Rogues Gallery (37 page)

His heart lurched at her words. Edmund was determined to make Marisa his bride, no matter what. Afterwards, there was no way of knowing precisely what he planned, though Gabriel could guess. There was no time to lose, for Marisa's life, and their future together, depended on Gabriel stopping Edmund's mad schemes.

He turned away, but Daphne clung to his fingers.

"You love her," she said, her expression an envious one.

"Very much," Gabriel answered. "More than my own life."

She smiled, giving his hand a squeeze. "Go save her then."

***

G
abriel opened the door of the chapel, without fanfare this time. His heart soared to see Marisa still alive, though a surge of anger followed when he saw Edmund's arm holding her snug against his side.

"Gabriel," Marisa whispered.

Edmund's head snapped toward him, an arrogant smile lifting his lips.

Gabriel writhed at his inability to provide reassurance to Marisa when she most needed it. He could not reveal his feelings for her, for Edmund would exploit them, causing her even more harm for the sheer pleasure of seeing Gabriel suffer.

Yet Gabriel would protect Marisa no matter what it cost him, even if it meant his own life.

He heard a whimper nearby, and saw Althea seated on a bench, trembling, a cloth covering her mouth. Either her movements were constricted, or Edmund was certain she would not abandon her niece, for no guard stood nearby. Her fear was palpable, however, her eyes widened as she gazed at Marisa.

"Edmund, I am disappointed you took so long to arrange this meeting," Gabriel said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "I have gone to a great deal of trouble."

"You think fifteen years is a long time?" Edmund sneered, not taking his eyes off Marisa. To Gabriel's dismay, she made no move to distance herself from the man. That could only mean she was unable to, for he could see in his angel's eyes she wanted to race into his arms.

"I did not speak of the time since you tried to kill me, uncle. But instead that moment when I stole your intended bride."

Edmund's eyes glittered. "But she will be mine, soon. Once I have killed you for certain this time. I am certain Miss Dunsmore will demonstrate her gratitude at having a genuine man in her bed."

Gabriel's blood boiled at the taunt, yet he forced himself to remain calm. He shrugged with patent unconcern, praying Marisa would understand his plan when she heard his next words. It was a monumental risk, but he could not permit Edmund to know how much Marisa meant to him.

Gabriel glanced at her and then yawned, gazing around the church. "And I am grateful, uncle, that you shall acknowledge the child she carries as your heir."

Edmund emitted an enraged howl. Gabriel feared he had gone too far, particularly with Marisa in Edmund's viselike grip. To Gabriel's surprise, Marisa sought to soothe his uncle. She raised her hand to Edmund's face, and Gabriel's heart stopped beating for several long moments.

Edmund held a knife to Marisa's ribs.

Her life was in danger, yet Marisa was intent on protecting Gabriel from Edmund's madness. He loved her more in that moment than he believed possible.

"Edmund, we have a great deal of unfinished business between us."

"Do we?" Edmund asked, as if fascinated by his nephew's response.

Gabriel pressed on. "Come, you know it is me you want."

Edmund laughed, a sound so chilling that Gabriel felt his brow break out in a cold sweat. "No, you're quite wrong, nephew. 'Tis not you I want." He fondled Marisa's breast, all the while staring into Gabriel's eyes.

Marisa cringed, but Edmund appeared unaware of her reaction, intent as he was on taunting Gabriel. Gabriel would have lunged forward but knew Edmund would not hesitate to plunge the dagger into Marisa.

"Edmund, let us go now," Marisa pleaded. "You said the vicar was on his way."

"Stay, Edmund," Gabriel countered. "We have so much to discuss."

Edmund glanced between both of them, clearly wanting to leave with Marisa, yet unable to resist tormenting his nephew.

Marisa tugged on Edmund's arm once more, and his unyielding body made her trip. Edmund reached to grab her before she toppled to the stone floor, but Gabriel dove forward, pushing Marisa to safety. From the corner of his eye, he saw her scramble away, but his attention remained riveted on the blade Edmund thrust out in front of him.

He ducked the first slashing movement. The second whirred past his ear, but Gabriel spun out of the way. He kicked Edmund's unprotected stomach. When his uncle doubled over with pain, Gabriel rushed forward. But Edmund lashed out with the knife, nearly catching Gabriel's wrist with the blade.

