“Yes, but I still feel terrible about the possibility of us being caught on video. And for not anticipating Park might do something like send in a drone to breach my security. And for leaving you alone while I went out to deal with said drone. You deserved some aftercare, and I wasn’t there to give it to you. What if you’d been bound securely by your hands? You would have been left there helpless. I hate that you had to get yourself out of my study all on your own. By the way, how did you manage it?”

“It wasn’t that bad. I jumped up and locked the door behind you. I think I got dressed in under a minute while watching you with your bow and arrow through the window. Not even kidding. I cleaned up with tissues and a water bottle from your desk and re-braided my hair using the mirror on the wall. It wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t the worst either. I was fine, honestly. Just felt a teeny bit shocked at first, but only because I didn’t know what in the hell was going on yet. I did get to meet your lovely dogs and found this gorgeous lady’s chamber bedroom. I even discovered another Mallerton hanging on the wall in my sitting room tonight. It’s your great-great-grandmother holding a lamb and leading her horse down the path. So, soooo, beautiful I can hardly bear to look away.”

“I know the feeling. But I will need to make it up to you very soon for the massive cock-up of today.”

“I am very much looking forward to it,” I said sleepily, the urge to yawn overwhelming as I tried to stifle it.

“I only want to show you how much it means to me having you here. We have all day tomorrow at Donadea before heading back to London on Tuesday morning. I want it to be a great day for us, so we should go to sleep now and dream all the good dreams.”

“I’m so ready to have another great day with you,” I said, feeling the immense pull of my eyes to close until I just couldn’t keep them open any longer.

But then I heard him whispering sweet words to me in the dark.

“Thank you for being so understanding about everything and for signing my contracts, Gabrielle I. Hargreave. What does that I stand for, I wonder,” he murmured, probably not expecting me to answer.

“India,” I said, my eyes still closed.

“Very pretty. It suits you perfectly.”

I felt his lips on my hair until I couldn’t stay awake for a second longer.

He was kissing me to sleep.

I was being kissed soundly to sleep… by my very own Lord Rothvale.

Chapter 13

GABRIELLE

Gabrielle,

I had to head into Belfast for some quick business with the brewery but will return shortly. Please do some exploring this morning and do ask Finnegan if you need anything at all. Maybe have a look-in at the chapel to see if it will suit for your work needs. Your bags have arrived from Hallborough, so you should have everything you require to dress for riding when I return. I cannot wait to see you on a horse, Miss Hargreave.