Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) (22 page)

It was after midnight when Gabriel finally entered his bedroom. Diana paced her chamber for another twenty minutes before implementing her plan. She needed to speak to Samuel. The man knew about the Watchers. Which was impossible. The only people who knew they existed were the Druids and the people who hired them. She needed to find out the truth. She would not put Gabriel at risk.

Grabbing the knife she kept in her boot, Diana sneaked down the hall then carefully opened the door to Samuel’s room, bracing herself for an attack. Jack’s lips curled up in a silent snarl as he edged forward ahead of her.

Only to feel foolish when she found a frail old man lying prone on the bed. A lamp was left burning at the bedside, and his glasses rested crookedly on his nose, an open book spread across his chest as he slept.

The man was obviously sick, his breathing was so labored that her chest hurt in sympathy. A hacking cough rattled in his lungs and woke him. Shaky hands grabbed a glass of water. After a couple of sips, he sighed heavily and fell back against his propped-up pillows. He straightened his glasses and peered at her over the tops. “I was wondering how long it would take for you to get here. I must have dozed off.”

Diana almost felt compelled to apologize, completely baffled by his calm reaction. She stared down at the useless knife in her hands then reluctantly put it away. “Who are you?”

“I think you already know, or you wouldn’t be here.” He spoke softly, his words rattling her composure.

Jack sensed her unease, letting loose a menacing growl as he pushed his way protectively in front of her.

“No need for that. I’m a doddering old fool, not the devil incarnate.” He waved away the threat as if Jack was a pesky bug. “I did some research for the Watchers years ago, but got out of that business when I discovered they were exploiting people with the knowledge I provided.”

Despite his protests, he couldn’t simply be an innocent, harmless old man. “Watchers don’t just leave.”

Some of the sparkle left his eyes. “They believe I’m dead. I buried myself in the country with my studies and kept to myself.”

Everything sounded plausible…except for one thing. “Why reveal yourself now?” Then her eyes widened in horror. “The man who attacked me knows the truth, doesn’t he? In trying to help me, you sealed your fate.”

Samuel waved away her questions. “I’m already a dead man. This illness has spread to my lungs, and I will be long gone before they get their hands on me.”

Infinite sadness curled through her at his confession. Despite her best intentions, she liked the old fool. “Why get involved?”

“I didn’t think you truly existed.” He beamed, as if he uncovered the greatest secret in the world. “When Gabriel came to me with some questions, I just knew, and I had to see you for myself. Much to Gabriel’s chagrin, I grabbed the earliest train here. You don’t disappoint, my girl. It has been a pleasure. You might not know it, but meeting you has been the best thing that’s happened to me in years.

“I’ve dedicated my life to studying the past, and here you stand, a living, breathing relic. How could I resist?”

Diana’s lips twitched at his innocent insult.

“Oh, sorry.” Samuel snorted a laugh, then coughed.

His chest rattled, and she winced in sympathy, knowing he had to feel like he was suffocating. She quickly poured more water and helped him take a swallow. “How long?”

“What?” The one word came out a harsh rasp.

“How long have you had consumption?”

Samuel sighed in defeat. “Doctors told me I should have died years ago. Who knows? Maybe the goddess wanted us to meet before I was called home.” He smiled at his own musing.

“Does Gabriel know?”

Samuel slumped back against his pillows, clearly exhausted. “No, and I would prefer that he not. He has too much on his mind to worry about me.”

“Are you sure you’re being fair to him?” Diana chided him softly.

“Maybe not.” He admitted with a tired nod. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and he’s been my only contact with the outside world. Blame an old man for vanity, but I want his last thoughts of me as his friend, not an old man taking his time to die.”

“And the pain?” Deep lines of stress were etched on his face.

“Morphine.”

“I’m sorry.” Though uncertain if he posed a threat, Diana couldn’t stifle her compassion for this engaging old man.

Samuel smiled and took off his glasses. “Don’t be, you have given me a grand sendoff. I don’t expect to make it back home. If you allow me to stay, I will die surrounded by friends and my passion.”

Sorrow tightened her chest, and she watched until Samuel fell asleep, his lungs straining to get air. She wanted more than to die a lonely old woman, remembering what could’ve been. If she wanted a future with Gabriel, she was going to have to fight for it.

G
abriel woke
with a start but remained motionless, the world around him silent. He opened one eye only a slit and cautiously peered about the room.

And nothing.

No Jack.

No canine shenanigans.

Somehow, the lack of the usual morning stealth attack only made him more leery. Gabriel opened both eyes and sat up, his blankets falling to his waist as he searched the room and did a mental check.

He still had his blanket.

His water pitcher was still on the stand.

His boots remained upright, while the clothes he laid out remained undisturbed.

Gabriel grunted in bewilderment. As much as he wanted Jack to leave him alone, this disturbed him more.

Then it hit him.

If Jack was not here to play his tricks, where was he?

Or more importantly, where was his lovely mistress?

