‘Well, I would have preferred our first intimacy to have taken place in more salubrious surroundings,’ Gabriel commented ruefully, sitting up beside her with a groan of his own.
‘Starting with a bed?’ teased Hope.
‘Oh, definitely a bed. And mayhap some flower petals decorating the pillows?’
‘Roses,’ decided Hope, rearranging her bodice into some semblance of modesty. ‘I believe rose petals would smell divine.’ She gave a small laugh and looked over at Gabriel. ‘I fear in our current state of déshabilléthough, a hundred rose petals would make not one jot of difference.’
Gabriel grinned back at her, his heart swelling with love and pride at her unwavering spirit. ‘Then mayhap we should…’ He was interrupted by the sound of a key being turned on the other side of the door. Hope’s eyes widened in sudden fear and Gabriel gave her fingers a quick reassuring squeeze before climbing quickly to his feet. Fortunately, they were no longer in a state of undress and the Viscount was able to regard the slowly opening door with a relatively impassive expression. He was not surprised to see all three of Henry’s henchmen in the open doorway, nor the fact that two of them were carrying pistols pointed directly at him and Hope. Clearly his cousin was taking no chances.
What did surprise him, however, was the sight of the third man carrying a tray. ‘Don’ try any bloody funny business,’ the ruffian ordered, hurriedly placing the tray onto the floor and backing out. ‘An’ don’ eat it all at once’ The last sneering comment was made just as he slammed the door shut and turned the key.
Gabriel strode over to the tray. On it were two glasses of water, bread, cheese and what looked like some kind of meat. He turned back towards Hope who was staring at him… well… hopefully.
He bent to pick up the tray and returned to his position next to her, placing the feast between them.
‘Wait,’ he warned when Hope made a grab for the nearest piece of bread. ‘The fare may well be laced with poison or some such. I would not put it past my cousin to take the easy way out.’ Hope stared at him in frustration. She was so damned hungry.
‘At least let me try everything first,’ he added at her anguished gaze. Leaning forward to give her a quick peck of sympathy, he picked up a piece of bread and tentatively put it to his mouth. Five minutes later, he’d tried everything on the tray and seemed to be feeling no ill effects. Hope had never taken her eyes off him the whole time. Although he wasn’t entirely sure whether her close regard was due to concern for his wellbeing, or simple longing to put something in her mouth after so long, she actually reminded him of their family dog Freddy.
He smothered an ill-timed chuckle and waved his hand towards the food. ‘I’m still here, so go ahead and eat love.’
Hope fell upon the food like someone starving which she undoubtedly was. For himself, Gabriel ate sparingly. He had become accustomed to sporadic and meagre rations whilst making his way home through Spain and his appetite had not yet fully recovered.
When every crumb was devoured, Hope sighed and patted her belly. ‘Here we are in mortal danger, our lives in the very balance… and never have I enjoyed such paltry fare so much. It was better than the finest banquet.’ She gave an unladylike burp and reddened in the candlelight. Unable to help himself, Gabriel laughed, causing her to flush even further.
‘My love, your face now matches your hair,’ he teased. Hope made to cuff him impishly, but he caught her arms and pulled her to him. ‘Would that we had the time for me to cause you further blushes,’ he murmured, his lips a mere inch away from hers.
Despite their ongoing peril, Hope felt an answering tingle between her thighs. Her gaze clung to his and her pulse quickened at the intensity in his eyes. The moment stretched and she had no ready quip. At length, he bent his head and covered her lips with his. But where before his kiss had been all consuming, this time it was soft, searching and filled with so much promise. As they broke apart, Hope knew that if they managed to survive, Gabriel had claimed her as his own. Indeed, even if they perished this day, the Viscount had unquestionably conquered her heart.
Gabriel rested his forehead against hers and she stroked her hands over his broad shoulders.
‘We need to come up with at least some kind of strategy, however vague,’ he advised wearily. ‘It’s my belief that Henry is lulling us into a false sense of optimism in an attempt to get as much information out of us as possible. But make no mistake, he will not allow either of us to leave this house or indeed this room, alive.’ Hope made to speak, but he softly pressed his finger against her lips.
‘When Henry arrives, let me do the talking love. He knows nothing about your family’s connection to the Duke of Blackmore and we must keep it that way lest he panic and rid himself of us sooner. At the moment, he does not expect any immediate interference. The longer I can keep him talking, the more time we are giving Nicholas to come to our aid.’
‘You think he will come then?’ whispered Hope, uncertainty lacing her voice.
‘You think your sister would allow him otherwise?’ quipped Gabriel. Hope chuckled softly, the first hint of optimism stirring under her fear.
‘Do not allow Henry to draw you out,’ the Viscount continued. He will…’
Gabriel’s words were cut short as they heard the key turning in the lock again. Looking up as one, they watched as the door slowly opened.
∞∞∞
Grace had never seen her father pointing a pistol before. Indeed, she didn’t even know he owned one given that he took the Lord’s commandment,Thou shalt not killto encompass all living things. Even as far as refusing to hunt though he owned a deuced foxhound. Naturally, he did not extend this edict to others lest he be forced to live the rest of his life on rabbit food. Carrots were all well and good, but much better served on the same plate as the rabbit.
The perversity of her parent was without question but nevertheless, though she was entirely certain he would not use it, Grace was beyond thankful to see him pointing the weapon steadily at the Admiral and his wife.
‘Don’t move,’ the Reverend ordered in hisslippery slope downstairstone of voice. ‘Percy, have a look to see if they have a cellar or at least a deuced room with a lock.’ The curate who’d been hovering anxiously behind his superior, hobbled forward and Grace wondered what calamity had befallen the small manthis time.
‘Father, Hope and Gabriel are not here,’ the Duchess informed the Reverend, hastily stepping away from the wild-eyed Caroline Atwood. ‘In my opinion, neither of Henry’s parents were even aware that Gabriel was still alive.’
‘Hmph,’ was all the Reverend commented without taking his eyes off his quarry. Grace hurried over to him. ‘We need to get to Northwood Court as quickly as possible now we’ve ascertained that they aren’t here.’
‘Are you absolutely confident of that Grace?’ her father questioned.
‘I am certain. There is no doubt in my mind that neither the Admiral nor his wife are responsible for Gabriel’s and Hope’s kidnapping.’ She looked back at the obnoxious couple who hadn’t moved. ‘At least one of them is guilty of attempted murder, of that I have no doubt and they are most assuredly both cowards…’ She paused before continuing in a lower tone, ‘and I believe that Mrs Atwood is more than a little addled.’
