She was silent.
What was she thinking? He’d lost count of how many times he’d wondered if he’d done the right thing. Could he have saved those men? He brushed away his doubts and continued the story. “They kept me in a prison off the coast of France for two years. Periodically they would torture me or tell me that the war was over and Napoleon had won. They thought that by telling me this, I would realize that I was never going to leave the prison, and the secrets I kept had no meaning. I was trained to believe nothing my captors told me and I continued to keep my silence.
“In the last half of my second year of imprisonment, I was given a cellmate. He was older, English, very thin and in poor health. His name was Reggie. I liked him. It was good to have someone to talk to. I had been alone for a long time. Any company was a blessing.
“Of course they would beat him regularly and tell me that they would stop as soon as I told them all they wanted to know. I said nothing. After each beating, I would take care of Reggie’s wounds. He begged me to talk. He was dying and I was letting it happen. He cried in my arms one night pleading with me to tell them what they wanted to know. I might have done it too.”
Gabriel’s gut twisted with the memory. Tears stung behind his eyes, though he wouldn’t let them spill. He stopped his tale.
“What happened? Did Reggie die?” Her voice was the sweetest medicine for his pain.
He shook his head. “No. At least, not by the hands of the French. The next day I was liberated from the prison. Reggie it seems was a turncoat and a spy, and he had nearly succeeded in getting me to tell them everything. He was hanged in the courtyard on the same day I was saved.”
Neither one of them spoke. The sun left a path of light on the bed. Gabriel’s heart lightened. He had not told anyone about his experience since his debriefing.
Belinda had tears in her eyes, and they were for his pain. She understood, sympathized. She shared his torment.
She turned and straddled his lap, tears still brimming in her sapphire eyes. “Can you see why I cannot stop my own fight? It is the same.”
The problem was, he could completely understand. That didn’t mean he wanted his wife in danger all the time.
“Tell me about your training. Where are demon hunters trained?” He pulled her down so that her chest pressed to his and kissed her neck.
A sigh spilled from her lips.
“Most are trained somewhere in Scotland. I was trained here in London.”
“Why did you not go to Scotland?”
Her shoulders rose and fell within his embrace. “I have no idea. I was not offered a place at the school. They sent Brice here to London to train me.”
“Who is Brice?” A pang of jealousy clutched at him, but he ignored it. It was less serious than his mistrust regarding Foxjohn.
“Brice Lambert is the director of the hunter school. He is an astounding fighter.” Belinda said this matter-of-factly, but with a touch of reverence.
“Why does an astounding fighter teach rather than fight?” Gabriel asked, though he already suspected he knew the answer.
She sat up and looked at him. She was more beautiful than ever, sitting astride him with her hair tousled from sleep. She remained naked and completely unashamed of her beautiful body.
He ran his fingers along her ribs and allowed his thumb to graze her nipple. It pebbled under his touch.
She closed her eyes. “Brice was badly injured and requested a new assignment. His pain can compromise a situation, and he will not risk anyone else’s life.”
His hand stilled. “So then you recognize that you can be injured, Bella. You might even be killed.”
She smiled sadly. “It is a way of life, Gabriel. Anyone might be killed or worse, captured. I take the risk of my own free will.”
Her nobility was as terrifying as it was arousing. His cock pressed against her wet center, and he pulled her ass forward so that she rode along his hard shaft. He had more questions, hundreds of them. But he couldn’t ask them while his Bella was naked and her eyes showed her desire was equal to his. The questions would wait.
She moaned and threw her head back as her hands came up and gripped her breasts and squeezed.
“My god, Bella, you are incredible.”
She took over the motion, moving forward and back, teasing both of them while his cock slid between her wet folds.
He lifted her hips and settled her on the tip of his cock.
Her eyes widened as with the delights of the new position. She settled onto his rigid shaft and sighed.
Soon, she rose on her knees and plunged down in her own time. Her mouth formed an “o” and small cries of pleasure pulsed through the room.
The sound of her rapture escalated his own, bringing his climax closer. The sweet suction of her gloving him was enough to drive him over the edge more quickly than he’d planned. He wanted her to fall with him.
Pressing his thumb against her swollen bud, Gabriel rubbed first slowly.
She cried louder.
“Come with me, my love.”
She bounced wildly up and down seeking her release.
He increased the pressure on her most sensitive spot.
She called his name.
Her body convulsed around his cock, and he fell over that ledge with her. His body thrummed and jerked as he filled her with his seed.
She collapsed forward against his chest still pulsing around him. As the waves ebbed and passed, she sat up.
He was still tucked inside her warm sheath.
“That was rather wonderful. Are there other ways of doing this?”
Pure joy swelled inside him and emerged as a hearty laugh. “Yes, Bella. Many other ways.”
“And may we try some of them?”
He leaned forward and gripped her ass hard enough to leave his mark on her skin. “All of them.”
He had whispered the words on a breath, but her eyes widened, and her slit clenched around him.
