Bride for a Night(151)

“Oh.” Gabriel’s frown only deepened as he seemed to be struck by a sudden realization. “Yes, I have a vague recollection of her.”

Whatever his recollection of Miss Lansing, it obviously was not a pleasant one.

“Shall I inform the countess?” the butler inquired.

Gabriel gave a decisive shake of his head. “No, that will not be necessary. I will tend to Miss Lansing.”

“As you wish.”

“In fact, I prefer that my wife not be bothered with the knowledge that Miss Lansing was ever in Devonshire.”

Confusion briefly rippled over the servant’s face before he offered a stiff bow.

“As you wish.”

Waiting until they were once again alone, Hugo whirled to stab his companion with a black look.

“What the blazes is the matter with you?”

Gabriel folded his arms over his chest, his expression set in stubborn lines.

“I will not have Talia bothered.”

Hugo snorted. He did not consider himself an expert when it came to understanding the complicated female mind and what pleased them, but he was fairly confident that his mother and sisters adored receiving visitors, no matter what hour of the day.

“I doubt she would consider a visit from a friend as a bother.”

Gabriel shook his head, his features hardening with a frigid anger.

“My wife is too kindhearted to turn away a guest,” he said in lethal tones, “but I was witness to those females who pretended to be Talia’s friends when it was discovered she had been jilted by my brother.” He caught and held Hugo’s gaze, a shimmer of grim determination burning in the silver depths. “They filled her gardens and drank her champagne even as they laughed and mocked her humiliation.”

Fury raced through Hugo.

By God, he would ruin anyone who dared to insult the Countess of Ashcombe, he silently swore, refusing to recall his own scathing opinion of the shy, stammering Miss Dobson who had forced his friend into an unwanted marriage. Whatever his opinion in the past, he adored Talia. Those who thought they were at liberty to continue with their nasty ridicule would swiftly discover the error of their ways.

“This Miss Lansing mocked Talia?” he growled.

Gabriel shrugged. “Not within my hearing, but I will not take the risk of my wife being upset.”

Hugo fully agreed. No shrill-tongued harridan was going to disturb Talia while she was still fragile from her recent adventures.

“Leave it to me,” he announced.

Gabriel glanced at him in surprise. “You?”

“I will rid you of the vermin who seek to enter your home,” he promised, waving a hand toward a side door that led to a back staircase. “You join your wife and accompany her on her visit to the tenants.”

“Very well.” Gabriel did not hesitate to accept the generous offer, crossing the room to lay a hand on Hugo’s broad shoulder. “I am in your debt.”

Hugo smiled. “I assure you that I am keeping tally.”

Gabriel managed a strained chuckle, although it was obvious he remained troubled as he left the room. Hugo watched his friend’s retreat before leaving the breakfast room and heading down to the front salon.

He straightened his cuffs as he casually strolled into the long room with high arched windows that overlooked the circular drive. For all his dislike of society games, he was a master of playing them when the occasion demanded.

With the same nonchalance, he moved over the black-and-white tiled floor, strolling past the walnut marquetry bureau that matched the ornately carved cabinet and inlaid library table. Out of the corner of his eye, he took note of the elderly lady nearly lost among the layers of her black bombazine gown and veiled bonnet. She appeared to be napping in the corner of one of the small velvet sofas. It was not until he leaned against the mantel lined with marble busts of previous Earls of Ashcombe that he took a full survey of the female pacing the floor in obvious agitation.