They circled each other, both waiting for an opening, the only sound their ragged breathing. Edmund finally charged, impatient to end the impasse. Gabriel kicked the weapon from his uncle's hand, grateful to see the blade flying across the floor, though it was perilously close to where Marisa stood, guarding her aunt.

Edmund chased the weapon as it skittered across the flagstones. "Marisa! Hand me the knife."

She grabbed it, but threw it as hard as she could toward the back of the chapel.

Edmund howled with outrage. "You deceitful whore!"

Before Gabriel could reach her, Edmund slapped her, staggering her with the blow.

Gabriel's control snapped. He charged Edmund, knocking him to the stone floor. They rolled several times before Edmund gained purchase, standing up. Gabriel grabbed at him, pulling Edmund toward the chapel door, intent on getting him as far away from Marisa as possible. Edmund put his head down and rammed Gabriel, knocking both of them through the open doorway and onto the ground.

Gabriel was instantly astride his uncle, his hands closing around Edmund's throat.

He was no longer an indefensible ten-year-old boy, at the mercy of his ruthless, grasping uncle. Now he had the means to protect those he loved. He could see to it that Marisa would be safe, her future secured from any more threats.

He tightened his fingers until Edmund was gasping for breath.

"Gabriel!" Marisa sobbed, pulling at his arms. "No!"

Gabriel paid no heed to her cries, for he would not let Edmund rob him of the only pure thing he had ever encountered in his life. Such goodness as she possessed could not be destroyed because of Edmund's evil intentions.

Edmund's eyes bulged, his face reddening, yet the devil managed a ghastly laugh. "Yes, nephew, kill me," he rasped.

Gabriel halted, startled by Edmund's diabolical suggestion.

"It is what you want," Edmund taunted, "what you've always wanted. Do not stop now."

"No, Gabriel, this is not what you want," Marisa cried, tugging harder. "You want justice, not retribution."

"But revenge is so sweet, is it not, nephew? You have dreamed of this for so many years. You've plotted and schemed, waiting for this very moment. I know you have. I did the same."

Gabriel stared into his uncle's eyes, shivering at the utter depravity he saw there. His grip loosened, just for a moment. Edmund saw him waver, and continued his evil seduction.

"Become like me, nephew. Kill for what you want."

Gabriel gasped, pulling his hands away from Edmund. He stared at his shaking palms. Edmund had tried to steal his soul as his last mortal act, and worse, had almost succeeded.

With a cry of horror, Gabriel stood up and backed away, dazed. In the instant his guard was down, Edmund grabbed Marisa and yanked her to his side.

"No!" Gabriel cried out, his terror overcoming his fear for his own safety. He leapt toward Edmund, intent on killing him for good, no matter the cost to his immortal soul. Edmund laughed, drawing a second weapon Gabriel did not know his uncle possessed. He placed the dagger to Marisa's throat.

Gabriel stopped, unsure whether to call Edmund's bluff. Edmund raised his eyebrows, awaiting Gabriel's next move. Gabriel's heart warred with his head, delirious at the thought of Marisa dying at Edmund's hand, yet wanting to do nothing that would put her further at risk.

Gabriel finally put his hands in the air in a gesture of resignation, certain it was the only possible method for preventing injury to Marisa. Edmund leered and pricked Marisa's skin just beneath her ear.

Gabriel's fists clenched at the blood trickling down her smooth white throat. Was Edmund to prove victorious after all? Sweet Christ, was there truly no justice in this world?

Gabriel's eyes flew to Marisa's terror-filled ones. It should have been no surprise that she silently pleaded with him not to come to harm for her sake. Yet his heart cried out that he could not bear seeing her injured, not at Edmund's hand, not when she had called his soul from the brink of destruction. She had placed her faith in him, and he could not fail her now.

"Come, Marisa," Edmund said in his velvety voice, making Gabriel shiver anew. "It is time we depart. Our guests await us in the chapel."

"You're mad! I am wed to Gabriel," she cried out.

Gabriel saw the glaze of madness in his uncle's eyes, and he feared for Marisa even more.

"Edmund! Let her go."

"Now, now," Edmund chided, pressing the dagger against Marisa's throat. She stood on tiptoe, doing her best to avoid being impaled on the sharp blade.

As if reciting the most delicious tale to a child, Edmund told Marisa, "The cleric is on his way, and this time the Prince Regent will attend the wedding. In fact, he should be arriving soon. It was a stroke of fortune he could not attend the last time, of course."

