India felt surreal as she walked beside Gabriel to his office, and it was only the clasp of his hand on hers that anchored her to reality.
They’d arrived in Santaliana late last night and been met very warmly by his brother and sister-in-law, but Gabe had declared it was too late to discuss the situation and had encouraged India to go to her bed.
Her bed in this castle that was now her home. Her bed, not their bed. Part of her was grateful her husband hadn’t tried to claim his wedding night. Contrarily, part of her was disappointed.
Squashing her fears about what she was going to do when Gabriel tried to take her to bed, she thought instead about her new brother and sister by marriage. As Devereaux and Mackenzie had welcomed her into the family, India had been helpless to control her tears. Their hugs had been sincere and their wishes so genuine, India had honestly felt she was part of Eden’s family. It was an incredibly moving moment for her, and she only wished Eden was alive to be part of the welcoming group.
For India, Gabe’s family’s acceptance transported her back to the day she’d arrived in England and met her grandmother. Insecurities had swamped her when she’d landed at Heathrow Airport, but her grandmother had held her tight and been so loving, India had finally felt like she belonged somewhere.
Mackenzie and Devereaux also made her feel like she belonged. Now it was time for a formal meeting with the couple to talk about how they were going to announce the news that the King of Santaliana had married. This time she hoped she could stop herself from being a teary mess.
When they entered the room, her eyes were instantly drawn to Gabe’s office window to the beautiful vista of Santaliana’s coastline. Remembering the view, it felt like yesterday she’d visited Gabriel here to discuss the arrangements for the foundation’s ball. With all the animosity between them that day, she wouldn’t have guessed in her wildest dreams that the next time she stepped into the room she’d be married to the King of Santaliana.
‘India! I hope you slept well.’ Mackenzie gave her a warm hug.
‘You look like you haven’t slept at all, Gabe.’ Devereaux stood up from his chair as he spoke, and moved to give India a brotherly peck on the cheek.
‘I snatched a couple of hours, but had meetings early this morning with our legal team,’ Gabe replied.
When all four of them were sitting down comfortably, Gabe’s younger brother launched straight into business. ‘You two may be legally married, but you do know you’re still going to need to have an official state wedding with all the trimmings? The people will want to celebrate.’
‘I realise that,’ Gabe said.
India hadn’t. She shot a sideways look at Gabriel and wondered how he felt about a formal wedding. This marriage was hardly something he’d want to celebrate and her forehead tightened as she empathised with him. She didn’t want to put him through the false show. ‘But surely, now we’re already legally married, it would be sheer extravagance to organise a formal state occasion?’
Gabe stiffened beside her. ‘It’s an extravagance I can afford and an occasion my people will expect.’
‘Absolutely,’ Mackenzie declared as she looked dreamily at Devereaux. ‘I don’t think there was a single soul in the whole of Santaliana who didn’t turn out to cheer Dev and I as we travelled to and from the cathedral.’
A pang of longing shot through India as she saw the love between the other couple. The people had cause to celebrate the love match between Devereaux and Mackenzie. Their king’s forced marriage was hardly in the same category. Would they cheer India, or jeer her once they knew she’d been raped and had committed a murder?
‘They’ll support and celebrate your marriage, India,’ Mackenzie told her. ‘What’s important is that they understand it. Honesty is key and we’ll stick to the truth as closely as possible, although we still need to protect the French position. So we say that Gabe proposed in Misanti, and you planned to announce your engagement when you returned to Santaliana.’ She looked from India to Gabriel. ‘Everything has to be planned to maximise India’s acceptance, both within the kingdom and internationally.’
India knew everything was going to come out sooner rather than later, so she saw the wisdom in Mackenzie’s words.
‘You’re in safe hands.’ Gabriel reached out and drew India closer against him on the sofa. ‘I told you Mackenzie was good.’
It was all too easy to enjoy the comforting embrace. On another level, it was difficult to ignore her awareness of the heat of his muscular, masculine frame—difficult to stop herself from snuggling in and resting her head more comfortably against his broad chest. Impossible to stop herself from inhaling a little more deeply so she could fill her lungs with the wonderful manly scent of his cologne.
‘India, I want to assure you, I’ve turned all this over in my head constantly since Gabe phoned from the aircraft and spoke to Dev,’ Mackenzie said. ‘Things are going to move fast and you’re going to feel like you’re caught up in a whirlwind. If we delay announcing your marriage, the people are going to feel confused and perhaps mistrustful when they find out.’
