“Try again,” Gabriel said, pivoting to make room for the sprawling Stanhope.
“Nevil?!” called a new voice.
Stanhope’s brother Dennis and Bartholomew Crewes skidded to the corner, gaping at the row.
“You’re joking, Nevil!” Dennis Stanhope exclaimed. “Not again. You ruin everything. I told Papa not to allow you to come.”
“Don’t make a fuss, Dennis, there’s a good lad,” cajoled Mr. Fielding, now halfway down the railing. “You didn’t see it but we were attacked by a member of staff.”
“This man? He’s not a member of staff,” said Bartholomew, “that is the brother of my aunt. He’s a bloody Frenchprince.”
“Bart?” Ryan cut in, angling for control, “will you fetch Killian, please? Extract himquietlyif you can. Don’t disrupt the others.”
“Yes, yes,” said Bartholomew, “if you can assure me you’re unharmed, Lady Ryan?”
“Oh yes. But about your uncle? Quickly, please Bart?”
Bartholomew nodded and darted away.
“I cannot enjoy one, solitary, decent friendship, Nevil!” Dennis railed at his brother. “Not one—without you mucking it up. Bartholomew’s family are nice people; I waited a month for this invitation. And you attack his relative like a common footpad?”
“What the devil is going on?” Killian Crewes strode around the corner with Bartholomew. He took in Ryan’s expression, Gabriel’s balled fists, and Mr. Stanhope doubled over on the ground.
“Lady Ryan, are you well?” Killian asked.
“Perfectly well, Mr. Crewes. Please do not worry. There was just—”
“Say no more,” breathed Killian.
For a moment, Ryan thought she’d made a mistake—that Killian would challenge or questionGabriel. One glance at Gabriel and she realized her husband thought the same. This sort of public reckoning was a primary reason Gabriel dreaded leaving the forest.
But Killian wanted no reckoning. He glanced over his shoulder, tightened his gloves, and then smiled coolly at the group.
“Bart, can you and Dennis escort Mr. Stanhope to his feet and then off the terrace? His friend, too. Nope, not another step, Fielding. Off you go. Take the garden path to my carriage. Tell Tom to convey them to the fountain in Marlborough—but not a mile farther. There Tom willdepositthem and return home. This will leave the family carriage here for Sir James and the others when they depart. I’ll make excuses for Mr. Fielding and Mr. Stanhope so as to not upset Dennis’s parents and grandmother.”
“Right, Killian,” said Bartholomew. He and his friend each took one of Mr. Stanhope’s arms and began dragging him down the steps.
“Don’t just stand there, Charlie,” Dennis called to Mr. Fielding. “You’re no stranger to evictions from civilized company.”
“Let go, Denny,” growled Mr. Stanhope, staggering to stand between Dennis and Bartholomew. Dennis hissed something at him and kneed him in the hip.
“You’re certain you’re unharmed, Lady Ryan?” asked Killian, turning back to her. “I’ve worried over your wellness all night. I apologize for imposing these men on your end of the table. I should’ve asked them to leave an hour ago. I’d no idea they’d descended upon you here in the shadows.”
“Do not think of it again,” Ryan assured him. “Noharm done. I’ll shed no tears over their departure, but I’m grateful the party has not been ruined for the others. Dennis seems like a nice boy.”
“Dennis and Bart are having the time of their lives, never you fear,” Mr. Crewes said. The sound of punching could be heard in the direction of the carriages.
He glanced at Gabriel. “Can you manage from here?”
Ryan swung her gaze to Gabriel. She had no prediction for what he would do.
Slowly, Gabriel nodded to his brother-in-law.
“Very good,” Mr. Crewes said. And then he yanked on his lapels, spun on his heel, and disappeared around the corner.
And now Ryan was alone on the dark terrace with her husband. Her breath was frozen in her chest. Gabriel was so handsome, and avenging, andhere—when she’d really needed him, he’d been here. Her broken heart tried again to beat—all fifty pieces of it, scattered about her chest, thumping and lurching to life.
He locked eyes with her—that warm, hazel intensity focused entirely on her. Ryan’s inside dissolved into shimmers. Ducking his head, he held out one, tentative hand.
