Suddenly, her mind began racing for another reason entirely. Thus, she made a silent promise to herself — that by the time she gave herself over to Eastbury as a wife forevermore — a virgin she would no longer be.
***
Gabriel threw the latest edition of theTimesacross his study, where it hit the wall with a firmthwack!He considered letting the brandy decanter and anything else he could get a hold of follow the same fate, but instead, he poured himself another two fingers worth of the amber liquid. After a brief pause, he changed his mind and made it four, then downed it all in one scorching gulp.
“Pour me one of those, would you?” A familiar voice resounded from the doorway and Gabriel spun around with a dark scowl.
He slammed down his empty glass with enough force to shatter it, and advanced on Travell. “What the hell is the matter with you?” he demanded, the thunder evident in his voice. “Have you lost your bloody mind?”
“And good afternoon to you too,” the viscount replied evenly. He walked past Gabriel’s irate form, and helped himself to a splash of brandy before sinking down in one of the plush, leather chairs by the fireplace. “I take it you’ve heard?”
His only response was the sharp tightening of Gabriel’s jaw.
“Indeed. What a silly question.” Travell nodded, answering his own query. “Well, since we happen to be on the subject of my sister, I should probably tell you that she knows about my work with the Home Office.” Looking straight at Gabriel, he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, “I told her.”
He uttered a curse and ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “God, Travell…”
“She deserved to know the truth,” the viscount said on a heavy sigh. “While I didn’t feel it necessary to give her any specifics on our current investigation, I have to admit that a part of me is relieved it’s all out in the open.”
Gabriel gave a snort as his eyes narrowed. “Please tell me that’s not why she’s marrying Eastbury — because you think that weasel will actually protect her?”
Travell glanced at him, his expression solemn. “What would you have me do? Demand that you marry her instead?” A firm silence enveloped the room to which Travell gave a knowing scoff and shook his head. “I know you may find this hard to believe, but I had nothing to do with my sister’s impending nuptials.”
“You’re right, I don’t believe you.” Gabriel replied, without any hint of remorse. “You’re her brother, so how can you deny any involvement?”
Travell met his raging gaze and calmly took a sip of his drink before answering, “True, I am head of the house, but in this instance, the decision was taken out of my hands.” Gabriel was about to argue further, but Travell lifted a hand. “Apparently my mother petitioned the Regent some time ago, and as I understand it, Prinny gives his utmost blessing because he believes it is a love match. Not only that, but he has no reason not to approve.” With a heavy sigh, he continued, “Triana absolutely detests that man, but Mother will stop at nothing to keep herself elevated in the eyes of society, even sacrifice her own daughter for the cause. I honestly think after Father left, she forgot what it was to be selfless.” He paused to stare thoughtfully into the fire. “Sometimes I wonder if I did too. I’ve been focused on my work for so long, that I lost sight of what was truly important, and now I fear Triana is lost forever.”
For several minutes, the only sound was the crackle of logs in the spitting fire, and the light rustle of Travell’s jacket as he continued to sip his drink.
Finally, Gabriel broke the tension with a quiet murmur. “So what happens now?”
“What do you mean?”
“The smuggling investigation.”
Travell’s brows drew together in confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t follow. Nothing has changed in that respect. We continue to move forward.”
“But what about Triana?” Gabriel challenged. “Where does she fit into all of this?”
The viscount’s eyes sparked a warning. “Triana will not be anywhere near this investigation.”
He smiled tolerantly. “Come now, Travell. We both know Triana’s nature. Do you really believe she’ll turn a blind eye that easily?”
“She’ll have no choice,” Travell reiterated firmly. “Besides, I imagine Mother will keep her plenty occupied with the upcoming wedding.”
Gabriel paused. It just made him sick to think of Triana wed to a man like Eastbury. And while he vowed that he would never marry and take his place as the next Duke of Chiltern, it appeared the choice had been taken from him. “Has a date been set yet?”
“I don’t believe so, but I imagine it will be soon. Perhaps within the month.” Travell glanced at him with a curious expression. “Why do you ask?”
Gabriel downed the last of his brandy. “Only that if we intend to free Triana from this engagement, then we’d better solve this case so the Regent will consider our plea to break it off.”
Travell cocked his head to the side. “Why do you care if she’s married to Eastbury or not?”
He clenched his jaw. “Let’s just say I have personal reasons to stop this wedding.”
Something in his voice must have mollified Travell, for he gave a nod. “All right, then. Let’s get to work.”
***