Things couldn’t get any more whirlwind. The entire visit to Bagazin had been like being in the midst of a hurricane. It’d felt as though she’d been picked up and thrown around dizzily until she’d hardly known which way was up. The storm of their visit to Bagazin had claimed them both as its victims, with Gabe faring far worse than she had because of their marriage.
‘My thoughts were to announce our marriage tomorrow, and to organise a press conference for later in the week to answer questions,’ Gabe said. ‘That will give me time to organise a court hearing for India, and time for her to settle in here and get over her ordeal. It will also give us time to arrange a date for the state wedding.’
Mackenzie shook her head immediately and decisively. ‘No. I have the press standing by. We announce your marriage in...’ Mackenzie looked at her wristwatch, ‘... an hour and a quarter.’
‘No.’ Gabe’s frame jerked forward. ‘You can’t expect India to face the media pack so soon. She’s had one hell of an ordeal over the last twenty-four hours.’
‘Stop and listen, Gabe.’ Devereaux was all calm authority. ‘You know damned well Mackenzie is the best at creating or reinventing public image. Hear her out. Let her run this for you both.’
Gabriel was quiet for several seconds as he seemed to struggle with the suggestion. ‘Okay,’ he said at last. ‘Go on, Mackenzie.’ He eased his frame against the back of the sofa, but India had the impression he was as tightly coiled as a spring.
‘I’m sorry, guys, but this can’t wait.’ Mackenzie reached over to the desk and grabbed a clipboard. She tapped the top of her pen on its cover a few times before she spoke. ‘Gabriel, we need to spin this carefully. As I said, you fell in love, planned to return to Santaliana, announce your betrothal and prepare for your wedding, but once you were forced to land in Bagazin, you realised you had to act far more hastily on your intentions because of the threat President Mawandi posed to India. We need to be very up front right from the outset about the fact that you’re listed as a wanted person in Bagazin, but we have to ensure it looks as though the French Ambassador had no idea at the point of the marriage ceremony.’
India bit down on her lower lip. Just how much had Gabriel told his brother and Mackenzie? Did her new sister-in-law know that what she was going to try to sell to the press and the people of Santaliana was an outrageous lie—that Gabe would never have proposed marriage if a gun hadn’t been pointed at her head?
‘That’s fine with me,’ he agreed easily. ‘I had a meeting with the legal team at the crack of dawn and they’ve already written a statement regarding what happened in Bagazin.’
India’s chest rose and fell sharply before she said, ‘All the stuff about Charles Mawandi —we have to make that public knowledge today as well?’
‘Yes,’ Mackenzie agreed gently. ‘Gabriel owes the people an answer as to why you’re legally married before you gave them the celebration they would’ve expected.’
‘I can’t believe they’ll want to celebrate their king’s marriage to me.’ India hoped the whole thing would die a slow death. A formal state wedding meant a marriage ceremony which would be broadcast all around Europe, just as Mackenzie and Devereaux’s had been.
India didn’t think she’d hold up under the scrutiny. It would be emotional enough repeating her marriage vows again, knowing that the situation she’d found herself in had forced Gabe to the altar. It would be worse still listening to Gabe make his vows and knowing he wasn’t speaking sincerely. Knowing his promise to love and honour her until death was meaningless would be like stabbing her heart with a blunt blade all over again.
‘The people will definitely want a state wedding,’ Prince Devereaux said. ‘I hope you’re not worried that you won’t be accepted, India. Everyone knew Gabe’s first marriage was based on political reasons and Angelique’s behaviour ensured she wasn’t popular. The people of our kingdom have always loved Gabe and they’ll be delighted to see him happy at last. I’m sure they’ll grow to love you for the person you are, but as soon as the announcement is made and they know Gabe’s married for love, they’ll adore you.’
Except that she knew Gabe couldn’t honestly be happy with this marriage. He didn’t love her and she’d never make him happy, because she couldn’t even become his lover.
‘With Mackenzie in charge,’ Dev continued, ‘they’ll be behind you one hundred per cent, lining the streets, waving flags and cheering you all the way to the cathedral.’
It was going to be awful. She’d feel like an imposter.
