“I daenae want to wake her,” Gabriel said patting his friend on the shoulder. “Besides, I’m hungry.”
“Ye did, dinnae ye?” Jacob teased as they started down the corridor toward the main hall. “Was it everythin’ ye wanted and expected?”
Leaning closer to Jacob’s ear, Gabriel whispered, “Nothin’ happened.”
“What?” Jacob’s shoulders dropped along with his face. The excitement that beamed like the sun’s rays vanished as he shook his head. “I thought ye had a plan. I mean the woman drank enough to put down a horse.”
“Aye, but I couldnae do it.”
“Ye love her,” Jacob sighed. “But what are ye goin’ to tell her family?”
“Do they really need to ken? Let them think what they want.”
“Why are ye playin’ the long game? It is yer right to do such things. And we both ken yer burstin’ at the seams.”
Gabriel paused at the threshold of the hall and cleared his throat. Scanning the hall, Gabriel’s eyes shifted to each face, hunting for Darragh’s.
“What if I am? I’ll nae be unfaithful. Elena is the only woman I have ever wanted and now I have. I’ll nae ruin my chances wit’ her.”
“Yer married to her now,” Jacob said. “Wit’ that comes obligations and responsibilities. Do ye nae think her family will be expectin’ the pitter-patter of little feet soon?”
“It will be her choice,” Gabriel answered as he lifted his head. “Now, nay more about such things.”
“Tell me ye at least kissed her? Ye were fishin’ for that all night last night,” Jacob said as Gabriel flashed him a half smile.
“The best things come to those who wait, do they nae? And if her kisses are sweet as honey, I shall wait till the last drop is harvested before partakin’. Now, let us eat.”
Gabriel walked into the hall. With only a few still awake from the festivities there to cheer him, he knew their noise wouldn’t disturb Elena. Walking in with his head held high, Gabriel nodded and took all the compliments thrown his way. As he took his seat and picked at the left-over pheasant on the table, his mind wandered to Elena.
How do I get her to come to me? How do I melt that cold, frigid heart? Kindness doesnae seem to work, nor does chivalry.
By God, she looked lovely. Her skin was so soft.
Gabriel’s body tingled and the place Elena’s arm draped over him remained warmed as if she were there holding him. With his heart fluttering, he kept his eye on the doorway wondering if and when she would awake.
“There is the happy groom.”
Gabriel smiled as Darragh walked to him and plopped down in the empty seat next to him. Rolling his shoulders back, Gabriel sat straighter in his chair.
“I see yer here,” Darragh said. “And where is my niece?”
“Still in bed,” Gabriel answered. Darragh’s eyes widened as his lips pulled into a smile. Without warning, Darragh let out a loud chuckle and nodded.
“That’s how it is done and seein’ as how there are nay battle scars, the conquerin’ was nae too difficult.”
Gabriel pressed his lips into a tight line. By the tone of Darragh’s voice, it was clear his uncle-in-law expected him to take what was owed. Gabriel bit his tongue as cursed words flashed through his mind. It was no wonder Elena was so edgy with the expectations her family placed on her.
“It takes more than one night to conquer a country, does it nae? Last night was merely the first round,” Gabriel said. His answer seemed to please Darragh immensely as his laughter rumbled through the hall.
“Only if yer diplomatic about such things,” Darragh answered.
“Aye, well, each man has his own strengths, does he nae? Ye’ll nae put a jester on the front lines of a war, nor leave yer best soldier at home.”
Darragh’s laughter resonated again throughout the room as Gabriel’s eyes shifted to the doorway. His heart skipped as he spied a shadow lingering in the shadows. The hope he clung to expecting Elena to come walking into the room vanished when he saw Anna’s face.
“A few of us are goin’ out for a hunt,” Darragh said. “Care to join us?”
“Aye,” Gabriel said. He had hoped to catch a glimpse of Elena’s face when she woke up. But it would seem destiny had other plans. Dropping his shoulders, he looked at Darragh. “When do we leave?”