me about having you as a midshipman? In any case, you will want some form of useful career suitable to a gentleman, and I can’t picture you in the clergy,” he said with a chuckle.
Gabriel hadn’t known. As far as he was aware, he’d never been noticed for anything, other than his body and his face. He’d never been praised for anything, other than that, or his skill with his hands, his mouth, or his prick. Hearing Huntington listing his accomplishments and planning his future when he’d come expecting anger and retribution, left him feeling buffeted and bewildered. He could make no sense of this new world, no matter how hard he tried. Hehad no map, no compass, no idea of what to expect next. He’d awoken this morning feeling shame and self-loathing, expecting punishment and exile. It seemed that Sarah had chosen mercy, and now her brother was offering gifts. He knew the dangers of easy acceptance and self-delusion, but he was unable to refuse. None of it showed on his face. “Yes, sir. Of course. Thank you.”
Ross nodded, startled and pleased. He recognized that the honorific and appreciation were not trivial things, coming from this man. He was beginning to appreciate what Sarah saw in their prickly young friend. There was enormous potential within him, the makings of something fine. He knew, though, far better than Sarah could, what cruelty, violence, and lust could do to a man, how unlikely it was the lad would ever be able to free himself. Still, he was owed the opportunity for what he’d done for James, and Ross was a man who always paid his debts.
Several hours later, Gabriel turned his mount around and headed back to the house. Leaning forward, he gave the horse his head and thundered down the beach. He felt an intense exhilaration, a rough, unfamiliar joy, and he reveled in the feel of freedom and power as the ground passed beneath him. He slowedthe big animal to a walk as he neared the house. The tide was coming in now, as was the night. Reluctantly, he returned the horse to the stable, removed the saddle, and bedded him down.
He felt somewhat guilty for missing supper again. After Huntington’s generosity he should have reciprocated with a show of good manners at least, but he’d wanted to take the horse, and he’d wanted to avoid Sarah. As his thoughts turned to last night’s debacle, his ebullient mood was punctured and his pleasure fell flat. He couldn’t avoid her forever, but he didn’t know how to face her, either. He wasn’t a vicious man, but last night with her, he had been, and she hadn’t deserved it. He didn’t understand why she’d kept it to herself, but he was grateful. He knew, instinctively, that if she were going to tell Ross, she would have done so already. Last night was between the two of them, and so it would remain.
C HAPTER
7
Though the days were still sultry, the end of August was approaching and the nights foreshadowed the coming season. The air had turned cool, and the night had crept in by the time Gabriel made it back to the house. He could hear the sound of the rising surf breaking against the cliff, crashing and booming against the rocks below. He sat for a while on the cliff’s edge, legs dangling down, feeling the power beneath him. Lying back, he closed his eyes and let his mind wander, listening to the ebb and flow of the waves, content, for once, in his life; at peace.
He didn’t know how long he remained there before hunger and cold drove him to his feet. Looking up, he could see that the lights had been dimmed or extinguished throughout the house. It was quiet, most of the staff and family having gone to bed. His disinclination for company and constant struggle to sleep had left him no stranger to nocturnal ramblings.
The kitchen, the library, the music room, he had no trouble finding his way in the dark.
Having missed supper, he headed for the kitchen, stomach growling, only to stop dead at the entrance. His nemesis sat at the table, coffee mug
Gabriel hadn’t known. As far as he was aware, he’d never been noticed for anything, other than his body and his face. He’d never been praised for anything, other than that, or his skill with his hands, his mouth, or his prick. Hearing Huntington listing his accomplishments and planning his future when he’d come expecting anger and retribution, left him feeling buffeted and bewildered. He could make no sense of this new world, no matter how hard he tried. Hehad no map, no compass, no idea of what to expect next. He’d awoken this morning feeling shame and self-loathing, expecting punishment and exile. It seemed that Sarah had chosen mercy, and now her brother was offering gifts. He knew the dangers of easy acceptance and self-delusion, but he was unable to refuse. None of it showed on his face. “Yes, sir. Of course. Thank you.”
Ross nodded, startled and pleased. He recognized that the honorific and appreciation were not trivial things, coming from this man. He was beginning to appreciate what Sarah saw in their prickly young friend. There was enormous potential within him, the makings of something fine. He knew, though, far better than Sarah could, what cruelty, violence, and lust could do to a man, how unlikely it was the lad would ever be able to free himself. Still, he was owed the opportunity for what he’d done for James, and Ross was a man who always paid his debts.
Several hours later, Gabriel turned his mount around and headed back to the house. Leaning forward, he gave the horse his head and thundered down the beach. He felt an intense exhilaration, a rough, unfamiliar joy, and he reveled in the feel of freedom and power as the ground passed beneath him. He slowedthe big animal to a walk as he neared the house. The tide was coming in now, as was the night. Reluctantly, he returned the horse to the stable, removed the saddle, and bedded him down.
He felt somewhat guilty for missing supper again. After Huntington’s generosity he should have reciprocated with a show of good manners at least, but he’d wanted to take the horse, and he’d wanted to avoid Sarah. As his thoughts turned to last night’s debacle, his ebullient mood was punctured and his pleasure fell flat. He couldn’t avoid her forever, but he didn’t know how to face her, either. He wasn’t a vicious man, but last night with her, he had been, and she hadn’t deserved it. He didn’t understand why she’d kept it to herself, but he was grateful. He knew, instinctively, that if she were going to tell Ross, she would have done so already. Last night was between the two of them, and so it would remain.
C HAPTER
7
Though the days were still sultry, the end of August was approaching and the nights foreshadowed the coming season. The air had turned cool, and the night had crept in by the time Gabriel made it back to the house. He could hear the sound of the rising surf breaking against the cliff, crashing and booming against the rocks below. He sat for a while on the cliff’s edge, legs dangling down, feeling the power beneath him. Lying back, he closed his eyes and let his mind wander, listening to the ebb and flow of the waves, content, for once, in his life; at peace.
He didn’t know how long he remained there before hunger and cold drove him to his feet. Looking up, he could see that the lights had been dimmed or extinguished throughout the house. It was quiet, most of the staff and family having gone to bed. His disinclination for company and constant struggle to sleep had left him no stranger to nocturnal ramblings.
The kitchen, the library, the music room, he had no trouble finding his way in the dark.
Having missed supper, he headed for the kitchen, stomach growling, only to stop dead at the entrance. His nemesis sat at the table, coffee mug
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