Gabriel threw a coin onto the table, and before she knew it two ales were in front of them. She worked up a smile. This ale looked about the same way the tavern did. Shady. There was something floating in the liquid that she didn’t want to identify.
The man who had delivered the mugs stood before the table, a towel over his shoulder. Gabriel held out his hand, and when the man shook it, a glint of metal passed between them.
“We’re looking for a man. About your height. Brown hair, blue eyes, with a scar running beneath his chin.”
“I might know who you’re talking about. What you want with him?”
“This is his sister. He hasn’t been home in a fortnight. Family is worried sick.”
Marietta read the look in the man’s eye. He didn’t believe a word, but then he didn’t look as if he cared either.
“Bad business making family worry. Bloke fitting that description was in here yesterday. Talked to Denise.” He pointed at a girl in a tight dress. “Moved off in a hurry.”
Gabriel handed the man another coin. The man walked over and said something to Denise.
Gabriel leaned into her. “What do my eyes say, Marietta?”
She jerked to look at him. His eyes were smoky and bright green. “They say you are intrigued.”
“Tut tut, Marietta. You are losing your touch.” A bit of challenge entered his gaze.
She swallowed. “They say you are about to kiss me.”
A slow smile worked over his lips. “Much better.”
“But we don’t need—”
His mouth swept hers. His tongue teased hers. His hands pulled her to him. Gabriel was never awkward or hasty. Always dominating. Always sure of himself.
He pulled away and she felt a quiver in her limbs. With one maneuver he could reduce her to jelly. No. Fire fueled her determination. She grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him forward. Doing everything he had taught her. Pulling him into her and sending herself back.
She released him, breathing heavily. He stared at her, eyes wide, shock in the green depths.
“You still need me over here? Roger said you wanted to talk, but methinks you might be wanting something else,” a voice said to her right.
Gabriel ignored the voice and continued to look at her, eyes back to regular size but unreadable.
Marietta gripped her mug and stared back.
Gabriel ripped his gaze away and motioned the woman to a seat. Denise sat. “Be needing a taste of another woman too? I can give you that.” She cackled.
“It was said you talked to a man with a scar last night,” Gabriel said, his voice clipped.
She took his measure. “Yeah, he was here. Took him home with me.”
“You took him back to your room?”
She shrugged. “Seemed nice enough. Average tumble, but most days are like that, aren’t they?” She gave him a once-over. “Other days promise a little more. Wouldn’t mind being between the both of ya if you promise more of that display.”
Marietta blinked.
“What can you tell me of him? Where did he go afterward? Did he say anything about where he would be?”
“Left right after. Most do. Said he would be back tonight. Not the first time that someone’s made that promise and not kept it.” She shrugged.
“Did he do anything odd?”
“Kept calling me Abigail. Told me to tell him he was a bad boy. Got to whip him. Right fun. Promised me more of the same.” She shrugged again. “Don’t really care what he calls me as long as I get me money. The whipping suited me just fine.”
