“With your condition—” Ambrose began.
“I’mfine. I’m stronger than I used to be.” She huffed out a breath. “Why can’t anyone understand that?”
Her brother and sister-in-law looked startled. Even she was surprised by her piqued tone.
“No one doubts your strength, dear. We’re simply worried about you,” Marianne said.
“I know it.” Seeing the pair’s genuine concern, Thea felt instantly guilty. “Forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” her brother said. “But I must ask, Thea: what is going on between you and Tremont?”
Thea’s face warmed. Since the explosion had curtailed her and Gabriel’s discussion of the future, she didn’t know how to reply. “May I answer that question later?”
Ambrose frowned. “Why?”
“Because she doesn’t know the answer at present,” Marianne murmured to him. To Thea, she said, “As long as you know what you’re doing, dear.”
“I do,” Thea said.At least, I hope I do.
At that moment, Gabriel entered the room, drawing Thea’s attention. His tawny hair was tousled, and his color was still off, the hollows beneath his eyes and cheekbones making him appear more starkly masculine than ever. The slight bulge of his bandage was visible beneath his waistcoat. Even in this state, he was so devastatingly attractive that her heart flipped in her chest.
Yet gone was the tender lover she’d just been getting to know. There was no trace of warmth to him now, nothing but icy resolve. His eyes locked on hers, and they were the cold, lucid grey of dawn. Premonition shivered over her. He’d called this meeting for a purpose, and she had the intuition that she’d soon learn some of his secrets.
Which suited her. Because she yearned to know him, had been drawn from the start to the dark, passionate soul she’d always sensed just beneath his civilized exterior.Hewas the intensity she’d always craved. He made her feel more alive, more vital than she ever had.
And she was determined to help him in any way she could.
Who was trying to harm him? Was the attempted kidnapping of Freddy related to the carriage attack? What sort of intrigue was Gabriel embroiled in and with what evil enemy?
Everyone found seats around the coffee table, Thea taking the chair next to Gabriel. As tea and refreshments were passed around, he began to speak.
“Thank you all for coming. I owe you my gratitude,” he said gravely, “and I’m afraid that I will be further in your debt before the day is done.”
“Friends don’t speak of debt,” Strathaven said dismissively.
“Neither do families,” Ambrose said. “Any friend of the Strathavens are friends of ours, Lord Tremont.”
Thea felt a rush of love and gratitude toward her brother.
“I am indeed fortunate, then, for I wish to retain the services of your firm.” Pausing, Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck. “Forgive me. Asking for help is even more difficult than I imagined.”
“Thea told us you have an enemy,” Ambrose said. “Perhaps you’d care to begin there.”
“Yes.” Gabriel drew a breath. “Before I start, there is something you must know. A secret that must remain in this room.”
Ambrose inclined his head. “You may be assured of our discretion.”
“Don’t keep us at the edge of our seats,” Emma said.
Thea saw the conflict tautening Gabriel’s features.
“Whatever it is,” she said softly, “you can trust us, you know.”
Gabriel met her eyes. Gave a slight nod, as if coming to some inner decision. “During the war with Bonaparte, I was involved in intelligence operations for the Crown,” he said.
As Thea tried to absorb that startling piece of information, he went on, “I was recruited to a group whose primary objective was the covert gathering of information and guarding of national secrets.” He exhaled, his gaze never leaving hers. “In other words, I was a spy.”
***
