Triana's Spring Seduction

by Tabetha Waite

  Travell took it and began to read.

  My darling Gabriel,

  While you have seen fit not to return any of my letters or pay a simple call, I decided to get your attention another way, since it appears you have forsaken me. I realize you have taken a particular interest in Lady Triana Abernathy, but I’m afraid I can no longer sit idly by and allow her to be a continued threat to my own wellbeing. You see, I have my heart set on being a duchess, and while I truly have no wish to marry again, to have that much prestige and power is much too tempting for me to ignore, so I propose an exchange. You — for her.

  As you may have surmised at this point, Triana is missing. She is currently unharmed, but if you do not abide by my wishes, I’m afraid she will not stay that way for long, especially as my men are rather eager to visit her chambers as she is dressed rather scandalously in that red gown. Where ever did she come by such a garment? She looks like a regular street doxy. But, from what I understand, perhaps it suits her after all.

  I shall allow twenty-four hours for you to acquire a special license for us to marry, or you will have to say goodbye to your little trollop forever. I am anxious to see which course of action I need to take.

  Adieu, my love,

  —C

  “The woman’s bloody insane! If she harms one hair on my sister’s head…” Breathing heavily, Travell couldn’t even seem to finish the threat as he tossed the letter back onto Gabriel’s desk in repugnance. “I should have listened to you when you said she was more of a menace than I believed she was. I obviously underestimated the lengths she is willing to go in her bloodthirsty quest.”

  “The way I see it, there’s only one thing to do.” Gabriel said evenly as he opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a revolver. “Eliminate the problem.”

  Chapter Twenty

  There was no sound except a steady breath… .in and out, in and out. It took a few moments, but Triana eventually realized that it was her own. Her lids slowly fluttered open. At first, nothing registered but blurry surroundings and gloomy silence.

  She wondered if Eastbury had kidnapped her to ensure her full cooperation to his demands, but then, that didn’t make any sense. She had already given him her word, so why go through the trouble? Besides, she had no doubt that he would have made good on his threat to seek her hand bright and early the next morning, as he was just that conniving.

  With no other explanation for her assault, Triana tried to move from the chair she was sitting in, but her limbs refused to obey. That was when she realized her wrists and ankles had been restrained with rope. She struggled until her strength depleted, not to mention that every time she moved a wave of dizziness threatened to swamp her from the blow she’d received.

  She slumped back against the chair and attempted to stem a flow of helpless tears, knowing that feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t do any good, but panic was quickly welling up inside. She couldn’t fall apart. No matter how desperate the situation, she would not give up. She had to have faith, just as Travell had said.

  She closed her eyes and tried to recall her brief training from Gabriel the night they’d rescued Travell.

  “Keep calm and look for clues.”

  She began to survey the room as her focus adjusted to the dim light of a flickering lantern by the door. She saw a washstand in the far corner, along with a small desk and a straw bunk, but other than the chair she was sitting on, there was little else.

  With a sigh, her gaze fell to the wooden floor and that was when she noticed something odd about the desk. It was bolted to the floor, which only meant one thing — she was on a ship!

  As if on cue, she heard the sound of footsteps just outside the door to her cabin and Triana’s her heart began to pound with true fear. She jerked her head toward the sound, and then blinked against the flood of light that came through when it was opened.

  “Ah. You’re finally awake. I was starting to think my companion had hit you too hard.” Triana was surprised to find that the voice was feminine. It also sounded vaguely familiar.

  It was only when the figure drew closer that Triana gave a gasp of recognition. “Lady Worthington?”

  The marchioness breezed into the room, a smile pasted on her face that was more calculating than warm. She was still the perfect combination of poise and grace, as she stood in front of Triana and said simply, “You seem surprised.”

  “Are you responsible for my capture?” Triana asked in disbelief.

  A light chuckle was followed by, “It was under my orders, yes.”

  Triana’s ears started to buzz with alarm, as she asked the single question uppermost in her mind, “But… why?”

