Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (11 page)

“Does the ring not fit?” He
asked as he looked at her bare left hand.

“It does, but I wasn’t certain which hand
I should wear it on tonight. We are not formerly betrothed.” Wenna held out her right hand.

“I will remedy that this very second,” Trevan said with a happy smile
. He took the ring from her finger. Keeping her hand in his, he went down on one knee before her, “Morwenna Penrose, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and my Duchess? I promise to love you forever and make certain you are always happy, well cared for, and well-loved by me.”

Wenna wiped at a tear that rolled down her cheek
. She could see the proof of his love in his eyes. “Yes, Trevan, I will marry you. I love you and shall love you always.” She nodded happily. Trevan then dropped her right hand and slipped the large, sparkling sapphire onto the ring finger of her left hand. He rose and kissed his lady.

He pulled back and grinned at her
. “Shall we announce our betrothal tonight at dinner, my future Duchess?”

Wenna nodded, “Of course
. There is no point in keeping it secret.”

Trevan placed her hand upon his arm and led his
love to the Long Gallery where they would dine with the growing party at Menadue.

Despite the growing unease with the Brown Coats surrounding Menadue, dinner was a joyous occasion. The announcement of the Duke’s forthcoming wedding was well received by all gathered. The gentlemen and ladies remained in the Long Gallery after the meal. The gathering took on an air of celebration. Some relatives retrieved their instruments they had brought along to Menadue. Before long, there was music and dancing.

Gabriel watched as Senny moved to the far end of the Gallery to sit alone
. He made his way over to her.

He sat beside her on the
settee. She looked tense. “What is the matter, Zenny?”

“I am unable to block out all the energy
around me tonight for some reason. I have noise in my head.” She shrugged and gave him a wan smile.

Gabriel guessed she was nervous about what would become of her and her grandfather now that Wenna would marry
. Although he knew what would take place, she did not. He would ease her mind and tell her.

“Come
with me. We’ll go to the conservatory and sit upon the window seat and look at the stars.” Gabriel stood and took her hand as she rose.

“I can go to
my room, Gabriel. Wouldn’t you prefer to stay and celebrate with your family?”

“I h
ave celebrated with my family, Zenny. Now I’d like to spend some time with you. Will you look at the stars with me? It is a favorite pastime of mine. I want you with me tonight.”

She
smiled up at him and nodded. “Yes. I would like that.”

Gabriel pointed out the stars and constellations within their view. “That is the Milky Way, and over there is the little dipper. Can you see it?”

“Yes.” Senny
turned and grinned up at Gabriel. “It’s about to be covered by the clouds.”

“I believe a storm is rolling in from the coast.” Gabriel sighed as he
took in the sight of his beautiful Senny limned in moonlight. He had lit one lamp but left it on a round center table in the midst of the large conservatory. Though there were some clouds rolling in, there was still enough light from the full moon pouring in through the numerous windows. She looked even more ethereal in this setting.

W
ith each passing day, he found Zenny to be more beautiful and she became more precious to him. He would speak with Trevan tomorrow and find out when he and Wenna planned to be married. He would need to offer for Senny soon, he was certain. For he would not let Trevan take her and Robert away from St. Mabyn. They would stay with him at Fairy Cross. Zenny would become his wife. The thought of Senny as his wife warmed him. He smiled down at her.

They sat on the window seat, facing one another.

“How do you feel, now, Zenny? Any better?”

“Much better, Gabriel, thank you
. The noise in my head is gone.”

“Good
, I am happy to hear that.” He was. Gabriel hated to think of Senny being overwhelmed or suffering because of her gift. Yes, she had a gift, but it came with a tremendous price.

Perhaps it was the moonlight, mayhap it was the quiet
and the fact they were alone, he could not say. He reached out and caressed her beautiful face, then moved closer to her. He whispered, “You are beautiful tonight, Zenny.”

S
he was. Her hair was arranged elegantly. Her gown was a color that resembled shimmering sea foam, not green, yet not blue. It looked exquisite on her. It emphasized her slender waist, but showed off her lovely breasts and the curve of her hips quite nicely. Those very breasts and hips that kept him awake nights.

His thumb lightly
skimmed over her full lips before he bent his head to taste her. He drank long of Senny’s purity and sweetness. Her hands moved to his chest, his moved to her sides to pull her closer.

Senny could feel the beat of Gabriel’s heart beneath her hand
. She felt completely connected to him as their kiss continued. She melted against him. It felt glorious when he pulled her closer and his large hands skimmed down her arms. When Gabriel held her and kissed her, the most amazing feelings washed over her.

Gabriel
knew the moment he slid through the veil. He had not done it intentionally. It just happened.

He knew
immediately that he was connected to Senny. He felt her happiness, her joy. He felt pure love from her. Then he felt her fear. It was a small little whisper, but he recognized it. She feared losing him. He wondered why.

“Z
enny what are you afraid of?” He asked softly as he pulled away. He feathered his lips against hers once more as his hand moved to caress her face. He searched the blue-green depths of her ocean-colored eyes for an answer.

“I – I, how do you always know what I’m thinking, Gabriel?” She gave him a
curious smile.

Gabriel shrugged
. “It’s my gift, and apparently when I hold you close like this, I connect with you. So tell me, my sweet Zenny, what do you fear?” He brought her hand to his mouth and softly kissed her fingertips.

“Wenna is marrying Trevan
. I do not wish to leave St. Mabyn. I don’t think Grandfather will want to leave either. I - I don’t want to leave you, Gabriel.” She lowered her gaze. She stood then and began to pace upon the carpet before the window seat.