His cock twitched at the idea that she was ready again so soon. However, it was getting late, and her maid would soon discover them. Abruptly, he lifted her and tossed her to the mattress. He covered her body with his before she had a chance to get her bearings and nibbled her ear. “Much as I would love to do this all day, Bella, we have to get up before Claire discovers us, or worse, your mother.”
She giggled but then sighed. “You’re right of course.”
He released her and sat on the edge of the bed before recovering his robe and pulling it on. “I’m going to go to my own room and get dressed. I have to go home and see to a few things.”
“I see.” She donned her own wrap. Her voice sounded as if she were being abandoned.
He stood and turned back to her. “Do you have an assignment this evening?”
She shrugged. “Reece will send me a note early in the afternoon. I’m sure he will at least wish to convey the results of the interrogation.” She looked at the floor for a long moment. “Will you be joining us again, Gabriel?”
He nodded.
His reward was a smile that could have lit all of London.
“I wonder if you would stroll in the park with me this afternoon, Bella. I have many questions and I feel if we are alone we may become distracted.” He pointed to the disheveled sheets of her bed.
“Will you call for me?” she asked.
“Three o’clock.”
She nodded and blushed prettily. Strange that the idea of a walk might elicit a blush when the sexual encounter they’d just enjoyed did not.
He wouldn’t give it too much thought, as it was delightful. He pulled her into his arms. “I will see you then, Bella.”
His lips grazed hers. He resisted deepening the kiss. He did not believe he could stop if her sweet tongue touched his. Even thinking about her tongue, and what she had done with it, had him rigid once again. He pushed her away. “I must go.” He practically ran from the room.
Her tinkling laughter f
ollowed him down the hall.
Dressing quickly, he left the Clayton townhouse early enough so as not to be noticed by anyone of the beau monde. People of status in London did not rise at such an unseemly hour. He prepared himself for the brisk walk home on the quiet streets. He was not half a block from leaving Belinda when he spotted Thor sitting atop the unmarked carriage waiting for him.
The burly driver jumped down. “Good morning, my lord.”
“You have not been here all night, have you, Thor?”
“No, sir. Went home and found me bed for a few hours. Figured you’d be needin’ a ride home.” Thor opened the carriage door and lowered the step.
“Thank you.” Gabriel climbed up and sat on the hard worn cushion.
Thor just nodded, closed the door and drove to Gabriel’s townhouse. When they arrived, Gabriel jumped out and looked up at the driver. “I assume you require a word, my friend?”
Thor showed his yellowed teeth. “If you wouldn’t mind too terribly, my lord. It was a rather strange evening.”
“Indeed.” Gabriel agreed and headed up the steps.
Once inside his study, Gabriel collapsed into the chair behind his desk. He hardly knew where to begin. “Have a seat, Thor.”
The giant sat and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Did you know the kind of creatures we’d be encounterin’ last night?”
“I had been told, but in truth, I did not believe her,” Gabriel admitted. “I apologize for not giving you this information.”
Thor pulled a face. “I would never have believed you, my lord. All due respect, but if you’d ha’ told me we’d be going after demons in Southwark, I’d have called you daft and been on me way.”
Gabriel smiled and nodded. “That is what I suspected. My question for you, Thor, is will you continue on as our driver?”
The big man’s eyes opened wide. “Well I’m not likely to sit back and do nothing while demons are taking over me city. Of course I’ll continue.”
Gabriel used the little strength he had left to rise from his chair. “Then there are two things we must change about our arrangement.”
Thor stood. He put his hands on his hips. “What things are those?”
“I believe you must call me, Gabriel. It seems foolish to have you yelling a title after me while we are in the midst of a battle.”
Thor smiled. “As you like. What is the other thing?”
“We must have that carriage of yours re-sprung and new upholstery. I believe it is best if the outside remain anonymous, but the thing is damned uncomfortable to ride in. It would be a nightmare should we have to make speed.”
The driver laughed. “I’ll see to it, my—Gabriel.”
“See if it can be worked on today and get another carriage on loan. We will likely need you again tonight, Thor.”
“For the same type of thing?”
“Honestly, I have no idea yet. I promise to keep you informed from here out.”
“I would appreciate it. I’ll be better armed as well. I didn’t enjoy sitting up there exposed once I saw that thing that Mr. Foxjohn drug out of the warehouse. One tiny pistol didn’t give me any feeling of security.”
Gabriel took his seat again. “You had better sit down and let me tell you of the other horrors we encountered inside.”
Once Thor took his seat, Gabriel told him about everything they’d done and seen within the warehouse. The telling took over an hour as the driver asked many interesting and thoughtful questions confirming that he was an excellent choice. When their meeting concluded, Gabriel found his bed and a few precious hours sleep.
* * * *
At precisely three O’clock, Gabriel knocked on the Clayton’s door.
Faust opened it and bowed. “My lady is waiting for you in the front parlor, my lord.”
“Thank you Faust. Does she seem as if she is ready to go to the park?”
He nodded. “I believe so, my lord. I believe she wants a word with you prior to departing. Her ladyship is also in the parlor waiting.”
