Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (5 page)

When she looked up at him,
his jaw looked tight. It was the serious expression he wore that truly concerned her. Was he angry? Fear crept in. It would probably not be a good idea to tell him
everything
.

Confusion washed over her when
she saw the same kindness in his eyes she always did. That calmed her somewhat.

Gabriel had never seen Senny look so perplexed, so lost
. She actually trembled. Before he knew it, his hands were on her shoulders. “Zenny? I’m sorry. I’ve upset you. I did not mean to.”

Senny managed to hold off the noise
beginning to build in her head and the swirling, chaotic thoughts, difficult though it was. She wanted to speak. She had to.

“S
-so you’ve heard the women in the village, have you? Now y-you want to know if it’s t-true.”

“Heard what, Zenny?”
Perplexed, Gabriel cocked his head.

“They call me S
-simple Senny, and they say I think to catch myself an Earl. They laugh and say,
What could he see in such an odd g-girl who’s simple-m-minded to boot? She’s away with the P-piskies, that one.
I hear them, Gabriel! I don’t know why they think I can’t, b-because I can. I know you don’t think me simple-minded. I know you are not k-kind to me out of pity as they say, at least I h-hope you are not.” Senny looked upward into his crystalline eyes. She realized her fear of losing him and her anger at the village women had forced far too many words from her mouth.

Well she might as well say it all
. “My m-mother always told people you would be my husband, and many b-believed it. I know you probably do not like what she said. I am d-different, I know it.” She looked into his pale, clear blue eyes. They had darkened to a stormy gray. Was he angry? She noted his jaw tightened.
Oh heavens, what had she done?

That was the point she became
completely overwhelmed. The noise threatened to crash in on her. The pressure built in her head. Her thoughts swirled. Still she managed to speak. She felt she had to. “I–I know you could never be interested in s-someone a-as different as m-me, G-Gabriel. I know that.” She began to tremble.

W
hen Senny was overwhelmed, she became either extremely nervous or she panicked. Gabriel knew exactly what to do. He had known her since she was a babe, and he a lad. Although her gift differed from his, he had always known she needed calming at these times. Calming her was foremost in his mind. He let go of his lust. He spoke soothing words to her. He gently rubbed her back and shoulders while he urged her to take deep breaths.

He waited until she was
completely calm to speak with her.

“Zenny,” Gabriel whispered
as he caressed her cheek. His fingers moved to capture her chin. He tilted her face upward, so he could see her eyes. He saw the tears threatening to spill.

“You are far from simple
. To me you are everything that is beautiful and good in this world. Do not listen to that bunch of addle pated hens! Never could anyone call you simple-minded, my sweet Zenny. You are one of the most intelligent women I know. I enjoy your company more than any other woman in my acquaintance. You are different, but not in a bad way, Zenny. You are unique in a
very good way
. You are honest and have the purest of hearts,” Gabriel’s whisper grew softer as he lowered his head. He wanted to kiss her. Yet he stopped himself and pulled back.

“Y-you are not angry, Gabriel?” Senny whispered
. She felt her cheeks burning still.

“No,
why would I be angry?” he asked softly as he smiled down at her.

“B-becaus
e of what my mother always said and what the village women s-say.”

“I’ve always known what
your mother said, Zenny. She used to tell me the very same thing.” His hand remained on her cheek. Gabriel allowed his thumb to trace lightly across her full bottom lip. She closed her eyes as he did so.

He wanted to kiss her
. He needed to kiss her.
He sighed. He could not. She was overwhelmed. More importantly, he had to discover what this sudden lust he felt for her was and if there was something deeper causing it. He now suspected there just might be.

He had to be certain. He would not allow himself to compromise Senny’s feelings
. He allowed himself to kiss the tip of her nose. “Zenny, we are dear friends, you and I. We shall always be.”

Senny opened her eyes
. She met Gabriel’s gaze. He was smiling at her. She smiled back, emitting a deep sigh of relief.

“Don’t you listen to those gossipy
old hens! I treasure what we have, Zenny. You are my dearest friend.” The brilliant smile she gave him warmed his heart.

