Gabriel shook his head. “Another time. I think I need to go home. It’s been a long day, and you’ll need to get ready for Liddy’s engagement ball tonight.”
“I’d rather not go.”
Gabriel knew that was how he’d feel if he were in Harrison’s place, but staying away wasn’t an option. “This is Liddy’s future you’re celebrating. She needs you to be there for her.”
The carriage stopped and Harrison disembarked. “What are you going to do now?” he said before closing the door.
“Her Highness just gave me a London town house you tell me will make me the envy of half of London, plus two country estates. I think after a good night’s sleep I’ll see exactly what I own. I’d like the use of your carriage for a few days if you don’t mind.”
“Use it as long as you like.”
Harrison started to close the door and Gabriel stopped him. “Take good care of her.”
“I will,” Harrison said, then gave the driver Gabriel’s directions.
The carriage took off down the street and Gabriel leaned back into the seat. This was it then. As close as he would ever be to her again. As far away as he would always be from her.
After tomorrow, he’d leave for the country. That had always been his dream, as well as hers, and he’d make the best of the opportunity he’d been given.
Without her.
Without the half of his heart he needed in order to do more than simply exist.
The carriage stopped in front of the small flat he’d rented, and Gabriel scooted toward the door. Bloody hell, but his leg was stiff. The hours he’d had to stand before the Queen made his leg ache as much as trying to hold his balance aboard the ship had. He couldn’t wait to get inside and rub his knotting muscles.
He maneuvered down the steps the Etherington driver lowered for him and stepped to the ground. His footsteps halted when he saw a shiny black carriage with the Marquess of Culbertson’s emblazoned crest on the door in front of his rooming house.
An austere-looking gentleman walked toward him carrying a small leather-bound folder that he held guardedly near his body. Another gentleman accompanied him.
“Major Talbot?”
“Yes.”
Gabriel arched his eyebrows and waited. After a short silence the man looked toward the rooming house door.
“We’ve been sent by the Marquess of Culbertson on business. Could we go inside?”
Gabriel nodded, then led the way into his ground-floor flat and stepped inside the small, sparsely-furnished room. He closed the door behind the two men and turned to face them. “What do you want?”
“My employer, the Marquess of Culbertson, sent me with the express purpose of delivering a parcel. I believe his exact term was…gift.”
“And the reason for this…gift?”
“A repayment of sorts, for services rendered.”
Gabriel felt his temper rise. After tonight, Culbertson would have the only gift that was important to him, and no bloody substitute would make what he’d taken away from him hurt any less. “Tell your employer I won’t accept his gift. I want nothing from him, or from his father.”
“Lord Culbertson explained you might feel this way, but he insists you open the folder before you make a final decision.”
Culbertson’s secretary held out the leather packet he’d been guarding since he’d arrived.
Gabriel lowered his gaze to the man’s outstretched arm, hesitated, then took the folder.
Using his cane to help him to the small table in the center of the room, he placed the folder on the scarred surface and opened it. He reached inside and—
“What the hell is this?”
“It’s payment in the amount of—” Culbertson’s secretary stopped and handed Gabriel a slip of paper he’d retrieved from his jacket pocket. “It’s a gift in that exact amount. We can count it if you’d like to make sure—”
“No.”
Gabriel stared at the amount on the paper and let his heart race in his chest. It was the exact amount Harrison told him remained of his father’s debts. Culbertson was gifting him the money to pay Lydia’s blackmailer. “Why?”
“Lord Culbertson has his reasons.”
“What does he expect in return?”
Culbertson’s secretary smiled. “Lord Culbertson said you would know the answer to that.”
The two men looked at each other for several long seconds. “There is one more item,” Culbertson’s man said, reaching back into his pocket and taking out a smaller envelope. “I’m to give you this.”
Gabriel took the envelope and opened it. It was an invitation to the ball the Duke of Chisolmwood was hosting tonight to announce Lydia’s engagement to his son.
“My presence is requested?”
“I don’t believe Lord Culbertson used the term ‘requested’, Major Talbot. I think he has something more definite in mind.”
“I see.”
“Lord Culbertson thought you would.”
The man walked to the door and stopped. “Until tonight, then.”
Gabriel showed his guests out, then sank down on the chair beside the table and stared at the folder filled with an astronomical amount of money—the same amount Harrison and Austin still owed on their father’s notes. Culbertson must have discovered his father’s blackmail plan and didn’t want to start his marriage with such a dark cloud marring his future happiness. After all, what groom wants to know his bride was blackmailed into marrying him? But why was it so important for Gabriel to be at the engagement ball tonight?
Gabriel read the invitation again, then leaned back against the rough rungs of the chair and smiled a bitter smile. Of course. Appearances were everything to the Duke of Chisolmwood, as they must be to his son, the marquess. How better to put the stamp of approval on his engagement than for his betrothed’s former suitor to be there?
He swiped his hand over the rough planes of his face. If that’s what it took to get Austin and Harrison out from under Chisolmwood’s thumb, he’d do it.
What choice did he have, after all?
