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intimidating. This man was more than intimidating. Big, blond, and so muscular it wouldn’t take much for him to tear someone limb by limb.
    Malory continued down the stairs. Gabrielle was ready to leave before any more threats were uttered. Ohr wasn’t. He didn’t mention the letter, but he shoved it at the man when he was within reach.
    She groaned inwardly. She knew she should have kept that letter herself, instead of letting Ohr carry it. It was sealed. None of them had opened it. She didn’t even know how her father had phrased his request—as a favor, or a demand? Good grief, he wouldn’t have dared make a demand of a man like this, would he?
    She held her breath while Lord Malory opened the letter and scanned it quickly. “Bloody hell,” he muttered when he was done. Gabrielle was mortified.
    “What is it, James?” his wife asked, frowning curiously.
    He said nothing, merely handed the letter to her so she could see for herself. She didn’t utter any oaths. In fact, she amazed Gabrielle by smiling.
    “Why, this sounds like fun,” Georgina declared, and it looked like she actually meant it. She then glanced at her husband. “Didn’t you read it all?”
    “Yes, but I see you haven’t grasped the implications yet,” he replied.
    “That there will be many parties to attend?” she queried.
    “No.”
    “That we’re going to be a bit crowded here, with two of my brothers visiting as well?”
    “No.”
    “Then what’s got you annoyed, aside from the remark that provoked your charming display of jealousy?”
    Gabrielle could guess. Although she hadn’t said a word yet, Malory must have assumed that as the daughter of a pirate she was utterly unsuitable to be foisted on the ton.
    And yet all he said was, “Bite your tongue, George. I am not, nor will I ever be, charming.”
    He didn’t deny the jealousy, though, which brought a flush to Richard’s cheeks. Nor did he answer the question, which prompted his wife to make another guess.
    “You must be feeling guilty, then, for making so many unnecessary threats.”
    It was such a provocative statement. How did the woman dare to talk to him like that? For that matter, what was a petite, perky woman like her doing married to such a big, menacing bruiser? Granted, he was handsome, with his long blond hair that reached his shoulders and those sharp green eyes. But he was deadly. There was absolutely no doubt in Gabrielle’s mind.
    And yet, all he did was snort at his wife and say, “The devil I am.”
    “Glad to hear it,” Georgina said in a chipper tone, then added by way of explanation to the others present, “He’s impossible to live with when he’s feeling guilty.”
    “I’m bloody well not guilty, George.”
    It wasn’t just the words but the tone that lent truth to that statement, and yet the woman said, “Yes, yes, and I can depend upon it, too, I’m sure you’d like to add, though we both know better.”
    “George.”
    Such warning in a single word, but the women still ignored it and said briskly to Gabrielle’s escorts, “You gentlemen can be at ease now. My husband isn’t going to tear off any limbs today.”
    “You might, m’dear, when you realize that you’ll have to cancel your trip to accommodate this request.”
    Georgina frowned. “Oh, dear, I hadn’t thought of that.”
    “Didn’t think so,” Malory replied.
    “Ah, so that’s why you’re annoyed? You think I’m going to be disappointed?”
    He didn’t deny it, and actually confirmed it by saying, “Aren’t you?”
    “Not a’tall. Jack probably will be, though. You know how impatient children can be. But next year will do just as well for that trip.”
    Gabrielle had blanched with the realization that this favor was going to interfere with their plans. She finally spoke up.
    “Please don’t change your agenda on my account. My father probably didn’t consider that you might not be available to assist me. His decision to send me here was made on the spur