When Love Is Enough (14 page)

She turned and he was there.

He consumed the space with such a commanding presence that she was always in awe. He held himself tall and erect, his broad shoulders back with a proud lift to his chin that was so typical. He might walk with a limp but there was nothing weak about this man.

Her gaze moved to his handsome face and her blood warmed.

"Are you ready?" he said, the concern evident in his voice.

She nodded and he held out his arm. She placed her hand on the taut muscles beneath his sleeve.

"Come, let us face the lions." He wore the same smile she’d seen earlier, the one that only lifted the corners of his mouth.

They walked together up the narrow stairs and onto the deck of the
Silver Star
. Her step faltered the minute she stepped into the bright sunshine and looked around. French soldiers were everywhere.

"Relax, Liddy," he said, tightening his grip around her waist. He pulled her closer then slid his hand up her spine and gently touched the nape of her neck. It was a very proprietary gesture she knew he hoped would reassure her. It did. It also sent thousands of fiery sparks rushing to every part of her body. She leaned closer to him, then lifted her chin and smiled. That was, after all, what any bride would do if she were lucky enough to have a husband as magnificent as the man at her side.

"Baron Talbot," Captain Faraday said as they neared where the captain stood by the gangplank. A French officer stood with him. "Allow me to introduce Captain LeBrouche."

Lydia kept a smile on her face while she and Gabriel walked the short distance to where Captain Faraday and the French captain stood. She felt uneasy the second LeBrouche looked at her. Gabriel must have felt it too because he stepped closer to her as if he could act as a shield.

The man was small in stature but carried himself with a confidence as bold and intimidating as if he was six feet tall. His facial features couldn’t be termed displeasing. He was in actuality a fairly handsome man. But there was a harsh look about him.

The severe angle of his nose and narrow cut of his jaw gave him a dangerous look. But most unsettling about his appearance was the icy coldness in his eyes. She knew at a glance he was someone to fear.

She wasn’t afraid for herself but for Gabriel. He was the person the captain scrutinized most intently.

Gabriel held out his hand and shook the French captain’s hand. "It’s indeed a pleasure, Captain. May I present my wife, Lady Talbot."

LeBrouche slowly shifted his gaze from Gabriel to look at her.

A shiver that she tried not to let show raced down her spine. "Captain LeBrouche."

"Lady Talbot. The pleasure is mine. Captain Faraday tells me you are on your way to Paris for your honeymoon. Allow me to extend my congratulations."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Have you decided what you want to see first, my lady?"

"Oh, no. Paris is such a beautiful city I’m sure we’ll never see it all. Don’t you agree?"

"I do." He turned his attention back to Gabriel. "Have you been to France before?"

"No. This is my first time. Perhaps you can be so kind as to suggest some of the wonderful sights where I should take my wife."

"I would be delighted. Do you have friends here?"

A most mischievous look crossed Gabriel’s face. "No, Captain. But I didn’t bring my wife across the Channel to visit friends. I intend to spend as much time alone with her as possible, as I’m sure you can understand."

Lydia lowered her gaze to the ground. She felt her cheeks warm but knew it wasn’t because of the mid-day sun, or the role she played as the blushing bride, but fear. Some underlying tension passed between the two men. Something she didn’t understand, but instinctively knew to be wary of.

She prayed the French captain’s interest in them would fade, but it didn’t. The questions continued, and every new inquiry increased the risk that they would be found out. Only Gabriel seemed at ease, as if he didn’t notice the danger LeBrouche posed.

LeBrouche suggested museums they should be sure to visit, excellent places to eat, the latest entertainment. And with each comment, he threw in an inquiring question or two. With each answer Gabriel gave, the French captain’s curiosity in Gabriel seemed to intensify.

Some of the questions he asked were so innocent she didn’t think Gabriel even noticed how intrigued he was with him. Some were so blatant she couldn’t believe Gabriel could answer them with such ease. But he did. The man posing as her husband stayed as composed as if he were among friends and family, while her knees trembled beneath her.