Once again
, he had to refrain from kissing her. “Come along, let’s get back. I believe Trevan wishes to return to Menadue as soon as can be.” He took her hand in his and entwined his fingers with hers. How dare those old besoms insult his Zenny so!

Senny sighed again
. They were still friends. “You are my dearest friend too, Gabriel.” She smiled up at him.

Gabriel
so loved her smile. “Zenny, will you join me for a walk to the village tomorrow? I have some errands to tend to.”

“Of course.”

He planned to give the gossipy village hens an eyeful. He planned to parade Senny all about the village on his arm.

“Robert seemed happy to see you, Trevan.” Gabriel remarked as they rode the short distance to Fairy Cross.

Trevan nodded
. “Yes, I believe he was. There might be some truth to what you said about Wenna, Gabriel. She nearly fainted when I walked in behind you. It seemed to me she did not wish to be left alone with the vicar.”

“I told you as much
. That would be the reason you fabricated your tale of looking for a wife?”

“
Ayce
.” Trevan nodded. He gave Gabriel a white-toothed grin. “When will you see Zenny again, Gabriel?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Would you ask her if there are certain times the skinny little reverend calls upon Wenna? I should like to show up at Callywith in the next few days when he is
not
about.”

“I will find out for you, and I’ll send a message
to Menadue,” Gabriel grinned.

“Good
. I have a plan.” Trevan grinned. He reasoned it might not work. Wenna was
engaged
to the Vicar. Yet he had to try.

Gabriel strolled with Zenny up and down the small village street. There were only a few shops in St. Mabyn. Their first stop was a small mercantile where a variety of items were sold. He purchased a pair of gloves for himself and purchased two particular ribbons that he insisted Zenny must have because they complemented her lovely gown of cornflower blue.

Next
, they went to the Inn where he purchased an apple tart for each of them. He made a grand show of capturing a crumb at the corner of her mouth with his napkin as they ate their tarts. They ventured into another small shop afterward. He pretended to be interested in various items. He made a small purchase.

Gabriel was feeling very s
atisfied that the old besoms’ who dared whisper hurtful words about his Zenny were getting quite an eyeful. It pleased him that they watched every move he and Zenny made along the street. He noted they whispered amongst themselves. He took special care to allow his touches to linger on Senny’s hand or arm. He rested his hand at the small of her back several times while escorting her inside a shop.

It was easy and natural
to give his full attention to her. He let there be no question in the gossipy hens’ minds that Sennen Penrose was the sole focus of his attention. It was true that she was.

S
enny seemed oblivious to the attention they were receiving. She focused on him and their conversations. When a few of the shop owners spoke to her and inquired after her family, she answered in a very kind, sincere manner.

In the last shop they stopped in, Gabriel
noted his Senny was giving a particular bonnet some attention. After a brief and gentle argument, he insisted that he purchase it for her. He demanded she allow him to place it upon her head himself. As he did so, he remarked to her how lovely her hair was. He mentioned that it resembled spun gold kissed with the fire of a Cornish sunset. Of course, his compliment was loud enough so that the three other ladies visiting the shop could hear every word.

Senny was confused. To her it seemed that Gabriel was acting as if he were her beau. She knew she wasn’t the only one who thought so. She had caught a few whispers from some of the women. She couldn’t understand why he was behaving in such a manner.
Not that she didn’t want it to be so, she did. His behavior came as such a surprise to her, when only yesterday he spoke of friendship.

As he led her from the
store, he was beaming. He looked down to see Senny looking up at him with a bewildered expression upon her face.

“Zenny, love, what is the matter?”
he asked with concern.

He watched as her teeth captured her full lower lip. He saw her take a deep breath before she s
poke. “I-I don’t understand, Gabriel. Y-you are giving people the impression,” her voice grew shaky then and much quieter, “that you are c-courting me or some such thing.”

He had confused Z
enny with his actions. He felt badly for a moment, until he realized just how much he had enjoyed himself today. Every bit of attention he gave to her was real. Every single time he brought a smile to her face, it had gladdened his heart. He wanted to make her smile, to bring her joy. He wanted this.
This was real
. He wanted to kiss her, among other things. He wanted Senny beside him for, well, forever. The realization was startling, but comforting at the same time. He did not wish to overwhelm her. He would take things very slowly, for Zenny’s sake.