  “And here I was beginning to think you weren’t as naïve as I took you for.” Cordelia attempted a light tone, but the spiteful inflection in her voice was like a sharp whip, striking at will.

  Triana saw the twisted hate in the other woman’s eyes, and in that instant, with Cordelia’s face contorted so menacingly, it was as if Triana were looking at someone she’d never even seen before. Gone was the genteel and striking widow who had the entire ton wrapped around her charming little finger. In her place was an aging woman with lines of strain around her mouth that set her eyes ablaze with malevolence.

  “I’ve worked my entire life to get where I am.” Cordelia practically spat the words. “So now that I have the chance to get what I truly desire, no one is going to take it from me. Especially not some little nobody spinster.”

  “I don’t know what it is you think I’ve done…” Triana began, but gasped when the marchioness abruptly lashed out and grabbed hold of her arm. Long fingernails bit into her tender flesh, but she wasn’t about to give the woman the satisfaction of knowing that it hurt.

  With her green eyes flashing fire, as if she wanted to claw Triana’s eyes right out of her skull, Cordelia hissed, “I’m speaking of Gabriel, you foolish girl!” She released Triana as if she were a disgusting insect, and continued, “And you are going to stay here until he carries through with his little promise to marry me.”

  Triana stared at her in horror. “You’re insane,” she whispered.

  The accusation didn’t even faze the lady as her furious gaze narrowed to venomous slits. “Am I?” she snorted. “You might wish to reconsider your vote for my sanity, Lady Triana. For I seem to be doing rather well for myself. Not only have my recent investments paid off rather nicely, once I take my place as the Duchess of Chiltern, I will finally have the respect I should have always been afforded.”

  Triana’s eyes widened as Cordelia’s underlying words registered with horrifying significance. “You’re behind the smuggling!”

  The other woman gave a shrug, as if it were of no consequence that she was a treasonous criminal. “I don’t suppose there’s any use denying it now, for you will no longer be my problem.”

  Triana stilled. “It doesn’t matter if Gabriel marries you, does it? You’re still going to kill me.”

  Cordelia tilted her head to the side. “I guess you do have a bit of intelligence after all. But don’t look so upset. There are many things in this life worse than death, I can assure you.”

  Triana knew any pleas would fall on deaf ears, and she wasn’t about to give the woman the satisfaction of begging for her life. With a proud lift of her chin, she said evenly, “Then I guess I’ll see you in hell.”

  Cordelia’s smug grin faltered a bit before her mouth twisted cruelly. “I suppose so.”

  With that, she was gone, closing the door behind her. A moment later, the bolt was shot into place with a clank.

  ***

  Ridge watched as Cordelia returned on deck. She strode up to where he was standing with the captain. “Once the shipment heads out tonight, send word to me, but not before. I have a wedding to prepare for.” she instructed Spalling. With a pat to her hair, she added, “Once you set sail, our captive is all yours.” With a malicious twinkle in her eye, she added, “Make sure you gain something for yourself before you hand he
r over to your men, for I can’t see that there will be much left when they get done with her.”

  “Aye.” Spalling gave a greedy chuckle. “I’ll make sure o’ it.”

  Ridge watched as Lady Worthington was rowed back to shore. He tensed slightly when the captain put a hand on his shoulder.

  “I’ve noticed ye’ve been a bit… preoccupied o’ late.” Spalling noted. He lowered his voice. “An’ tha’ ye don’t go on shore leave wit’ th’ rest o’ the men.”

  Ridge barely withheld a snort. While Spalling had no idea what was in store for the Clara Belle that night, neither could he know the true reason behind his tautness. It was certainly better if he thought his recent apprehension had to do with neglected male urges, rather than the surprise attack to come.

  “Th’ whole crew has been on edge fer tonight’s hefty run. It’s bound t’ make th’ most seasoned smuggler a bit wary.” He stepped back and nodded toward the steps leading to the lower decks where Triana was being imprisoned. “Ye’ve been an asset t’ me crew, One-Eye. I’d like t’ give ye first tup.” He winked conspiratorially. “Go enjoy yourself, but just remember t’ leave some for th’ rest o’ us.”

