At his quizzical expression, she gestured to his wig. “Your hair.”
He readjusted his trousers with a chuckle. “What can I say except you make me lose all reason.”
Triana reached out and straightened the moustache that was slightly crooked. “As you do to me,” she said quietly.
Gabriel took her hand and kissed her bent knuckles, his eyes sparkling with an unspoken emotion. “I’m sure Travell is wondering what happened to us.”
A combination of embarrassment and guilt lit a conflagration in her cheeks.
He offered a wink. “I’m sure he would understand — even if he might highly disapprove.”
Chapter Nineteen
Triana could feel her brother’s questioning, blue stare upon her as she and Gabriel returned to the carriage, although she purposely avoided his gaze. “I was beginning to think something had gone awry,” he noted.
“The meeting just took a little longer than expected,” Gabriel supplied as he lightly cleared his throat and began to remove his disguise.
There was a snort from the other side of the carriage. “Naturally.” Logan’s lips tilted upward. “The meeting.”
Heat crawled up the back of Triana’s neck, while Gabriel sent the agent a threatening glare worthy of murder.
Travell didn’t reply, although his narrowed gaze spoke volumes. But instead of remarking on it, he asked, “What did you find out?”
Triana was grateful for the change in subject, so she began to relay her conversation with Madame Corressa. Omitting anything of a personal nature, she told them about the codes, which they were already aware of, and how the smuggling was accomplished; not on board the Evening Swan, as originally believed, but rather off shore before the ship ever made berth. She also mentioned that there was a French spy assisting the operation, but she didn’t know his identity. As she explained about the East India Company’s role in it all, she expected at least one of her three companions to erupt in outrage, but as their faces were suspiciously wiped clear of any expression, she knew the truth.
She directed her anger at her brother. “You already knew about the East India Company’s involvement, didn’t you?” she accused.
Travell’s gaze was unwavering when he replied, “I am privy to this country’s welfare, Triana.”
“I can’t believe this!” She sat back in utter disbelief, feeling like a fool. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was a matter of state where you have no business interfering.” When she would have interrupted, he held up a hand. “You have done your part to assist us, and very admirably, I might add, but this is where I draw the line. This is where it ends.” He pinned her with a firm look, “For you.”
“That’s not fair!” she protested.
“I’m sorry you haven’t yet realized that most anything is,” Travell returned. “But you are not becoming involved any further. It’s too dangerous.”
Triana noted the determined set to her brother’s jaw and knew that any argument she made would be futile at best. “Will you still tell me what’s going on? Or will I have to wait and visit you in the Tower when you’re arrested?”
“I’m not required to update our progress to you,” he replied sharply. “At any time.”
Triana would have argued further, but she was cut off by Gabriel’s soft plea. “I have to agree with Travell.” His hypnotizing gaze searched hers. “It will ease my mind to know that you are safe.”
Reluctantly, Triana fell silent. The man was entirely too experienced at manipulating her to his will.
A short time later, after a light kiss to her hand, Triana and Travell exited the hackney in Hyde Park to take the tunnel back to the study. Before Gabriel left her, he whispered, “Dream of me.”
And then he was gone.
***
Triana took her time soaking in the steaming, rose-scented bath. It was all she could do to pamper herself before she would be forced to endure Eastbury’s company. The moment she’d left the study, a footman was waiting with a note from her mother that said she was to dine with the earl that evening.
Disheartened, she had trudged up the stairs to her room, for she doubted that Gabriel would be able to save her from Eastbury’s company tonight.
Genevieve helped her into a gown of light blue satin, threaded with silver. With deft movements, she gathered Triana’s hair up into a simple but elegant chignon. Once Triana had donned a pair of lily-white gloves and matching kid slippers, she descended the staircase at the announcement that her affianced had arrived.
At first, she thought the parlor was empty. Then she spotted a slight movement by the window. Triana dipped into a light curtsy as Eastbury turned to face her.
“There you are, my dear,” he practically cooed. He eyed her boldly up and down, and lifted a brow. “I see you are no worse for the wear after your recent sojourn to the country, although I have to wonder as to the truth to such a tale when you left the opera on the arm of Chiltern.”
Triana swallowed nervously, the malicious tilt to his lips causing alarm bells to ring in her head. However, she offered the same excuse Travell had given their mother, with a slight variation. “His Grace merely relayed a message, my lord, and since Genevieve is my lady’s maid, I could not deny her request to accompany her to visit a sick cousin.”
While she hoped that would be the end of it, Eastbury merely lifted a lazy brow, giving credence to the fact he wasn’t quite so ignorant as she’d originally thought. “If that’s how you wish to play this little game, so be it. After all, it would only reflect poorly on me should the truth be known I’ve become a cuckold before the vows are even recited. Although,” he continued as he drew closer, “I hope that you enjoyed your little… excursion, for once we are wed, there will be no more. I only pray Chiltern hasn’t tamed your fire. It’s what has tempted me from the beginning.” His hand reached out to trail lightly down her arm, his eyes filled with lust. “So, in light of your little indiscretion, I am willing to offer a way to make it up to me.”
