Triana's Spring Seduction

by Tabetha Waite

  He’s insane if he thinks I’m stepping one foot outside that door dressed like this!

  She was prepared to put an end to this debacle and stomp her way out of the illicit bordello, amazed that she was even here to begin with, when she turned and caught sight of Gabriel lounging in the doorway; a lazy grin on his face and a wicked glint in those silver eyes. The plump, middle-aged woman, who’d created the… artistry Triana now wore, stood beside him with a smug expression.

  “You were right, Millicent,” the duke murmured, boldly raking his smoldering gaze up and down Triana’s frame, causing her cheeks to burn even hotter, if such a thing were possible. “She looks perfect.”

  The madame shot him a sly glance out of the corner of her eye, obviously pleased, and at the same time, seeming to share a mutual secret. “I always deliver, Your Grace, but then I suppose you already knew that.”

  Triana couldn’t hold back a shocked gasp at the blatant implication in that statement, to which the woman just laughed saucily and sauntered out the door. Momentarily forgetting her scandalous appearance, Triana crossed her arms in annoyance. “I can see you’re a regular visitor here.”

  Gabriel simply raised a dark brow and pushed away from the doorframe. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous?” he purred, his eyes alight with a mischievous gleam as he came closer.

  Triana tossed her head and tried to quell the sudden pounding of her heart. “Jealous?” She scoffed. “Don’t be absurd.”

  A feral smile began to grow across Gabriel’s face, the hungry look in his eyes fairly crackling with desire. “I wouldn’t mind, you know.” His voice had suddenly taken on that husky quality she detested and adored all at once — right before he reached out and caught a strand of her hair. Rubbing it between his fingers, he whispered next to her ear, “In fact, I might find myself quite flattered that you feel so possessive toward me.”

  Triana’s breathing quickened as he released her hair and then began to trace a feather light path across her exposed collarbone, then slowly around the edge of her bodice, barely grazing the tops of her breasts.

  With a deep breath, he slowly drew back. “This will have to wait, I’m afraid.” And then added on a scandalous murmur, “Although hopefully, not for long.”

  ***

  Travell cursed himself for a fool, for how else to explain his current predicament? He’d been so preoccupied by concern over his sister, worrying that Triana might do something rash, that he’d failed to listen to his instincts warning him that the missive he’d received was nothing more than a well baited trap.

  Now, as he sat gagged and bound to a chair in the captain’s cabin on a ship called the Evening Swan, he should have known that Logan, another seasoned agent, had more sense than to get captured so easily. But he’d made the mistake of being lured in when he was vulnerable, and now, it just might be the end of him.

  One thing was for certain, if he ever had a chance to get his hands on that blasted turncoat Bow Street Runner, he would remind him just what happened to men who switched sides to the highest bidder on opposing hands of the Crown! But in order to track the man down, first, he had to get off this blasted ship.

  He’d already made a thorough investigation of his makeshift cell — a bolted down bunk, a desk with not even a letter opener to speak of on top, and a locked trunk — all proving that his choices of escape were slim. Normally, he didn’t leave the house without some sort of weapon, at the very least, but Triana had distracted him, so he’d forgotten anything that might be of use. Already the thick, hemp ropes that were already causing his hands to lose feeling. Not to mention the fact that his head ached something terrible, having been bludgeoned from behind when he’d arrived. He had no way of knowing how much time had elapsed before he woke and found himself in this wretched cabin, alone and tied up.

  But he could either continue to sit and wait for the captain to find out what else their traitor had revealed — or keep trying to get free.

  With a renewed fervor, Travell rocked his bolted chair once again, but it held fast. He continued to work on his bindings, but only succeeded in rubbing his wrists even more raw; the slick trickle of blood starting to run down his fingers. But he’d be damned if he’d give up. He had never been one to concede defeat lightly, and he wasn’t about to start now.

  Suddenly, he paused, the sound that met his ears causing him to cringe.

  Just where the hell was that God-awful singing coming from?

