Simply Forbidden (10 page)

She waited for him by her horse, her taunting gaze dropping to the extremely inconvenient erection that now tented his breeches. He unconsciously smoothed a hand over his cock and fought a groan as it just made him feel worse.

“Perhaps we should walk the horses back rather than post.” Her smile was full of sexual interest and he fought not to return it.

“Indeed.” He mounted his horse and followed along behind her, watching her body sway in the saddle, and got even more aroused. Despite all the confidences they had shared and the startling glimpse of her past, he still wanted her. But was she right? Would he fall to her, and what in God’s name would he do then?

G
abriel rode home deep in thought as he considered Miss Ross and her unsettling effect on him. They had far more in common than he had believed possible, although in many ways, they handled their respective issues completely differently. She flaunted her bad reputation and dared the ton to ignore her, whilst he tried to disappear into the background and hope that everything would blow over.

He sighed. She made him feel like an even worse coward than he already did, but he no longer had the stomach to fight. At least he knew the truth about himself. He handed Wellington over to Mather, thanked him, and headed up the stairs to his lodgings where Keyes was busy laying out his breakfast.

“Good morning, sir. Did you enjoy your ride?”

Gabriel chose to smile vaguely rather than reply. His rides with Miss Ross were always eventful and usually meant that his solitary journey back was accomplished with a set of aching balls and an erect cock. A knock on the door distracted him from thoughts of Miss Ross and he nodded at Keyes to open the door.

He stared at the three men who had entered and bowed. “Good morning, gentlemen, to what do I owe this honor?” He gestured at the table and took his seat, too hungry to delay breaking his fast and too familiar with at least two of the gentlemen to worry about offending them. Keyes bustled about bringing extra plates and coffee, and soon the other men were seated around him.

Captain David Gray was the first to speak. “Good morning, Swanfield.” He gestured at the dark-haired man to his left. “I’m not sure if you’ve met Major Thomas Wesley.”

“I don’t believe I’ve had that pleasure, sir.” Gabriel nodded pleasantly enough at the major. “But you are more than welcome.”

“Major Wesley works at the War Office.” Paul St. Clare, the third of his visitors, said, as he piled more ham on his plate.

“How interesting.” Gabriel spared Wesley another glance. “And yet you have a look of a man who has carried out the majority of his soldiering in warmer climes.”

“I spent almost two decades of my life in India. Family business drew me back to England and I decided to stay and work at the War Office.”

“Major Wesley is interested in what happened to you in Spain, Swanfield,” David said.

Gabriel put his fork down. “Surely there is nothing of interest in that.”

“Ah, but there is, Lord Swanfield.” Major Wesley leaned forward, his brown eyes steady on Gabriel’s. “There have been several complaints against the officers in your regiment during that particular peninsular campaign and some concerns over the decisions made, particularly in your case.”

“Major, I left my regiment with privileged information to pass on to my commander in chief. I returned almost a year later to find that the information had ended up in the hands of our enemies.”

“And you were too sick to defend yourself at your makeshift trial and were shipped back home in disgrace without a proper hearing.”

“Yes, and that’s all there is to it.”

“At the time, several people came forward to defend your military record and declare their support. Were you aware of that?”

Gabriel shrugged and slid a quelling glance at David and Paul, who were listening carefully. “I know of some. It is always pleasant to hear that one is not completely reviled.”

“But don’t you see, Swanfield,” Paul intervened. “You could appeal your conviction and reinstate your good name.”

“I wasn’t formally tried and found guilty,” Gabriel said flatly. “Restoring my reputation would be like trying to fight a ghost.”

Major Wesley smiled. “Recently we’ve become aware of some new attempts to resurrect your case and formally try you.”

“What?” Gabriel stared at the other man, a sick feeling in his gut. “Who in God’s name started that up again?”

“I’m not sure, but we are bound to investigate such matters if they come from high enough up. It was when I reviewed your file that I realized you had been much maligned with very little real evidence.”

“And now he wants to help you,” David said. “And we’ve agreed to help him, too.”

Gabriel nodded at each man. “It is very kind of you to take an interest in this matter, Major Wesley, but it all happened so long ago. Surely it’s better just to let things lie?”

Major Wesley stood up. “I wish I could do that, sir, but unfortunately I have to investigate this matter. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

Gabriel stood, too, and shook the proffered hand. “You have that, but I don’t think it will make any difference.”