‘Gabe, I’ve set up a private television interview for both of you. It’ll be recorded straight after your public introduction of India as your queen. Obviously you’ll need to heed whatever advice you get from the lawyers, but at least broadly, you’ll both have to talk about the situation you found yourselves in while you were in Bagazin.’ She shot India an apologetic look. ‘India, there’s no option but for you to be completely open about your role in Charles Mawandi’s death, but we’ll cover that entire angle with the legal team before the press conference.’
‘Mackenzie and I have talked about this,’ Devereaux added. ‘Believe me when I tell you that nobody will see you as anything other than what you were—an innocent victim—a sixteen year old who acted in self-defence.’
Mackenzie stood up and moved around the room as she spoke. ‘You guys have to tell all from your point of view rather than waiting for the press to pick up on the story and skew things a different way.’
‘Don’t worry about her pacing about the room,’ Dev said in a quiet aside to India. ‘Mackenzie feels more comfortable when she’s moving.’
The former image consultant ignored her husband’s remark. ‘For all we know, someone in Bagazin or at the French Embassy could’ve already tipped off the press. The interview you give shortly is going to be aired tonight—well before the newspapers hit the streets in the morning.’
‘I see where you’re coming from and I agree,’ Gabe said. ‘I’ll need some time to make a few calls to organise the court hearing before we meet the press. We need to be seen to be doing the right thing and not trying to use royal position to evade having you answer for your actions, India.’
‘Excellent,’ Mackenzie agreed. ‘My plan is to be proactive rather than reactive. As soon as the court hearing is over, India—and from what Dev’s been told already by the legal counsel, the matter won’t even proceed as far as a criminal trial—we’ll get you out and about in the public spotlight as frequently as possible so people get to know you.’
A seagull flew very close to the window and distracted them all for a few seconds. The bird was so free to fly. India was getting the message that she was public property now, and would never know the freedom to fly again wherever and whenever the mood took her. She knew there’d be a lot of attention drawn to her due to her hasty marriage and a lot closer scrutiny when it became public knowledge that she was going to be involved in a court hearing.
‘You need to talk about your life as a child and how you grew up going from one disaster zone to the next. I can’t possibly begin to understand what that must’ve been like for you. I hate sounding like a spin doctor, and I don’t mean to trivialise any of what you experienced as you grew up, but I really want you to talk about it if you can, because it will win you empathy from people all over the world.’ Mackenzie grimaced, and India could see that the other woman was trying to handle everything with sensitivity, but that she was determined to succeed in her mission. ‘Believe it or not, even talking about your ordeal with Charles Mawandi could be turned into a positive.’
India shuddered and anger burst through her. ‘A positive?’ There was nothing positive about having been a victim of rape.
‘Let me explain,’ Mackenzie told her as she held up a hand. ‘You weren’t even a fully grown woman, India, and you were raped. You went through a horrible ordeal and you survived. By talking about your ordeal, you won’t only gain empathy for what you’ve gone through. You’ll gain the respect and admiration of people the world over for having the courage to share what you’ve been through,’ Mackenzie explained. ‘You’ll also help thousands of women who’ve been raped to heal—you’ll spotlight the problem, help people understand that women who are raped are victims who need understanding and support, not vilification. You’ll help banish the stigma that goes with being a rape victim.’
‘Hold on, Mackenzie,’ Gabe protested. ‘India mightn’t be ready to talk about this so openly.’
‘I can’t imagine how difficult it will be for you,’ Dev put in. ‘However, you coming forward and discussing this should help others find the courage to do the same thing.’ He shrugged. ‘It might even make a difference in some cases between victims reporting the crimes against them versus the possibility they’re too reticent to come forward and the offenders walk away without punishment.’
Slowly, as she saw Mackenzie’s perspective, and realised she had Gabriel’s full support and understanding, India’s outrage abated. If she could only get past the initial fear of talking about her ordeal in Bagazin, the rest of Mackenzie’s plan held enormous appeal. ‘You really think if others know what I’ve been through it’ll do some good?’
‘Absolutely.’ Mackenzie raised her right hand and gave her a big thumbs-up gesture. ‘You’re going to be a very public figure and you can also be a very influential figure. If women understand how you’ve coped—how you’ve moved forward and got on with your life, you’ll be a great example to them.’
‘It hasn’t been easy,’ India confessed. ‘When I returned to England, I had intensive counselling with a therapist for the first couple of years. Recently, I’ve sought her help again because I’m still working through some issues related to... all that’s happened.’
