Notorious (Rebels of the Ton #1) - Minerva Spencer Page 0,96
he had learned less than nothing. In fact, it seemed as if Visel had disappeared. Gabriel couldn’t have said why, but an absent Visel made him almost more nervous than a lurking Visel.
As for Rowland? Byer had sent his valet—a sly, clever man who’d spent a stretch in the Steel—to the tea shop where Drusilla’s group met. Gabriel had protested, feeling as if it were spying.
“It is spying, Gabe—on Rowland. And that brings to mind something else. I think you should hire somebody to keep an eye on your wife anytime she leaves the house.” Gabriel had bristled, but Byer had rolled his eyes. “It’s not that, you daft bugger. It’s in case Rowland or Visel try anything.”
“Like what?”
“Who knows, but it is better to be safe than sorry—is it not?”
So Gabriel had engaged a Runner, yet another of Byer’s acquaintances. The man was slight, not at all what he’d expected of the famous Bow Street Runners.
“Don’t worry,” Byer had assured him. “Tompkins might be small, but he’s as tough and wily as a terrier.”
Drake held out Gabriel’s ring, the only piece of jewelry he wore. The ring was gold and encircled in fine Berber script. The center bore a ruby with a falcon in intaglio—the symbol of his Berber tribe. It had belonged to the sultan—the only thing he had from his father.
Drake cleared his throat, and Gabriel looked up from his woolgathering to find him holding his cane and hat.
Gabriel took both. “Ah, thank you.”
He left his chambers, heading toward the stairs, but stopped outside his wife’s room: it was quiet within, so he resumed walking. It was past noon; no doubt she had already gone out. He had slept late as he’d returned home close to five in the morning.
He was more on edge than ever and had no idea what the devil was going on—especially when it came to Visel’s mysterious absence. But he and Byer had done everything they could, short of invading the duke’s house and demanding he produce his heir.
Gabriel smiled to himself at the foolish thought as he made his way down the stairs.
When he reached the foyer, it was to find Drusilla, her maid, and one of the footmen just preparing to leave.
“Ah, good afternoon, Drusilla.” Acting on impulse, he kissed her cheek, causing her fair skin to blush. “Where are you bound?”
She paused in the act of pulling on her gloves. “To Hatchards and then to the dressmaker’s.”
“Perhaps I might steal a ride with you?”
She blinked up at him, her flush deepening. “Of course. I’ve ordered the barouche.”
He offered his arm once her second glove was on. “I wasn’t aware we had a barouche,” he said, leading her down the front steps to a rather magnificent equipage.
Her hand tightened on his arm. “I hope you don’t mind that I had it brought over, but it was my father’s and I just thought—”
“Lord, what an ogre you must think me. Of course I don’t mind using your father’s barouche.” He motioned away the waiting footman and helped her into the carriage. Fletcher hovered a few steps away, uncertain. Gabriel smiled down at her. “You too, Fletcher.” He held out a hand, and the rather homely, narrow-faced woman blushed just as fierily as her mistress at the small courtesy. “You sit beside Mrs. Marlington, Fletcher. I’ll take back-facing.”
“Where to, sir?” a footman Gabriel did not recognize asked before he shut the door.
“I’ll disembark with the ladies; I need no special stop.”
“So,” he said, after he’d settled himself in the seat. “How is your aunt feeling?” he asked his wife.
“She is doing much better this past week.”
“And did you convince her to pay us a visit before she leaves town?”
“Yes, she will stay with us for three nights before she departs for Bath.”
“Excellent. I look forward to having her in our household.” He could see his words pleased her. “Buying anything special today?”
“A few books I’ve ordered have come in and I’m going to try on some gowns Fletcher believes might suit.”
Gabriel’s eyebrows leaped. “New gowns?” he said with a playful smile. “Perhaps I should join you—I can act as your cicisbeo.”
The maid choked back a laugh and even his stern wife smiled. “I’m sure you have better things to occupy your time.”
Gabriel realized, suddenly, that he would actually like to spend some time with her doing something domestic. Although they’d been together often in the week and a half since establishing their tenuous truce, they were rarely alone.