Bride for a Night(158)

Gabriel shrugged, although Talia did not miss his guarded expression.

“Hugo is a reasonably intelligent gentleman who understands that I prefer to devote my attentions to my new bride, not keeping an unwelcome guest entertained,” he said smoothly. “He obviously wished to slip away without causing a fuss.”

A chill of suspicion speared down Talia’s spine. Knocking aside Gabriel’s arm, she rose from the bed and pulled on a satin robe in a pretty shade of rose.

She was well enough acquainted with her husband to know when he was lying to her.

Tying the belt of her robe, she turned to study Gabriel with a narrowed gaze.

“I do not doubt Hugo’s intelligence, but I am quite certain that he told me he intended to remain at Carrick Park until you were prepared to travel to London.”

Gabriel shifted until he was leaning against the carved oak headboard, his expression unreadable.

“It would seem that he changed his mind.”

“He changed his mind or you convinced him to change it?” she challenged.

He held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. “I swear I had nothing to do with his abrupt departure.”

“Hmm.”

There was no mistaking her lingering distrust, and Gabriel heaved an impatient sigh.

“What is troubling you?”

“I am not entirely certain.” Her features settled into a stubborn expression. “I simply sense you are keeping something hidden from me.”

He gave a sharp, humorless laugh. “An impossible task, as I am quickly discovering.”

It was an impossible task, but that was precisely why an unpleasant sense of trepidation settled in the pit of her stomach.

“Fine.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling suddenly cold despite the cheerful fire that burned in the white marble fireplace. “I suppose I shall be able to question Hugo once we arrive in London.”

He shrugged, angling to the side so he could reach out to grab the fabric of her robe.

“If you insist, now…”

Talia danced backward, tugging her garment from his fingers.

“And when will that be?”

He scowled at her persistence. “Really, Talia, you should not be putting your husband through the Inquisition when he is attempting to seduce you.”

“You may seduce me all you desire once you answer the question,” she promised, refusing to be distracted. “When do we leave for London?”

There was a long silence before Gabriel folded his arms over his chest and heaved a resigned sigh.

“In the morning.”

Her lips parted in shock. “For goodness’ sake, when were you intending to tell me?” she chided. Really, did men have no notion of how difficult it was to prepare for such a long journey? “I promised Mrs. Grossman I would call in the morning with a poultice for her weak chest and then I intended to spend a few moments with Mr. Clark, who requested that I write a letter to his sister in Yorkshire whom he has not seen in the past fifty years.” She waved a hand toward the large armoire set between two windows overlooking the cliffs. “And, of course, I must pack.”


His hooded gaze skimmed over her flushed cheeks. “There is no need to excite yourself, my dear.”

She shook her head. No doubt he expected to climb onto the nearest horse and gallop down the lane. A mistress of a house, however, had a great deal more to consider.

“I will never be prepared to leave tomorrow if I do not tend to at least a few tasks this eve,” she muttered, already making a list in her head of what she could finish before retiring for bed and what must be left for the morning.