angelic_gabe (angelic_gabe) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-03-23 23:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabriel allen, keira adams |
Who: Gabriel and Keira
What: Gabriel's been keeping his distance; Keira's worried, and needs advice
Where: Gabriel's London home
When: 10 March, 1889 [backdated]
Rating: PG-13
Keira had debated about sending word to Gabriel that she was coming for a visit. It was the polite thing to do, the etiquette thing to do. But she knew he had been avoiding her, or so it felt that way. He continued to send flowers, but had not come to see her in some time. On top of that he and Caspian were taking a break, which had shocked her when Cas had come to tell her. If she were to be asked who Gabriel would take a break from, she would not have even thought of it to be Cas. The two men had a great love for one another, she had sensed that, and so she would have thought it would be she that would be the one he would step away from first. Yet, he might have and she not have realized.
She thought sending word would have him replying that he could not see her, that he was too busy, or whatever other excuse he could think of. She needed to see him, to make sure he was okay, to find out why things were so weird and to ask for some advice. First, though, her main concern was him.
So, she arrived unannounced and knocked on his door. She was greeted by his help and let into the foyer where she was to wait while they went to fetch Gabriel and tell him of his visitor so that he may greet her, or send her on her way.
Gabriel’s lovers had a way of showing up unannounced these days -- first Bertie, then Keira. He suspected it was some sort of perverse fate, to have them insisting on coming by just when he was worried about their being seen too often with him, but it really was his own fault for not being more communicative.
Bertie would be kept in the dark for as long as he could manage (hopefully it’d be sorted soon, and he’d never have to know) -- he knew his detective friend would want to help, but the sorts of things Gabriel would have to do in order to get out from under the shadow he and his daughter were currently under would be decidedly not within the bounds of the law on a few different fronts, and he wouldn’t have Bertie’s principles compromised, nor give him an excuse to run headlong into danger, given how often he seemed to do so without prompting.
Keira, however…
The Mer understood that side of him in a way few did, and, he suspected, would understand the pragmatic nature of what he faced. At the very least, if he was honest with her, he’d know she’d take an appropriate degree of caution.
He walked out to meet her in the foyer, reaching for her gloved hand, and leaning over to warmly kiss her cheek. “My darling Mrs Adams,” he said, “it is so very good to see you. To what do I owe the honour?” He extended a gallant elbow. “Would you care for some tea in the study? Or is this a brief social call?”
Keria smiled when Gabriel did join her, glad he hadn’t insisted that his help send her on her way. Her eyes searched his form and then his face, looking for signs of weariness, weakness, circles under his eyes, anything that would tell her if he wasn’t doing well.
“This is a ‘check on Gabriel and see how he is and find out what is wrong’ type of visit,” she quipped and then tilted her head up to smile as she took his arm. “So, tea would be lovely.” She was given the choice, and so she took the one she wanted. “It has been a while,” she said. “How have you been?”
Gabriel had the good graces to look apologetic as he escorted the Mer to his office. A quick, wry smile flashed across his face as they walked down the hall. “I really ought to know better than to even bother trying to pretend with you, shouldn’t I?” He asked, keeping his voice light. “You could always see right through me, ma petit voleur, even from a distance.”
He rang for tea as they entered the study, and he sat her down on the couch with a courteous bow before sitting next to her. “I’ve been having a time of it,” he admitted, “and I am sorry I haven’t been by, but it’s been for good reason.” He raised her hands to kiss her fingers. “It is beyond lovely to lay eyes on you, though, my darling. You are utterly lovely, as always, and your concern is most kind.” He looked over at her. “And you?” he asked. “Have you been keeping well?”
Keira gave a light laugh and a small shake of her head as they walked. “It is one of my great many gifts,” she flashed a smile. “Plus, what kind of friend would I be if I couldn’t tell when something might be wrong?”
She took the seat on the couch and smoothed out her skirts and made herself comfortable. Then she was all eyes and ears for Gabriel. “I am well,” she murmured as she watched him, leaving her answer short and sweet for the time being. There were things she wished to discuss with him, but right now she was more concerned about him. She moved to take off her gloves and then pressed her palm against his cheek for a moment and then moved her thumb to caress. “What has happened, Gabriel?” She asked. “Caspian came to see me not long ago and told me the two of you were on some sort of break, you’ve kept your distance from me….I am worried.”
Gabriel felt a twist in his chest. “I am quite sorry to give you concern,” he said, quietly, his eyes shutting at the familiar and comforting touch -- one he’d been missing a great deal of late.
He sighed, and raised his hand to cover hers.