He tied the leather straps that sealed the folder and tucked it under his arm, then walked out to the waiting carriage. He needed to give the money to Harrison. Maybe if he were lucky, he’d be there when Harrison threw the money in Chisolmwood’s face. “Take me back to Etherhouse,” he said, climbing in.
He rode through the city streets silently praying that when he reached Etherhouse, Lydia wouldn’t be there. It was one thing to know he’d have to pretend to be happy for her tonight when the Duke of Chisolmwood announced his son’s engagement.
He didn’t think he was strong enough to fake such a reaction twice in the same day.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gabriel didn’t arrive at the engagement ball early. Hell, he almost didn’t arrive at all. If he could have, he’d have sent Culbertson’s invitation back with a message of his own, and he doubted either Culbertson or his father would have enjoyed reading what he thought of their manipulations. But what purpose would that serve? He’d played this game of theirs for more than a year, and when tonight was over, he’d be finished with them forever.
After all, this was no different than some of the missions on which he’d been sent during the war. More than once he’d wanted to quit in the middle and give up, but that hadn’t been an option. Quitting wasn’t an option now either. He’d see this through to the end, and that meant standing in view of all of London as one of the well-wishers when the duke announced Lydia’s engagement to his son. Then he would have completed his final mission for the man he’d discovered to be the elusive Thorn.
He relaxed his tightened grip around the handle of his cane and looked over the crowd one more time. He spied Harrison against the far wall and headed in that direction.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come,” Harrison said when he reached him.
“I almost didn’t.”
There was a serious expression on Harrison’s face. “When will you leave
London? Yet tonight? Or will you wait until at least tomorrow?”
Gabriel smiled even though he didn’t feel like it. “It depends on how long my presence is required here.”
“Or how drunk you get after you leave?”
Gabriel didn’t answer. The less said the greater success he’d have of concealing how much he hurt.
“Mind if I join you?”
“I make a lousy drunk but you’re always welcome.”
“I’ll bring Austin. You’ll seem pleasant company by comparison. Have you given Chisolmwood the money?”
Harrison patted his jacket pocket. “Culbertson met me when I arrived and asked that I wait to pay his father until after he announced his engagement.”
“Did he give a reason why?”
“No, and I didn’t ask. I don’t care when I pay Father’s debts, as long as I get the bastard out of my life.”
“We’ll offer a toast to that happy occasion later.”
“Until later,” Harrison said. “I need to find Austin. He’s no doubt outside. I don’t know what the bastards did to him in France, but since he returned, he doesn’t last but a few minutes confined indoors.”
Gabriel followed Harrison through the crowded ballroom. They met Austin as he came in from outside. His eyes contained the same haunted look Gabriel had noticed often since they’d returned from France.
“Just in time,” Austin said, swiping at the sheen of perspiration on his forehead. He pulled at the cravat at his neck, then nodded toward the makeshift dais placed against the wall and decorated with several huge bouquets of flowers. “The performance is about to begin.”
Gabriel followed Austin’s gaze. Lydia stood amid several other young ladies, each of them dressed in their finest. But none of them compared. Lydia sparkled like a diamond in sunlight.
The ache inside his chest hurt even more. He reminded himself that he didn’t have to watch when Chisolmwood announced his son’s betrothal, that he didn’t have to see the look of elation on Culbertson’s face when he claimed his future bride. He only had to remain in the crowded ballroom until the announcement was made, then he could leave before the festivities started.
Gabriel watched Culbertson walk to where the Duke of Chisolmwood waited. When Chisolmwood saw his son approach, the older man’s face lit with a glow that caused the pain in Gabriel’s stomach to tighten. He wanted this over. He wasn’t sure he could watch what he knew was about to take place.
“It’ll be over soon,” Austin said as if his feelings were obvious for all to see.
Gabriel didn’t show that he’d heard his friend but stared at the spot where Lydia would join the Marquess of Culbertson when their betrothal was announced.
As people pushed closer, Gabriel felt their excitement grow in anticipation of the momentous event. Tonight’s happenings would undoubtedly be retold in every sitting room in London for weeks to come.
The clenching knot in his stomach made him want to walk away as fast as he could. Instead, he leaned against his cane and waited for his world to end.
He looked at Lydia, at the expression on her face, praying to read her innermost thoughts. Was she happy? Was this as difficult for her as it was for him? Was that a look of pain in her eyes, or was she secretly hopeful as she considered her future as the Marquess of Culbertson’s wife?
He wanted her to look at him, thought she would feel his presence as was usual when they were near each other. But she didn’t search him out. She continued her conversation with the other young ladies as if she were enthralled with whatever they said.
Maybe it was just as well. He wasn’t sure he could survive if she looked at him and he saw…happiness.
He turned away from her. The Duke of Culbertson stepped onto the platform with his son at his side. This was it, then. The final Chapter. The last time he would have to give her up.
There was a loud murmur from the excited crowd followed by a cacophony of shushing sounds. Finally the room stilled enough that one could hear the proverbial pin drop to the floor. Chisolmwood stepped to the center of the stage and held up his hands.
“Friends, thank you for coming. This is indeed a joyous occasion. I’m glad you are here to share in my happiness. I had an exceedingly long, and monumentally impressive speech prepared for tonight’s event.” He paused while the crowd tittered and guffawed. “But my son convinced me my glowing accolades would only serve to embarrass us both.”
