Bride for a Night(62)

“There was no force necessary, as you must know, my lord,” she said with a hint of sympathy. “There are those men whose souls are barren. They seek to fill the emptiness with ever more exotic pleasures, but nothing can offer them peace.”

His hands clenched as her words sliced through his heart with painful precision.

“You know nothing of my brother,” he argued, even knowing he could no longer deny the truth.

“I would suspect that I know him better than you, my lord.” A sad smile curved her lips. “I, at least, can see him for who he is.”

“I do not doubt you have vast experience in knowing a great number of men,” he snidely retorted.

Her lips thinned at his insult, but she refused to be silenced.

“Have you considered the notion that your brother not only betrayed his country, but his family, as well?”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“How do you believe Jacques acquired his position as vicar upon your estate?”

Gabriel had assumed that there was nothing left to shock him when it came to his brother’s lack of morals. A foolish presumption that left him unprepared for the accusation that Harry would not only abuse his position in Gabriel’s family, but that he would expose his mother and their tenants to the dangers of ruthless spies and immoral traitors on his land.

Sickening pain shifted to lethal fury.

When he got his hands on his brother he intended to…what?

Hand him over to the authorities and submit his mother to watching her child hanged as a traitor and then endure the shame of being shunned by society?

Allow him to once again walk away with no repercussions?

God almighty. What a mess.

“Damnation,” he breathed.

Sophia stepped toward him. “Do you accept that I speak the truth?”

“It would seem I have no choice.” With a motion devoid of his usual grace, Gabriel shoved the ring and note into the pocket of his breeches. “I can, however, ensure that your lover release my brother from the threat of exposure.”

She shrugged. “You can take them if you wish, but it will not protect Harry.”

His brows snapped together. “There are other items?”

“If there are none now, there soon will be.”

“An empty bluff,” he growled.

“Poor Lord Ashcombe.” Sophia regarded him with a pity that set his teeth on edge. “Only this morning Jacques received word from your brother demanding money and a place to remain hidden from the ‘devils his brother had sent in pursuit of him.’”

A humorless smile stretched Gabriel’s lips at the irony of the situation. He had sent his servants to find his brother so he could punish him for having forced Gabriel into an unwanted wedding.

Who could have guessed that jilting Talia would prove to be the least of his sins?

“And Jacques agreed to assist Harry?”

“Of course. As the brother of the Earl of Ashcombe, Harry is a priceless associate.”

“Where did the letter come from?”

“Here.”

Gabriel went rigid at the unexpected word. “In the palace?”

“Non. The letter was delivered from Calais.” They both froze as the muffled sound of voices floated through the door. “My lord, someone approaches. We can delay no longer.”

With a low curse, Gabriel yanked his thoughts from his brother and concentrated on the dangers at hand. He would not have to worry about Harry if he ended up in an unmarked French grave. “Fine.”