Triana's Spring Seduction

by Tabetha Waite

“Of course. What kind of question is that?”

  “Only that I got the impression that there is something… deeper going on between you and Gabriel.”

  A fresh round of tears clogged Triana’s throat at the understanding in Travell’s gaze, and she found she couldn’t lie to him any more than she could to herself. “I love him.” A sudden clap of thunder had her glancing back outside at the rain already beginning to pelt the windowpane. “But it doesn’t matter, because I’m engaged to Eastbury.”

  Her brother snorted. “Gabriel won’t let that happen.”

  “How can you be so sure?” she whispered.

  “Because he loves you.”

  Triana closed her eyes against the sudden stab of pain. “If only I could believe that.”

  “How can you not?” he persisted. “Don’t you see the way he looks at you?”

  “Like another burden, I should imagine,” Triana returned stiffly.

  Travell gave her a gentle smile. “No, like a man utterly besotted.” He paused, as if weighing his next words. “I’ve known Gabriel a long time. While there was a time I wasn’t sure what sort of man he would become, I can say, in all confidence, that there is not another man alive that I would trust with my life… or that of my sister. I’m not saying that he doesn’t have faults like any other person, but believe me when I say that man loves you with all his heart. If he hasn’t said so yet, it’s only because he is waiting for the right time. All I’m saying is to have a little faith.”

  A brief silence followed as she absorbed everything he said. Finally, a small spark of her old joviality returned. “Still trying to prove that you know more than me?” she teased.

  “But, of course.” He grinned. “That’s what bossy overbearing brothers do.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh as Travell tilted his head to one side, his expression sobering. “Well, who could have guessed it?” he murmured thoughtfully. “My little sister is all grown up.”

  “I’ve been telling you that all along, dear brother,” she countered. “You just chose not to believe it.”

  “Touché,” he said with a chuckle, and then continued in all seriousness, “I’m sorry, Triana. For everything.”

  She reached out and gave her brother a hug, tears swimming before her eyes to rival the pouring rain outside. “I’m sorry, too.”

  After a brief embrace, she pulled away and hastily swiped at her eyes. It had bothered her that they hadn’t had a chance to make amends. Now that they had, it was as if a weight had suddenly been lifted from her chest. Her brother must have felt the same sense of relief, for his eyes looked suspiciously moist as he stood with a charming grin that would rival that of any rogue. “Enough sitting around here in this dark, gloomy room. Let’s go have some breakfast, shall we? See if this cook of Gabriel’s is worth all I’ve been told. Then, I might just beat you at a round of chess.”

  Triana laughed. “You can certainly try.”

  Travell turned to go but paused and pointed to the valise she’d just now noticed had been placed inside the door. “By the way, I managed to have Genevieve pack you a few dresses and personal items before I had her smuggled out of the house.”

  Then, with a wink, he was gone.

  Triana watched him depart and couldn’t help but feel, that while things weren’t perfect in her world, at the moment they were bearable.

  ***

  Gabriel stretched the taunt muscles in his back and neck as he slid into the seat opposite Logan. Two mugs of ale were set before them and Gabriel took a modest sip before leaning back in his chair. His mood was heavy, much like his rain drenched, wool clothes, but it seemed as if the downpour that had doused the city for most of the morning was finally starting to subside.

  At least something productive had come out this mess of a day. They had found Madame Corressa — or rather, her hired thug had found them.

  The man appeared to innocently jostle him among the busy, London streets — disheartened as Gabriel was to learn from the Runners that nothing new had been uncovered regarding the courier’s murder — he had been surprised to feel a note pressed into his hand. As he had glanced up to quiz the messenger, the crowd had already swallowed him up, but at least it was positive news for a change. The missive had stated that the appointed meeting between Madame Corressa and Triana would still take place. While Gabriel had to imagine the note was genuine, he’d forwarded the message to Travell at Chiltern Hall.