When he did not answer right away, Zenny turned her face upward
. He saw hope shining in her eyes, and the beauty of it amazed him. “You do not wish for me to court you?” he asked her, now sure of the path unfolding before him. He wasn’t quite certain of the depth of his feelings, but he knew he was happy with Senny beside him.

“No, I mean yes. Yes I do, b
-but,” she faltered.

“Tell me, Zenny.” The
y stopped walking and he faced her.

Instead of an answer, she asked him a question. “You are not just being k-kind to me are you
? Do you truly wish to court m-me?”

Gabriel smiled down at her
. “I am serious about courting you, Zenny. As I said yesterday, we are dear friends. I propose we take things slowly and see how they progress. Is that acceptable to you?”

He watched as Zenny thought about it for a moment
. He wanted to kiss her right on the village green when her pearly white teeth worried her bottom lip.

“Yes, G
-Gabriel,” she nodded slowly then gave him a brilliant smile that tugged at his heart. “This is acceptable. I would like that very much.”

He allowed his free hand to cover her fingers where they rested upon his arm
. He gave them a tight squeeze. “I would like it as well. You have made me very happy today, Zenny. I am now officially courting you. Shall we walk home?”

“Yes,” Senny
agreed with a very pleased smile. Her heart soared. Gabriel was courting her.

Menad
ue, near St. Cleer, Cornwall Late May of 1834

Trevan Chynoweth rubbed his forehead
. He paused to stretch his long arms over his head after he placed his quill on the holder. He looked to the clock on the mantel. It was half past two. He’d missed luncheon again and had been in his office since ten that morning. Well, enough work for today. There was still enough time to ride to St. Mabyn.

He wasn’t certain he had made much progress with Wenna
these past four weeks since his return from Glastonbury. She was still engaged to the vicar, yet she hadn’t said a cross word to him in all that time. He had not managed to get her alone for more than a few minutes here and there, but even then, they had conversed civilly. Once or twice while taking a meal with the Penroses, he had caught Wenna looking his way out of the corner of his eye.

Trevan
visited Callywith almost every other day since he returned from Glastonbury, save for several days he spent in Truro the first week he returned. Most often, the vicar was not there when he visited, thanks to Senny and Gabriel. He also knew the vicar did not come to call as often as he used to. Trevan grinned to himself as he rose and donned his coat.

Between Gabriel
and him, along with his brother Tremayne, Wenna had scarcely had time alone with her
fiancée
. Oddly, that seemed to please Wenna. That was what gave him hope. Hope that he still had a chance.

H
e decided now was the time to get Wenna alone so he could talk to her about their situation. If she still intended to marry Madingly, he realized he must cease his visits to Callywith and move on without her.

Wenna looked out the window of the parlour. It was John coming up the drive. Oh, she was not in the mood to listen to his boring prattle today. He only talked of himself and his grand ideas and opinions. She sighed heavily. “Senny, I’ve a head-ache and John has arrived. Could you please give him my excuses?”

“Wenna, y
ou haven’t said a word about feeling unwell all morning, nor after luncheon.” Senny looked up from the book she was reading.

“Well, I have a head-ache now.” Wenna called as she
exited the parlour and ran toward the stairs.

Senny groaned.
“Wenna!”

“Do this for me, please Senny?”
Wenna pleaded from the foot of the stairs.

“Very well
. I don’t think you care for John enough to marry him.” Senny called after her sister.

“Mind your own business, Senny!”
Wenna called as she hurried upstairs.

Senny sighed and shook her head.
What was her sister up to?

Senny informed Nowles that Wenna w
as not accepting callers. She stood by the door of the parlour and waited until she was certain Nowles had turned the Reverend away.

Later, Senny still sat in the parlour reading. She looked out the window when she realized someone had turned onto the drive from the lane. She smiled as she peered out the window to see Gabriel and Trevan riding toward the Manor.

She rose when Nowles showed them into the parlour.

“Good afternoon, Zenny.” Trevan nodded as he looked about the room.

