Bride for a Night(81)

“What is it?” she whispered.

He deliberately stepped in front of the horse, prepared to send the beast bolting if necessary.

“Show yourself,” he commanded in loud tones.

There was a rustle behind a nearby tree, then with a smooth motion an impressively large man with ruffled brown hair and a mocking smile stepped onto the path.

“Your instincts are growing slow with your old age, Ashcombe.” Hugo made a show of returning his dueling pistol to the pocket of his dark cloak he had pulled over his pale green jacket and gray breeches. “I could have used you for target practice.”

Gabriel felt a flood of relief at the sight of his friend, although his expression was chiding as he met the steady golden gaze.

“And your advanced years have utterly destroyed your hearing,” he countered. “I commanded you to return to England.”

Hugo shrugged. “I never doubted you would outwit a handful of French coxcombs.”

“Actually it was Talia who managed our escape,” he corrected, turning back toward his silent companion and plucking her out of the saddle. He barely allowed her feet to touch the muddy path before he had her tucked against his side. “She has proven to be amazingly resourceful.”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed as he watched Gabriel’s protective manner. “Yes, I can imagine.”

Gabriel’s expression hardened with warning. “Hugo.”

Talia cleared her throat as the two men glared at one another.

“Is the yacht nearby?”

“Just beyond the trees,” Hugo answered grudgingly, his gaze never leaving Gabriel.

“Thank God,” she murmured. Then as the silence returned she heaved a deep sigh. “What about the horse? We cannot just abandon him.”

Giving the horse a pat on his flank, Gabriel watched as the beast slowly turned and plodded back down the trail.

“He will find his way home,” he assured his tender-hearted companion.

“You are certain?”

“Who else would want the spiritless creature?”

She smiled, no doubt sensing his amusement at her concern.

“It is just that I do not like to think about him wandering through the countryside alone.”

Hugo snorted. Gabriel sent him an annoyed scowl, aware his friend was watching their exchange with pronounced disapproval.

“Hugo, return to the yacht and ensure that a hot bath is waiting for my wife.”

Hugo’s hands clenched at his sides, but, unwilling to argue in the midst of enemy territory, he gave a stiff nod of his head.

“As you wish.”

Waiting until his friend had disappeared around a bend in the road, Gabriel grasped Talia’s elbow and followed in Hugo’s wake.

“Do not allow him to trouble you.”

She smiled wryly. “Simple for you to say. He is rather…intimidating.”

Intimidating was not precisely the description that Gabriel would have used at the moment.

Obnoxious jackass came to mind.

“I will speak with him.”

“No.” She adamantly declined his offer. “I would rather you did not.”

“Why?”

“He is your friend and he is concerned for your happiness.” Her expression was impossible to read. “I do not fault him for that.”

“I will not allow him—”

She pressed a finger to his lips. “I would prefer to think of the hot bath awaiting me than dwell on Lord Rothwell’s disapproval. That is a problem for another day.”