  By this time tomorrow, the viscount would be on his way back to London — with Triana.

  Logan scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t think I’ve slept for two days.”

  Gabriel’s gaze was hard and unyielding as he snapped, “You’ll get enough sleep when you’re dead.”

  His companion snorted. “In our line of work, that might be tomorrow.” He took a long drink of his ale and glanced back at Gabriel, his ice blue gaze intense. “So how did things go at Chiltern Hall? I must say I got the distinct impression that things had become rather cozy between you and Lady Triana.”

  Gabriel cocked his head to the side, his mouth kicking up at one corner. “Why don’t you just say what you’re really thinking, for subtlety has never been your strong suit.”

  “Very well.” Logan set down his mug and asked bluntly, “How long have you been in love with her?”

  Gabriel stiffened slightly. “I’ve known you to be bold in the past, Montgomery,

  but I didn’t think you’d happily join the rest of the gossips of the beau monde.”

  “And yet, that doesn’t answer my question,” the other agent pointed out.

  Gabriel tapped a finger against his mug and returned in all seriousness, “I think I loved her since the first time I saw her, but I knew for certain the night we rescued Travell.” He lifted his mug, and with one last swallow, he pushed it away.

  “That was quite a dress.”

  Gabriel’s thoughts returned to that night when he had caressed her soft, creamy skin with his exploring hands… kissed the rounded globes of her breasts… and the way he’d stroked her, and how she had come apart in his arms…

  “Trust me, the damned dress didn’t have anything to do with it.” He scowled as he shifted in his seat. “Are you through prattling now? It’s time we got back to work.”

  “Forgive me, Chiltern,” Logan returned dryly as he rose to his feet. “I see I touched a nerve.”

  Gabriel said nothing as he clenched his jaw and they left the roughshod, Whitechapel tavern in their common clothes. Gabriel’s mind began to wander, and even though he knew he should remain alert for any sign of trouble, he couldn’t seem to stop thinking of the only person who mattered.

  Triana.

  He still felt like the worst sort of bounder for leaving her like he had, but he knew that if he had gone into her bed chamber, he would have seen that long silky hair spread out over her pillow… those full lips primed for kissing… and he wouldn’t have been able to go. And if he had any hope of ending this case and waking up with her like that every day for the rest of their lives, then he’d had no choice but to leave her in her brother’s capable hands.

  Looking back, he had to admit it was rather ironic that for years he had been confident the only way to survive was to remain detached and unfeeling. He had condemned those who would choose a life of love, without even realizing that he was the lone ship tossed about in a turbulent sea of repressed emotion.

  Only when Triana had come into his world, did she turn out to be his beacon in the storm, her innocent light bursting through years of bitter memories. She was the reason he’d been able to face his past and return to Chiltern Hall. He had been willing to confront those demons to keep her safe. And while he should have told her how he felt long before now, he hadn’t wanted to give her false hope that they could be together.

  But the truth was, without her — he was nothing.

  “Time to wake up.” Logan’s whispered warning broke through his reverie. “I think we’re about to face some troubl
e.”

  Gabriel glanced in a nearby shop window and did indeed see the reflection of two, brutish thugs on the opposite side of the street corner. Bloody hell. He paused as if adjusting his jacket. “How long have they been following us?”

  “Ever since the tavern,” Logan replied with a lazy stretch. “Should we lose them?”

  Gabriel could tell that wouldn’t satisfy these men, as another glance showed the tension in their shoulders, as if preparing themselves for a fight and excited about the prospect. “On the contrary. How are you feeling about some sport?”

  Those ice blue eyes turned to him with a spark. “I was hoping you would say that.”

  “Then let the show begin.” Gabriel began walking again, although this time he staggered a step or two, as if letting on that he was further in his cups than he’d originally let on. He put an arm about Logan for appearances, as they led their shadows down a dark alley.