They were interrupted by the arriving tea tray - upon the gentle knock at the door, he kissed her knuckles and stood to give his butler entry, and once the tray was set and they were once again left in privacy, he turned back to face her, letting his expression slip into something a little more honest.
“I’m being blackmailed,” he said, carefully. “The blackmailer has named Leah and myself both, and has brought up a wide range of accusations, all true, about her activities at Miss Lydia’s, and my proclivities with men, and are demanding a hefty sum.”
He let out his breath in a huff. “I am trying to get to the bottom of it, but in the meanwhile, I can’t…” he frowned, looking dismayed. “I would hate for you to be wrapped up in this by association. Cas as well. The charges, if there’s evidence, could land me in prison, and possibly Cas and others as well, so I’ve been keeping my distance, and keeping quiet about the reasons until I can get to the bottom of it.”
He sat once more, taking her hands in his. “I’m endlessly sorry,” he said, quietly. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s caught, and his evidence destroyed, and that you won’t be in danger from him.”
Keira took comfort that Gabriel rested his hand over hers instead of removing it. She had missed touching him, and being touched by him. What could ever make him pull away from her and especially Caspian troubled her so. If he’d found someone better suited to be his lover, she would understand but she didn’t think that was it. He was an incubus, and as such he took on more than one lover to keep himself fed at sated. She found her answer after the tea was delivered and they were once again alone.
“Blackmail? Gabriel!” She exclaimed. To hear that it wasn’t only him but Leah was also being blackmailed alarmed her even greater. She let him explain what he could and waited for him to come back to her on the couch. She squeezed his hands with hers and shook her head when he apologized.
“No, do not apologize for something that you cannot control,” she looked at him with a softness in her eyes. “I have always known what could happen when we took our friendship further than the boundaries we had, the dangers that could come,” she told him. She knew that he liked both men and women and also knew that if he were to ever be caught with another gentleman that it could cause issues for everyone involved. “I wish you would have come to me, to tell me what was happening. I could possibly help in someway,” she then went on. “You know who I am affiliated with, what I can be capable of…” even murder, he knew, as he was the only person in the world that held that deep, dark secret of hers. “What is being done to find your blackmailer? Pushing everyone away….that can’t be good for you, or for Leah...oh my goodness, how is she doing?”
Gabriel felt a rush gratitude for the valiant little Mer’s support, and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
“Leah’s taking care,” he said, quietly. “She’s keeping a low profile at Miss Lydia’s, and no, it hasn’t been particularly easy for either of us at the moment.” He sighed. “We’re coming up with a list of suspects, and are working our way through them -- I commissioned a witch to perform a spell on the threatening letter, one that, according to her, will notify me once the writer is in proximity. Once we find out who he is…” his expression hardened. “We’ll find out what sort of evidence he has, and then ensure that he will no longer be an issue.”
He looked over at her, carefully. “I kept my distance because I would hate to get you unwanted attention, to threaten your reputation, and the thought of your being noticed by him, of the danger you would be in because of me… I would never forgive myself.” He paused, exhaling. “You run a risk, my darling, but I was wrong to make that decision for you. Would you…” his thumb brushed over the back of her hand. “Would you want to help, I would appreciate it, but I would understand entirely if you stayed away until it was all sorted. Heavens knows, I’d rather you safe.”
At least there had been steps taken to find the person responsible of the blackmail. It pleased her to know that this person could be found and dealt with, and she hoped that it happened soon.
“Of course I want to help, Gabriel,” she said softly. “However you need me to,” she added. “I’m not worried about my reputation, I know how to keep invisible,” she met his eyes. “And really, no one ever expects me of much other than tea and tiny cakes,” she chuckled. “You should be doing something to keep your reputation intact. Pushing everyone away makes you look guilty. Go out, spend time with women...does Cas know about all of this?” They had talked, but he had not divulged any information other than that he and Gabriel were on a break.
“He does,” Gabriel replied. “It would be… the thought he could go to jail because of me…” he sighed. “We thought it best I stay away entirely until it’s sorted. If I’m being followed, if my correspondence is being monitored, I… I don’t want to risk it.”
He smiled a little, swiftly. “I’ll admit, I’ve been thinking far more about keeping others from harm’s way than keeping up my own reputation. Perhaps…” he raised her knuckles to kiss at them. “Perhaps I might come by your tearoom more often, and take you out to the opera later this week to keep up appearances, and have the joy of your company as a bonus. I have missed you terribly,” he added, quietly. “And should I need more help tracking the blaggard, once we have a sufficiently narrowed list…” he looked over at her. “I shall let you know. Because you’re right. You’d be no end of helpful, in part because people would not suspect you, and I could use a good pickpocket and lock twirler at the moment.”