Gabriel took a breath. “I see. This should be interesting.”
“Indeed, my lord.” The butler’s lip twitched. .
He frowned at Faust, made his way to the parlor and knocked.
“Come in, Gabriel.”
In spite of the sense that some unpleasantness was forthcoming, the sound of Belinda’s voice made his heart race.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the countess rushed across the room with her finger pointed at him. Her eyes were still too large for her face and when she reached him, her sour breath staggered him. “You spent the night here last night, Tullering. I have it on good authority that you stayed in my daughter’s room.”
“Mother, please,” Belinda begged.
She turned to her daughter. “Do not speak, Belinda. You insisted on being here. Now keep your mouth shut.”
The countess was a different woman compared to the meek woman he had seen the other day. “Perhaps we should all sit down and have a civilized discussion.”
“You do not deny it.”
“Perhaps we might sit, countess.”
A look of confusion crossed her face, but she backed away and sat on the nearest chair as if her efforts that morning had exhausted her. “You will not gainsay me, Tullering. You will marry my daughter.”
“Of course I’m going to marry her, countess. You should not worry over such things.”
“Gabriel.” Belinda’s voice was sharp.
He knew that she loathed the idea that she had been taken out of the decision-making on a matter of her life and future. Suddenly, he understood what she meant about the Company. With the demon hunters, Belinda made all of her own choices. In her own life even the decision of whom she was to marry, was taken out of her hands. He looked up at her and gave her a nod. He hoped his expression conveyed his understanding. Since she said nothing else, perhaps she understood that he did not wish to take any of her power away.
“We have been engaged for years. There is no reason to think I will not marry Belinda. I love her.”
Several different emotions crossed the inebriated face of the countess. She first looked confused, then pleased and then a trifle embarrassed. “Good.” She stood up and wobbled a bit. “Now that this is settled, I can get some rest. I have been terribly sick you know.”
Gabriel helped her to her make her way toward the door. “I had heard that, countess.”
“If only his lordship would come home, I know I would be ever so much better.” Her voice strained from tears that began to roll down her cheeks.
He patted her hand. “Perhaps you can write to his lordship and ask him to come to London for a few weeks.”
More tears slipped from the corner of her eyes. “I write him weekly on that very subject. He is very busy in Scotland.”
“I see.” He sympathized with the countess even as his anger at her husband grew more intense. The earl had neglected his responsibilities. He should take better care of his wife.
A maid waited outside the door to take her ladyship to her room.
Gabriel turned back to Belinda. “Would you like to take that walk now, Bella?”
She nodded, and they left the house.
Claire followed a discreet distance behind for the sake of propriety.
For several blocks only the sound of Belinda’s very deliberate footsteps filled the silence.
“Are you angry with me, with your mother or with society as a whole?” he asked.
She stopped walking. He took a few more steps before turning to face her. Her body was rigid, shoulders straight and her eyes bore into him. “Why did you say we were getting married when we have not made that decision?”
“Ah, so it is me that you are angry with. I have made my decision on the subject, Bella. I only await your answer. Your mother asked about my intentions.” He stepped forward and stood closer than was proper in public. “I intend to make you
my wife. If you refuse me, we shall deal with your mother at that time.”
“We? If I refuse you it will be me alone who has to deal with mother.” She stepped around him and continued toward the park.
He kept pace with her. “Bella, do you know me so little that you believe I would abandon you just because you refuse to marry me?”
She stopped again and faced him. “What are you saying, Gabriel?”
He wished he could kiss the look of despair from her face. As they were, it was forbidden to touch her. Even standing in on the street without moving would start the gossips talking, though the lady didn’t care. Their proximity to the park left them with people all around. He spoke low, for her ears only. “I love you, Belinda. I always have and I always will. You may refuse me, if that is your wish, but I will help you no matter what choice you make.”
She huffed and walked toward the park. “It is so like you to say such a thing.”
He thought he had said something nice, but her tone indicated that she thought differently. “You are still angry with me?”
“The problem is, it is impossible to remain angry with you. I shall have to settle for being angry with the whole of society.”
He laughed and they walked on is silence for a while.
They reached the serpentine and he extended his arm. “I would like to talk about your training here in London.”
She took his elbow. “What about it?”
“I’m curious to know why you did not go to Scotland if that is where they have a school.”
She shrugged. “I already told you. I was not invited to enroll in the school. They sent Brice here to train me.”
“Does this happen often? Does Brice come and train young women in London on a regular basis?”
“As far as I know, it was the only time. Normally, students go to the Company school in the highlands.” There was a hint of regret in her voice.
He found the fact that she didn’t train in the “normal” way strange and began to formulate theories as to why this might be. None of them made sense. “What kind of training did you endure?”
“We fought mostly, in close quarters or in the street. I learned to hold my breath for a long time under water and practiced not panicking. The panic hastens the loss of life. I learned about weapons, strategy, the known demons and the weakness of each one. Brice came on my first few hunts and then he deemed me a genius, graduated me and went back to Scotland.”
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