Bride for a Night(51)

A hint of satisfaction touched Jacques’s handsome features.

“You cannot even bear to claim him as your husband, can you, ma petite?”

Her chin tilted. She was tired, frustrated and terrified that Gabriel might be seriously harmed or worse, all because of his impetuous urge to rescue her.

“Do not presume that you comprehend my feelings for Gabriel,” she warned. “The truth is that I do not understand them myself.”

“He does not deserve your loyalty.”

Talia’s lips twisted. Jacques did have a point.

Gabriel had hardly been a doting husband. Not even when he had arrived to heroically sweep her back to England.

But the mere thought of the irksome fiend being hurt was enough to make her stomach heave and her heart ache.

“That is for me to decide.”

Jacques shook his head ruefully. “So forgiving.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “You are avoiding my question.”

“His lordship is comfortably settled in the cellars.” Jacques looked as if he had just bitten into a lemon. “For now at least.”

“What do you intend to do with him?”

With a restless motion Jacques moved toward the mantel to arrange the delicate porcelain figurines.


“I will admit I am greatly tempted to tie him to the nearest tree and use him as target practice for my soldiers.”

“Dear God…no.”

He turned back to meet her horrified gaze. “Fortunately for your husband, I am not a self-indulgent aristocrat who thinks of nothing beyond his own pleasure.”

“What do you mean?”

Jacques shrugged. “The Earl of Ashcombe is an arrogant cretin, but I do not doubt his mother will be willing to offer a tidy sum of money for his return. I intend to send a demand for his ransom tonight.”

Talia bit her lower lip, torn between relief that Gabriel was to be spared and dismay at the thought of his mother being subjected to the terrifying ordeal of knowing her son was being held captive by French spies.

“You cannot be so cruel.”

“It is what must be done.” Jacques did not even bother to appear apologetic. “I have hungry mouths to feed and dangerously empty coffers.”

“Tell me how much you will request for Gabriel’s release and I will ensure that it is delivered to you,” she countered. “There is no need to bully an old woman.”

His brows snapped together. “Have you forgotten that old woman has publicly shunned you since your marriage?”

Talia flinched. Of course she had not forgotten. Nor was she na?ve enough to imagine that the dowager countess would ever consider her as anything other than an embarrassment that should be hidden from society.

But, while the Ashcombes might not consider her worthy, Talia was now a member of the family, and she would do whatever was necessary to protect them.

“What does it matter so long as you have the money to feed your children?”

“You…” Jacques gave a shake of his head, regarding her with an odd expression. “What?”

“I have forgotten there are still truly good people in this world.” He stepped forward, gently brushing her heavy curls from her cheek. “You terrify me.”

She shifted with unease beneath the intensity of his stare.

“Now you are taunting me.”

“Non.” His fingers brushed down the line of her jaw. “You are one of those women who tempt a man to reform his sinful ways. Dangerous.”

Talia frowned at the absurdity of his claim.