Bride for a Night(101)

Now, trussed up like a pig for slaughter, with his wife being held captive by a French Lothario, and his brother cast in the role of Cain, he had never felt so utterly impotent in his life.

As if his brooding frustration had managed to penetrate Hugo’s unconsciousness, the large nobleman stirred on the sofa.

“Well this is a damned fine muddle you have gotten us into,” Hugo muttered, forcing open his eyes with a pained groan.

A sharp relief pierced through Gabriel’s black mood as he watched Hugo cautiously press himself into a seated position, lifting his hand to his wounded temple.

“I can see the blow to your head did not addle what few wits you possess,” Gabriel teased.

“Not for lack of effort.” Hugo’s gaze skimmed over the vast library before taking a slow inventory of Gabriel’s awkward position on the floor. “You have the most charming acquaintances, old friend.”

Gabriel gritted his teeth. “Charming is not precisely how I would describe Jacques Gerard.”

Hugo grimaced, his face pale and his eyes shadowed with a lingering pain.

“No, me, neither.” He paused to study Gabriel with concern. “Are you harmed?”

“Nothing beyond my pride.”

“Did you locate Harry?”

A humorless smile twisted Gabriel’s lips. “Ah, I see my wife has revealed the dismal tale of my brother’s betrayal.”

“I gave her little choice,” Hugo admitted. “We had quite a battle of wills when it came time to sail to England.”

Gabriel sent his friend a disapproving frown. “A battle she obviously won despite my attempts to ensure her safe return to England.”

Hugo reached beneath his jacket to withdraw a starched handkerchief, absently wiping the blood from his face. Gabriel sent up a silent prayer of thanks that the wound seemed to have stopped bleeding, although it was swollen and bruised.

Not that his companion would be in any condition to toss himself into battle anytime soon.

Gabriel doubted his friend would be able to stand upright at the moment.

“Yes, well, you should not have wed such a stubborn minx,” Hugo accused. “She threatened to leap overboard if we did not return her to shore.”

Gabriel smiled with rueful resignation.

Only a few weeks ago he would have claimed there was nothing less desirable than a stubborn female. A proper maiden understood that it was her duty to be led by a gentleman, especially if that gentleman also happened to be her husband.

And in truth, his life would no doubt be far less complicated if Talia were the sort of woman who were content to remain quietly secluded at Carrick Park instead of tossing herself headfirst into danger.

But Gabriel felt nothing but pride at the thought of Talia’s staunch courage.

“You should have tied her to the mast,” he said, not entirely jesting.

Hugo snorted. “I doubt even that would have stopped her.”

“True.”

Silence descended before Hugo was tossing aside the soiled handkerchief and clearing his throat.

“I was mistaken.”

Gabriel lifted his brows at the abrupt statement. “You are often mistaken, Hugo. You shall have to be more specific.”

“I misjudged your wife.” His expression was somber. “She is not the shallow title hunter that I thought her to be.”

“No, she is not.”

“And she cares for you a great deal,” he continued, heaving a sigh. “Foolish woman.”

It was foolish, of course. She deserved a gentleman who would have wooed her with the pretty words and thoughtful gestures every maiden desired. Not an arrogant oaf who had ruined her wedding day and then insisted on taking her innocence before banishing her to the country.