He rose and placed his hands
gently upon her shoulders, to stop her from pacing. Gabriel slid his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face upward. He laid his finger over her lips. “Shh, Zenny. You’ll not leave St. Mabyn or me. Trust me. Do you trust me?”

Senny nodded
. “But they will think I cannot stay with Grandfather alone. I know they will. I can take care of Grandfather and Callywith, why can they not see it?”

“Trust me, p
lease?” Gabriel whispered huskily as he gazed into her luminous eyes.

“I trust you Gabriel, I do,
” Senny whispered back.

He could feel that she did trust him
. The knowledge warmed him. “Now, I told you we would get to know one another slowly. Do you feel comfortable so far?”

“Yes.” She nodded and smiled at him.

“Good.” Gabriel grinned as she dazzled him with a brilliant smile. “Because when Trevan and Wenna marry, Zenny, I am hoping you and I can marry too.” He grinned. “I suppose I should ask you properly. Sennen Penrose, will you marry me?”

“I – I w-want to m
-marry you Gabriel - but – b-but.” She stopped when she realized she could not speak without stuttering.

He’d overwhelmed her
. “Shh, breathe, Senny. That’s it. Breathe,” he coaxed her to calm down. He embraced her and held her against him, stroking her arms and her back while whispering soothing words into her ear.

When she ceased trembling
, he continued, “Will you marry me, Zenny?”

“Yes, b-but, are you not afraid of what p-people will say about you m-marrying me?” She cocked her head and looked at him, “They might call you Simple Gabriel.”

He chuckled. “No. I do not care what people say. You are not simple, Zenny, as I’ve told you before. I want you to be my wife. I want to marry you, n
o one but you
. How do you feel about marrying me? You are not afraid of marrying me are you?”

“No, I could never be afraid of you
. Marrying you sounds very nice. I just don’t know anything about being married. Or b-being a C-Countess.”

“
As far as being a Countess, Zenny, you shall do fine. You and Wenna have run Callywith for years. And as long as you keep making your mint jelly and the sweets you tempt me with, it will be fine, trust me.” He grinned and winked at her. “I know nothing of being married either. We’ll learn together as we go.” Gabriel offered with a smile.

He continued,
“You’ve always felt comfortable at Fairy Cross, haven’t you?” He placed a tender kiss to her temple.

“Y-yes
, I like Fairy Cross.” Senny smiled happily.

“Would you feel at home living there?”

“I think I could. Yes. And you would be there. Yes, I could live there, Gabriel. What of Grandfather, Callywith and our servants?” A worried frown creased her brow.

“
Your grandfather will live with us at Fairy Cross. Your servants would remain employed at Callywith. Lanyon will finish his schooling in two years and return to take his place as head of the estate.”

“Oh, good.” Senny sighed
in relief. “I would not wish to let the servants go, I would worry about them. They have all been with us for such a long time. Grandfather would remain in St. Mabyn. His friends could still visit him. I think he would be happy. And I would be happy being your wife.”

“W
e can marry when Wenna and Trevan do, as long as you feel comfortable doing so. We’ll take the time to become accustomed to one another before that.”

Senny nodded
. She smiled then said, “I am not afraid of marrying you, Gabriel.” She was elated. It had been her dream for so many years. However, he hadn’t mentioned love. There were times, when they were connected, that she felt how much he cared for her, and it did
feel
like love.

“G
ood.” Gabriel smiled down at her.

Senny leaned closer
. She rose up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his.

Gabriel sucked in his breath
. He marveled at the feel of Senny’s soft, warm lips brushing gently against his.

He allowed her to set the pace
. When she ran her tongue along the seam of his lips, he opened to her. Her arms wound about his neck, and she pressed her body to his. He felt her soft breasts against his chest. His hands moved to her back where he moved them up to her shoulders then back down to rest just above her bottom. He longed to splay his hands on the beautiful globes of her derrière, pull her hard against him and grind his cock against her, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. He would not do that to his sweet, innocent Zenny. He allowed himself to become lost in the tenderness of her kiss.

Once again, he slid beyond the veil to the in
-between world. He heard Senny’s heart beat, more like he felt it in his blood. He felt love, pure and strong. He felt adoration. He felt blissfully happy and content at that moment. He gathered her closer.

Then he felt it,
the warmth and the heat. It tantalized and teased him. Passion!
Gabriel could feel her passion
. It was strong, wild, yet so controlled, so concentrated. He swore he felt her pulse quicken, her heart race, and he felt that carnal need so deeply, he wondered if he were feeling his own lust. The flames igniting between them burned higher. He realized his hands had crept to her buttocks and he was indeed holding Senny tightly to him. In fact, he held her so firmly against his cock he was as hard as stone.

The voice of reason told him he should pull away now, but he was still connected to her, still lost in their joined passion.
He savored the heat, the pleasure, felt her burning need. He felt her curiosity also. His Zenny wanted to know more. That knowledge nearly did him in.

He knew
the depths of his own passion, but never before had he joined with and actually felt the passion of another. The new sensation was heady. He found himself intoxicated by it. He sensed Senny could feel his passion as well. They were connected. Linked to one another. Her hands moved down his back and to his buttocks. She began to knead him as he was doing to her. When he realized he was so aroused he could come at any moment, Gabriel did pull away. He gulped in his breath as he gazed down at her.

“We were connected?” Senny asked him breathlessly.
Apparently there was much more to the union of a man and woman than merely a man sticking his appendage inside a woman and spilling his seed. Oh my, she was quite surprised at the warm, wondrous feelings coursing through her body at this moment.