Gabe watched Mary’s fetching, retreating bottom as she withdrew behind the screen. He didn’t know what he was thinking, allowing her to come. She was bleeding, bruised, and likely in shock from what occurred.
He shook his head. He hated seeing her in pain. Rising from his crouched position by the hearth, he strode to the settee and lowered himself onto it.
Colin cleared his throat. “You look like shit, friend. What happened to you?”
“Thank you.” Gabe glared at the curst Adonis. “I was held prisoner and tortured by Lady Kerr.”
“Christ,” Colin muttered. “Are you going to tell me what is happening?” He stepped forward, his arms folded across his chest.
“The last I saw you,” Gabe began, “you said that you didn’t want me to seek you out.”
Colin nodded, resuming his seat in the armchair before the hearth. “I recall.”
“Why are you here?”
Water sloshed behind the privacy screen, briefly drawing Gabe’s attention.
“I came to see Mary. I didn’t know that you would be here, as well.” Colin slid a glance toward the screen, and lowered his voice, leaning toward Gabe. “Did you take my advice?”
“I—you—damn it, that’s between Mary and me.”
“So you did. Capital, old fellow. Well done.” He reached across the short space between them and clapped Gabe on the shoulder. “It’s about bloody time.”
Gabe nodded. Indeed, it was about bloody time. And it was entirely possible that she was enceinte with his child. But she could still move on, marry another.
His heart beat hard in his chest as he thought on it. It was precisely what he had wanted for her. She could settle down with a farmer or butcher or some such man, have passels of children, and never be in danger again…
But now the thought of holding her back grated. His pulse raced faster as the realization hit him. Mary could be so much more than a mere farmer’s wife. She was a fountain of talent. She was caring, kind, intelligent, creative… She knew more about most things than Gabriel, and she had the genius to do anything she set her mind to.
She also possessed a wealth of beauty and vibrancy, which Gabe found highly intoxicating. She was his best friend, his lover. And, Gabe was afraid to admit, he wanted what she wanted.
For her to be happy… For her to be a spy.
“So, tell me, Mary,” Colin raised his voice for her to hear him. “What happened tonight?”
She grunted. “It was a dreadful mistake.”
“And that mistake tried to choke you?” Colin’s hands clenched into fists, and he punched one against his thigh.
Gabe certainly knew that feeling. He’d like to punch Boxton, himself; shooting him hardly satisfied his need to hurt the man.
“No,” Mary called through the screen, her voice still hoarse. “That was Lord Boxton.”
Colin’s jaw jumped. “And where is Lord Boxton, now?”
“Stevens took care of him,” she replied.
“Took care of,” Colin mused.
“It is possible tha’ he has been put in gaol, but dead is most probable,” Gabe put in.
“Dead.” Colin tapped the arm of the chair with his index finger.
“Aye.” Gabe leaned forward on the settee, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands hanging between them.
“Here I am.” Mary said from behind him.
Gabe rose to face her, and nearly swallowed his tongue. She was attired as a dockworker—with a dark, oily coat and trousers with a waistcoat to match, and an un-starched cream-coloured shirt and cravat. Mary had bound her breasts to fit in her costume, then powdered her own hair and tied it in a long, plaited queue that hung down her back.
The trousers outlined the shape of her thighs. It was arousing as hell. Why, if Colin weren’t here, Gabe would pick her up and carry her to the bed, and—
Perhaps he had best not think on that.
She neared them, and Gabe could see that Mary had bandaged her bite wound, but the bruise at her neck and cheek stood out beneath the edge of her collar, in stark relief from her pale skin. He grimaced. It looked far worse in this light than it had earlier in the darkness.
Colin stood and strode toward her, clasping her hands in his and bussing her on one cheek. They exchanged a few muttered words before he turned and led Mary to the bedchamber’s sitting area.
Gabe squelched the jealousy he felt watching their exchange. He should not begrudge Mary her warm relationship with a friend and comrade, but he certainly didn’t like it. The memory of her desire to partner with Colin for her assignment rushed through his mind, and he grit his teeth at the jolt of pain slicing through his abdomen.
He blinked and realized that Colin and Mary had already taken their seats, and he resumed his, as well.
“So, it was Boxton that attacked you,” Colin confirmed. “But how the devil did he get you alone and into such a situation?”
* * *
Mary felt Gabe’s gaze on her, and not for the first time since she withdrew from the privacy screen did her stomach flutter with nerves. They hadn’t much time, surely, before they must leave, and Gabe’s intense attentions made her want to pull him into her embrace and remain there for hours.