‘Sweetheart, there’s no shame in seeking help,’ Gabe told her gently. ‘This could be a really positive thing for you to discuss and it might even aid in your healing—but only if you’re ready. I definitely don’t want you to feel forced into speaking.’
‘If I can help others, I’d like to.’ India started to feel more comfortable about Mackenzie’s suggestions.
Dev nodded. ‘Thankfully, I think the world is changing and there’s less stigma now about seeking professional counselling, but if you are able to bring yourself to talk about it, you really could make a difference to others who perhaps aren’t as confident in getting the help they need.’
‘Just know that I’ll support you either way.’ Gabe’s eyes willed her to believe in his strength and to lean on him. ‘Any time you feel you’re ready, I’ll be right there at your side.’
‘We’ll all stand with you,’ Mackenzie said adamantly.
India couldn’t believe it. This incredible support around her was overwhelming and moved her to tears. ‘All this going on in Bagazin is also going to cast a very bright and damning international spotlight on Mawandi,’ Devereaux added. ‘There are many in the world who have no idea of the extent of the atrocities he’s committed. I guarantee there’ll be a lot more press coverage of the political situation in Bagazin after your story goes to air and there’ll be increased international pressure to bring Mawandi to justice. It could even result in increased aid to the Bagazini people.’
The way Devereaux and Mackenzie painted the picture, her nightmare really did seem to hold positives. Knowing she had Gabriel’s full support made her feel like she could tackle just about anything. Her new brother-in-law and his wife also backed her, and in her new position as Queen of Santaliana, she might be able to do good in a way that would’ve made her parents proud after all.
‘I’ll do it,’ she said.
Gabriel took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. The physical contact between them was so reassuring. So right. ‘You’ll bring healing to many,’ he said quietly.
His words meant so much to her. They were a quiet vote of confidence—a signal he believed in her. They were also thrilling because she’d never had the formal education to follow in her parents’ career paths and heal others medically, but she’d love to think she was healing in her own way.
Looking at the handsome man who was now her husband, her gaze skimmed over the broadness of his shoulders. Metaphorically, those shoulders carried a lot of weight. In their time together in Misanti he’d loosened up and forgotten some of the burdens he carried, but there were still a few chips in those broad shoulders that needed to mend. The person she most wanted to heal right now was Gabriel.
‘Healing sounds a whole lot better than bringing shame to the royal family,’ India said.
‘The de la Croix name won’t even be dented.’ Mackenzie slotted in with a teasing smile at her husband. ‘After all, it survived Dev’s reputation.’
Dev shot his wife a you’ll-keep look.
India sat forward. ‘Has anyone been updated on the situation in Bagazin?’ She hadn’t been able to stop worrying about those at the French Embassy, even though first reports had indicated they’d come to no harm. ‘Is Ambassador Rousseau okay? Are all of his staff safe?’
‘I spoke to Rousseau last night after Gabe called me,’ Dev said. ‘The ambassador was called before the president to answer for his part in your flight, and Rousseau said Gabe’s security team had overcome some of the embassy’s soldiers and escaped through the back entrance of the embassy long before the Bagazini forces surrounded the compound. Mawandi had to accept this version of events as he doesn’t know about the tunnel and could fathom no other explanation. On this occasion the dictator was as effective as a toothless and de-clawed tiger.’
‘I got off the phone from Rousseau only half an hour ago,’ Gabriel added. ‘He said there was a lot of posturing and there were a lot of threats made, but ultimately Rousseau was able to plead innocence.’ He rubbed one hand soothingly against India’s back as he spoke. ‘He also pointed out that you were my wife and had diplomatic status.’
‘Remember to claim that your marriage in Bagazin happened as soon as you got there—well before Rousseau had received his communiqué from Mawandi indicating you should be handed over to the authorities,’ Dev said. ‘Also you’re going to have to stick to the story where you escaped by car rather than by secret tunnel.’
‘Your move to give India diplomatic status was an absolute stroke of genius, Gabe,’ Mackenzie said with awed admiration.
Gabriel shrugged. ‘Mawandi relies on the French mining operations. Rousseau knew he had a lot of political clout so I didn’t envisage there’d be shocking repercussions—although one can never be sure with Mawandi.’
