by Shirl Anders
]Chapter Sixteen
Drummond paced outside his bedchamber door gnawing on the end of a cigar gone cold, in his agitation. Damnation, he cursed silently, he usually had more control than this. He never bowed to visceral instincts such as outward displays of fury or extreme agitation.
His gaze swept over the five Archangels standing with him in the hallway, each attempting to ignore the visual display of his unsettled pacing as they faced him. Gabriella was recovering from her faint in the room behind him, with Matilda's ministrations. He was left with the damning last words of Lord St. John ringing in his mind. Just barely hinting to him of some terrible event in history, of which he was totally clueless. But by god, he would know now!
Drummond halted abruptly and turned to face the Archangels as he spoke with suppressed authority. "Saxonhurst, you are now in charge of gossip management. The principal has been grievously harmed in these events and I demand voices out there of equal equity. Consult with Radford who will head the investigation for your base information and direction."
Drummond paused, turning his gaze away from Saxonhurst and he pinned Wyndham with his glare as he continued to disperse orders. "Wyndham, you will use that law degree you are so fond of and gain me entitlement! I want the principal's complete restitution and restoration."
"Brynmore." Drummond swiveled to face Lord Duneagan. "We need foot soldiers for further surveillance, especially for the malefactor, and we shall branch outward from there." Drummond paused, gnawing on his cigar as he faced them all as a group. "Gentlemen, as is customary, Harrison shall be our vindicator in this endeavor ... and gentlemen," Drummond paused as he stressed, "I demand the first taste of justice quickly or else, I shall gut the menace myself, personally!"
Each man nodded, breaking apart to follow their orders. He had kept them up to date so far and they each knew from past experiences, what he required of them. Only Harrison hesitated in his withdrawal and instead came to his side.
"This has become even more personal?" Harrison asked.
"Yes," Drummond replied in a clipped voice. "We will obtain the principle's freedom by any means." Drummond paused and took a harsh breath. "However, we will entertain all avenues, before I set the final course of action." Drummond gazed frothily at Harrison. "If only for my lady's sake, I will entertain lesser mercenary means. But, I shall have her, Harrison, freely and clearly as my own."
Gabriella stepped away from the opposite side of the closed door and hurried back to the bed, before Matilda could return and find that she had been eavesdropping. Was she the principal, Gabriella wondered as she lay down on the bed? Was it she, whose freedom Drummond was seeking? Then, her mind leaped forward, wondering excitedly; could he? She had not understood most of what Drummond had said, except it seemed as though he would help to secure the estate she supposedly held. How odd that her father would do such a thing. However, she clearly remembered her father begging her forgiveness on his deathbed, and she had given it to the deflated and repentant old man, in his last breaths. Perhaps he had come beyond the grave to seek his redemption as if money or land could ever buy back-.
"Madame ... Gabriella."
Gabriella turned her head to see Drummond moving toward her with his special brand of fluent male grace.
"Drummond," Gabriella whispered as Drummond took her hand and sat beside her on the bed, immediately stroking her cheek with the back of his knuckles. "Did you do all of it, Drummond?" Gabriella asked.
"Hmm," he murmured, bending closer to kiss her temple, where he said, "Perhaps the bit about the prince regent, love. Priny does owe me a few favors and laments how he will ever repay them. However the rest, although completely expected, was truly gossip sparring from the events."
"Oh, Drummond," Gabriella sighed, and then she murmured in wonder, "The prince."
"For you, my love," Drummond replied as he kissed her cheek, and then the corner of her mouth. "Anything."
Gabriella caught Drummond's mouth soundly with her lips, languishing in a deep kiss before Drummond pulled away to look at her closely. "And now, my love, I believe you owe me a secret."
Gabriella lightly caressed the chiseled bone of Drummond's jaw with her fingertips, as she asked, "Must we, Drummond? It was so long ago."
Drummond's long and slightly roughened finger pad pressed against her lips, silencing her as he answered, "We must, Gabriella. I must."
Gabriella understood then, more than she had before. Drummond hurt as she hurt. He needed to understand that she had not willingly turned away from their fledgling love all those years ago. Gabriella stroked Drummond's chin with her thumb, feeling his strong cheekbone with her fingertips.
"Yes I will, Drummond, but you must let me tell you in my own way." Gabriella paused and traced Drummond's full bottom lip with the soft edge of her fingernail. "And, I owe you a meal first. A dinner that I would prepare. A meal for just you and I."
Drummond's smile was very slow and filled with sensuous promise. "A meal, a secret, and then perhaps after we shall entertain dessert."
Drummond left her then with the promise of his lips still warming hers. She would have the day to plan ... to decide, and in the end to try on her own to shake the sensual master's world. Could she do it? She would have to be very brave!
