Page 26

“ P lease tell me ye found something out, Gabs! Ye’ve been with the blighter all day!”

Hunter was pacing in her tiny room, his tone frantic, his long strides taking up too much of the space and his hair sticking out at odd angles from the way he tugged on it.

Gabby was trying not to be distracted by his erratic movements as she brushed out her braids.

He’d been blathering—without allowing her a word in edgewise—since he’d shown up at her door.

Truthfully, when the knock had come she’d yanked open the door in quite a bit of excitement—while trying to pretend refined nonchalance, of course—thinking it was Cassian, come swiftly to fulfill his promise earlier in the day.

Her disappointment in discovering her near-panicked brother had been difficult to hide.

“Gabs! What did ye learn? ”

She glanced at him in the small looking glass, and saw that he’d stopped finally and was allowing her to answer. Slowly turning, Gabby’s mind whirred as she tried to find a way to reassure him.

“I…think I did learn something.” But could she tell Hunter what she’d guessed? “It is all conjecture at this point, but I am confident I am on the right track.”

“Thank fook,” he muttered with clear relief, running his hand through his hair as he turned to the window. “How soon can ye figure it out? Because I need to get the hell out of here.”

“It is that bad?”

“It’s worse ,” he muttered, planting his hands on the sill and staring out into the darkness. “Poor old Sir Dickie has stopped suspecting I’m incompetent and is outright saying it now. I’m spending all day with the beast, Gabs, and I dinnae ken what I’m doing .”

She winced. “I am—I am sorry, Hunter. Nothing I have suggested is working?”

“Nay. And I even stuck my arm up her—well, ye ken. Again. It was horrible—for the both of us. Put me off sex for a month, I’ll wager.”

Since he was still muttering, Gabby suspected she wasn’t supposed to hear or acknowledge that. Instead, she hurried to pick up her journal, silk robe flying around her. “You tried changing her diet?”

“Aye,” Hunter sighed. “The stable hands admitted they were feeding her bread and beer, so they switched to boiled oats and molasses. Easier on her stomach. ”

Hmm . She would have to refer back to the books in the library, but she seemed to remember that oats weren’t ideal for pachyderms in captivity either. What else?

“You are limiting her exercise? If she is ready to give birth…?” Gabby flipped through her notes, gaze flickering across rows and rows of handwritten lines.

“Aye, the horse handlers agreed with that. They’re keeping her safe in the barn and bringing her food so she doesnae have to move. I also had them dig the birthing ditch ye suggested, but puir Elizabeth isnae interested in lying down in it.”

Oh dear . “Administer a tonic of raspberry leaf, valerian, and fenugreek to fortify her womb and calm her nerves,” Gabby read. “You have tried that?”

Her brother’s head clunked solemnly against the window pane, his shoulders in a helpless slump. “ And I applied a warm linen soaked in chamomile to her abdomen to soothe the womb . Gabs, I dinnae even ken what that means . I’m at the end of my rope here.”

Yes, he certainly seemed to be. With a sigh, Gabby snapped the journal shut. “I will find a way to examine her, Hunter, I swear. Can you stall Sir Dickie for just one more day?”

Her twin swung around, distress clearly written on his face. “Ye’re no’ going tonight? Ye didnae go last night, so I thought—I can sneak ye in there tonight, Gabs.”

Hating the guilt souring in her stomach, Gabby clutched the edges of her robe under her chin and wavered. Tonight she had plans…plans for more pleasure, in truth, with Cassian. But the elephant needed her …

“Oh,” Hunter blew out with a sigh. “Ye’re hoping to learn the truth about our suspect tonight, eh?

Well, Cassian Grey was our primary assignment, and if ye can find out what Bull needs to ken, I suppose I can bullshite through another miserable day of accusing stares and worried comments.

” He wagged a finger at her. “But I sincerely hope ye ken what ye’re doing. ”

She didn’t.

For the first time in her life, she was following her heart, not her mind. She had happily thrown herself into Cassian’s arms, happily experienced the pleasure he could bring her, although it wasn’t the logical thing to do.

And now she was about to do it again.

Her twin brother was watching her, concern etched across his face. Gabby lifted her chin and wrapped herself not only in the purple silk of the robe, but as much certainty as she could muster. “Hunter, have I ever given you grief about your affairs?”

His lips twitched. “Nay, and did I mention I’ve always thought ye the most wonderful of sisters?”

