Rogues Gallery (7 page)

She tilted her head. "Should I be frightened?"

Gabriel swallowed his mirth. "Should you have been frightened if it had been another brigand accosting you this morning?"

"Of course I should have been alarmed. But you do not arouse fright, sad to say." She offered a mock-apologetic smile. "Perhaps another reason you should consider a different profession."

He squeezed her hand. "Do you ride alone often? I should think your future husband would not countenance it."

"Of course he would not countenance it. Which is why he is unaware of it," she answered.

Gabriel flicked a glance at her as they continued their stroll down the barely marked path. She was hand-in-hand with a highwayman, entrusting her virtue—her life!—to an avowed criminal. Sweet Christ! Was there a more innocent woman on the face of this earth?

Gabriel took a deep breath, reminding himself to think of her innocence as the pawn it was. "Mistress Angel."

Her face brightened at his use of the pet name. She did not seem to respond to Edmund in this fashion, and he could not recall a surfeit of enthusiasm in her voice when Edmund had burst into her bedchamber. In truth, she had wanted to use his pistol to dispatch the man.

"You have known your affianced a long time?"

She shook her head. "Scarcely at all."

Gabriel awaited the rest of her answer, but nothing was forthcoming. "It is not a love match then."

"A love match is the furthest from the truth." She wrinkled her nose. "My father made the match with Lord Westbrook, and told me of it afterwards. He nearly had an apoplexy when I said I would not have Lord Westbrook as my husband. Why," she added, her voice indignant, "he is of such an advanced age he could be my father."

Gabriel stifled his amusement, but just barely. "Indeed. But still you are to wed him, it appears."

"That is how it appears, yes."

"And what is the date of this unhappy event?"

Her eyes danced with unmistakable merriment. "It is still some weeks away. In truth, there has been no formal announcement as yet. It will be done at the upcoming betrothal ball."

"So no one knows of this wedding," Gabriel said, plotting even as he spoke. He had several weeks to wreak havoc with Edmund's plans for the future, weeks that would be spent in a most pleasurable pursuit.

"No one save my brother, my father, and myself," she said. "And Edmund of course."

"Of course. Come then, Mistress Angel, you should return before your future husband becomes aware of your frolic. He may believe you have attempted to escape him."

At her guilty start, Gabriel couldn't help but ask, "Where do you plan to go?"

"I have someplace in mind," she said.

Though admiring her tenacity, Gabriel could not let her escape before his own plans reached fruition. He held the reins behind him. "I do not wish you to be spirited off elsewhere."

"There is little you can do to prevent it," she said with irritation. "I am very determined."

She reached for the reins, putting her delectable body close against his, as he had intended.

Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and placed one last kiss on her lips. "You might be surprised at what I can do, angel."

"That may be so, but I must leave now." She stepped back a pace, and he dropped his arms, with great reluctance. "Before my absence is discovered."

Gabriel's stomach clenched at her words. He could not permit her to leave, not now, not when she played such a vital role in his plans.

"It is a dangerous world for a female all alone," he said.

"More than for a female embroiled in the schemes of heartless males?" Her annoyance brought a becoming blush to her cheeks, while her hands on her hips brought delicious thoughts to Gabriel's mind.

Stung by the knowledge that he, too, was one of the heartless males in question, Gabriel leaned forward to kiss away the anger in her pursed lips. "I can see your point."

He kissed her once more, with a tenderness that surprised him, but this time he was unable to enjoy the acquiescence of her response.

"I must go."

Her voice was filled with resolve, although Gabriel could swear her eyes expressed another emotion entirely.

"I want to hear more of this marriage."

Knowing it was foolhardy, Gabriel circled her waist and pulled her snug against him. He told himself it was part of his plan, to ensure she could not depart, but it almost seemed his body had its own schemes, reacting with an unreasonable yearning. If his life had not changed course so drastically, thanks to Edmund's evil schemes, he would be courting a woman such as this one, rather than plotting her downfall.