  ***

  Triana had warned Gabriel before they’d left Millicent’s establishment that she was no opera singer, but she soon found out that he wasn’t one either, as the bawdy tune they’d chosen to sing was loud enough to wake the dead and sadly off key. Appearing to be a drunken sailor and his lady love they sashayed down the wooden planks next to a vessel named the Evening Swan.

  “Are you sure this is going to work?” she whispered anxiously, when the duke appeared to pause and take a large gulp of rum, which was nothing more than a jug of tea, spiked with a hint of molasses to give one’s breath the sweet scent of the drink.

  With his arm draped around her, he appeared to nuzzle her neck. “As long as you remember everything I told you, it will. Now just relax and enjoy the performance.” He pulled back and gave her such a silly, wayward half grin that she had to swallow a nervous giggle. And then he burst into song again.

  “’Ey! Whot’s goin’ on down there?”

  Gabriel gave Triana a consolatory wink before looking up at the sour-faced man peering over the edge of the ship. He cocked his head to the side, stumbling to a halt as he yelled back, “Just gettin’ me jollies off wit’ this fine ledy and havin’ meself a good time o’ it, ol’ chap! ’Ow’s aboot kickin’ that plank down so’s I can climb aboard?”

  The other man shook his head. “Drunken sod! Ye’ve got the wrong vessel. Now get lost!”

  When he disappeared, Triana’s heart sank, but Gabriel gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, as if to say, ‘Have patience’, before he stumbled a bit more and started humming just as off tune as before.

  To her surprise, not a full minute later, a different crewman leaned over the side. “’Ey, ledy! Ye wouldn’t ’ave time for some real fun, would ye? We ’ave plenty o’ coin!”

  Triana’s mouth would have dropped open if Gabriel hadn’t already explained his plan to her earlier. “It may take a bit of charm on my part to get the idea of a woman into their heads, but trust me, once it’s there, they won’t be able to resist the temptation. Remember, this is their first night ashore after days, perhaps even months, at sea.”

  Remembering to play her part, Triana lifted her heavily rouged face and fluttered her lashes flirtatiously at the sailor. “Aye, that I do! I’ve got plenty t’ go around.”

  Almost instantly, the gangplank was shoved firmly into place and the first crewman who’d initially rejected them, suddenly reappeared and doffed his hat. “Well, then, welcome aboard th’ Evening Swan, me ledy.”

  As he gave a licentious chuckle, she looked nervously at Gabriel. “It’s all right.” He said quietly and very soberly. “They won’t lay a single hand on you before I set them to rights that you’re spoken for.”

  Triana felt a shiver of warmth at the possessive note in his voice. It helped to give her the proper amount of courage to continue this wild charade. Gabriel gave her a light push in the direction of the gangplank, muttering aloud, “Fine. I’ll find me anoth’r, and more willin’ wench t’ pass the time.”

  ***

  Gabriel had to admit in that unyielding pose from earlier, with those blue eyes flashing so defiantly, Triana looked mighty delectable in the role of formidable foe. It was all he could do to resist the sudden urge to pull her into his arms and kiss some sense into her. In the end, he was forced to tuck that image into the back of his mind to be savored later.

  Now, he appeared to sway back the way he’d come, but the minute he was out of sight of the men on deck, he headed for the stern of the ship and the rope ladder he�
��d already spotted hanging there.

  But before he could even grab hold of the first rung, a mocking voice asked, “You wouldn’t be trying to play the hero without me, would you, Gabe?”

  The duke turned and shot a cheeky grin at the tall, dark-haired man. “Hallo there, Montgomery. I was wondering when you were going to get here. Fashionably late as usual, I see.”

  Logan gave a tolerant roll of his blue eyes. “Well, if I hadn’t been busy doing all the work, pumping the captain with drinks so that his tongue loosened up, or chasing down the blasted cur that set Travell up, I might have been here earlier.” He turned his lips upward in a wry smile. “But it’s nice to see you’re finally doing your share.”

  Gabriel just shook his head and began climbing the ladder. “Still just as humble as ever, I see.”

  The other agent grinned without a bit of remorse as he followed suit. “By the way, where did you find your lovely companion?”