After last night’s attack, he didn’t like having her out of his sight. Even knowing she was safe in her own chamber, he still wanted to be near her. Every bruise and scrape that marred her skin pained him. He came so close to losing her, he still had trouble breathing when he thought about it. Throwing off the covers, he scrambled out of bed, haphazardly throwing on whatever was at hand. He was barely covered when he burst into her room.

Jack lay stretched out on her bed, and Gabriel’s breathing hitched when he saw no sign of Diana. It took him precious seconds, while he thought his heart would explode out of his chest, before he finally located her seated motionless by the window. Relief flooded him, and he leaned weakly against the wall. Only when Jack whined did he realize something was wrong.

Gabriel walked by the dog, pausing to scratch him behind his ear, pleased to see his tail thump once.

Tucking in his shirt, he walked closer, growing more concerned when Diana didn’t acknowledge his presence. “I was worried that I might find you gone.”

“I thought about it. I should have left.”

His gut clenched in dread when realization dawned. “You had another dream.”

Diana bowed her head. “Yes.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Needing to touch her, needing to confirm that she was real, he rested his hands on her shoulders. She stiffened, but he refused to retreat, not when he wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her tight.

“Talking won’t change anything.”

“Then what can I do?” When she turned, the tears in her eyes destroyed his resolve. “Diana—”

“Whatever happens tonight, you must not confront Pastor Williams. Promise me you won’t talk to him or do anything foolish.” She turned and burrowed into his arms. Gabriel pulled her tight, her pain eating him alive. He’d never felt so helpless.

She peered up at him with those beautiful eyes of hers, and the rest of the world dropped away. “Promise?”

“You have my word.” He couldn’t do anything else. He would do anything for her.

He walked backward, taking her with him. When the back of his leg smacked into the bed, he sat and cuddled her in his lap. When she snuggled into his arms, he realized that she’d fallen asleep.

Diana was normally so confident, it shook him to see her almost broken.

The smell of jasmine lured him closer, and he buried his face in her hair, tenderness filling him. His breathing slowed, and he let the peace of holding her seep into his bones. He felt content for the first time in years, and he would do everything in his power to keep that feeling.

It was his last thought before sleep overcame him.

* * *

P
ain seared along her back
, waking Diana up from a dreamless sleep. Magic burned up her spine, gathered at the base of her skull, and a vision pressed down on her. Not wanting to see images of the future, Diana struggled to repress her powers, but her gift dragged her relentlessly forward, and she lost the battle.

Mist filled her vision. Diana squinted and waited for the scene to take form. Gabriel boldly walked out of the haze, and she blinked in surprise. Determined to locate the danger, she spun, but sensed no overt threat. No hint of doom. Nothing to prompt her dream.

Turning back, Diana saw he had moved. Instead of being clothed in his usual pristine suit, his jacket and shirt were gone. He stood boldly before her, only inches away, his beautiful body on display. She wanted to reach out and explore him, but resisted, still not understanding the message the dream was trying to impart.

But no matter how much she tried to concentrate, she couldn’t gather her scattered thoughts.

He looked so real.

Raising a hesitant hand, she stopped just short of touching him. Always in the past, whenever she tried to interfere, two things happened: the vision would continue as if she didn’t exist or the dream would dissolve into mist.

She slowly curled her fingers into fists. Here, as long as she did not touch, he could not run from her. She dropped her hands to her sides to resist temptation.

The phantom smiled slightly, and her breathing sped up at the seductive quality.

She’d never seen Gabriel smile that way before.

Not at her.

Never at her.

He lifted a hand, and her breathing stopped. Suspended. Waiting. Diana closed her eyes, and could almost pretend he was touching her.

She gasped when he ran his hand down her throat, then boldly cupped her breast, and a gasp of desire escaped her parted lips. Her eyes shot open in wonder, and she realized that she was wide awake. Pure passion shimmered down her spine. She wasn’t sure how it was possible, but she was terrified to move lest his image disappeared.

She gathered handfuls of the nightgown in her fists as she watched while his head lowered, and he spread butterfly kisses along her neck. He nibbled on the sensitive skin, and she leaned closer in a silent demand for more. In a blink, she was lying flat on the bed, Gabriel over her, kissing her, moving lower with each caress.

His mouth closed over her breast through the thin material of her gown and she gasped, arching upwards, offering herself to him. Desperate to touch him, she sank her fingers into his hair and sucked in a startled breath.

He was real.

Her eyes shot open, and she looked around the room.

Her room. In her bed!

Gabriel.

She blinked in surprise when realization struck.

She’d somehow managed to slip into Gabriel’s dreams!

Having never slept in another person’s arms, Diana hadn’t realized her powers would channel this way.

Gabriel sleepily shifted and grumbled, pulling her closer. His arousal pressed into her side and Diana couldn’t resist. She twisted to face him, tentatively pressing her lips against his.

He tasted of forbidden passion, and she craved more. Her need frightened her so much, she pulled back.

“Don’t go.” He mumbled those two words in his sleep, possessively gathering her closer. His hands slid over her body, cupping her already sensitive breasts. “Diana.” Tilting his head, he captured her lips in a slow, sensual kiss.