"Forgive me, Lord Talbot, but is it possible we have met before?"

Lydia’s heart flipped in her chest. She must have moved because Gabriel’s hand tightened around her waist. She forced herself to relax and take in one breath after another.

"It could be, Captain," he answered pleasantly. "Did you happen to attend our wedding? I don’t think there was anyone in all of England who wasn’t there. There were so many that I didn’t meet even half of them."

"No, I’m afraid I didn’t have the pleasure." His gaze narrowed. "Were you perhaps in the Crimea? I feel as if we have met before but can’t place where it might have been."

Lydia sensed a charge in the air. Gabriel slowly lifted his cane. "I was there for a short while early in the war. But I’m afraid the injury to my leg forced me to leave my fellow countrymen to fight for me."

"You were injured in the war?"

"Yes."

"It is possible that is where we met," the captain said. "Perhaps it will come to me later."

"Yes. Perhaps it will." Gabriel turned his gaze to the scores of soldiers searching the
Silver Star
. "Is it customary for each ship entering France to be given such unusual attention?"

The look in LeBrouche’s eyes sharpened. "These are very unsettling times, Lord Talbot. We find it necessary to do everything humanly possible to make sure nothing happens that might be harmful to our government or our people."

"You have had problems?" Gabriel’s tone hinted at disbelief.

"Minor problems always surface," LeBrouche added, "but we take swift action to arrest those who brazenly disregard our laws and threaten our government."

"You have apprehended such criminals?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Several men were rounded up on suspicion of inciting against our government. They have all undergone intense questioning and interrogation. It is our intention to make sure we arrest those who so brazenly infiltrate our country and cause such an uproar. I am happy to report that the first of the executions will begin on Monday. I hope to be able to go to Paris for the hanging."

"There has been a trial?"

"Fortunately, first-hand accounts of the rabble-rousers’ activities were provided to our government by loyal French citizens. We hardly need to waste time with a trial when guilt is already established."

"You say these men will be executed?" Lydia asked. A heavy weight lodged in the pit of her stomach and she felt uncommonly weak. "How ghastly."

"Try not to think about it, my dear." Gabriel kept his hold around her waist, then turned back to LeBrouche. "Where will the executions be held?" Gabriel asked, his voice sounding unnaturally calm.

LeBrouche frowned. "Do they hold some interest for you, Lord Talbot?"

"Good gracious, no! Only that as my wife and I will be touring your magnificent city in the upcoming days, for my wife’s sake, I will want to avoid going anywhere close to such a horrendous sight."

"Of course. Do not worry then. The prisoners are all being kept at Mont-Valérien. It’s where the crown keeps all prisoners awaiting execution."

Lydia wanted to be gone from here. She knew if she thought about Austin chained in a prison one more minute she was going to lose her composure. Thankfully, Gabriel realized her desperation.

"If you will excuse us, then, Captain. Unless you intend to detain us—"

"No, no. Of course not. I can hardly suspect a woman as lovely as your wife of having any involvement in such activities."

"Thank you, Captain," she answered, forcing a smile to her face.

"You are most welcome, Lady Talbot."

"If there is nothing else then, I believe it’s time we left for Paris. It’s been a long trip and I’m anxious to get my wife to our lodgings."

"And where will you be staying, Lord Talbot?"

"On the Rue de la Beaucaire. The Hotel de Marseilles."

"Excellent choice, Monsieur. It’s the most luxurious hotel in all of France. I’m sure you and your wife will be most happy there."

"I’m sure we will." Gabriel turned from LeBrouche to Captain Faraday. "Thank you for bringing us safely to France, Captain. The trip was most enjoyable."

"Yes, most," she added, trying to keep her knees from trembling beneath her. All she could think about was that they only had a few days to rescue Austin before he would be executed. And what was happening to him every minute he was in prison. A shiver raced up and down her spine and her flesh broke out in a cold sweat.

"Are you ready, my dear?"