  Logan didn’t see his face tighten. “I’d be careful there, old friend. Considering that’s Travell’s sister, I’m not sure he’d take too kindly to your idea of courtship.”

  His reply was a low whistle. “I might be willing to take a chance on that one.”

  Gabriel was silent for a moment before he replied, “Then I’m afraid you’re doomed for disappointment, because she’s already spoken for.”

  “Ah, I see. Pity that she should waste herself on you.”

  Gabriel snorted. “I couldn’t agree more, but I’m afraid that organ in my chest begs to differ.”

  Logan tried to smother a bark of laughter. “Are you sure you’re referring to the right organ? She is rather comely.”

  Gabriel’s only reply was a kick to the other man’s head that was easily averted.

  ***

  Triana walked as slow as she dared up the gangplank, as she was not in a big rush to confront these two, ogling men. However, knowing what was at stake if she didn’t play her part convincingly, she made herself paste on a seductive smile. While most men were rather apprehensive about inviting a woman on board their ship, a common superstition many sailors had that it brought bad luck, it obviously didn’t bother these scoundrels, for they looked on the verge of salivating.

  Imagine if some Gypsy were to tell her future a month ago — that she would be in the guise of a harlot in order to board a ship in the middle of the night to rescue her brother, a spy, with the man she loved, who happened to be another spy — needless to say, she would have laughed in their face.

  It just goes to prove that anything is possible.

  As she stopped before the burly pair, Triana eyed the larger of the two crewmen, who bowed in obvious mockery. A vicious looking scar ran the length of his right cheek and he had a mouthful of rotting teeth. When he spoke, he got right to the point. “We ain’t go’ much time, but we’ve go’ plenty o’ coin. So ’ow’s about that toss?”

  Triana felt a surge of panic, but she tried to recall Gabriel’s words of instruction. “Play hard to get. Look for clues.” Breezing past the men’s eager eyes, she scanned the bow of the vessel with a quick, but observant eye. With a bored air, she said, “’Ow’s about showin’ me yer coin first?”

  Two shillings were quickly fished out and held up, the second man actually licking his lips in anticipation. Withholding a shudder of disgust, she lifted a brow. “Ye’ve go’ t’ be doin’ better than that.”

  The second man quickly fished out two more coins and leered, “I expect you’re worth th’ blunt. You’re about the best lookin’ whore I’ve seen in a long time. It’s gonna be a real pleasure t’ tup ye.”

  Triana resisted the urge to retreat as he took a step forward, but she was temporarily saved when his companion grabbed hold of his arm, the jagged edge of his scar seeming more pronounced as he clenched his jaw. “Hold on there.” His dark voice carried a hint of warning. “I believe I was the one who put me neck o’ the line when I hoisted her up here. I think I ought t’ get a go first.”

  As the other man argued that he would be in just as much trouble, Triana risked another quick glance about, but nothing appeared out of place. Not even a breeze stirred. Nervously, she bit her lower lip, praying that something hadn’t gone wrong.

  Gabriel, where are you?

  “I guess you’ll get us both at once, me ledy.”

  Triana spun back around just as the man with the scar reached for her. Cornered, and knowing there was nowhere to run, she closed her eyes and waited for the assault — but it never came. The unmistakable sound of a body solidly hitting the deck had her eyes popping open, and she watched in amazement as Gabriel quickly smashed his fist into the second man.

  “Not in this lifetime.” Gabriel muttered darkly, staring with deadly intent at the two unconscious heaps at his feet.

  “How did you—?” Triana began incredulously, but she was cut off as the duke grabbed hold of her hand, causing a jolt of excitement to surge through her veins.

  “I’m a spy, sweetheart,” he replied, as if that explained everything. Then, after a dashing wink that nearly took her breath, they hastily made their way back down the gangplank where two men awaited their arrival.

  Her eyes instantly lit with joyful recognition as they settled on her brother. “Travell!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “Thank God! I was so worried.”

  Travell returned her embrace before setting her at arm’s length. The scowl he wore quickly changed to one of sheer astonishment. “What the devil — !”

