After a brief embrace, she pulled away and hastily swiped at her eyes. It had bothered her that they hadn’t had a chance to make amends. Now that they had, it was as if a weight had suddenly been lifted from her chest. Her brother must have felt the same sense of relief, for his eyes looked suspiciously moist as he stood with a charming grin that would rival that of any rogue. “Enough sitting around here in this dark, gloomy room. Let’s go have some breakfast, shall we? See if this cook of Gabriel’s is worth all I’ve been told. Then, I might just beat you at a round of chess.”
Triana laughed. “You can certainly try.”
Travell turned to go but paused and pointed to the valise she’d just now noticed had been placed inside the door. “By the way, I managed to have Genevieve pack you a few dresses and personal items before I had her smuggled out of the house.”
Then, with a wink, he was gone.
Triana watched him depart and couldn’t help but feel, that while things weren’t perfect in her world, at the moment they were bearable.
***
Gabriel stretched the taunt muscles in his back and neck as he slid into the seat opposite Logan. Two mugs of ale were set before them and Gabriel took a modest sip before leaning back in his chair. His mood was heavy, much like his rain drenched, wool clothes, but it seemed as if the downpour that had doused the city for most of the morning was finally starting to subside.
At least something productive had come out this mess of a day. They had found Madame Corressa — or rather, her hired thug had found them.
The man appeared to innocently jostle him among the busy, London streets — disheartened as Gabriel was to learn from the Runners that nothing new had been uncovered regarding the courier’s murder — he had been surprised to feel a note pressed into his hand. As he had glanced up to quiz the messenger, the crowd had already swallowed him up, but at least it was positive news for a change. The missive had stated that the appointed meeting between Madame Corressa and Triana would still take place. While Gabriel had to imagine the note was genuine, he’d forwarded the message to Travell at Chiltern Hall.
By this time tomorrow, the viscount would be on his way back to London — with Triana.
Logan scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t think I’ve slept for two days.”
Gabriel’s gaze was hard and unyielding as he snapped, “You’ll get enough sleep when you’re dead.”
His companion snorted. “In our line of work, that might be tomorrow.” He took a long drink of his ale and glanced back at Gabriel, his ice blue gaze intense. “So how did things go at Chiltern Hall? I must say I got the distinct impression that things had become rather cozy between you and Lady Triana.”
Gabriel cocked his head to the side, his mouth kicking up at one corner. “Why don’t you just say what you’re really thinking, for subtlety has never been your strong suit.”
“Very well.” Logan set down his mug and asked bluntly, “How long have you been in love with her?”
Gabriel stiffened slightly. “I’ve known you to be bold in the past, Montgomery,
but I didn’t think you’d happily join the rest of the gossips of thebeau monde.”
“And yet, that doesn’t answer my question,” the other agent pointed out.
Gabriel tapped a finger against his mug and returned in all seriousness, “I think I loved her since the first time I saw her, but I knew for certain the night we rescued Travell.” He lifted his mug, and with one last swallow, he pushed it away.
“Thatwasquite a dress.”
Gabriel’s thoughts returned to that night when he had caressed her soft, creamy skin with his exploring hands… kissed the rounded globes of her breasts… and the way he’d stroked her, and how she had come apart in his arms…
“Trust me, the damned dress didn’t have anything to do with it.” He scowled as he shifted in his seat. “Are you through prattling now? It’s time we got back to work.”
“Forgive me, Chiltern,” Logan returned dryly as he rose to his feet. “I see I touched a nerve.”
Gabriel said nothing as he clenched his jaw and they left the roughshod, Whitechapel tavern in their common clothes. Gabriel’s mind began to wander, and even though he knew he should remain alert for any sign of trouble, he couldn’t seem to stop thinking of the only person who mattered.
Triana.
He still felt like the worst sort of bounder for leaving her like he had, but he knew that if he had gone into her bed chamber, he would have seen that long silky hair spread out over her pillow… those full lips primed for kissing… and he wouldn’t have been able to go. And if he had any hope of ending this case and waking up with her like that every day for the rest of their lives, then he’d had no choice but to leave her in her brother’s capable hands.
Looking back, he had to admit it was rather ironic that for years he had been confident the only way to survive was to remain detached and unfeeling. He had condemned those who would choose a life of love, without even realizing thathewas the lone ship tossed about in a turbulent sea of repressed emotion.
Only when Triana had come into his world, did she turn out to be his beacon in the storm, her innocent light bursting through years of bitter memories. She was the reason he’d been able to face his past and return to Chiltern Hall. He had been willing to confront those demons to keep her safe. And while he should have told her how he felt long before now, he hadn’t wanted to give her false hope that they could be together.
But the truth was, without her — he was nothing.
“Time to wake up.” Logan’s whispered warning broke through his reverie. “I think we’re about to face some trouble.”