The news that all the embassy workers were safe, and that the French position in Bagazin hadn’t been affected, was welcome relief, but India had other concerns. ‘I’ve also been worrying about what negative effects this will have on the Princess Eden Foundation.’
Dev made a deep, thoughtful sound. ‘Regarding the foundation, India, I imagine you’ll need to resign from your MD position now you’re going to have so many official duties in Santaliana. Am I right, Gabe?’
Gabe nodded. ‘It doesn’t have anything to do with these events or your reputation having a negative impact on the organisation. Your resignation is just a practicality now you’re going to have to fit in a lot of responsibilities as queen.’
Oh no! ‘But I love my work.’
‘The Princess Eden Foundation is humming along beautifully,’ Mackenzie told her. ‘I suggest you start up your own foundation—a support organisation to help women who’ve been raped or abused. You could set up programs to counsel and empower them and to ensure they don’t lose their sense of worth.’
‘Really?’ Her eyes widened and she turned her head to Gabriel. ‘Would I be able to do that?’
He squeezed her hand. Then—as if he couldn’t resist—he drew it to his lips and kissed the area between her thumb and index finger. ‘I think it’s an outstanding idea.’
Heat spread from the spot where his lips had rested, up her arms and all the way down to the juncture of her thighs.
‘Of course it’s an outstanding idea,’ Devereaux said proudly. ‘My wife only ever has outstanding ideas!’
‘Ah, you two are my witnesses.’ Mackenzie pointed to India and Gabe before she said to her husband, ‘I’ll remind you that you said that if we ever have a disagreement over one of my ideas.’
Devereaux stood, walked over to the beautiful Mackenzie and wrapped his arms around her. ‘I will never need reminding. Besides, you married me. What was that if not an outstanding idea?’
Mackenzie gave her husband a playful punch in the arm, and their ease with each other—their closeness—set off another twinge of envy in India’s abdomen. Their mutual love was so obvious. India wished she could find the same level of love and camaraderie with Gabriel.
Clearing his throat, Gabe said, ‘Thank you both for your support.’
Dev dropped his hold on Mac, walked to Gabe and gripped his shoulder. ‘You’ll always have our support.’ Looking at India he added, ‘Both of you.’
‘We’re so happy to welcome you to the family, India,’ Mac told her again. ‘Although your marriage hasn’t started as trouble free as any of us would’ve liked, I’ve been willing this to happen ever since we first met you at the ball.’
Fluffy white clouds must’ve settled in India’s brain because she had no idea what the other woman was alluding to.
‘My very astute wife picked up on the chemistry between you two even then and told me that she wouldn’t be surprised if you guys beat us to the altar,’ Dev explained.
Good grief! India had probably been pretty close to making it to Gabriel’s bedroom, but assuming they’d make it to the altar was stretching it.
Yet it’d happened.
‘I... er...’ India wasn’t quite sure what to say.
‘India needed a little convincing to break the pledge she’d made to Artarmon,’ Gabriel told them as he hugged her close. ‘Despite all the drama of our visit to Bagazin, I’m feeling very fortunate that necessity took the decision out of her hands.’
‘Oh, I knew she was never going to marry Artarmon,’ Mackenzie declared. ‘It was obvious that she was just as smitten with you as you were with her, Gabriel. It was about time you two sorted yourselves out.’
Really? India’s stomach was as hollow as a dugout canoe. Clearly, Mackenzie had mistaken the sexual chemistry between them as love. There’d been plenty of chemistry between them at the ball in Santaliana, but India’s realisation that she loved Gabriel had come much, much later. As for the feeling being mutual—Gabriel desired her and was protective of her, but he didn’t love her at all.
‘I was concerned you’d stick to the vow you’d made never to remarry,’ Devereaux declared to his brother. ‘Thank God you came along, India.’
India fixed her attention on the jewelled globe near the bookcase as she worried about just how this drama was going to play out.
‘Anyway, we’re going to have to leave our celebrations and happiness until after the press have been dealt with,’ Mackenzie said as she opened her clipboard and pulled out some papers. ‘I’ve worked on a press statement and I’ve also worked up some notes for your television interview. We’ve got to meet with the legal team and we’ve got to make it snappy.’
Before any of them could move, Gabriel’s assistant knocked on the door and entered.
Michael was unaccountably uncomfortable, and completely avoided eye contact with Gabriel as he addressed India. ‘Your Majesty,’ he said with a slight bow. ‘Viscount Artarmon has arrived at the palace and is asking to see you.’