“Wenna is in the garden
. She suffered a headache earlier and could not see the vicar. However, she made a miraculous recovery and is now tending to her herbs,” Senny said with a conspiratorial smile.

Trevan grinned
. “Thank you, Zenny.” He winked at her before he excused himself and made his way to the back of the house.

Gabriel leaned against the
doorframe, grinning at Senny. “Would you like to take a walk down the lane?”

“I would
love too, Gabriel.” Senny set down her book and accepted the arm Gabriel offered to her.

Wenna wiped her brow with the back of her gloved hand. She would have to break her engagement to John. The sooner, the better. She now noticed him looking at her sister the way a man should not. She also noticed the way he talked down to her grandfather. There was something in his eyes she did not like either. He was boring of late, and rather self-centered.

Trevan was always about Callywith lately.
He seemed to be always in a jovial mood. She wondered why. Perhaps he had moved on. Was he relieved to be rid of her? Had he fallen out of love with her even before their argument? He hadn’t said anything more about their relationship since the day she informed him she was marrying John. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would leave to go to London soon to look for a wife. The thought of him marrying another woman made her quite ill. Oh, why was she so confused?

She moved to stand but nearly fell, for
the hem of her skirt caught on the heel of her half boot. She started as a strong hand gripped her upper arm.

“Careful now, Wen Pen.
” Trevan bent and removed the fabric that had caught on her heel.

“Thank you,
” Wenna mumbled as he helped her to her feet.

“You are welcome
. The herb garden looks very fine, Wenna. But, your gardens always look well.”

“Thank you, Trevan
. Are you looking for Grandfather? I believe he’s in his study.”

“No,
actually, I wished to speak with you.”

“Oh?
” Wenna looked up into his brilliant blue eyes. Feelings she had thought were gone rushed in. The realization those feelings were still there hit her hard.

Trevan
longed to move a section of errant auburn hair that was about to fall into her eyes, but he resisted. He behaved as a perfect gentleman for four weeks. He supposed he could maintain his saintly behavior for a bit longer. “Wenna, I have to ask. Are you still set on marrying the vicar?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Wenna tried to sound nonchalant
. She no longer wanted to marry John Madingly, but she didn’t want to tell Trevan that just yet.

“I was hoping, no
Wenna, I’m
asking
you to give me another chance.”

“I – I don’t know,
Trevan. I just don’t know.” Wenna wrung her hands. Was she still in love with Trevan? She certainly was not in love with John Madingly. Why did this have to be so perplexing? Why was there no clear-cut answer? She cared for Trevan. She still had feelings for him. She found him to be the handsomest man she’d ever set eyes on. Just looking at him made her heart flutter. Did she still love him? Even if she did, would he treat her like she wanted to be treated or would things be as they were before? She wrung her gloved hands together.

“Are you in love with him, Wenna?”
Trevan asked in a soft, serious tone.

“I – I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore, Trevan
. I just don’t know.” Wenna realized she was bungling things badly. She had never been good at hiding her emotions.

“Give me a chance, Wenna
. Let me prove to you that I love you. Let me show you that I am the man you want. I’ll not neglect you again. That was wrong of me. I apologize for it. It was never my intention to hurt you so deeply.”

Tears threatened
. Wenna swallowed. “I’m so confused, Trevan,” her words came out in a whisper.

Trevan
sighed and gave a nod of agreement. “I can’t blame you. I made a muddle of things
betwixt
us, Wen Pen. Would you consider breaking your engagement to the vicar and give me a chance? I would appreciate the chance to woo you properly.”

Wenna removed her gloves and shoved them into the pocket of her apron
. She wiped at a tear that rolled down her cheek. She nodded. She needed to break her engagement to John Madingly in any case, for she would never marry him, she could barely stomach his company of late. She didn’t even want to talk to him. She
did
want to give Trevan a chance.

Trevan removed his handkerchief
from his pocket and presented it to her.

“Thank you, Trevan.” Wenna gave him a small smile and wiped at her tears. “I will go to the church tomorrow and talk to John
. I will break the engagement, Trevan.”

“Do you want me to go with you, Wenna?”
Trevan asked her softly.