  With a wink and a hearty chuckle, he walked away and began shouting orders to the rest of his men, while Ridge gave an inward grin as he went down below.

  As he threw the bolt on the cabin door, he found their hostage bound to a chair, with telltale streaks of tears on her cheeks.

  He had to admire her courage, for Lady Triana lifted her chin and spoke in haughty acknowledgement. “If you’ve come here to take advantage of me, then get it over with. But don’t expect me to roll over and take my punishment like a good little girl. You’ll get no response from me, just as I have received no mercy from this ship.”

  Ridge made no reply, but simply shut the door and locked it, before striding farther into the room, letting her gain her first good look at his face. He lifted his eye patch, as he produced a knife from his back pocket. “An admirable speech, Lady Triana.” He bent down before her, and with a deft slice through each of her bindings, he offered a wink. “However, as Chiltern would inevitably have my head on a platter if I dared to touch you, you may rest assured that I will keep my hands to myself.”

  As Triana began to rub some of the feeling back into her limbs, her chin began to tremble, giving credence to the fact she wasn’t quite as strong as she would have had him believe. “Thank you, Mr. Claymoore.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, my lady.”

  With a deep breath, she asked, “I assume you have a plan to get us out of here?”

  “Not really. We’ll just wait for the heroic rescue, of course.” He grinned and then lowered his voice and confided, “Travell, Logan, and Gabriel, along with several of His Majesty’s soldiers, are setting up a raid at the rendezvous point. Tonight it all ends.”

  “Lady Worthington imagines she’s going to marry Gabriel tonight.”

  Ridge regarded her steadily. “Gabriel is one of the best agents the Home Office has. He can be ruthless if he has to be. Trust me when I say he won’t let Cordelia win. No matter if she thinks she holds all the cards, he’ll end up finishing the game.”

  She sighed. “That man sounds like a stranger. Sometimes I wonder if I truly know the real Gabriel at all.”

  He regarded her steadily. “Whatever facet of his personality Gabriel reveals to you, I can tell you that he is besotted with you as much as you are with him.”

  With a blush staining her cheeks, she asked shyly, “Is it so obvious?”

  “Terribly,” he returned, eliciting a laugh from her.

  Her blue eyes shone with mirth. “I’m hopeless, aren’t I?”

  He scratched at the stubble on his chin, and gave a shrug. “I think anyone who dares to fall in love is hopeless.” After giving her a serious look, he added honestly, “But I think you’ll make a fine duchess when this is all over.”

  With another wink, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a worn deck of cards. He shuffled them expertly, and lifted a brow. “We might as well pass the time. Shall you deal, or should I?”

  “That depends,” she said. “Are we playing for stakes?”

  He mulled it over. “If you win, I’ll tell you anything else you’d like to know about Gabriel, but if I win…” He paused to look her over. “You have to tell me which girl at Millicent’s lent you that red dress, so that I can pay her a compliment on my next visit.”

  She laughed as she held out her hand. “Then I believe we have a wager, sir.”

  ***

  The coastline near Broadstairs in Kent appeared deserted, but Gabriel knew that just beyond the tree line were several dozen of His Majesty’s, red-coated soldiers lying in wait for Logan’s signal. In turn, Montgomery and Travell were carefully obscured from view along the road, in order to catch the two, cloaked men whom Ridge claimed would soon be along with their cart full of smuggled cargo. But while most of the transaction was actually happening out in open water — which is why Sir James Bremer and a handful of the Royal Navy was secretly anchored down the coast — in case the Clara Belle attempted to flee, she wouldn’t get far. It had taken months of payoffs and secrecy to get everything lined up for this night, but it was nearly over. And once Gabriel took care of Lady Worthington and Triana was safely back in his arms, he intended to make sure she never left his side again.

