Chapter 36
Gabe watched Mary’s fetching, retreating bottom as she withdrew behind the screen. He didn’t know what he was thinking, allowing her to come. She was bleeding, bruised, and likely in shock from what occurred.
He shook his head. He hated seeing her in pain. Rising from his crouched position by the hearth, he strode to the settee and lowered himself onto it.
Colin cleared his throat. “You look like shit, friend. What happened to you?”
“Thank you.” Gabe glared at the curst Adonis. “I was held prisoner and tortured by Lady Kerr.”
“Christ,” Colin muttered. “Are you going to tell me what is happening?” He stepped forward, his arms folded across his chest.
“The last I saw you,” Gabe began, “you said that you didn’t want me to seek you out.”
Colin nodded, resuming his seat in the armchair before the hearth. “I recall.”
“Why are you here?”
Water sloshed behind the privacy screen, briefly drawing Gabe’s attention.
“I came to see Mary. I didn’t know that you would be here, as well.” Colin slid a glance toward the screen, and lowered his voice, leaning toward Gabe. “Did you take my advice?”
“I—you—damn it, that’s between Mary and me.”
“So youdid. Capital, old fellow. Well done.” He reached across the short space between them and clapped Gabe on the shoulder. “It’s about bloody time.”
Gabe nodded. Indeed, it was about bloody time. And it was entirely possible that she wasenceintewith his child. But she could still move on, marry another.
His heart beat hard in his chest as he thought on it. It was precisely what he had wanted for her. She could settle down with a farmer or butcher or some such man, have passels of children, and never be in danger again…
But now the thought of holding her back grated. His pulse raced faster as the realization hit him. Mary could be so much more than a mere farmer’s wife. She was a fountain of talent. She was caring, kind, intelligent, creative… She knew more about most things than Gabriel, and she had the genius to do anything she set her mind to.
She also possessed a wealth of beauty and vibrancy, which Gabe found highly intoxicating. She was his best friend, his lover. And, Gabe was afraid to admit, he wanted whatshewanted.
For her to be happy… For her to be a spy.
“So, tell me, Mary,” Colin raised his voice for her to hear him. “What happened tonight?”
She grunted. “It was a dreadful mistake.”
“And that mistake tried to choke you?” Colin’s hands clenched into fists, and he punched one against his thigh.
Gabe certainly knew that feeling. He’d like to punch Boxton, himself; shooting him hardly satisfied his need to hurt the man.
“No,” Mary called through the screen, her voice still hoarse. “That was Lord Boxton.”
Colin’s jaw jumped. “And where is Lord Boxton, now?”
“Stevens took care of him,” she replied.
“Took care of,” Colin mused.
“It is possible tha’ he has been put in gaol, but dead is most probable,” Gabe put in.
“Dead.” Colin tapped the arm of the chair with his index finger.
“Aye.” Gabe leaned forward on the settee, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands hanging between them.
“Here I am.” Mary said from behind him.