“I understand,” Keira said of Caspian and the decisions that were made. It would be very dangerous for both Gabriel and Caspian to be seen together while the blackmailer was still in the shadows. “I’ll make sure to check in on him, to see him,” she smiled. It would not bother her in the least to see Caspian. “And, if there is anything you wish to say to him or send to him, I would not mind being the delivery girl,” she added.
“One of the many things I love about you,” Keira chuckled. “Always worrying about others before yourself. It is a good thing that you have others that care about you,” she smiled. She nodded of him coming to visit her at the shop and taking her to the opera. “It will do you well to be seen,” she nodded. “And of course I’m not going to complain if I am the woman you wish to be seen with,” she teased lightly. “And of course I will be there when you need me to do things that no one would suspect me of doing. Do not worry, Gabriel,” she leaned forward and placed her lips to his cheek. “I know how to keep myself safe. I promise,” she said as she sat back. “Now, tell me, if you have been keeping everyone away how have you been...well, you know…” she wasn’t even sure how to ask if he had been feeding and taking care of himself in the ways that an incubus needed to.
Gabriel shrugged a little. “I’ve been getting by,” he said, with a quick, wry smile. “I had a friend come by the other day despite my best efforts to keep him at arm’s length, and there’s always the Devil’s Acre if I get too peckish, but…” he reached out to brush her cheek. “It’s not the same,” he said, quietly. “It’s keeping me fed, and alive, and I’m glad to have that option if need be, but you…” he looked at her. “You must know it’s so much more than just a meal when I’m with you, my darling.” He sighed. “You sustain me. You give me such joy, and I adore you endlessly, and I am so sorry to have made you think otherwise.”
Keira smiled softly when Gabriel’s hand brushed against her cheek, her head automatically moving into the touch. “I know,” she reached for the hand he’d used to touch her cheek, dancing her fingers over his. “You’ve never made me feel like anything less,” she assured him. “I was just worried about you, but I feel better now that I’m here with you now,” she smiled. Of course, she would still worry about him until they caught the person blackmailing him, but at least she knew his reasoning as to why he had been keeping her and Caspian at a distance. “As long as you are okay and are taking care of yourself, I’ll be fine,” she told him. “And that you know that I am here for you whenever you need me.” She adored Gabriel so.
He leaned over to kiss her softly, a kiss full of both promise and gratitude, but he held back for a moment from pulling her into his arms and losing himself a little. “It is a great comfort,” he said, quietly, “to know I am loved by those I love in turn.” He looked over at her. “And you?” He said, tipping his head. “How have you been keeping? Well, I hope?”
Keira kissed Gabriel back, her hand cupping his cheek a moment until he pulled back. She smiled at him and then linked her fingers through his as she looked down at their hands. “I am keeping well,” she said. “There is…” she paused and looked up at him. “There is something I had wished to talk to you about, to get advice, but I don’t want to add more to your worries,” she gave a slight frown. “You have enough on your plate other than to worry about what I am going through.”
“Advice is most certainly something I can give,” Gabriel replied back easily, “and seeing how neglectful I’ve been, it’s the least I can do. And heavens knows, just talking to you about my own worries has helped a great deal, and given me great peace of mind.”
Keira hesitated about sharing her own small drama. It was nothing compared to his, but it was something that would be life altering for her, changing many things in her life. She brought her eyebrows down and together, creating a little crease between her eyes and then let out a soft sigh. She needed his advice as she needed an answer very soon as Cassius was waiting.
“I had a visit from Lord Ravensworth not long ago,” she started. “He has told me some troublesome things and I...I have some decisions to make that could change my path in life, and could also end me up with some enemies depending on my decision,” she paused and took a deep breath. “Lady Di Palermo laid claim not only to half of my business and making it look as if my success was not my own, but also put a claim on me, meaning that she is my...mistress, that I am hers in every way,” she then explained, a light anger coating her words. “That was her explanation to him for why I stole his wallet that one fateful day, and why we sparred, which makes no sense to me at all,” she frowned. “He’s used this to offer me a position working for him instead. I’m...I don’t understand why Ladi Di Palermo would do that to me.”
“May I be blunt, my darling?” Gabriel replied, quietly. “It is because, in a very real sense, that is how Lady Di Palermo sees you. You’re a Sister, which to her, implies a certain... understanding. That you have access to protection and resources, and in turn, are beholden to her.” He gave her hand a light squeeze. “I can understand if you would find such an arrangement no longer holding its appeal, and will help you broker a successful exit, should you wish, but…” he paused. “There is a part of me who wonders whether you are leaving one master for another, when what you really wish is to be wholly dependent.”
