Free Love's Tangle by Isabelle Goddard

wear it because it is eminently serviceable. And I am in service.” It was something he seemed prone to forget.
    “I am aware, but you see I have brought you something which will improve matters immensely,” and from behind his back the duke brought forth a corsage of tiny pink roses nestling within a spray of lavender. The pale pink and mauve blooms chimed perfectly with her gown.
    “Thank you but I cannot accept such a gift,” she stammered.
    “Why ever not? Such a small present—but one I guarantee that will lift your spirits.” He paused for a moment. “Tell me, why are you so low?”
    “I have a headache,” she extemporized.
    He lifted two skeptical eyebrows. “And…”
    For some reason she found herself blurting out her experience in the clairvoyant’s tent. “And I am supposed to rescue this poor woman,” she finished. “How on earth am I to do such a thing?”
    He waited until she’d ended her recital but at this final wail he burst out laughing. “Nell, you cannot honestly believe such nonsense!”
    “But she was in a deep trance, I swear, and why would she say such things?”
    “Simply to make an impact. The trance is mere acting—bad acting at that—and the cryptic words will ensure you go away seriously awed by her powers. You will say to your fellows that they, too, should go to Madame Demelza’s tent and be frightened out of their wits.”
    “I think she saw me with the other servants,” Elinor said slowly.
    “Of course she did, and what a ready market they would prove. But you have disappointed. Instead of hastening to their side and spreading the word, you have been sitting here with a face as long as a fiddle.”
    Her mood lightened. “You may be right but she was still quite alarming.”
    “If she weren’t, would you have entertained for a minute one word she said?”
    She would not, of course, and recognizing the truth of this, she relaxed into a smile.
    “Now will you allow me?”
    He held out his hand and raised her to her feet. His grip was warm and strong and she wanted very much for him to continue holding her hand. But he bent towards her and before she knew what was happening, had pinned the flowers to the bodice of her dress and stepped back to admire his handiwork.
    “As I thought, a perfect complement. Now even the grey dress you love so much can burst into bloom.”
    She didn’t love it, not at all, but its Quaker qualities had proved a powerful shield against the world, allowing her to go about her business unremarked. Until now. The brushing of his hand against her breast had made her pale skin flame, but she could not allow him to see her disturbance. “Thank you, sir, it is most kind in you.”
    His face held a strange expression. “Kind? I don’t think so. Irresistible? More than likely.”
    Why was everyone talking in riddles this afternoon? She wanted to demand an explanation but he was her employer, and his whims were not hers to question. They were still standing close together, Gabriel seeming unable to take his eyes from her, when she caught a glimpse of Roland Frant a short distance away, glaring fixedly at them. His expression was not pleasant. It would be wise, she thought, to disappear at this moment. She thanked the duke again, made a small curtsy and began the walk back to Allingham Hall.

Chapter Five
    Gabriel whipped up his horses and swirled out of the fair in a pocket of dust. He was angry and the bays felt it, twitching and bucking in their shafts. He was angry with himself. He should have kept his distance and he hadn’t. The dairymaid held a fascination for him he could not explain. He thought back to yesterday, back to the woods and the secret glade. He had not been there since returning from the Peninsular; he could not have borne to do so and yet a few hours ago he had gone willingly and shared it with a girl he hardly knew, a servant girl at that. Conduct verging on the imbecilic! But he’d felt at peace with Nell beside him. He had