  The sharp cry of an owl pierced his thoughts, and Gabriel instantly went on alert. It was the signal from Logan that told them someone was coming down this deserted stretch of the road. Gabriel scanned the approaching darkness, and was able to make out wagon rumbling toward him; the two, cloaked and masked figures in place — with Lady Worthington sitting as smug as a queen between them.

  As Gabriel stepped out alone from the shadow of the trees, as instructed via messenger just a few hours before, the cart finally pulled to a halt, while the marchioness gave a coy smile. “Ah, there is my husband to be. I do so appreciate punctuality in a bridegroom.”

  She gracefully stepped down from her perch, and walked toward Gabriel — the moon glinting off the pistol she held in her hand. He wasn’t surprised that she was armed, or that her two cohorts also had weapons drawn. In fact, he’d been expecting it.

  “I do apologize for this, Your Grace,” Cordelia purred. “But I wanted to make sure our union didn’t take an undecided turn.” With a gesture of her head, she kept her eyes firmly on Gabriel, and instructed the men, “Tie him up.”

  Gabriel didn’t resist when they drove him to his knees, or when they pulled his hands behind his back and effectively bound him. With a smile that would no doubt irritate his supposed bride-to-be, he said dryly, “Dragging your groom to the altar seems to be low, even for you.”

  “I’m just securing my future,” she replied in an even tone.

  Once he was thoroughly secured, they pulled the duke back up to his feet. At the sound of another approaching carriage, Gabriel lifted a brow. “More reinforcements?”

  “It’s simply our ride to the vicar.” She nodded to the mysterious figures still standing on either side of him, and said, “I believe you have other work to attend to now.” Without a word, they took up the reins on the cart.

  Cordelia waved her pistol toward the door of the black coach that stopped before them, with another cloaked, masked driver leading the team of four. “After you.”

  Gabriel gave her a mock bow, before climbing inside. He noticed that the windows were blacked out and the door on the opposing side had been nailed shut. He gave Cordelia his most charming grin. “I have the distinct feeling you don’t trust me.”

  “Don’t take it to heart.” Cordelia smiled sweetly, before she rapped on the roof and they began to roll away.

  “So what’s your plan after we marry?” Gabriel asked cordially, as if he were standing in the middle of a ballroom and having a perfectly normal conversation. “Dump me in the Thames the way you did our courier?”

  He planned his statement so t
hat it would distract her from what he was doing behind his back. He was rewarded with a venomous glare. “I say good riddance to the fool. And while I didn’t want to believe that you had used me for your own gain, I now see it was true. That’s a pity, Your Grace, for I might have considered, at the very least, a honeymoon, but now I fear I will have to dispose of you much sooner.”

  “Indeed?” he murmured. “That is a shame, for you see, I was thinking the same fate for you.”

  Lady Worthington’s pistol wavered as she gave a light laugh. “I don’t think you are in a position to do anything right now, but what I want.”

  He gave a mock sigh. “Then I suppose you wouldn’t care to know that your little, smuggling operation is about to become English history.”

  For a moment, she sat in absolute silence, before her eyes went a bit wild. “You bastard!” she spat and then launched herself at him. .

  Cordelia clawed at him in a crazed fury. A flash of pain burned across his cheek as she raked her nails along his skin. A second later, Gabriel slipped the last knot of his ropes free and reached into his boot, curling his fingers around the hilt of the small pistol he’d hidden there. He whipped it out and held it up to her throat. Instantly, she froze.

  “Tsk, tsk, my dear. I think someone should teach you a lesson in manners.”

  With her gaze full of hatred and a touch of madness, she snarled, “Do it! I dare you!”

  He gave a tolerant smile, and shook his head. “I don’t think so. I shall leave it up to the Regent to decide your fate.”

  Her face going a bit pale, Cordelia scrambled for her gun that had been knocked to the floor during their struggle. Gabriel realized her intent nearly too late, for the pistol suddenly went off — the single shot ringing out ominously, causing the horses to skitter and prance until their carriage was careening out of control.

  Chapter Twenty-One