There was another round of laughter and applause, followed by a gradual quieting before the duke continued. “I intended to tell you how pleased I was that my son had finally chosen a woman with whom to share his life—”
He held up his hands when several in attendance started to clap.
“…but he informed me that news of this magnitude should be his to make.”
There was general laughter at that.
“So, I’ll let my son, the Marquess of Culbertson, announce his intentions and say nothing more, except to state for all the world that I couldn’t be happier with his choice of a wife. Not only is his future bride a vision of loveliness and the perfect choice to be the future Duchess of Chisolmwood, but she is the woman with whom I’ve dreamed my son would share his life since the day she was born.”
The crowd broke out in applause as the duke stepped back to allow his son to take the stage.
The man who was about to announce his engagement to Lydia stepped forward.
Gabriel couldn’t watch this. He’d had to give her up time and again and it had hurt more each time, but this was the worst. Before, when he’d separated himself from her, she’d still been free, there’d still been a glimmer of hope that he could win her back. After tonight, she’d belong to another man.
He stepped back, preparing to barge through the bodies pressed behind him in his attempt to escape. As if Austin realized his intent, he moved closer.
“Soon,” Austin whispered just loud enough for Gabe to hear. It was the voice of reason he needed. For Liddy’s sake he had to put his stamp of approval on her match. For Liddy’s sake his presence was necessary so no one would think there were any lingering feelings between them. For Liddy’s sake—
Gabriel forced his mind to concentrate on the Marquess of Culbertson’s speech.
“Welcome friends. As my father said, you have been invited here tonight to be a part of a celebration. This is indeed a most joyous occasion, especially for my father, who despaired that this day would ever come.”
A brief tempest of laughter spilled from the guests. When they quieted, Culbertson turned to face his father. “Your Grace, thank you. For everything. Especially for declaring publicly how pleased you are with my choice of a bride. Your acceptance and approval has always been of the utmost importance to me.”
The Duke of Chisolmwood smiled with fatherly pride as the crowd erupted into a lengthy applause.
After several moments, the Marquess of Culbertson held up his hand for silence. “Everything my father said about the woman I have chosen as my bride is true. She is an exquisite vision of beauty. Her grace and elegance make her the perfect woman to be my marchioness. But those are only physical attributes and not what is important when choosing a woman with whom you will spend the rest of your life.
“Finding a woman who captures your heart and soul is much more complicated. Many of you know finding a love such as this is often as elusive as capturing the mist. But when you have found that other part of your heart, you are the most fortunate of men. My father, more than anyone, knows what I mean…” The marquess turned to face his father. “…because he once found a woman he loved with all his heart and soul, as I have.”
There was a rush of sighs from the crowd and Gabriel fought the urge to leap onto the small dais and stifle Culbertson’s declaration of love. How could he profess such a love when the woman he claimed he couldn’t live without didn’t share that same passion? Or had Liddy told him she did? Gabriel gritted his teeth and listened while the marquess continued.
“
I consider myself the luckiest of men because I have found a woman I love with all of my heart.”
After a series of sighs, the crowd exploded into a thunderous ovation.
“Thank you for accepting my offer of marriage,” he said, turning his gaze to the corner beyond the small dais where Liddy stood amongst a group of her friends. “You have made me exceedingly happy. I will always be humbled that you found it in your heart to return my love.”
Everyone knew the marquess intended to marry Lady Lydia Landwell, and they strained to catch a glimpse of her. But Gabriel didn’t look. He didn’t want to see her expression when she smiled at Culbertson. He didn’t want to see the glow in her eyes, whether real or not.
“The love of my life,” Culbertson said, walking toward the gathering of females with his arm extended and a broad smile on his face. “Lady Emmeline Frendsdale.”
Gabriel’s heart skipped a beat. Amidst the explosive gasps of surprise that came from the crowded room, he wasn’t sure if it had resumed beating or had forever stopped.
Strong fingers grasped his arm and he looked first at one brother, then the other. Their expressions turned from ones of surprised shock to elation. Their held breaths erupted in peals of laughter as they realized the ramifications of Culbertson’s announcement.
“Congratulations!” Austin yelled out, and from all around them hundreds of voices echoed his salutation. Within seconds, the room exploded in thunderous applause and boisterous shouts of approval.
Had the Duke of Chisolmwood known his son intended to marry Emmeline Frendsdale? Gabriel looked to where the duke stood and realized at a glance he hadn’t. Although there was a smile frozen on his face, anyone with an inkling of what had just happened knew the look of happiness was for the sake of appearances. His sallow complexion and the blazing glare in his eyes said this was as big a shock to him as it was to everyone else in the room. Everyone except Lady Emmeline Frendsdale, whose eyes brimmed with adoration as she focused on the man who’d publicly declared his love for her.
Gabriel searched for Liddy. He found her adding her enthusiastic applause to the loud cheering in the room. She stood close to Lady Emmeline, and a moment before Culbertson reached them, she gave the marquess’s betrothed a warm embrace.
Heroes of Honor: Historical Romance Collection Page 75