Major Wesley sighed. “It might if I’m forced to drag you through an official military court-martial.”

“You don’t think it will come to that, do you?”

“I hope not.” Major Wesley saluted and turned to the door. “Thank you for enduring my unexpected visit, sir, and I’ll keep you informed.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Gabriel nodded as David got up, too, and headed after the major. “Good morning to you both.”

Gabriel waited to sit down again until the door shut behind the two men. He contemplated the food on his plate and suddenly felt nauseous. It seemed that all the years of trying not to be seen, of deliberately cutting himself off from his peers, had been for naught.

Paul cleared his throat. “Are you angry?”

Gabriel picked at his now congealed scrambled eggs. “That Captain Gray brought Major Wesley around to see me? Not really. I’m grateful for the warning that someone is meddling in my business.”

“Have you any idea who it might be?”

Gabriel’s attempted smile was forced. “I’ve always been outspoken, you know that, and I certainly offended a few of the higher-ranking officers in my time.”

“Because you got things done.”

“Sometimes my sympathy definitely lay with the rank and file rather than my supposed peers. That was usually attributed to my lowly start in life and my complete lack of breeding.”

Paul sighed. “You aren’t happy about this at all, are you?”

Gabriel met his worried gaze. “No. I’m not, but you’re probably the only man who’ll know that.” He shifted in his seat. “I’m also wondering if my family has got anything to do with this sudden interest in my past.”

Paul’s smile was wry. “I suppose it’s possible. Your cousins have never been your friends, have they?”

Gabriel pushed his plate away. “Actually, I was once quite close to William, until he finally realized that I was going to inherit the title he’d assumed was his. He never liked me after that.”

“Obviously. He didn’t exactly rush to your defense during your time in Spain.”

“Major Wesley seems like a fair man, though.” Anxious to stop all references to his cousins, Gabriel stood up. “He also looked slightly familiar.”

Paul was still eating, but he paused long enough to grin. “He visits the pleasure house; you might have seen him there.”

“That’s right. I’ve seen him with another man.”

“That would probably be the notorious Lord Minshom, the terror of the top floor. Well, not so terrible now since he’s connected with Wesley and become a father.”

“Minshom has children?” Gabriel pictured the cold blue eyes of the man and remembered the lurid tales surrounding his legendary adventures in the pleasure house.

“Indeed, twin girls, if you can believe it. David knows both of the Minshoms quite well and corresponds regularly with Lady Minshom.”

“Ah, that’s right. Robert Brown used to be Lord Minshom’s valet.” Gabriel smiled. “What a small world we live in.”

Paul swallowed down a gulp of ale. “Speaking of small worlds, I was wondering if you might do me a favor.”

“Does it have to do with my horses?”

“No, it’s rather more complex than that. My aunt is having a ball tonight for my eldest cousin, and she has invited me to attend.”

“And?”

“And I was hoping you would go with me.”

“Me? I’m certainly not considered good company or good
ton
. You’d be better off asking Captain Gray. He’s both wellborn and incredibly charming.”

“But I want you to come. My aunt would like to meet you.” Paul met Gabriel’s skeptical gaze and color flooded his cheeks. “I would be honored if you would accept.”

Inwardly, Gabriel cursed, but he knew he would go. The ties between him and Paul were too complex to ignore. “If I agree, you must promise to let me leave whenever I choose.”

“As long as you get to meet my aunt and uncle, I’ll be happy.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

A smile lit up Paul’s face and he jumped to his feet. “Thank you. I’ll be ready to leave about nine.”

“That will be fine.” Gabriel studied Paul’s unkempt brown coat and breeches. “You do have some more formal clothing, don’t you?”

“Of course, and if the worst comes to the worst, I can always wear my dress uniform and let the debutantes swoon over my medals.”

“Indeed.” Gabriel watched him leave, his smile dying as Paul closed the door behind him. He was deeply fond of the man, but sensed Paul still wanted more from him than friendship. During their imprisonment, they’d struck up an unlikely companionship. Gabriel had used his strength to defend the slighter man, and Paul had … Gabriel sighed at the memory. Paul had insisted on providing Gabriel with all the sex he wanted, whenever he wanted it. And to his shame, Gabriel had taken advantage of the other man, used him, enjoyed it even, found it arousing to feel another man under him taking his cock.

