“I insulted him, he challenged me to a duel, and I threatened to give him the thrashing that he deserves.”
Her eyes went wide, her lips parted, and then she suddenly laughed as she flung her arms around his neck and pressed a series of kisses to his cheek. As much as he wanted to lose himself in the moment—to close the door to his study and show her what it meant for her to be his—Gabriella needed to know about the news he’d just received. So he pulled back, unraveling her arms from around his neck, and met her joyous gaze.
“There’s something you need to know,” he said. “The boxing match I told you about will take place in about a week and a half. There’s no getting out of it. It’s been confirmed.”
The reminder of what was at stake made Gabriella stiffen. But only for a second. Burying her fears somewhere deep down inside her, she squared her shoulders, determined to do the right thing and stand by his side. “I’d like to come and watch. If you’ll allow it.”
Surprise sprang to his eyes. He stared at her. “It will hardly be fitting for a lady to attend such a spectacle. And I would never—as much as I appreciate your support, I would never—”
“Boxing has been a monumental part of your life until recently. I would like to be there, not just for support, but to catch a glimpse of that part of you.”
“Your parents will never allow it.”
“They needn’t know,” she told him fiercely. Her love for him—for this man who’d done so much for her—made being there for him the most important thing in the world right now; more important than her parents’ opinions, more important than Society’s approval, and more important than her own reputation. There was nothing she wouldn’t sacrifice for him. She’d even walk through fire if she had to. So she told him firmly, “But even if they were to find out about it, I wouldn’t care. This is a large part of who you are, and I refuse to turn my back on that.”
He stared at her for a long, drawn-out moment until her legs felt weak and her mind went numb with the worry that she might have said the wrong thing. She’d just begun tracking over all her words when he spoke in a gravelly tone. “Do you have any idea how incredible you are?” Admiration lit up his eyes. But there was something deeper, too; a tender warmth that made her insides melt.
Unable to utter a word, Gabriella kept quiet. The clock ticked loudly on Huntley’s desk. He flexed his fingers, his throat working as if to keep some inner turmoil at bay. “It would be too dangerous for you to be there,” he finally said. “The crowd can be unpredictable.”
“I needn’t be in the middle of it. I can stand to one side.”
“Gabriella.”
Her name was spoken with a gruffness that instantly reminded her of hot kisses and gentle fingers caressing. “Yes?” she asked, aware of her own raspy tone.
He took a breath, his chest straining with the effort. His jaw tightened and then he moved toward her, closing the distance with precise steps. His hands settled against her shoulders, producing a slow burn that weakened her limbs. Instinctively, she sagged forward against his chest, desperate for the closeness and needing the support. He wound his arms around her waist, holding her in a possessive grip that made her feel so incredibly treasured. “If anything were to happen to you,” he murmured against the top of her head, “I’d never forgive myself. In fact, it would likely kill me.”
Gabriella’s throat tightened with emotion, her stomach twisting itself inside out as his words settled in her consciousness. His love for her ran just as deep as hers did for him. Nothing else would compel such concern for her welfare. Nothing else would have made him fight for her with such unrelenting determination. He wanted to keep her safe—protected. But she wouldn’t allow him to keep her away. Not when she’d chosen to share the rest of her life with him. “Perhaps Richardson will be there cheering you on? I can go with him.”
His hold on her tightened before loosening once more. “Why must you be so stubborn?”
“Because I love you, Raphe, and because I worry for your safety just as you worry for mine. I need to be there to see the match, not sitting at home fretting over the outcome. I’ll go mad doing that.”
He held her gaze until she felt his love for her pouring through her. And then he nodded. “If Coventry agrees to go as well, so you have two men watching your back, I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you!” Tilting her head back, she looked up at his handsome face. It was mid-afternoon; hours since his morning shave. His jaw was beginning to show hints of stubble. Reaching up, Gabriella brushed her thumb across it, the abrasiveness sending a thrill of energy straight to her toes. She longed to deepen the bond, between them—to give him everything. No boundaries. But they were presently in his study with a house full of servants and sisters—both his and hers.
“I’m not guaranteeing anything,” he warned her.
She nodded to ease his concerns. But she now felt confident that she would manage to be there for him when he took on his opponent in a match that would likely go down in history as one of the most memorable ever. She was sure he’d be victorious, and didn’t want to miss sharing that with him.
He searched her face. “Gabriella.” His hand slipped to the back of her head, supporting her there as he leaned in closer, his scent infusing her awareness with a thrill of anticipation. And then his lips touched hers, his strength and vitality pouring through her as he pressed his hand to her lower back and molded them together. He was all power and pure masculinity, his body firm, his manner rough with a passion she’d never allowed herself to dream of. “You drive me to distraction,” he murmured as he kissed his way along her jawline. “You make me want the impossible.”
A gasp was all the response she could manage as his teeth grazed her earlobe in a gentle nibble. “We’ll make it possible,” she promised. With a low growl, he playfully bit into her shoulder as though marking her as his. The thrill was impossible for her to ignore, the fire it lit producing a molten heat in her veins. It stirred to life an unrepentant thirst in her that only he would be able to quench. “I only want you.”
“And you will be mine now, Gabriella.” He spoke the promise with conviction. “But—” Straightening himself, he stared down at her upturned face while his thumb tracked a path across her kiss-swollen lips. “We need to restrain ourselves a little—however difficult that may be.”
As if to punctuate the truth in his statement, the door to the study swung wide open at that exact moment. “Oh!” It was Amelia, who’d come in search of her brother. “I—err . . .”
Releasing Gabriella, Raphe stepped away from her to add an appropriate amount of distance. “Yes?” he asked, addressing his sister.
A mischievous grin formed on Amelia’s lips. Gabriella blushed. “Please tell me that the two of you have agreed to marry,” she said without preamble. “It will make this—” She gestured toward the two of them with her hands. “So much easier.”
Raphe darted a look at Gabriella before returning his attention to his sister. “Was there something you wanted?” he asked, ignoring her comment.
“Yes,” she said with a little frown of displeasure. “Juliette and I would like to visit the modiste so we can order gowns for the ball you’re planning to host.”
“You’re hosting a ball?” Gabriella asked, looking at Raphe.
