Bride for a Night(129)

The world might condemn his sly scheming as beneath a true gentleman, but he had been indifferent to the censure. It was a supposedly honorable gentleman who had attempted to rape his mother and sent his father to his death.

And there was no arguing with the success of his efforts. By the time he had arrived in Paris he had mastered his talent in coercion, with a dozen high-ranking Englishmen dangling on his strings to show for it.

Including Mr. Harry Richardson.

Much to his annoyance, however, he found the Earl of Ashcombe was impervious to his attempts at manipulation. The arrogant bastard was too stubborn to be so easily led.

Not that he intended to concede defeat. He shifted his attention to the loaded pistol trained at his chest. Gabriel’s glare silently dared him to attempt an escape so he could have reason to shoot.

For all of Gabriel’s conceit, he was not nearly so certain of his decision to expose Harry as a traitor as he desired Jacques to believe. With the proper prodding, even this pigheaded man could be convinced to change his mind.

Unfortunately, his subtle assault was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a high whistle that came from the shore below the cliff.

Gabriel squared his shoulders, his expression one of bleak intent.

“Hugo has arrived with the boat.”

He gave a small wave of the pistol, and Jacques grudgingly moved back into the clearing. His gaze instinctively sought out Sophia who remained standing with rigid fear several feet from the others.

An answering fear clenched Jacques’s heart.

A tense promise of violence vibrated through the air as he came to a halt, and he cast a covert glance toward the nearby trees. He could not see his guards, but he could sense their increasingly restless presence. What would happen when Gabriel attempted to force him down the cliff?

He shivered at the looming potential for chaos.

Perhaps echoing his thoughts, Gabriel backed toward the edge of the cliff, briefly turning his attention toward his wife.

“Talia, you go down first.” When there was no response to his command, Gabriel swallowed his pride and sent her a desperate glance. “Please.”

Talia hesitated, clearly torn between an instinctual urge to protect her husband and the knowledge that he could not give his full attention to the lurking soldiers so long as she was near.


“Fine.”

Talia stiffly turned to make her way slowly down the cliff. There was an uncomfortable silence until they at last heard Hugo’s whistle to indicate Lady Ashcombe had reached the boat. Then Gabriel glanced toward his brother who was nervously aiming his pistol toward the nearby trees. Jacques held his breath, knowing it would take very little for the twitchy dandy to be startled into firing his weapon.

“Harry, you will be next.”

The younger man scowled at the sharp command. “We are not alone.”

“I see them,” Gabriel assured his brother. “Get to the boat.”

Harry shook his head. “No. You take Jacques and I will keep them at bay.”

Jacques gave a startled laugh. “Sacré bleu. Is it possible that the worm has at last acquired a spine?”

The two brothers ignored him as they glared at one another in growing frustration.

“Harry, do as I say,” Gabriel snapped.

Harry jutted his chin, looking strangely older in the faint wash of dawn.

“Not on this occasion,” Harry said, his expression set in stubborn lines.

“Dammit…” Gabriel gave a frustrated shake of his head before turning his attention to Jacques. “Come.”

A prickle of unease raced over Jacques’s skin as he glanced toward Sophia. It felt as if they were standing on top of a powder keg, and that the slightest move might set off a fatal explosion.