Bride for a Night(102)

But unfortunately for Talia, it did not matter to him how worthy or unworthy he might be. She was bound irrevocably to him. And he would never, ever allow her to escape his grasp.


“Not only foolish, but impulsive and reckless,” he said with a shake of his head.

Hugo did not bother to disagree, his gaze darting toward the doorway to ensure the guards in the hallway were not yet aware he was awake before he leaned forward and spoke in a low whisper.

“She was hidden across the street when I was captured. Perhaps she will have the sense to return to the yacht—”

“Too late,” Gabriel interrupted, his voice tight with barely restrained fury. “Jacques has her imprisoned upstairs.”

“Damn.” Hugo’s face reflected his stark regret. “Forgive me, Gabriel. I have failed you.”

“No, Talia is mine to protect,” Gabriel protested, unwilling to allow his friend to shoulder the burden that was his to bear. “I should have ensured she was safely installed at Carrick Park before returning to track down Harry.”

Hugo dipped his head in agreement, his previous distrust of Talia obviously replaced by a newfound respect. Nothing less than a miracle, considering the nobleman was notorious for his disdain toward most females.

“You did not tell me if you managed to track down your brother,” Hugo reminded him.

“I did.” Gabriel sucked in a harsh breath. “Unfortunately.”

Hugo narrowed his gaze. “He was the bait for the damned Frenchman’s trap?”

Gabriel hesitated, torn between the cynical voice in the back of his mind that whispered Harry was proving to be capable of any sin, and the fierce need to believe he would never deliberately lure Gabriel into the hands of his enemies.

“I do not think that he realized what Jacques intended.”

Hugo made a sound of disgust. “You still defend him?”

Gabriel shrugged. “No, but his surprise was as great as my own when Jacques made his appearance at the bordel.”

“You were at a whorehouse?”

“Where else would I find my brother?”

A hint of amusement simmered in Hugo’s golden eyes. “You might wish to avoid mentioning your precise location when you discuss this with Talia.”

Gabriel gave an impatient shrug, even as he tucked away the sage warning. Hugo was right. It probably would be best to keep that bit of information to himself.

“My point is that I do not believe he even realized I was in France until I cornered him.”

Hugo appeared far from convinced. “If Harry was not a part of the plot, then where is he?”

Gabriel leaned his aching head against the column, the thought of his brother a raw, aching wound in the center of his heart.

“I am not entirely certain.”

“But he is aware that you are being held captive?”

Gabriel shifted his gaze toward the massive globe made of ivory and gold that was situated beneath a bay window.

“Yes.”

“Gabriel, what are you hiding?”

For a long moment Gabriel found himself reluctant to reveal Jacques Gerard’s ruthless plot. Why?

Did he hope that by ignoring the hideous threat it would make it less of a possibility? Rather like warding off the evil eye, he wryly admitted, inanely wondering if Talia’s gypsy grandmother would approve.

Or was it simple shame?

After all, no gentleman of honor wished to admit their own brother was not only a despicable spy, but that he might very well be plotting his death.

In either case, he owed his friend the truth.