Bride for a Night(139)

A glint of amusement shimmered in his eyes. “Hugo did mention you were reluctant to leave until he convinced you that it would be best to have you safely away from the danger.”

“He did not convince me. He threatened to knock me over the head with the oar if I attempted to escape from the boat.”

Gabriel chuckled. “While I deplore his crude methods, I have to admit I applaud his good sense.”

Her glare was as sharp as a dagger. As delighted as she was to have him alive and well, she did not appreciate being treated as if she were a helpless ninny. “Indeed?”

“I could not possibly have concentrated on Jacques or his overeager soldiers if I was worried for you.” His smile abruptly faded, and she felt his body tense. “As it was…”

“Gabriel?”

He glanced toward the porthole, his expression bleak in the faint light.

“My brother was injured.”

“Oh, no.” Genuine regret pierced Talia’s heart. No matter what her own feelings toward the young man who had jilted her, she knew how much Gabriel loved his scapegrace of a brother. He would be devastated if he were mortally wounded. “How badly has he been hurt?”

“I am not entirely certain.”

She laid a hand on his cheek, gently turning his face back to meet her sympathetic gaze.

“You should be with him.”

A muscle knotted in his jaw at her soft words. “He is not here.”

She blinked in confusion. “I do not understand.”

“He is not aboard the yacht.”

“But…” She was struck by an agonizing thought. “Good heavens he is not…”

“No.” Gabriel swiftly alleviated her alarm. “His wound was not fatal.”

She released a relieved breath, but her wariness remained. Gabriel was clearly troubled, and she was certain that it was due to his brother.

“Tell me what happened,” she urged.

With a sigh he lowered his arms and took a step backward. Talia shivered at the loss of his warmth, unnerved by just how desperately she missed the pleasure of being snuggled against his chest.

When had she allowed herself to become dependent upon his touch?

Thankfully oblivious to her dangerous thoughts, Gabriel shoved a hand through his hair, his silver eyes shimmering with a savage emotion that smoldered just beneath his brittle composure.

“When the soldiers attacked, Harry leaped in front of me.”

“Harry?” Caught by surprise, Talia was unable to disguise her shock. “He leaped in front of you?”

His lips twisted. “You are no more shocked than I was by his sudden display of courage. He has never before considered anyone beyond himself.”

“Perhaps he has truly matured,” Talia suggested, more hopeful than convinced. Harry Richardson had been a selfish scoundrel for so long it was difficult to imagine he was capable of changing. Still, miracles occurred every day. “He did, after all, help us to escape.”

Gabriel grimaced. “Perhaps, but his sudden maturity could not have occurred at a worse moment.”

She frowned in confusion. Surely Gabriel wished for his brother to mature into an honorable man? Then she realized the source of his distress.

“When he leaped in front of you he was injured?”

“Yes.” His voice was tight with guilt. “That bullet was intended for me.”

“Do not say that,” she said, horrified.

“It is the truth, but Harry was moving before I could stop him.” His hands clenched at his sides, and Talia was certain that he was already attempting to punish himself for Harry’s injury. “Before I knew what was happening I heard a shot and he was falling to the ground bleeding.”