Page 24 of Ravishing Among the Roses
“You could say no.”
“But how would I protect my roses?” Edmund knew he could be stubborn but he just couldn’t see a way out of this situation.
George leaned forward. “All you need to do is delay. When I’m the Duke, I will never threaten your roses. And then you can find someone to love, and who will love you. Just as I will, one day, because I’m stupid enough to want love even though I’m not worthy.”
Edmund glanced at the box by his feet. He’d already found someone.
George, of course, noticed. “Go to her. Tell her that you’ll soon be safe.”
“Thank you.” Edmund grabbed his box of dance cards and rushed from the room, towards Gabriel and a future. Maybe they could have a future together. Bennington had managed it with Mr Mardin, the owner of The King’s Book Club, and wasn’t that another sign that his own love affair might possibly turn into a grand forever type of love?
Chapter 13
Gabby sat in his room at The King’s Book Club staring at the wall, insurmountably overwhelmed by the task ahead of him. The charity lectures would be tonight. Was he ready? No. Not even close. There were so many little things that he needed to do and check before they began, and all he could do was stare at his outfit and wonder if it was the best one. Should he have chosen the green dress? For science. Or the blue one with black and yellow stripes sewn onto it? Maybe he should have found one with actual roses embroidered on it.
A light knock on his door made him blink.
“Gabriel?” Edmund’s voice was softened by the oak door. But simply hearing it was perfection. Gabby leaped to his feet and pulled the door open – with slightly too much vigour – and there he was. His beautiful, rugged gardener.
“You are early,” he blurted. And oh no, he wasn’t ready. Tonight was going to be a disaster. He still had so much to do. So much.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Why do you ask?” He was doomed. He really should’ve started getting through his list hours ago.
“You look anxious.” Edmund put a box on the side table and pulled him into his arms, and Gabby let himself sink into the hug. He rested his head on Edmund’s strong chest, just breathing in his earthy scent that had a hint of rose and the mossy comforting smell of a forest just after the rain. He didn’t want this to end and could easily imagine them standing under a tree in the woods at whatever Edmund’s family house was called, while the rain drizzled around them. In summer, obviously, he wasn’t a fan of being cold for the sake of an atmosphere. Hemight be prone to dramatics, but even he wasn’t going to risk illness for melodrama.
“Can I help you?”
Gabby nodded. He was at the point where he would take any help he could. Edmund and the other scientists needed to be on stage, and he needed to check on the dome being built behind them to help project their voices out to the audience. One of Walt’s friends worked in a theatre and had given him excellent advice on how to build a structure that would help his audience hear the speakers. And then ... He breathed in slowly.
“I can’t decide what I need to do. There’s too much and I’m overwhelmed by indecision.
“I have something for you. I hope it will help.” Edmund kissed him on the forehead, then guided him to his side table. “Open it. These are for you.”
Gabby swooned, his heart galloping as he stared up at Edmund. “You got me a gift?”
“Yes and no. It’s a gift but also one which I hope will help you, so if it doesn’t you can say no thank you.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Edmund released a big breath. “I’m sorry. I remember you saying that you get distracted and you waste a lot of time trying to remember what you were doing and where you were up to, and so I thought it might help if you carried your list around with you.”
Was Edmund nervous? He was babbling and Gabby placed his hand on Edmund’s strong bicep and Edmund breathed in deeply. And then he opened the box.
“Dance cards? You got me dance cards?” Gabby didn’t understand.
“No. These are little lists for you.”
“They look like dance cards.”
Edmund nodded, and his face lit up. “Yes, they are inspired by dance cards.” He pulled one from the box. “You can tie it to your wrist and write down all the things you need to do, and then it’s right there with you, so you can check anytime you need, and...”
Gabby grabbed Edmund’s face with both hands and kissed him. He understood. “You had these made? For me?”
“Yes.”
Gabby covered Edmund’s face with kisses. He didn’t know if it would help—maybe nothing would—but the idea that Edmund had thought about what might help and had gone out and made something for him was so amazing and overwhelming. “I love it. I love you.” He dropped to his knees, wanting to show his thanks in the most obvious way.