She lifted her gaze. Gabriel gave her a look filled with confidence. She looped her arm through his and clung to him. She needed his strength to survive this. Powerful waves of assurance surged through her and she pasted a smile on her face. "Thank you, Captain Faraday."

"You’re most welcome."

"And Captain LeBrouche. It was a pleasure to meet you. You can’t imagine how reassuring it is to know men like you are keeping France a safe place to visit."

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Talbot. I hope you and your husband enjoy your stay in Paris. It is truly a most magnificent city."

"I can’t wait to see it. Good day."

On legs that trembled beneath her, she and Gabriel made their way down the gangway to where Hannah waited with their trunks.

"Hold on a little longer," he whispered. "We’re almost there."

She stiffened in his arms and he gathered her more securely against him. His limp was more noticeable now than it had been this morning, but she found if she matched her gait with his, stepping with the same foot as he, they could walk as one.

It seemed to take forever to get far enough from the
Silver Star
that she felt safe. The minute they were out of LeBrouche’s sight, Gabriel draped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in front of him. She rested her cheek against his chest and gasped for air.

"Breathe, Liddy. Stay calm and take slow and steady breaths."

He rubbed his hand up and down her spine and she nodded her head because she couldn’t speak. Finally she whispered, "I’m all right."

"I know." He lowered his head to kiss her forehead. "Our ride is here. Hold on a little longer."

She looked up as a carriage rambled closer, then stopped in front of them.

"Do you require transportation, sir?" the man sitting atop the carriage asked.

"Yes, to Paris, to the Hotel de Marseilles on the Rue de la Beaucaire."

The carriage driver’s face split into a wide grin before he jumped down from the seat. He waved to a man a short distance from them who rolled a wagon closer. "I will also provide transportation for your servants." He pointed to a cart that followed him. "For you and the lady, I have brought my most elegant carriage."

"How considerate." Gabriel helped her up the steps and into the conveyance. He waited until Morgan had the trunks loaded in the wagon before he climbed in beside Liddy.

His movements were clumsy, and the minute he sank onto the seat, he clutched at his leg and rubbed his thigh.

"It’s good to see you, my friend," the driver said before he closed the door. "And you, mademoiselle."

"It’s good to see you, too, Jean-Paul. I’ll introduce you properly when we’re safely away from here, but right now we need to leave as quickly as possible. Before the good captain remembers why he’s so certain he knows me."

"It could be dangerous?"

"Yes."

With a sharp nod, the man jumped atop the carriage and slapped the reins. The horses lurched forward and they headed away from the docks at Rouen and toward Paris, and Austin.

As if he knew how badly she needed him to, Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. She pressed her cheek against his chest and clung to him.

The carriage finally reached the peaceful quiet of the French countryside but Liddy couldn’t bring herself to pull out of Gray’s arms. Even though holding him – having him hold her – didn’t mean anything special, she needed his strength and comfort right now.

They rode in peaceful silence, neither of them willing to release the other. It was as if Gabe knew, as she did, that it was too late for there to be anything between them, anything except the help they could offer the other to save Austin.

By the time they reached the small auberge, the inn where they’d spend the night, Liddy was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Gray took care of the rooms and she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

They were back on the road early the next morning, but Liddy didn’t mind. The sooner they reached Paris, the sooner they could free Austin.

"Welcome to the Hotel de Chandliere," their driver announced.

They’d made good time, only stopping once to water the horses. It was still early afternoon and the sun was high in the sky.

Jean-Paul swung open their carriage door and stepped back to let them alight.

A broad smile lit his face and Liddy suddenly felt safe. No wonder Gabriel put so much trust in him.

"I regret it is not quite as luxurious as the Hotel de Marseilles, but it does have its advantages."

Gabriel slid to the edge of the seat then maneuvered his way out of the carriage. He was in pain. It was written on his face and made even more evident by the vacant look in his eyes. When he landed on the ground a little harder than normal, his grimace confirmed her suspicion.

For a moment he stood motionless, as if he needed an extra second or two to steady himself. Then, he turned to help her from the carriage.

"We’re here. You did fine, Liddy."