Keira sighed and shook her head, looking away towards the floor as she thought. “There is definitely a certain understanding, of course,” she started. “But to make it seem as if I were…” she waved her hand in the air. “Lady Di Palermo has given me quite a bit. A new life, skills and going to University, things I never would have had on my own,” she looked over at Gabriel. “But she took a piece of me...by laying claim to my business she hurt me,” she placed a hand over her heart. “I wouldn’t have expected that from her. I can see if she claimed me to keep others away, but... “ she let out another sigh, completely at a loss. “I do not know what I want. I owe Lady Di Palermo, but I can’t just let her lay claim to something that is not hers, something that I have put my whole self in to.” She felt so frustrated when she thought of it all. “I don’t know what I should do, Gabriel. If I were go to independent as you said, what would I do? Offer my services to those in need? I like who I am, what I do, both for the Sisterhood and to my shop.” She slumped in her seat, and looked at Gabriel. “I just feel a bit betrayed.”
“I can see why you would,” Gabriel replied back. “I built the Academy, and it’s something I take a great deal of pride in, and should anyone else hold claim to it, I would feel quite strongly about it. And perhaps that would be a way to go about things -- to contract with those who need your services, to work more independently -- perhaps Chiara would take you on for work from time to time?” He paused, and gently pulled her hand to rest against his chest. “I think some boundary-setting might be in order, if you wish to set things straight with her, and have an arrangement that is more on your terms. Trust your instincts, and know that regardless, you have my support.”
Keira wasn’t sure if Gabriel had helped or not. If anything he gave her another option to think about, and though it was a good option it was also a scary one. Being independent meant not necessarily having the backup to fall back on if needed. She would be entirely on her own. She let a soft smile pull at her lips as he lifted her hand to his chest, her thumb grazed back and forth against the fabric that laid there and she tried to settle her mind. Maybe an extra swim in the ocean would help her; if anything it would calm her.
“I feel horrible,” Keira admitted, taking comfort in the beat of his heart against her palm. “I feel as if I could be betraying her in even thinking of leaving the Sisterhood,” she said with a small shake of her head. “But I also feel that I may need a change, to belong to myself so to speak,” she offered a small smile. “Tell me, Gabriel,” she met his eyes and had a small instance where she felt that she would rather be in his lap kissing him instead of talking of her issues. She let that thrill pass through her before moving on. “Should I be leary of Lord Ravensworth? Should I stay away?”
“I’ll admit,” Gabriel replied, “I don’t know the Lord as well as I know the Lady, but Una is a good and honourable woman, and I believe that she would be beyond trustworthy. And as she has chosen him as a spouse, that speaks well to his character. Should you need it, I would be happy to speak to the Lady on your behalf, but I’d say he’s worth taking a chance on -- for all his bluster, he’s a gentleman of his word,” he added. He reached for Keira’s cheek, his fingers brushing against the curve of her cheekbone gently. “Be your own woman,” he replied. “You are a magnificent, brilliant creature, and deserve to belong to yourself.”
“I know Lady Una,” Keira admitted. “We ran into each other at a shop and just recently she invited me and a few others over for a Lady’s Tea,” she smiled. “It was lovely.” She had had a good time talking to strong, like-minded women who wanted a change in the world. She closed her eyes to the touch of his fingers along her cheek, and then caught his hand with her own, turning her head to place a kiss on his palm. “You give me such strength,” she murmured, her eyes opening to catch his. “You’ve helped me so much in our time of knowing each other.” She wondered if he knew just how much his faith in her meant, how he had helped an introverted little mermaid overcome her past and step out of her shell. “I hope that I can help you just as much.” She would do everything that she could to find his blackmailer.
Gabriel pulled her closer then, a lump in his throat for the brave little mer he was so very fond of, and kissed her sweetly. “Oh, dearest,” he said, quietly, “God willing, and with your help, we’ll get it sorted.” He nestled against her neck. “You must know how much you’ve given me in turn, how much I’ve missed you, how glad I am that you’re here.” He kissed the hollow of her collarbone. “J’adore,” he said, before looking over at her, his gaze heated and not a little hungry. “Stay for a little?” He asked.
Keira went willingly, her body automatically relaxing into Gabriel’s. “I think,” she let out a soft sigh at his lips against her skin. “That if you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you, then I do know,” she smiled, her head moving to give him more access. At his words, her own heated gaze met his and her fingers touched one of the buttons of his shirt. “Oui,” she spoke in French, leaning forward, this time to graze her own lips against his jaw. “J'espérais que tu demanderais,” she whispered when she got to his ear.