She barely withheld the hot retort that sprang to her lips, for she had an idea she already knew the dreaded answer as his gaze fell to her breasts. “And what is that?”
Abruptly, his hand shot out and captured the back of her neck, jerking her toward him. “I will teach you and your lover to make a fool of me.” He hissed in her ear. “You forget that I have a special license. Now, you either find a way to come to me tonight… or else I will be here first thing in the morning with the vicar in tow.”
He released her, and Triana took a stumbling step backward and stared at him in horror. Wasn’t it enough for him to know that he would be her husband in a few days? Now he dared to threaten her?
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, and closed her eyes. No! She couldn’t do it. The very idea of lying with him as she had with Gabriel made her physically ill, but what choice did she have except delaying the inevitable?
She thought of telling him that she was no longer virtuous, since he accused her of it anyway, but it would be for naught. She knew that he wouldn’t call off their engagement either way. He was just dastardly enough to see this farce through until the bitter end if only to say he’d gained his prize — while he would enjoy making her pay for her sins for the rest of her life.
“So what say you, my dear?” he persisted, his eyes shining with cruel intent, for he knew he had her effectively trapped. “Shall we have an early wedding ceremony, or should I expect you about midnight?”
She attempted to glare at the earl with all the loathing she could muster, her pride telling him what her words could not. “It appears you have made my decision for me, my lord.”
He tugged down his bright purple jacket over a thick stomach, and smiled without a bit of remorse. “Then I shall count the hours, my lady.” He held out his arm and offered with farce gallantry, “Shall I escort you in to dinner?”
With her nails digging into her palms, Triana yearned to claw his eyes out instead, but
as her mother breezed in with a brilliant smile, she had no choice but to allow him to lead her into the dining room. Amelia seemed perfectly oblivious to the gleaming glances he kept shooting at Triana throughout the meal, while she only picked at her food. When the earl finally took his leave, she pleaded a headache and retreated to her room for the rest of the evening.
***
Triana nervously twisted Gabriel’s handkerchief in her hands as the clock read eleven-thirty. She had been praying for a miracle all evening, but as the knots in her stomach would attest, it was apparent she was on her own. She’d hoped that Travell might intercede, but he was gone. And even though she’d knocked on the study door several times, as well as informing the servants to send word when he appeared, as of yet, there was still no sign of him. Since she didn’t know he’d been intending to depart, she had no way of sending a message to him.
Or to Gabriel.
Naturally, she was going out of her mind with worry over what exactly they might be doing so long into the night. What if they had been captured, or even worse — injured?
But no, she couldn’t allow herself to think that or she would surely go mad.
Instead, she walked over to her wardrobe and dug around in the back until she found what she was looking for. She withdrew the scandalous, red dress she’d worn the night she’d aided in Travell’s rescue from the Evening Swan, and pulled the silky material over her head. With tears stinging the backs of her eyelids, she pushed aside the memory of Vauxhall with Gabriel, and focused instead on the point she was intending to make to Eastbury. If the earl meant to treat her as a harlot, she might as well dress the part.
She twisted her long braid up into a simple knot and pinned the dark tresses, before she threw a cloak about her shoulders, lifting the hood to conceal her face. It was bad enough she was going to have to submit to the man she detested above all others. She didn’t need to get accosted on the streets of London as well.
She crept down the servant’s stairs with a soft, measured tread, wincing at the sound of the lock in the kitchens that seemed to resonate throughout the house, before she slipped out into the night. She pulled the cloak around her, and started off down the street, hoping that it wouldn’t take long to hail a hackney. While, at this hour, most of the hired conveyances were patrolling the gaming hells and brothels waiting for a drunken lord to take advantage of, she was relieved to hear the sound of horses’ hooves behind her.
She glanced back, intent on hailing down the carriage. As it slowed, the driver tipped his hat to her. After murmuring the earl’s address, she climbed inside. Because her thoughts were preoccupied with the sentence she would soon have to carry out, Triana didn’t notice the shadowy figure sitting opposite her until it was too late.
He moved with lightning fast speed, cuffing her on the side of the head before she could even scream.
After that, everything went dark.
***
It had been an eventful evening, to say the least.
Gabriel thought they had enough information from Madame Corressa’s testimony to act, so he, along with Travell and Logan, had raided the Evening Swan with the help of a few Bow Street Runners and His Majesty’s soldiers. There, they found enough incriminating evidence on board — letters and checkpoints — to make sure it never sailed on open waters again. Ridge had also sent word about where to set up the raid on the Clara Belle, having deciphered the set of codes.
After many long months, it looked like it was finally coming to an end.
The nightmare would soon be over.
And not a moment too soon, Gabriel thought.
His cock stirred just remembering that afternoon when he had been plunged into Triana’s warm body. He had trouble keeping his focus as he imagined the moment when he could be with Triana again and the joy he would feel in knowing she was truly his — forever.