  The moment they heard the crunch of footsteps behind them, Gabriel gave a quick wink to Logan as a signal, and the fists started to fly.

  ***

  Triana grimaced when the carriage hit another sizeable rut in the road. After the downpour of the day before, the roads had turned into a slippery, muddy mess of grooves and potholes in the dirt packed road. But in spite of the sorry conditions, Genevieve had managed to arrive at Chiltern Hall shortly after dawn in Travell’s carriage, the one he’d sent along for her use. After the maid had regaled Triana of the brief visit with her family, they headed off for London and the meeting with Madame Corressa.

  Triana wondered when she might see Gabriel again, had been hoping to hear something from him, but other than a short missive to Travell confirming that her meeting would still take place as planned, no other news had arrived. While it was disheartening to say the least, Triana refused to allow it to drag her down.

  For the first time in weeks, she and Travell had managed to recapture their sibling bond, having passed the previous day conversing with the easy manner of their youth. And they had played several rounds of chess where she had promptly beaten him two out of three games.

  She glanced at her brother now, impervious as he was to their bone-jarring ride as he held a book in hand that he’d pilfered from the Chiltern library. But when another jerk had him changing position with a wince, she had to bite back a grin. Apparently, he wasn’t as tough as he appeared. But then, she supposed that’s what scared her so much about his work for the Home Office. Travell would die before he allowed any weakness to overcome him. It was the way he was.

  They stopped briefly for a light repast at the Golden Heron Inn, and Triana ignored her protesting muscles as she carefully stepped down to the ground. She held up her navy blue traveling dress with one hand lest it drag in the murky mess of mud and refuse at her feet.

  Genevieve joined them as they settling into a private dining room where they were immediately served a round of ale, cold ham, cheese, bread, and an assortment of fruit. It was obvious the proprietors were more than happy to serve members of the peerage — and their deep pockets. And Travell hadn’t disappointed, leaving them a hearty tip upon their departure.

  The remainder of the trip passed in relative silence. Travell continued his reading, while Genevieve laid her head back and appeared to sleep, although Triana’s nerves were strung entirely too tight about the upcoming meeting to consider either. She was struck with a further pang of unease as London began to roll past the windows — the sights, sounds, and familiar scents of the city surrounding them. It was hard to imagine that she’d only been gone from home for two days, for it had seemed like so much longer that she’d been at Chiltern Hall.

  But then, her time with Gabriel had been endless and magical and…

  Heartbreaking.

  Another stab at her chest came from her upcoming reunion with Gabriel. Travell had told her the duke and Logan would be meeting up with them in the secret room before they made their way to the hotel. If her mother’s likely upsetting reaction to her absence wasn’t enough to depress her, setting eyes on Gabriel again was equally troubling. Would he be glad to see her? Or would he don that air of cool formality?

  Not knowing how he would react had Triana twisting her hands in her lap, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering uncontrollably as they pulled to a stop in front of their townhouse. Travell helped Triana and Genevieve alight, the maid making her way around to the servant’s entrance, while the viscount escorted his sister to the front door, where the butler greeted them with his usual, composed reserve.

  Lady Trenton, on the other hand, was a different matter entirely.

  She’d either heard or, most likely, been told of their arrival and came around the corner of the parlor. “I cannot believe that wretch of a child came from my womb!” she hissed, pointing at her daughter, not even trying to keep her fury in check. Neither Travell nor Triana had a chance to say anything before their mother continued her rant. “Travell, I still can’t fathom that you would allow your sister to hie off to the country to visit some servant’s ill cousin—” She literally spat the word as if the hired help were a curse. “—when Triana has responsibilities to Lord Eastbury! In case you haven’t forgotten they are to be married in a few days. I am truly aghast at your behavior, but other than expressing my displeasure, I suppose I shall have to content myself by gaining your word that neither one of you will disappear again before the wedding.”