Diana fell back against the bed, and Gabriel followed, covering her upper body with his own. She struggled with her conscience, knowing it was unfair to take advantage of him, not when she’d seen into his dreams. “Gabriel.”

His kiss slowed, drawing out the pleasure until she tingled from head to toe. The only thing that existed was the way his lips felt, and she groaned with ever-increasing pleasure.

Much to her disappointment, Gabriel paused and pulled away. “Diana?”

Beautiful blue eyes looked down at her, the lust in his expression caused her breath to catch at the back of her throat. He was awake! Her body protested at the thought of stopping, but she forced herself to remain quiet, needing him to make the choice.

She lifted a hand, caressing his cheek, enjoying the scrape of his stubble against her fingertips. She might let him make the choice, but that didn’t mean she would give up without a fight.

He turned into her hand, eyes closed and kissed her palm.

And melted her heart. “Gabriel?”

Gabriel shook his head, trying to shake the lust from his mind as well. He was afraid to move lest his tenuous control snapped. No wonder the dream had felt so real. With her body cradled against him, his reasoning wavered. Only one thing stopped him. Before they took this last step, he needed her to love him.

He had wealth beyond imagination, and it hadn’t stopped his first wife from leaving him.

The only thing that would hold Diana would be love.

“Tonight is the ball.” He blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. If things went according to plan, Diana would finally be free from her past and able to choose a future with him. The thought, even if it was just a small chance, gave him the willpower to pull away.

He was distracted by the slight bruise along her jaw and frowned, wishing he could go back to last night and protect her. He should have insisted they remain together, but he had wanted to please her. “How do you feel?”

It was all he could do not to insist on inspecting the other injuries.

Diana stretched, her lovely body brushing against his, and he forgot to breathe. She smiled up at him, mischief dancing in her eyes, and he knew she’d done it on purpose, a small revenge for halting their lovemaking. “Sore, but healing. It’s been awhile since I’ve sparred, and I’ve become rusty. Some physical activity would help loosen my muscles…if you think you’re up for it.”

Gabriel nearly growled at her offer, and ignored her suggestive tone. “One strike from me would knock you over.”

He shook his head that she would even contemplate it.

Diana rolled her eyes. “You assume you would be able to land a hit. If you feel so certain about it, let’s have a match, and you can try to stop me from trouncing you.”

“I look forward to it.” He grinned at her cheeky reply, pleased the see the spark back in her eyes. “I should let you get ready.”

She sighed and nodded. “I suppose.”

As much as it pained him, he stood and returned to his room without a backward glance, knowing that nothing could make him leave if he saw her sprawled across the bed waiting for him.

“You will remember your promise not to touch Williams.” Her words were both a warning and a threat, and the husky sound of her voice almost caused him to hesitate.

He went through the connecting door to his room, shut the door and leaned against it, the doorknob still clutched in his fist.

He would give anything to walk back into her room and take what she offered.

The sight of Jack in the center of his room, a question in his eyes, gave him the power to release the knob. “What? I left.”

The beast seemed to understand, because he lay down and covered his eyes with his paws.

Gabriel put his hands on his hips, exasperated. “Now what? You wanted me to stay away from her, and now you’re saying I messed up?” He spread out his arms. “What am I supposed to do?”

When he received no response, Gabriel shook his head.

Good lord, he was now arguing with a dog!

“What is all the noise about?”

Gabriel whirled, startled to find Samuel standing in the doorway. “How are you this morning?”

Samuel waved him away. “I am fine. Old, but fine. Now tell me what has you in an uproar.” He paused and the silence lasted a moment. “Or should I say who?” He chuckled and asked, “And how is Diana this morning?”

Gabriel turned away and rubbed the back of his neck. “That woman and her dog are driving me mad.”

“Ah, the beauty of women.” Suppressed laughter and satisfaction tinged the words. “How I miss those times, and yet I’m grateful not to have to go through them again.”

“The ball is tonight.” Gabriel began pacing the room, an idea brewing at the back of his mind. He was determined not to let anything ruin her first experience. “I want to ask a favor.”

“Anything. You know that.”

“Thank you my friend.” Some of the tension drained out of him. “Diana has a bad feeling about tonight. I want to ask you to stay with her.”

“At the ball?” Surprise tinged his words. “But…a ball?” He paused to tap his chin. “I have never been to a ball. Why?”

“You see details that others miss. You can pick out oddities. You’ll be able to blend into the background and snoop without being seen.”

“A spy.” A glimmer of interest danced in Samuel’s eyes. “You honor me. I would enjoy the experience.”

“Thank you.” The two simple words couldn’t cover what Samuel’s friendship meant to him.

“Until later, then.” Samuel turned and left.

As plans whirled in his mind, Gabriel sent a servant to fetch Ashmore and began his own preparations for the ball. When the knock came, Gabriel was dressed in trousers and a shirt.

“You called for me?” Ashmore crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb.

Gabriel stood by the mirror and tied his cravat. “We’ll be leaving for the ball soon. I want to arrive a few hours early to double check the security. I know you offered your help, but I want to give you another chance to change your mind.”

“I gave you my word. What would you have of me?” Ashmore straightened, looking almost eager for action.