bewilderment, then ventured a question. “Is it something I did, Mr. Forester?”
“I don’t have any idea what you mean.” Gabriel tugged impatiently on his gloves. When he saw the clerk’s crestfallen face, he softened his tone. “I’m sorry, I’m not angry with you. I just have a lot on my mind. I’ll go over the accounts payable with you when I get back.”
He slammed the door, missing Edward’s frown. In truth, there was no reason for him to question his clerk’s presence, for Edward was always there, seated at his desk, churning out reports. The man was organized, meticulous, and a hard worker, but today it seemed that everything nettled him.
Perhaps the cool air of the park would help. Gabriel grabbed a quick bite at a nearby restaurant, scowling at the waiter and earning a scowl in return. He left a generous tip to make up for his surly mood, but in spite of the well-prepared food, the lunch seemed to sit uncomfortably in his stomach. He left it only half finished and headed for the park.
Central Park had just been completed, and had quickly become his solace in the city. His walks were so important to him that he even penciled them into his schedule, knowing how much he needed the relief. As he wandereddown the intricate paths, he felt as if he could finally breathe. The fresh air was invigorating, and the dense foliage provided a welcome screen from acquaintances. Built by two famous architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park had a deceptively simple look of glades, lakes, and woods that was actually fully designed and executed, taking over twenty years to construct. For Gabriel, it was an oasis, a place where he could collect his thoughts and emotions.
It was all because of her, that hellion, that she-devil Appleton. Gabriel swore there must be something to her witchery, for he couldn’t get her out of his head. He’d gone to dinner the previous night with Allison, and even her intelligent conversation couldn’t dispel the image of Jennifer hiding amid his draperies like a stowaway, confessing innocently to being in awe of his nakedness.
It seemed that he couldn’t escape, no matter how hard he tried. If Allison hadn’t shown up when she did … Gabriel knew exactly what would have happened. He would have pulled Jennifer into his arms and made passionate love to her in his own bed, regardless of the consequences.
Even now his flesh still burned at the memory. He thought of her story about getting lost, and wandering into his town house for help. It was just ridiculous enough to be true, and totally in character. That no one took her in hand appalled him, and he realized the task might well fall to him. He was half tempted to put her in her place once and for all, and paddle her so hard she couldn’t sit for a week, but he also acknowledged that he wanted her so badly he couldn’t think of anything else. Jennifer Appleton had become a bad habit, and he found himself wishing he’d never laid eyes on her.
At least here he could be alone. Gabriel had walked this park every afternoon for the past few years, even in bad weather, for it never failed to have a soothing effectupon him. So when he turned a bend and found himself face to face with Jennifer, he was almost convinced he was still imagining her presence.
She was a wood nymph, a delicate creature sprung from a flower. Unaware of his presence, she bent over a particularly beautiful rose and deeply inhaled its fragrance. Dressed in a simple cotton gown with her hair pulled loosely back and a few burnished curls escaping, she looked like a woodland fairy. Only he knew she was the devil in disguise.
She straightened, sensing his presence, then turned to him with a smile full of delight. He could have sworn that she was happy to see him, even as she cast her eyes demurely down to the ground.
“Miss Appleton. What a surprise to see you here. Is it your habit to frequent this place, unescorted?” A sneaking suspicion
“I don’t have any idea what you mean.” Gabriel tugged impatiently on his gloves. When he saw the clerk’s crestfallen face, he softened his tone. “I’m sorry, I’m not angry with you. I just have a lot on my mind. I’ll go over the accounts payable with you when I get back.”
He slammed the door, missing Edward’s frown. In truth, there was no reason for him to question his clerk’s presence, for Edward was always there, seated at his desk, churning out reports. The man was organized, meticulous, and a hard worker, but today it seemed that everything nettled him.
Perhaps the cool air of the park would help. Gabriel grabbed a quick bite at a nearby restaurant, scowling at the waiter and earning a scowl in return. He left a generous tip to make up for his surly mood, but in spite of the well-prepared food, the lunch seemed to sit uncomfortably in his stomach. He left it only half finished and headed for the park.
Central Park had just been completed, and had quickly become his solace in the city. His walks were so important to him that he even penciled them into his schedule, knowing how much he needed the relief. As he wandereddown the intricate paths, he felt as if he could finally breathe. The fresh air was invigorating, and the dense foliage provided a welcome screen from acquaintances. Built by two famous architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park had a deceptively simple look of glades, lakes, and woods that was actually fully designed and executed, taking over twenty years to construct. For Gabriel, it was an oasis, a place where he could collect his thoughts and emotions.
It was all because of her, that hellion, that she-devil Appleton. Gabriel swore there must be something to her witchery, for he couldn’t get her out of his head. He’d gone to dinner the previous night with Allison, and even her intelligent conversation couldn’t dispel the image of Jennifer hiding amid his draperies like a stowaway, confessing innocently to being in awe of his nakedness.
It seemed that he couldn’t escape, no matter how hard he tried. If Allison hadn’t shown up when she did … Gabriel knew exactly what would have happened. He would have pulled Jennifer into his arms and made passionate love to her in his own bed, regardless of the consequences.
Even now his flesh still burned at the memory. He thought of her story about getting lost, and wandering into his town house for help. It was just ridiculous enough to be true, and totally in character. That no one took her in hand appalled him, and he realized the task might well fall to him. He was half tempted to put her in her place once and for all, and paddle her so hard she couldn’t sit for a week, but he also acknowledged that he wanted her so badly he couldn’t think of anything else. Jennifer Appleton had become a bad habit, and he found himself wishing he’d never laid eyes on her.
At least here he could be alone. Gabriel had walked this park every afternoon for the past few years, even in bad weather, for it never failed to have a soothing effectupon him. So when he turned a bend and found himself face to face with Jennifer, he was almost convinced he was still imagining her presence.
She was a wood nymph, a delicate creature sprung from a flower. Unaware of his presence, she bent over a particularly beautiful rose and deeply inhaled its fragrance. Dressed in a simple cotton gown with her hair pulled loosely back and a few burnished curls escaping, she looked like a woodland fairy. Only he knew she was the devil in disguise.
She straightened, sensing his presence, then turned to him with a smile full of delight. He could have sworn that she was happy to see him, even as she cast her eyes demurely down to the ground.
“Miss Appleton. What a surprise to see you here. Is it your habit to frequent this place, unescorted?” A sneaking suspicion
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