“There he goes again.” Logan murmured with a shake of his head, where he had just finished tying up the last of the crew.
Gabriel ignored the murderous look of contempt the captain shot him as he shoved a gag in his mouth and glanced at his fellow agent with a tolerant smile. “You’re just jealous.”
“Probably,” the agent returned bluntly. “You’ve picked one in a million. I just can’t help but wonder how you did it.”
Gabriel gave a chuckle. “I have no idea. I only know I don’t deserve her. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be a selfish bastard and marry her anyway.”
Travell, having returned from a brief discussion with their cohorts, snorted upon hearing the duke’s last statement. “Aren’t you supposed to ask the head of the family for permission first?” His tone was serious, although his blue eyes twinkled merrily. “Besides, I’m not quite sure I approve of you as a suitor.”
Gabriel grinned. “Well, that’s too damn bad Curdiff, because like it or not, you’re going to be my brother-in-law.”
“Contemptuous bastard.” Travell shook his head before clapping Gabriel on the back. “I guess it’s you I should be worried about, taking on a challenge like my sister.”
“My money’s on her,” Logan muttered.
The camaraderie subsided as they concentrated on the matter at hand. Now that Captain Hildegard and his men had been carefully bound and gagged, they were escorted to the ship’s holding cells. Tomorrow night, when the Evening Swan sailed out of the harbor, it would have a new crew. But until then, a few of His Majesty’s soldiers would be on prisoner watch, while Travell, Logan, and Gabriel departed to catch up on a few hours of much needed rest.
***
It took a moment for Gabriel to realize the pounding was coming from downstairs. What the devil…? Eyes still grainy from a lack of sleep, he shot a quick glance at the clock. He had only been home about an hour, but he’d been so exhausted he’d passed out the moment his head had hit the pillow.
With a curse, he pulled on his trousers, for the sound of urgent male voices was coming up the stairs. He was worried that one of the prisoners of the ship had managed to escape and alert their accomplices.
He had just thrown on a shirt when his chamber door was flung open. On instinct, he reached for the pistol he kept on a table by his bed, but stopped upon seeing Travell. He looked more harried than Gabriel felt, if possible.
“Your Grace, this man—”
Gabriel waved away his butler. “It’s fine. I’ll see to the viscount.” Once the servant had left, he strode toward Travell with a frown. “What’s happened?”
His face drawn, Travell ran a hand through his dark hair and said weakly, “Triana’s missing.”
What the…?” Do you think she tried to follow us?” Gabriel asked darkly, fearing he might just wring her pretty neck when he laid eyes on her again — if he didn’t fall to his knees and praise God she was safe first.
But when Travell shook his head, the back of his neck started to prickle with unease. “Her bed hasn’t been slept in. But that’s not even the worst of it. Eastbury showed up first thing this morning, fit to be tied.” With an even more dismal countenance, he added, “He had the vicar with him and demanded an audience with Triana. He said they’d had an ‘understanding,’ but he wouldn’t elaborate.”
“No doubt, some twisted, premeditated plot on his part,” Gabriel snarled, although he would deal with the earl later. Right now, Triana was his priority. “What else do you know at this point?”
“Only that Genevieve claimed she’d left Triana alone in her bedchamber about ten-thirty last night, but when she went to check in on her this morning about six, she was gone.” Travell gave a weary sigh. “We’ve questioned all the other servants, but no one has seen or heard anything.”
Gabriel felt his chest clench, as if he couldn’t breathe — or else his heart was being ripped right out of his chest. He tried to force himself to try and think rationally, when all he wanted was to tear apart London until Triana was found and back in his arms once more. Suddenly, a terrible thought occurred to him. “Do you think Co
rdelia managed to find out about Triana’s involvement?”
Travell frowned, although his voice was thoughtful when he replied, “I wouldn’t think so, but we don’t know how far her French spy’s reach goes.”
But Gabriel did. Blast. “I’ve been a blind idiot,” he mumbled with a shake of his head. “I’ve been so caught up with…” He hesitated. “…everything that I didn’t take time to register all the warning signs that have been staring me in the face all along.” He began to tick them off on his fingers. “First, there was the Vandergild’s garden, where Cordelia just ‘happened’ to come upon me and Triana. How the hell did she know we were even out there together unless she’d had someone working for her within the ton? Then there was the hackney at the opera…”
Travell’s face turned pale. “Do you think Triana was… kidnapped?”
Gabriel didn’t reply, but he considered it a very real possibility. As something occurred to him, he took off down the stairs with Travell close on his heels. Once in his study, he began to rummage through a pile of correspondence on his desk. He picked up a sealed envelope and tore it open before tossing it aside and picking up another.
“What are you looking for?” Travell asked.
Gabriel kept looking around until he read the fourth, sealed letter. He scanned it before crushing it in his hand in obvious disgust. “I should have known.”
At Travell’s puzzled expression, he held the expensive, scented vellum out to him. “Cordelia’s been sending these like clockwork ever since the Westerville ball, but I haven’t paid them much heed until now. This was the last one sent early this morning.”
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