She put her hands to his chest as if she meant to push him away. In the next instant she curled a hand around his neck, drawing him to her lips with the ease of one assured of her reception. The kiss was a brief one, almost bittersweet, as though she were bidding him farewell. Gabriel was not ready to let her vanish, however.

"Is Lord Westbrook aware of your distaste for this marriage?"

"It is unlikely, as he is considered quite the catch in London." A frown appeared, marring her smooth skin. "Although, as I am the only female who did not welcome his attentions, he should have at least noticed my reluctance to becoming Lady Westbrook."

Gabriel returned a sympathetic cluck of the tongue. "What do you find so unappealing about your future husband?"

She sighed, again giving a great deal of thought to her answer. The emotions flitting across her face intrigued him, for it seemed Edmund displeased her in numerous ways.

"He is not what I envisioned for a husband."

"Indeed."

Gabriel would have pursued the topic, but the miss was ready to depart, and he was at a loss how to prevent it. She reached for the reins of her horse, still clasped in his hand, and this time he did not refuse her. She took the straps and began to search for a tree stump so that she might remount her horse.

"Here," Gabriel said. "Allow me to help you."

She placed her foot in his cupped hands. He racked his brain for anything he could do to stop her, short of bodily restraint. If she were to leave, he could not ruin Edmund's future plans. Nothing was more important than that.

Nothing
.

He could take her to the abbey, and commence his seduction there. Yet Jamie had made it abundantly clear he would not permit Gabriel to despoil the young miss in his vicinity.

And Edmund would scorch the countryside to retrieve his bride, ensuring Gabriel, and the rest of the outlaw band, would dangle from the hangman's noose if he caught them.

Gabriel wanted revenge to end with Edmund's demise, not his own.

"I could accompany you," Gabriel offered, treasuring the way her countenance brightened.

She opened her mouth to respond.

They both turned at the unexpected sound of thundering hooves. The rider was still some distance away, though it was undeniably Edmund riding neck-or-nothing toward the dauntless miss, his bottle green riding coat flying behind him.

Gabriel's heart pounded fiercely at his first glimpse of the man who had sought to kill him fifteen years ago. At last, he could confront his uncle, after all the years of waiting. He relished the thought of Edmund's shock at learning he had not succeeded at killing his nephew.

At the young woman's gasp, Gabriel feared he had spoken aloud. Instead, he saw her struggling to remount her horse. She grasped the reins, yet the animal had no interest in cooperating. It danced in circles, thwarting her attempts to regain the saddle.

Edmund was nearly upon them, yet the miss believed she could still make her escape. Though he admired her determination in the face of such impossibility, Gabriel knew he could not relinquish her just yet. He told himself it was his desire for revenge that motivated him, but she stirred something else inside. There was no time to discover what it was, or what it might mean to his future plans.

He did not even have a moment to ask the intrepid young woman to guarantee his safety.

Gabriel darted back into the surrounding oak and beech trees. The foliage was thick, providing a canopy of darkness that ensured he and Eclipse were hidden from view. Yet it seemed the leaves signaled his presence, fluttering with malevolence in the light breeze around him, while the birds deliberately trilled out his hiding place. He stood as still as possible next to Eclipse, praying his reckless nature had not finally proved his undoing.

Moments later, Edmund slid off his mount in front of the young woman, a short distance from Gabriel's hiding place. His hussar riding boots crunched the twigs underfoot while he cast surreptitious glances about, as if expecting to catch a glimpse of an accomplice. Clearly Edmund did not believe the woman capable of eluding him, not by herself.

Gabriel held his breath. Would the miss give away his presence? He had thwarted her escape, so it was possible she might seek her own revenge. She was a very determined woman, as she had informed him, and could well decide he should join her in imprisonment.

"I am surprised to see you out so early, my dear," Edmund said. "Especially after your harrowing experience last night, with the highwayman."

Gabriel's heart pounded. If Edmund discovered he was there, a short distance away, he would have no qualms about having Gabriel captured, and executed as a common criminal. The rest of his rogues, including Jamie, would see their existence terminated as well. Gabriel closed his eyes, pained by the vision of Davy, and Gilbey, swinging from the hangman's noose, all because of his recklessness.