  Confused, Triana tilted her head and regarded him with eyebrows raised.

  The intimidating figure standing beside her brother took it upon himself to drawl, “I think he’s referring to your appearance, my lady.” Her face heated in embarrassment as the stranger turned to Travell and added, “Millicent certainly has a way with her girls.”

  A tall man with a thatch of midnight black hair and striking, ice blue eyes, the stranger seemed to have a calm assurance that didn’t waver, even when her brother shot him a dark glare. “My sister is not one of Millicent’s girls, Montgomery.”

  Travell took off his cloak and put it around her shoulders. Giving her a stern look, he said, “We’ll talk later, Tri, but right now we need to get out of here—”

  At that moment, the air was rent by a sharp command. “’Ey! Whot are ye doin’ there?”

  The sound of several, thundering footsteps coming toward them had Travell cursing. “Bloody hell, it’s the captain!”

  He turned to Triana and gave her a gentle shake, as fear had suddenly frozen her in place. “Run!”

  They all scattered like leaves in the wind. Triana began to follow her brother and Montgomery, but Gabriel’s warm hand clasped hers and he pulled her in the opposite direction. “Wait! Travell—”

  “They’ll be fine,” Chiltern stated firmly, giving her no further opportunity to argue as they took off.

  He guided her down a series of alleys, while fear clawed at her like a hungry beast. After several twists and turns until her lungs began to ache, but Gabriel didn’t even break stride. He kept her close, and Triana could see the look of determination and focus on his handsome face. And for the first time, she really wondered about him. Not as a duke, or even a spy, but as Gabriel — the man.

  What could have possibly made him choose this sort of life? Did he truly enjoy this constant hum of danger lurking around every corner? Or was he merely bound by a strong sense of honor, one that caused him to risk life and limb for the sake of king and country? So many questions were swirling at the edge of her mind as Gabriel finally brought them to a halt behind a tall, shadowed hedge.

  It took her only a moment for her to recognize the familiar surroundings of Vauxhall Gardens. She had been here on a few occasions to view the fireworks, although she had always been warned to steer clear of the dark walks — disreputable as they were in the daytime, she knew they were even more infamous after the sun went down, for this is where many couples snuck off to for a lover’s tryst.

 
They stood in silence for several minutes, the only sounds around them the occasional chirp of a cricket, or the croak of a toad, and their own labored breathing.

  Only then did Gabriel finally look down at her. From this distance, the slightest move from either of them would have their lips touching. “I think we lost them,” he said softly as he slowly backed away.

  Triana shivered, feeling bereft of his warmth. She rubbed her arms and glanced away. He noticed her sudden withdrawal and must have misread it, for he gently forced up her chin with his thumb and forefinger. He eyed her somberly. “Don’t worry. Travell is a good agent. He won’t let himself get caught twice.”

  Triana nodded, but the combined dangers of the evening suddenly made her throat raw with emotion. She closed her eyes as a single tear escaped. He immediately brushed it away with the pad of his thumb. “God, Triana, please don’t cry.”

  As she lifted her eyes to his, the air instantly became charged with electricity. “I’m not worried about Travell,” she admitted. “I just don’t understand you.” She shook her head and pushed out of his grasp. The distress of the evening quickly turned to anger. “You act as though you care about me one minute, and then the next you push me away and run to Cordelia.” She crossed her arms. “You need to make a decision. Right now. It’s either me or her, but you can’t have us both.”

  He shoved a hand through his hair. “Triana, it’s complicated—”

  “Stop!” She said firmly. “I don’t want any more excuses. I just want…” Her voice trailed off, because what she wanted was what she couldn’t have. She closed her eyes. “Please, just take me home.”

  When she would have moved away, he grabbed hold of her arm. “I can’t let you leave me like this.”

  She gasped when he cupped her head and kissed her. His mouth was coaxing as it touched hers, almost pleading, and while she knew she should push him away, she just didn’t have the strength — or the wherewithal — to resist him. She’d been craving his touch for far too long.