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walking shoes that our guest could borrow.” Alexis beamed at his use of the word guest, and the footman hurried off. “My sister always did have the tiniest feet… I think perhaps one of the maids might be more like your build.”  
    “Thank you” Alexis smiled, going back to her breakfast.  
       The walking boots, though a bit worn, fit near perfectly and were only a trifle large, but it was a far better fit than too small. Alexis and the Earl set off walking shortly after breakfast; the maid had offered to try to find a bonnet for her to wear, but Alexis had shrugged the suggestion off with a smile.  
    “It is awfully bad of me to wander out without a bonnet, my complexion is so fair that my mother was always terrified I would speckle, but I do so love the heat of the sun shining on my head.” Alexis laughed as she and Gabriel came upon a babbling brook. Tree’s lined either side, and it was wonderfully shaded and cool. Gabriel watched Lady Alexis exploring out of the corner of his eye and could not help thinking that she looked like a nymph wondering the woods. They walked further until they came to a place where Gabriel often liked to sit and stare out into the water, a place he had often fished as a boy. Alexis exclaimed in delight over the beauty of the spot rushing ahead to sit on the stone bench that he had placed there years ago.  
    “This looks as though it would be perfectly lovely for fishing.” Lady Alexis surprised him by saying as she looked out dreamily into the water.  
     “Do you fish, my Lady?” Gabriel could not keep the surprise from his voice.  
    “It is terribly un-lady like of me and mother would have a fit if she knew, but yes. I often fished as a young girl on our country estate in Kent.” Alexis blushed and then giggled. “I was quite a legend among the village boys, they were all terribly jealous that I always caught the largest trout.” Gabriel laughed a deep, vibrating laugh that came from deep within his chest.  
     “We will have to see then, for I was also something of a legend as a child. I fished in this very spot as a matter of fact.” Alexis fell silent imagining for a moment; a serious dark haired, blue eyed little boy sitting, waiting patiently, sometimes for hours for that coveted nibble on the end of his hook.  
     “I can just imagine you!” Alexis exclaimed in delight as she laughed, impulsively reaching out she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged the Earl.  
       Gabriel froze in her embrace, before against his better judgment; he placed his arms around her and embraced her back. Reveling in the feeling of holding her in his arms, Gabriel closed his eyes briefly enjoying it. It did not take long, however, before the air was soon charged with taunt sexual energy. Gabriel pulled away and peered down at her face, her eyes were bright and clouded with desire; her face flushed and as he watched her, she self-consciously licked her lips moistening them with the tip of her tongue.  
    Gabriel’s brain began shutting down, and a primal urge began to take over his body, his honor though refused to allow him to give in to his baser urges and so he cast about hastily for something to change the subject. “What made you decide to become my guest, rather than my prisoner?” He held his breath hoping it would work. Lady Alexis looked confused, her mind was obviously still swimming with desire, and she was having a difficult time changing her thoughts.  
    “What changed your mind?” Gabriel encouraged her, praying it worked, he feared he would have very little control if he began to kiss her.  
         Alexis blushed prettily. She was torn between telling him the truth, but was afraid that he would be angry with her for violating his sister’s privacy thus. Finally, she decided that honesty was always best.  
     “It was you mostly you that changed my mind.” She said candidly.  
    “What else changed your mind?” Gabriel enquired,