  When she lifted an expectant brow at her son, Travell calmly gave their mother a tolerant smile. “And you have it.” He offered Triana his arm. “Shall we retire to my study for some pleasant conversation?”

  Triana had to hold back a smile in the face of their mother’s venomous glare and the emphasis Travell had purposely added to his words, but the worst seemed to be over — where Lady Trenton was concerned, at any rate.

  Travell shut and locked the door of the study, and then walked over to release the lever of the bookcase.

  Triana waited anxiously as two men withdrew from the secret room and walked into the expanse. They were dressed in simple clothing, but she would have recognized Gabriel no matter what he wore. At a glance, he appeared to be calm and composed, but when he spied her, their eyes clashed, and she noticed that his mouth was drawn a bit tighter than usual and the lines at the corners of his eyes were more pronounced.

  “Hallo, Triana.” It was such a simple greeting, but that wonderful voice rippled across her skin like a gentle breeze, and gooseflesh instantly broke out over her arms.

  “Gabriel,” she whispered in return, but she knew that he heard her just the same as his expression warmed slightly.

  “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Triana,” Logan announced. He glanced between the two of them. “Not that my presence in the room really seems to matter at the moment.”

  Triana’s face heated from embarrassment. “Mr. Montgomery, how are…?” But her voice trailed off when she saw the slight discoloration on his cheek. “What happened to you?”

  He shrugged and gestured to Gabriel, who had turned away from the shadows to display similar shading around his eye. “We encountered a slight scuffle, but there’s no harm done.” His blue eyes shone wickedly. “Not to us anyway.”

  Triana yearned to rush to Gabriel, to assure herself that he was well, but since he held himself as stiffly as before, she refrained. She hated this decided awkwardness that had fallen between them.

  “How about we hear about it on the way?” Travell suggested as he lifted an inquiring brow and headed toward the passageway.

  Logan followed her brother, but while Triana intended to trail behind them, Gabriel walked over to her and held out his hand. She looked up into his face and saw a spark of gentleness there that eased her racing mind and gave her cause to hope.

  She gently put her hand in his.

  He continued to clasp her hand as they joined Travell and Logan in the hired hackney.

  Once they were all seated and the conveyance set off into motion, Travell glanced between th
e two agents. “It sounds as if you two were out having fun without me,” he began.

  Logan propped one booted foot over the other. “It would take more than those so-called ‘thugs’ that were hired to trail us,” he murmured.

  “What was their purpose?” Travell prodded.

  “From what we… gathered,” Logan said tactfully, after a glance at Triana. “They had been ordered to follow me. Apparently my presence at the docks has been well noted.”

  Travell seemed to mull this over. “I’m not sure that I like the sound of that.”

  Triana couldn’t stop a tremor from running through her body. She knew that today could have turned out quite differently. In the lives of spies, danger was a constant concern, and it seemed that the threat of harm was growing steadily closer.

  Gabriel must have sensed her unease, for her pulled her closer to his side. She laid her head on his chest and allowed the warmth of his body to chase away the chill of her fear.

  “Do you think you were recognized?” Travell asked Gabriel.

  “I don’t think so,” he returned grimly. “But we don’t know what the courier revealed before he was dumped in the Thames either. They knew about Montgomery. Who knows what else they’ve found out.”

  ***

  Lady Worthington was reclining in her private sitting room when the door suddenly burst open and two men rushed inside, one of which was her butler. Both of their clothes were tussled as if they’d had a brief… disagreement.

  The servant was breathing hard as he stuttered, “My lady! I… tried to stop him… but…”

  With a glare and an impatient flip of her hand, she waved his explanations away. “I’ll take care of this,” she stated firmly, keeping her eyes fixated on the other man.

  After a slight hesitation, the butler straightened his jacket and bowed, leaving her alone with her midnight guest. It was the first time he’d dared to enter her domain in the middle of the day. “What are you about, barging into my house like this?” she hissed, directing all her anger on him. “Have you no sense? You know the servants talk!”