A Gentleman Never Tells(98)

Brent touched Gabrielle’s arm, and they stopped. Her heavy velvet cloak had absorbed about as much rain as it could, and her hair and clothing must be getting wet. With the temperature as cold as it was, it wouldn’t take long for her to get chilled. Her face was damp, but her eyes sparkled invitingly at him. He knew she was cold, and he needed to find them a cab, but he had to say what was on his mind before he lost his nerve. He was afraid if he waited until they found a carriage or until he got her home, if he waited until he had more time to think about it, he’d change his mind, do what suited him, and never tell her.

“I’ve come to another conclusion, Gabrielle. I’m not going to marry you. I’m giving you the freedom you want.”

Her eyes widened and blinked rapidly. Her mouth fell open, and a surprised gasp passed her beautiful lips.

“I realized if I could allow Prissy to make the decision about who she wanted to live with for the rest of her life, I could certainly let you be free to decide who you would spend the rest of your life with.”

Her eyes searched his face. “I-I don’t know what to say. What about your brothers and my father’s vow to ruin their business if we don’t marry?”

The rain started coming down harder. “That’s no longer an issue. I recently did something I’m sure my brothers won’t like if they find out the truth, which I’m sure they will; but I did it anyway.”

“What?”

“I went to see Sir Randolph Gibson. I knew his father made his money in shipping, and I thought he might know some people in that business or in some way be able to help them. And it appears he did. They told me yesterday that they have leased the space they need to get their business started.”

“That is good news for them.”

He nodded. “And when your father returns, I’ll tell him any negotiating he and I had started before he left is canceled. I’ll be going back to Brentwood without you.”

Her eyes searched his. “You’re leaving London?”

“I came to see my brothers settled. I’ve done that. Anything else I planned to do in London can wait for some other time.”

Brutus made a coughing, gagging sound, and they both looked at him in time to see him slowly sink down and roll over on his side.

“Brutus!” Gabrielle exclaimed and dropped down beside him.

Brent knelt on the other side of the big dog. His breathing was labored and his eyes were closed.

“What’s wrong with him?” Gabrielle asked frantically, rubbing his neck and shoulders as the old dog struggled to breathe.

“I don’t know. He must be chilled.” Brent unbuttoned his coat and took it off, holding it over the dog like an umbrella.

“What can we do?” Gabrielle said, tears mixing with rain on her cheeks. “We’ve got to get him home and do something for him.”

“Stay calm. We will.”

Brent looked up and down the street but already knew this was not the kind of neighborhood that had cabs for hire. In fact, there were no carriages at all on the street. He would need to go several blocks over for that. But this also wasn’t the kind of neighborhood where he wanted to leave Gabrielle alone.

“I’m going to pick him up and carry him until we find a carriage.”

Gabrielle looked at him as if he were a madman. “You can’t pick him up; he’s too big.”

“Nevertheless, I will try. I’m not leaving the two of you alone on this street while I go for help.”

“Brent, you must,” she said desperately. “There’s no other way.”

“I won’t, Gabrielle,” he stated firmly and handed his coat to her.

Brent planted his feet solidly on the ground and bent at his knees. He slid his arms under Brutus’s large body and lifted.

Damnation, the dog was heavy.

The muscles in his arms burned, and his legs trembled as he struggled to stand with the dog that probably weighed as much as he did. He had to give up and settle the dog back down on the ground again.

“I’m going to help you,” Gabrielle said.

He put his hand on her arm. “No, I can manage,” he said, unwilling to doubt his strength to do so. “I need to get a better grip on him.”

Gabrielle pulled on Brent’s arm. “He’s my dog, Brent. I will help lift him and carry him to safety.”

Brent looked at her lovely, emphatic, and worried face, and knew he couldn’t deny her anything.