Bride for a Night(126)

There was no movement, but that did not mean that there were not dangers skulking in the shadows.

After several minutes passed with no shots being fired, Gabriel turned his attention toward Sophia huddled in the far corner of the carriage.

“Mademoiselle Reynard.” He waved a hand toward the door.

She sent him a dark glare as she climbed over his long legs and out the door, clearly displeased with the turn of events. He ignored her antagonism, his hand reaching out to halt his wife from following in Sophia’s wake.

“A moment, my dear.”

She wrinkled her nose as she met his warning frown. “Yes, I know, Gabriel. I am not to do anything stupid.”

His heart squeezed with an unfamiliar emotion as he gazed down at the pale beauty of her face. When had he memorized every line and sweep of her features? Had it just been since the ceremony? Or had he been secretly treasuring her image long before they were forced down the aisle?

“I do not suppose you would actually offer such a promise?” he asked in rueful tones.

Her magnificent emerald eyes darkened with stoic courage.

“I cannot.”

“You realize that if anything was to happen to you…”

She pressed her fingers to his mouth, silencing his concerns.

“Nothing will happen,” she assured him. “We are within sight of your boat.”

“Yacht, my lady,” he corrected, grasping her wrist and lightly kissing the tips of her fingers. Then his lips were seeking the rapid pulse beneath the delicate skin of her inner wrist. “And we are not yet aboard. Until we are, I refuse to allow you out of my sight.”

A delicate blush stole beneath her cheeks. “And once we are aboard?”

Heat exploded as he leaned forward to steal a swift, devouring kiss.

“I intend to devote the entire voyage to having my wicked way with you,” he whispered against her lips.

For a mindless moment Gabriel was aware of nothing beyond the softness of Talia’s mouth and the shiver of excitement that raced through his body. Then, the unwelcome intrusion of approaching footsteps wrenched him back to reality.

“Gabriel, do you intend to linger the entire night?” his brother called with obvious impatience.

“Damn.” Pulling back, he reluctantly loosened his grip on Talia’s hand and allowed her to climb out of the carriage.

He followed swiftly behind her, stepping onto the rocky path before turning to remove the glass lantern from the side of the carriage. The flame was weak, but it remained dark enough that it should be easily spotted by his crew upon the yacht.

“Hugo, if you will keep an eye upon our prisoners, I will signal my captain.”

He moved toward the edge of the cliff, holding the lamp above his head to swing it in a slow pattern that would alert the captain to send a rowboat to shore.

“Hopefully there will be no need to wait,” Hugo said as he moved to Gabriel’s side. “I left a boat hidden just beyond the rocks. I will make certain it is still there.”

Gabriel paused before giving a reluctant nod. He disliked the thought of Hugo being alone, but then again, the sooner they could be off the cliff the better. It felt very much like a trap at the moment.

“Take care,” he muttered. “I am certain we were followed.”

“I will.” Hugo shifted his gaze toward Harry who stood only a few feet away. “But I am more concerned for you. Do not forget that there is more than one enemy you must guard against.”

Harry took an angry step forward. “Just go check on the damned boat, Rothwell.”