Edmund backed away from Gabriel, glancing about, but Gabriel could not guess the reason. To his relief, he saw Gilbey and Jamie in the background, as well as the rest of his band of rogues. Eclipse nickered a greeting to Gabriel, but it served to distract Edmund for a moment.

"Bring him to me," Edmund demanded.

Gabriel nodded at Gilbey. He did not permit himself to contemplate Marisa being killed before he could rescue her. Yet he knew if she were to die at his uncle's hand, he would not hesitate to plunge the dagger into Edmund's black heart. Gabriel's life would matter little to him if Marisa were gone from it.

Edmund continued to hold Marisa in an unyielding grip while the nervously prancing horse was led toward him. Gabriel forced himself to wait for the moment when he could rush forward and grab Marisa. He listened with revulsion as Edmund continued to relate his wedding plans. Marisa remained quiet, but her eyes flicked occasionally to Gabriel. He was filled with admiration at her brave attempts to reassure him that she was quite fine.

Finally Eclipse was standing as still as possible, although he remained skittish, his tail swishing with furious strokes. Edmund kept one firm hand attached to Marisa's arm, while attempting to place his foot in the stirrup. Eclipse refused to cooperate, wheeling about as if to say none but Gabriel was permitted to mount him.

"Gabriel!" Edmund demanded. "I shall slit her throat, and the horse's as well, if you do not see to it that he is quieted."

Gabriel did not believe Edmund would carry out the threat. He was too intent on reclaiming the woman he still considered his bride. Still, the man was demented, and Gabriel would not risk Marisa's life. He motioned Gilbey to stand at Eclipse's head. The lad obeyed the instruction, but he shot a hate-filled glare at Edmund.

Jamie ambled toward the group, as if to assist Gilbey in his task. Edmund darted a surprised glance at him, almost as though he recognized the quiet Scot. He shook his head, and then resumed trying to heft an uncooperative Marisa into the saddle.

"Och, Edmund, do ye recall a bonny lass by the name of Mary Elizabeth?" Jamie asked in a conversational tone.

Edmund whirled about, his face incredulous. "No, I do not."

He rolled his eyes as if Jamie was the maddest creature he had ever encountered. For a brief moment, Gabriel thought the same. Why did Jamie not wrest Marisa from Edmund's grasp?

"Sure ye do, Edmund," Jamie chided. "Hair the color of sunset, eyes that sparkled like a clear spring."

Edmund halted, his head turning as if fascinated by Jamie's calm description.

Gabriel frowned. Whatever was Jamie about? Yet Edmund was distracted by the odd conversation, his grip on Marisa loosening.

"You've just described half the females of Scotland," Edmund sneered. "Why should I remember such a woman?"

"Because ye refused to marry the lass, and she died on account of it."

Edmund's laugh was mocking. "Again, my good man, you have just described half the females of Scotland."

Jamie's lips tightened into a thin smile. "But this lass was different. She was my sister." His voice lowered to a whisper as he leaned toward Edmund. "And she carried your child. Your heir."

"No!" Edmund cried out, lunging at Jamie. "She lied! As do you!"

Marisa scrambled from Edmund's grasp, running to Gabriel. Meeting her halfway, he closed his arms about her, swallowing his relief that she had come to no harm. She rocked back and forth in his embrace, shaking with relief.

"I'm sorry I doubted you, Gabriel," she said, her words catching on her sobs. "I love you more than you know."

"Shh, angel," he said, squeezing her tightly. "I know. I love you, too."

Gabriel turned, his fingers gripped at Marisa's waist. He could see Edmund standing in front of Jamie, his fists clenched.

"She lied about the child. They always did, trying to force me to marry them."

"Nay, this one did not lie," Jamie answered with utter calm. "She even named the bairn Edmund—just before she smothered the poor lad and then buried him. He was the only heir ye ever had."

"No! That cannot be true!" Edmund's eyes widened. "She could not do that to my son!"

"Well, never fear. The lass did not escape justice. She was punished for her crime." His lips tightened, and Gabriel understood at last why his mentor had craved revenge against Edmund all these years. "The girl hanged for the sin of loving ye, Edmund."

Edmund swung his fist. Jamie could not move fast enough to avoid it, and it slammed into his jaw. He put his fists up in time to block the next attempt, and then a left hook connected with Edmund's eye.