She slid her palms up his chest and around the nape of his neck, feeling as if she had some right to touch him after all they’d share. Lacing her fingers together, she pulled him down for a kiss. His mouth was hot and tender as it closed over hers. He also seemed more hesitant than he’d been last night, the kiss was slow and easy. When he pulled back, she stared up at him searching for the reason why. But his smile was still in place and he kissed the tip of her nose.
“You’re beautiful in your sleep.”
Her face burned again. “Thank you for the drawing. It’s beautiful, although I think you tend toward flattery.”
He laughed, a soft, deep sound that moved through her in the most delicious way. “Is it still flattery if it’s true?”
She couldn’t answer that. She didn’t think it was true, but she was glad that he saw her that way. “Thank you. You make me feel beautiful.”
He opened his mouth to say something but he was interrupted by a knock at the door. She sat down at the table while he went to answer it. She’d become accustomed to not answering her own doors with him around. Able stepped in, mumbling a greeting to Zane, but his gaze found her. She was touched by the concern she saw there. Able’s friendship had gotten her through so much, she couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened without him.
“Morning.” She forced a brighter smile, because now that those few precious moments with Zane were over, reality was starting to intrude. Justin was coming and they had a very big problem to deal with.
Able pulled up a chair and Zane took his seat across from her.
“Breakfast?” She offered him her plate. When Able shook his head, she asked, “How’s Clara?”
“Good.” His brow was furrowed as he said that. He was clearly upset.
“How are you?” She reached out and squeezed his hand.
He shook his head. “I never thought this day would come. I knew it was possible, but after the first few years I didn’t think it was likely. Why would he still be looking after so long?”
Zane paused from cutting through a piece of sausage on his plate and looked up at her, as if he had wondered the same thing.
She shrugged. “Justin isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met. He doesn’t like it when things don’t go his way. He really doesn’t like it.” In Justin’s mind she belonged to him and he couldn’t cope with the fact that she’d gotten away.
Able nodded along, likely remembering his own run-ins with him.
Zane frowned and put his fork and knife down. “I won’t let him take you back, Glory. I promise you that.”
Glory took a breath. She knew that he’d try and that he’d even likely succeed, but she didn’t like the danger that she was putting everyone in. An idea that had been lurking in the back of her mind came to the forefront. “I’ve been thinking…” Both men looked at her expectantly. “I think it’s me that he wants. He thinks he owns me and it must have been eating at him all these years that I escaped. If we split up, I could draw him away from you. I could leave.”
Able shook his head immediately. “It’s too late for that. He knows I’m here. He’ll stop here anyway.”
She nodded in agreement. If Justin was still on their trail after all these years, then that was likely true. “I think you have to go too. We simply go in separate directions. Chances are he’ll follow me and you’ll have a chance to get away once and for all.”
Able squeezed her fingers. “Do you really think I’d let you face him alone?”
“No.” It had been worth suggesting the option, but she’d known that Able wouldn’t agree to it. “I want this to be over. I don’t want to run anymore, but I don’t like that I’m putting everyone in danger. If he comes here, the women, the staff, anyone who gets in his way becomes his prey.”
“They’ll all be in danger anyway. Justin Dubose is a madman. He won’t care that you’re not here anymore. They’re connected to you now and he could use them to lure you back,” said Able.
It was impossible to argue with his logic. Justin was the devil incarnate.
“He’s right.” Zane caught her gaze and held it. “If Dubose is half as bad as you both say he is, then we have no choice but to fight him. Our chances are better here on our own terms.”
She nodded, torn with the reassurance of that statement and the fact that she wanted Zane as far away from Justin as possible. “We need to come up with a plan. How long do wethink we have before he arrives?” There was no question that he was coming.
“Hunter sent out a telegram late last night,” said Zane. “He’ll have a solicitor from Charleston let us know if Dubose is still at his estate. With any luck we’ll hear back by tonight, maybe tomorrow. If we know he’s still there, or when he left, that should help us narrow down a time.”
