“You are always welcomed for a visit, my lady,” Gabriel said to his mother-in-law while snaking an arm around Celia’s waist. “In fact, everyone is welcome. Even you, Longleigh.”

Tristan shot Gabriel a hard look. “If I suspect my sister is unhappy, you can bet that I will pay you a visit. Perhaps sooner than you might think.

Gabriel’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Please do. And bring your lovely wife as well. I know Celia will enjoy seeing someone familiar.”

Heath grinned at the back and forth between the two men. “We’re all one big family now. I, for one, cannot wait for Christmas.”

Lady Darby smiled at the man’s good-natured teasing. “I’m sure it will be a grand time.”

“We should be on our way, Celia. If we make good time, we should reach Rosenthorne Park by tomorrow afternoon.” Gabriel squeezed her waist and Celia nodded in agreement. Then she found herself swallowing her tears as Tristan pulled her from Gabriel. He enfolded her in a warm embrace.

“Violet and I shall come as soon as it is agreeable to you both. And for all my blustering, I know Gabriel to be a good man. He will take care of you. I know he will.” Tristan released her and clapped a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Watch over my sister, Rosenthorne.”

“With my life,” Gabriel replied. He stepped back then, allowing everyone else to say their goodbyes. And he remained stoic as his half-brother wrapped Celia in an enthusiastic hug.

“I shall see you soon, sweet sister,” Heath said jovially. “If not at Banbury Lake, then most certainly at Rosenthorne.”

His embrace was followed by several from both Ivy and Sara, and affectionate ones from Sebastian and Allan. Her father kissed Celia’s cheek and shook Gabriel’s hand.

“Be mindful of my daughter’s wellbeing, Rosenthorne,” he said.

Gabriel nodded. As if in afterthought, he pulled both Heath and Sebastian to the side of the circular drive, speaking in a low voice. Whatever he said apparently puzzled the two men for Sebastian’s eyebrow lifted high and Heath frowned. But Celia had no opportunity to discover what their discussion could possibly be about because, with sudden finality, it was time to leave.

Gabriel handed Celia up into the coach on loan from the Ravenswood stables. Arion would be fetched at a later date as Gabriel did not trust anyone other than himself to ride the stallion.

Celia took the seat facing forward and waved out the glass window to her mother. Gabriel did not take the opposite seat. Instead, he settled in beside her, his wide shoulders turning so that he did not take up so much of the space.

How odd it felt to be leaving in such a manner. Unsupervised and alone with a man in the close quarters of a coach. Shooting a glance at Gabriel, she wondered if he felt the strangeness of the situation even more keenly than she did. After all, he’d arrived at Beaumont as a normal man. He left it as a highly connected marquess with an enormous estate and his own personal wealth.