She cleared her throat and forced her desire from her mind.
“Everything was going as I’d planned. I engaged in pleasant conversation with several of our marks, but when Reddington said that he wished for me to meet someone, and I saw Lord Winning being led toward me, I fled to the portico. Boxton followed, and I wished to protect my identity, so I went along with him when he led me into the gardens. We fought and—”
“Just a moment,” Gabe leaned forward. “Ye saw my cousin, Frederick, at the ball?”
“Yes.”
“Why didnae ye tell me from the first?” Gabe ran a hand through his hair. “Yer identity could have been compromised, Mary! De ye knoo wha’ would have happened if he had seen ye?”
“Yes! That is why I went out of doors! But Boxton followed me, demanding the night with me that you had promised him, curse you!”
“Now, just a moment!” Colin held his hands up, then turned to gaze accusingly at Gabe. “You promised Mary’s body to some villain?”
The muscles in Gabe’s jaw jumped. “What was I supposed te do? Mary flirted with the bastards since the moment we arrived; they had their expectations up!” He pointed a finger at her. “But that doesnae change the fact that ye are in danger of not only furthering yer injuries, but of being recognized. I’ve changed my mind. I donnae think ye should go tonight.”
Pain and outrage surged through Mary, urging her to her feet. “You have no right to tell me what to do, Gabriel!”
He stood, as well, fury reddening his face and neck as he turned to scowl at her. “Ye donnae seem to ken tha’ I want te protect ye!”
Hurt lanced through her chest. And, finally, she burst.
“And I want to protect you!” Mary shouted hoarsely, the back of her eyes stinging with withheld tears. “Every chance you get, you berate and try to control me, using only jealousy or your intent to protect me as an excuse, but think you that the feeling isn’t reciprocated? Is it not enough that I witness you in jeopardy nearly every day?” She tapped her chest. “How do you suppose that makes me feel?
“This assignment is as much a danger to you as it is to me, and I will not—I cannot—stand by while the man I love is in danger! It is not to be borne!” She stood, fists balled at her sides, eyes glistening, and chest heaving.
Everything seemed to melt away. Nothing existed but a bewildered Gabe and Mary, her heart in her throat.
“Ye love me, Mary?” Gabe moved to stand closer to her.
Mary could feel the colour leeching from her cheeks. Her lip quivered, but she drew herself up in dignity, her chin notching higher. “I said as much when we were children, did I not?”
“I need te hear ye say it, Mary. Again, as it were.”
There was no sense in hiding it any longer. It was the truth, and he ought to know. Her heart lurched, and she took a deep breath and released it, steeling herself. “I love you, Gabe. Of course I love you.”
Mary shook, her heart fluttering and nervous tingles shooting through her body. She’d said it. She’d gone and told Gabriel that she loved him. A broad, beaming smile spread across his lips and Mary stared in awe. He was so handsome when he smiled like that.
Before she knew what was happening, Gabe grabbed her in a painfully crushing hug and pressed his lips to hers. Then she melted. Gabe was kissing her. She reached her arms over his shoulders and held him tightly there while their tongues tangled deliciously together.
Gabe broke the kiss and pressed his lips to her ear. “Tha gaol agam ort… I love ye, Mary,” he whispered. “I love ye so verra much.”
Mary gazed up at him with a broad smile of her own. She did not even mind that her lip pulled uncomfortably as she did so. Her heart had never felt so full. Gabriel loved her!
A loud clatter came from the fireplace, and Mary jumped, she and Gabe turning toward the noise.
Colin cringed, retrieving the fire poker from the ground and placing it back on its hook. “Apologies,” he mumbled. “You were having a moment… I tried to sneak out, but…er…”
Mary laughed, the sound coming out as an awkward croak. “It is fine, Greene.” Reluctantly, she stepped away from Gabe and turned to face Colin. “What was it that you wanted to speak with me about?” Mary asked.
“Ah, yes. Well, in light of recent events, my request hardly signifies, but I’d rather hoped that you could introduce me to one of the actresses in your next play. I saw her in passing, but there was a throng of men around her. Thought, perhaps, that you could be my way in to…” he trailed off, then cleared his throat. “This is far more exciting, however. My assignment is waning, and I’d like to see some action, and it seems as though the both of you could use some help.” He eyed Mary’s neck and the fresh scars on Gabe’s face. “Mind if I come along?”