Bride for a Night(80)

“You should be honored by such loyalty,” she murmured.

He grimaced, not for the first time considering Hugo’s reaction to their arrival.

“I am, under most circumstances.” He grimaced. “But I fear I should warn you that one of my companions might not be entirely welcoming.”

She swayed in the saddle, so tired she could barely sit upright.

“Which companion?”

He protectively moved to catch her should she fall. “Hugo, Lord Rothwell.”

“He is your associate?”

“We have been friends since our days at school.” His gaze scanned the thickening trees that lined the path, his steps slowing. They were too close to escape to walk into a trap now. “Actually Hugo has always been more a brother to me than Harry.”

“No doubt you both had more in common.”

“True.” He sent her a startled glance. Few people understood his close relationship with Hugo. Certainly not his mother, who constantly complained that he should be devoting his time and attention to his brother. “We were both our father’s heirs and expected to behave in a manner befitting our stations. Not always an easy task for two high-spirited boys who wished to join in the antics of the other students.”

“Yes.” A sudden bitterness edged her voice. “Fathers can often have unreasonable expectations of their children.”

His hand reached to touch her leg, meeting her gaze with a silent promise.

“Silas Dobson will never be allowed to bully you again,” he swore, already having planned to speak with Dobson the moment they returned to England. The man would understand that he was not to go near Talia unless Gabriel was at her side. “I can assure you of that.”

An unexpected blush touched her cheeks at his low words, her lashes lowering to hide her expressive eyes.

“Why do you believe Lord Rothwell will not be welcoming?” she demanded. “Does he disapprove of my lack of noble blood?”

Gabriel swallowed a sigh, wishing that he could trust his friend to behave himself so he did not have to have this uncomfortable conversation. It was bound to remind her of his own prejudices when they wed.

Unfortunately, he did not doubt for a moment that Hugo would make very clear that Talia was aware of his disapproval.

“He was offended by our hasty wedding,” he reluctantly admitted.

He felt her stiffen beneath his hand. “And by the fact my father blackmailed you into taking me as your bride?”

“It did not improve his opinion.”

There was a moment of silence before she heaved a sigh. “I do not hold him to blame. It is an opinion shared by most of society, no doubt.”

“Do not fear.” He lifted a shoulder. “Once Hugo comes to know you, he will swiftly conclude that you are far too good for me.”

She shook her head at his deliberately light words. “Highly unlikely.”


“Trust me.”

“And the rest of society?” she asked.

“It is quite possible my choice of bride will be the last concern of society,” he reminded her, his senses suddenly tingling with alarm.

He ground to a halt, hurriedly studying their surroundings. A hint of dusk was just beginning to brush the sky, adding violet hues to the fog steadily creeping through the trees. In the distance the sound of small animals could be heard scampering through the thick vegetation, but closer to hand there was nothing but silence.

Something or someone was near.

“Talia, do not move,” he warned, fiercely regretting he had not taken the time to find a weapon to replace those taken by Jacques Gerard.