Two shillings were quickly fished out and held up, the second man actually licking his lips in anticipation. Withholding a shudder of disgust, she lifted a brow. “Ye’ve go’ t’ be doin’ better than that.”
The second man quickly fished out two more coins and leered, “I expect you’re worth th’ blunt. You’re about the best lookin’ whore I’ve seen in a long time. It’s gonna be a real pleasure t’ tup ye.”
Triana resisted the urge to retreat as he took a step forward, but she was temporarily saved when his companion grabbed hold of his arm, the jagged edge of his scar seeming more pronounced as he clenched his jaw. “Hold on there.” His dark voice carried a hint of warning. “I believe I was the one who put me neck o’ the line when I hoisted her up here. I think I ought t’ get a go first.”
As the other man argued that he would be in just as much trouble, Triana risked another quick glance about, but nothing appeared out of place. Not even a breeze stirred. Nervously, she bit her lower lip, praying that something hadn’t gone wrong.
Gabriel, where are you?
“I guess you’ll get us both at once, me ledy.”
Triana spun back around just as the man with the scar reached for her. Cornered, and knowing there was nowhere to run, she closed her eyes and waited for the assault — but it never came. The unmistakable sound of a body solidly hitting the deck had her eyes popping open, and she watched in amazement as Gabriel quickly smashed his fist into the second man.
“Not in this lifetime.” Gabriel muttered darkly, staring with deadly intent at the two unconscious heaps at his feet.
“How did you—?” Triana began incredulously, but she was cut off as the duke grabbed hold of her hand, causing a jolt of excitement to surge through her veins.
“I’m a spy, sweetheart,” he replied, as if that explained everything. Then, after a dashing wink that nearly took her breath, they hastily made their way back down the gangplank where two men awaited their arrival.
Her eyes instantly lit with joyful recognition as they settled on her brother. “Travell!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “Thank God! I was so worried.”
Travell returned her embrace before setting her at arm’s length. The scowl he wore quickly changed to one of sheer astonishment. “What the devil — !”
Confused, Triana tilted her head and regarded him with eyebrows raised.
The intimidating figure standing beside her brother took it upon himself to drawl, “I think he’s referring to your appearance, my lady.” Her face heated in embarrassment as the stranger turned to Travell and added, “Millicent certainly has a way with her girls.”
A tall man with a thatch of midnight black hair and striking, ice blue eyes, the stranger seemed to have a calm assurance that didn’t waver, even when her brother shot him a dark glare. “My sister isnotone of Millicent’s girls, Montgomery.”
Travell took off his cloak and put it around her shoulders. Giving her a stern look, he said, “We’ll talk later, Tri, but right now we need to get out of here—”
At that moment, the air was rent by a sharp command. “’Ey! Whot are ye doin’ there?”
The sound of several, thundering footsteps coming toward them had Travell cursing. “Bloody hell, it’s the captain!”
He turned to Triana and gave her a gentle shake, as fear had suddenly frozen her in place. “Run!”
They all scattered like leaves in the wind. Triana began to follow her brother and Montgomery, but Gabriel’s warm hand clasped hers and he pulled her in the opposite direction. “Wait! Travell—”
“They’ll be fine,” Chiltern stated firmly, giving her no further opportunity to argue as they took off.
He guided her down a series of alleys, while fear clawed at her like a hungry beast. After several twists and turns until her lungs began to ache, but Gabriel didn’t even break stride. He kept her close, and Triana could see the look of determination and focus on his handsome face. And for the first time, she really wondered abouthim. Not as a duke, or even a spy, but as Gabriel — the man.
What could have possibly made him choose this sort of life? Did he truly enjoy this constant hum of danger lurking around every corner? Or was he merely bound by a strong sense of honor, one that caused him to risk life and limb for the sake of king and country? So many questions were swirling at the edge of her mind as Gabriel finally brought them to a halt behind a tall, shadowed hedge.
It took her only a moment for her to recognize the familiar surroundings of Vauxhall Gardens. She had been here on a few occasions to view the fireworks, although she had always been warned to steer clear of the dark walks — disreputable as they were in the daytime, she knew they were even more infamous after the sun went down, for this is where many couples snuck off to for a lover’s tryst.
They stood in silence for several minutes, the only sounds around them the occasional chirp of a cricket, or the croak of a toad, and their own labored breathing.
Only then did Gabriel finally look down at her. From this distance, the slightest move from either of them would have their lips touching. “I think we lost them,” he said softly as he slowly backed away.
Triana shivered, feeling bereft of his warmth. She rubbed her arms and glanced away. He noticed her sudden withdrawal and must have misread it, for he gently forced up her chin with his thumb and forefinger. He eyed her somberly. “Don’t worry. Travell is a good agent. He won’t let himself get caught twice.”
Triana nodded, but the combined dangers of the evening suddenly made her throat raw with emotion. She closed her eyes as a single tear escaped. He immediately brushed it away with the pad of his thumb. “God, Triana, please don’t cry.”
As she lifted her eyes to his, the air instantly became charged with electricity. “I’m not worried about Travell,” she admitted. “I just don’t understandyou.” She shook her head and pushed out of his grasp. The distress of the evening quickly turned to anger. “You act as though you care about me one minute, and then the next you push me away and run to Cordelia.” She crossed her arms. “You need to make a decision. Right now. It’s either me or her, but you can’t have us both.”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Triana, it’s complicated—”