"Oh, I have quite recovered from that experience, my lord," the miss replied, her tone cheerful. "In truth, I can scarce wait to boast of it to my friends. I shall be quite the envy of all of them. Particularly when I relate my role in the adventure."

Gabriel could not help but admire her audacity. Yet her saucy words did not provide any hint of her intentions as to his future wellbeing.

"Indeed," Edmund said. "I doubt it is something that should be broadcast to all and sundry. You still have your reputation to consider. Even more so now that you are to be Lady Westbrook."

"You make it sound like such a stultifying position, my lord. Perhaps I am not the best candidate after all."

Gabriel bit back his laughter. She had little hope of persuading his uncle to change his mind, and most likely knew that, yet she fearlessly tweaked him.

"I am certain you are the perfect Lady Westbrook. Come. We should return so we might discuss the plans for the betrothal ball rather than your encounter with the highwayman."

The young woman halted, facing Gabriel's direction. "What shall happen to the highwayman, if he is found?"

Though Gabriel knew he was concealed from view, he indulged in the notion that she sought him out. He marveled anew at her beautiful blonde curls, her guileless blue eyes, and the lush lips he could scarce resist. His body stirred as he recalled her kisses, as well as her eagerness to explore the myriad passionate sensations between them. Was it possible she remembered those embraces with as much fondness as he did?

Or were they now a source of regret?

"He shall be found," Edmund answered, "have no fear of that. Such lawlessness will not be tolerated."

"Truly?"

Gabriel's heart thudded for several long beats. He could not decipher from her expression, or her voice, what she wanted to happen to him. She had little reason to prevent his capture now after he had prevented her escape. She had aided him the previous night, but only because she had wanted to ask for his assistance. Once he had declined, she had no reason to continue helping him outrun the magistrate.

He could not wait any longer.

He gripped Eclipse's reins in one hand, reaching with the other for the pistol hidden in his boot.

"My lord, I would so love to explore the gardens before we return to the Hall. You know, you are quite fortunate to have such beauty at your disposal."

"It is at your disposal as well, since it shall be yours soon," Edmund said. He continued to gaze at her, clearly enamored of her beauty rather than the parterres and flower beds comprising his gardens.

She set off at a brisk pace toward the wide expanse of lawn, away from Gabriel's hiding place.

Gabriel straightened, relieved to leave the pistol, and his plots for revenge, in place.

"I am grateful I had the presence of mind to bring my watercolors," she added, looking over her shoulder, "for there is such an abundance of scenery to paint. I believe I shall return tomorrow morning, as I desire to sketch the stand of trees over there, near the folly."

The young woman continued to chatter in an empty-headed fashion she had never exhibited during her conversations with Gabriel.

He could hardly wait to tease her about it at their next encounter. Hadn't she signaled to him she would return on the morrow?

She was bound to attempt another escape at that time. And Gabriel was honor bound to prevent it, just as he had this time. As he would every time until his revenge was complete.

Eclipse tugged at the reins, impatient to depart the leafy alcove. Gabriel stroked the stallion's nose, silently promising a stirring ride once the threat of discovery had completely passed.

The impatient animal snorted its disapproval, loudly.

Edmund wheeled toward the sound.

Gabriel clapped his hand over the horse's nostrils, quieting any further outbursts. He watched as Edmund cast a long look at the trees concealing Gabriel from view.

Edmund's eyes narrowed for a brief moment, and he cocked his head, listening.

Gabriel held his breath, his heart racing faster than Eclipse on the open roadways.

Edmund took several long strides, heading directly for Gabriel.

"Oh, look," the young miss said, her voice trembling with excitement. "I think it is a deer."

Lord Westbrook flicked an impatient glance to where she pointed. "A deer is certainly a possibility." He continued to stride toward Gabriel's hiding place, his fists clenched at his sides. Gabriel closed his fingers around the pistol once more.