Perhaps it was time to have a serious conversation with Paul about his sexual needs. He suspected Paul would still be happy to lie down and let Gabriel fuck him even now, and that would never do. Gabriel abandoned his half-eaten breakfast and opened the newspaper. Perhaps he could sponsor Paul into full membership at the pleasure house?

That thought made him relax a little and find his usual solace
in reading the paper. It also kept him from wondering what his reception would be like at the ball that evening. With his background he never felt quite at ease in social situations. He’d worked hard to overcome that, only to have his hard-earned skills ripped from him by the dual horrors of captivity and being considered a traitor.

“Keyes?”

His valet appeared. “Yes, sir?”

“Will you make sure my evening clothes are in good enough order for me to wear tonight?”

Keyes actually rubbed his hands together. “Yes, sir. You can wear your new blue coat.”

Gabriel lowered the newspaper. “What new coat?”

“The one I picked up for you from your tailors while you were away at Knowles Hall, sir.”

Gabriel sighed. Keyes was always trying to improve his wardrobe and he couldn’t blame the man. “All right, put it out and I’ll see if I like it.”

“Yes, sir, it will be a pleasure, sir.”

Keyes positively skipped away, his homely face shining, and Gabriel felt the beginnings of a reluctant grin. He’d do his best for Paul tonight and reward himself by seeing Miss Ross later. A man could only be virtuous for so long.

“Come in, Lisette.”

Lisette smiled cautiously at her father as he beckoned her into his study. There was something about his expression that made her feel like a young girl about to be faced with a list of her transgression.

“Is something the matter, Papa?”

His smile widened. “Is there something you’re afraid I’ve found out about, daughter?”

“Of course not.” Lisette sat down and put her hands in her
lap. “Emily will be here soon. Does it have something to do with that?”

“Nothing has changed. She will be here at the end of the week. My second cousin’s widow, Mrs. Horrocks-Smith, will join us as well and stay for the Season.”

“Will she be a good chaperone for Emily? Is she kind?”

“Daphne is not only kind but experienced at managing the Season’s intricacies. She managed to marry off four daughters and a couple of them, might I say, were not quite as pretty as they might have been.”

“Well, that is good to know. I’m sure Emily will enjoy herself exceedingly.”

“I’m sure she will.” Philip hesitated. “I’m more concerned about you.”

Lisette stiffened. “Have you been talking to Christian?”

“I try and talk to him almost every day.”

“I meant about me and my effect on Emily’s coming out.”

Her father frowned. “What has Christian been saying to you?”

“You probably know already, but he thinks I’m not a suitable person to be around Emily. He fears my reputation will affect hers.”

“Does he?” Philip’s expression darkened.

“And he may have a point. I behaved rather stupidly in my youth—you know I did.” Lisette hoped her father never knew quite how stupidly, but he’d probably seen enough to realize how wild she’d been. “I would hate to ruin Emily’s chances of making a good match.”

“You have been very kind to Emily, Lisette, and I appreciate that more than I can say.” He sighed. “Considering the nature of your birth and upbringing, your wild years could’ve been so much worse.”

“Now you sound just like Maman,” Lisette said, and hastened to change the subject. “You didn’t know she was pregnant
when you left her. And when you did find out, you treated Christian and I just like your legitimate children. If anyone should have a problem, it should be Richard and Emily.”

“Emily loves you both. I’m not so sure that Richard has reconciled himself to my lurid past.” A flicker of pain crossed her father’s face. “He avoids coming home.”

“Richard is twenty, Papa, why would he want to come home? We hardly ever see Christian either.”

“That is true. But I’ve almost forgotten what I wanted to say to you. I discussed the idea with your mother, and she told me to ask you.”

“What idea?”

Philip sat forward. “You were never properly presented at court or to society. I’ve spoken to Mrs. Horrocks-Smith, and she is quite happy to chaperone you as well as Emily.”

“That is very kind of her, and of you, but I don’t wish to steal Emily’s big moment and I’m quite happy as I am.”

“Are you sure, my dear?” Philip hesitated. “Sometimes, forgive me, it seems as though you watch from the sidelines and don’t feel able to join in with the younger ladies.”

“That’s because I don’t fit in.” She regarded him steadily. “I don’t, Papa, and I never will. In truth, living that life would stifle me, and I have no wish for it.” In essence that was true and she hoped he realized it. The fact that a small part of her would always yearn to be acknowledged and accepted simply for who she was would never go away. Was that how it felt for Lord Swanfield, too? That longing to be accepted and the fear that one never would?