‘Bloody hell!’ Dev exclaimed. ‘What’s he doing here? Michael, didn’t you phone him yesterday and pass on Gabe’s message about the marriage?’
‘I did, Your Highness,’ Michael said.
Gabe stood up. ‘Word was sent to him. I’m guessing that’s why he’s here. Let me handle this.’
‘No.’
The single word from India had the effect of a shot from a pistol firing through the room. Gabriel froze. Mackenzie and Devereaux looked at her aghast, and Michael looked as though he wanted to duck for cover.
‘Jeremy hasn’t come to see you, Gabriel. He’s here to see me,’ she said firmly.
‘I absolutely forbid—’
India stood and stretched each vertebra taut so she faced her husband with every inch of her six feet. She let white-hot heat blast from her gaze. ‘You will never forbid me to see Jeremy. He’s my friend.’
‘He’s your damned ex-fiancé!’
Michael shifted from one foot to the other and looked at the floor.
‘Ex being the operative prefix.’ She took a step closer to Gabriel and vowed. ‘I’m your wife now, not his fiancée. You’ve married me to protect me and now you need to trust that I will never do anything to dishonour you.’
The notch at Gabriel’s throat worked up and down as he swallowed. She could see his indecision. Perhaps it was lack of faith in her or maybe it was lack of confidence in the strength of those rushed vows they’d each made under duress. Either way, she knew he was torn.
Very slowly, Gabriel inclined his head in a nod. ‘Very well, India. Go and see your friend.’
Mackenzie sucked in an audible breath. ‘Guys, we have the press conference scheduled, and things to do before it. We really don’t have time for India to...’
‘The press will wait for as long as they need to,’ Gabe decreed.
India was aware of Devereaux’s critical scrutiny as she walked out of the room to meet Jeremy.
As she went to pass Gabriel, his hand shot out and he arrested her movement for a second. Looking intently into her eyes, he said. ‘Artarmon will need closure. I trust you to provide it for him.’
Jeremy hardly needed closure on an engagement that would already have ended by now anyway, had it not been for India’s insistence that she needed it as a shield against her attraction to Gabriel. It was obvious to her that her friend had only made the journey to Santaliana because he was a friend—a friend who was looking out for her and making sure she was okay.
India’s heart ached for the uncertainty she saw in Gabriel’s eyes. He’d been betrayed by his last wife but India would never do anything to hurt him. She covered his hand with her own. Everything in her heart yearned to tell him how much she loved him and would never betray him. Instead she said, ‘Your trust is not misplaced.’
A brief nod, and he unclasped his hand from around her wrist.
Michael said, ‘I’ll take you to him, Your Majesty.’
India followed Michael out of the room. When they were just outside the door, she heard Mackenzie say, ‘I’m slipping. I’d completely forgotten to ask about how Artarmon had taken this. How do you think he’s going to react, Gabe? How much damage control am I likely to need to do over this?’
‘There’ll be no damage control. He’s too late,’ Gabe said unequivocally. ‘India’s my wife and she’ll make him see that.’
India’s steps faltered as she heard the possessiveness in Gabriel’s voice and the confidence he had in her to do the right thing. Was she mistaken or was there also a note of pride?
‘If he’d cared deeply enough about her,’ Gabriel continued, ‘he wouldn’t have delayed their marriage and he certainly wouldn’t have let her leave his side to travel to Africa. I would never have been so slow to place my rings on her finger.’
The adamant declaration gave India pause for thought, and the fingertips of her right hand traced over the rings on her left. It was true that her new husband had wasted no time in placing his rings on her finger. First thing this morning, he’d replaced his signet ring with the most exquisite jewellery India had ever seen. Gabe had told her the royal jewellers had worked through the night to set the rare purple diamond into an engagement ring. The precious stone was surrounded by amethysts and diamonds. The engraved pattern on the gold band matched the markings on her wedding band.
‘Artarmon will go back to England without any doubt that India is my wife.’ Gabriel spoke like a victor rather than a man who’d been pressured into doing something against his will.
Could it be that his brother and sister-in-law hadn’t just imagined that Gabriel’s feelings for India ran deeper than the lust he’d declared he felt?
Could it be that he wasn’t as averse to this marriage as she’d imagined?