She shook her head
. “No, ‘tis best if I go alone, Trevan.”

Trevan nodded
. He didn’t like the idea of her going alone, but he had to let her do it. “May I call upon you tomorrow at two?”

Wenna nodded
. “Yes, two will be fine.”

Trevan offered her his arm
. “Allow me to escort you back inside, Wenna. You look as if you could use a cup of tea.”

Wenna smiled up at him
. She nodded, “Yes, I truly could.”

In the parlor, Wenna and Trevan took their tea. They talked of the goings on in St. Mabyn and St. Cleer, of Trevan’s family and hers.

Wenna rose as she saw Gabriel and Senny walking up the drive, hand in hand
. “They are holding hands. What is it with those two?”

“Gabriel and Z
enny?” Trevan rose to join Wenna at the window. He grinned as he watched the pair. He turned to regard Wenna.

Wenna nodded and looked up into Trevan’s
brilliant blue eyes. She felt a tug at her heart just looking at him. He was so handsome.

Trevan grinned down at her
. “I would say they are in love, though, I don’t think either one of them knows it.” He gave Wenna a wink.

Wenna smiled
. “I think you may be right.” She laughed then. “It is good match for them both, I think.”

“
Ayce
, I agree.” Trevan motioned toward their vacated chairs as they heard the front door open. Gabriel and Senny’s voices carried into the parlour from the entry hall.

Wenna returned to her chair and picked up her cup
. Trevan did the same.

“There you are, Senny
. Gabriel. Will you join Trevan and me for tea?” Wenna smiled at them both. “And we hope the both of you gentlemen will stay for dinner.” Wenna raised an eyebrow at Trevan.

He grinned happily.
“Of course.”

Gabriel led Senny toward Wenna and Trevan
.

“Senny?” Wenna knocked upon her sister’s door.

Senny opened the door, “Yes?”

“May I come in? I was hoping we could talk.”

“Certainly, Wenna,
” Senny said. She still held her book in her hand. She walked back toward the bed and sat on the edge. Wenna did the same. “What is the matter?” she asked her sister.

“Senny, I am going to break my engagement with John tomorrow. I do not think he is the right person for me to marry.”

Senny would have smiled, but her sister looked confused and worried. “Why?”

“I – I,
” Wenna paused, “Trevan has asked me to give him another chance to woo me, I think I must do so. If I did not I would always wonder.”

“That is very wise, Wenna
. Trevan does love you.”

Wenna almost asked her sister what she knew of love, but she held her tongue
. Wenna knew what some people said of Senny, and it broke her heart. Senny was different, that was all. Being Senny’s sister, Wenna knew her to be capable of great love. She just wasn’t certain if she knew much about loving a man.

Wenna
had always worried about Senny. She was always protective of her younger sister, overly so until Gabriel had started spending more time with her, especially in the two years past. Before Gabriel walked with Senny on a daily basis, Wenna was the one who used to join her. Wenna never trusted some of the young men in the area to leave Senny be for she feared they might take advantage of her.

“Senny,
it seems Gabriel spends a great deal of time with you lately,” Wenna mentioned. She smiled at her sister. She saw the smile that immediately lit Senny’s face then watched it turn to a frown. Senny shook her head, “We are good friends, Wenna.”

Wenna laughed softly
. She reached out and tucked a loose strand of Senny’s straight, golden hair behind her ear. “Senny, do you not believe Gabriel could be spending time with you for another reason?”

Senny shook her head, adam
antly, “No, we are good friends. He said so.” She purposely didn’t tell Wenna that Gabriel alluded to the fact that he was courting her a month ago. He had made such a point to say they were taking things slowly. Other than him holding her hand more often, nothing had truly changed between them. She reasoned it was possible he may have changed his mind, or perhaps he was having second thoughts. The only thing she did know is that they were good friends.

“Oh,
” Wenna sighed, “I see.” She smiled than and added, “He bought you a bonnet and ribbons not too long ago.”

“
Gabriel is very kind, you know this. I – I know what the women in the village say, Wenna. I know they call me simple and say I mean to c-catch an Earl. That he is kind to me only out of p-pity. I hear them talk.”