“I am your only sister, you clod. But I am. I am smart enough to make my own choices?—”

“And accept any consequences?” His expression turned almost pitying as he crossed the room to her. “Gabs, if Cassian is a traitor?—”

“Then I will be sorry for my part in his downfall,” she admitted. “But I will not regret doing what is right. This feels right. ”

Hunter’s hands closed around her upper arms. “But will ye regret getting yer heart involved?” he asked softly.

She frowned, having to tip her head back to meet his eyes.

Their entire life she’d been the leader and Hunter had been happy to follow.

He’d known she was smarter, more ambitious.

She’d protected him from the harsh realities of the schoolroom when they were children, until Aunt Sophia had become their governess and realized what Hunter needed to thrive.

Now Gabby wasn’t the only one protecting Hunter…

but her brother had never needed to protect her.

Gabby was used to being the smart one.

When did Hunter learn to understand so well?

But will ye regret getting yer heart involved?

“Yes,” she sighed, then pressed forward to hug her brother. “I likely will. But I cannot regret this right now.”

Thankfully he didn’t ask for details, merely hugged her back. “Then I just have to hope ye ken what ye’re doing, little sister.”

“I am ten minutes older than you,” she mumbled against his chest.

“Aye,” he drawled, “but ten inches shorter.”

Perhaps not quite that much, but she snorted, the response he wanted, then pushed away.

“I promise I will find a way to help you,” she vowed. “Soon. We will work out what is wrong with poor Elizabeth.”

“It might no’ matter,” her brother said solemnly, walking backwards toward the door. “If Sir Dickie decides I’m truly useless and makes us leave, ye will lose yer chance with Cassian—I mean, to discover his secrets. Have ye written Bull with what ye suspect?”

This time, Gabby managed to hide her wince. She had written—well, tried to write. This afternoon after the ride with Cassian and Gus, after her guess and that kiss and all the laughter, she’d tried to write down all her suspicions and thoughts to send to Bull.

It hadn’t worked.

It was as though, now that her heart was involved, her mind couldn’t sort through the jumble of clues Cassian had given her. She couldn’t give Bull a coherent hypothesis, which was galling . All she knew, deep down, was that the man she was falling in love with was innocent.

Wait.

Falling in love with?

She closed her eyes in defeat. Oh dear.

She was in love with Cassian Grey, wasn’t she?

Damn .

Hunter’s hand had found the door knob behind him, and now he offered her a little shrug and a rueful grin. “Good luck, Gabs,” he murmured, and turned as he opened the door.

Only to be nearly punched in the nose by Cassian, whose fist was raised to knock.

It was almost humorous, Cassian standing there flushing guiltily, to be caught at her door by her twin brother. “ Hunter!” he blurted out. “I was looking for—ah…for ye. There ye are!”

Hunter, bless him, had decided to allow his sister the same freedom she gave him, and remove himself from her business.

With a little smirk, he sidled past the man who was about to bed his sister.

“For me? In Gabby’s room?” he snorted. “What a strange place to look for me ,” he called over his shoulder as he sauntered down the hall.

Cassian turned—utter disbelief on his face—as he watched her brother shove his hands in his pockets and whistle as he turned the corner.

Gabby, for her part, was grinning broadly when her lover turned back to her, the incredulity still obvious.

Perhaps it was her recent revelation—how foolhardy it was to ignore logic and follow her heart—or perhaps it was because she felt as if the pair of them were standing on a precipice, poised for something truly remarkable.

Whatever it was, she was smiling as she reached for him.

“Gabby,” Cassian announced as her fingers curled around his lapels. “I have to tell ye something.”

“Good.” She yanked him into her room. “Afterwards.”

“After—?” was all he got out before she pulled his lips down to hers.

A ll Cassian’s good intentions went right out the door he kicked closed behind himself. When Gabby surged forward and he stumbled back against it, he fumbled for the lock, ensuring her brother—or his son—wouldn’t disturb them.

Because now she was in his arms, now that his mouth was on her skin…he could forget the rest of the world.

“Christ,” he groaned, lips against her jaw as he kissed his way toward her ear. “I’ve missed ye, Gabby.”

“It has been a mere— ooh , yes, right there,” she gasped, arching in his hold. “Mere hours. Surely you can manage—do that again!”

Cassian grinned as he gently tugged on her earlobe with his teeth, then caressed the sensitive spot behind it with his tongue.

“What did ye once tell me? That all creatures like to be scratched… here ?”

Gabby’s breath huffed out in a sound halfway between a laugh and insult. “I told Gus that.” Her arms moved languidly around his neck as she tipped her head to give him better access. “It was wicked indeed of you to eavesdrop.”