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
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
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