Part 37 (1/2)

”While you're welcome to the s.l.u.t,” Hubert said. ”Even if you'd managed to keep her fortune, you'd soon find you made a poor bargain.”

Charis hardly noticed the insults. Her mind worked too frantically to find something to persuade Gideon against this perilous course. He'd sacrificed so much for her, but this went beyond what anyone could ask. It would be like facing Rangapindhi all over again.

Gideon didn't look at the brothers but spoke directly to her. His voice rang deep and sincere. ”My wife is more precious than rubies. If she came to me wearing only her s.h.i.+ft, I'd still be rich beyond measure.”

He made the extraordinary declaration for her sake in case things went wrong. Charis's heart twisted with overwhelming love.

Oh, dear G.o.d, whatever happens, let him live through this.

”I can't leave you,” she said unsteadily. Blind fear dug icy talons into her. ”Don't make me.”

”I must.” He released her hand and his voice lowered. ”Akash and Tulliver are at the house. They'll know what to do.”

”Gideon...” His name was a ragged plea. She watched his expression close against her. His purpose was clearly unshakable.

Gideon faced Felix, his face set with disdain. ”So you agree? I place myself in your charge, and Charis goes free?”

No, this must not be. In blind distress, she turned to Felix. ”Take me.” She was mortified that her voice broke.

”Both so eager to sample our hospitality.” Felix's laugh was cutting. ”Make up your minds. One of you needs to get the money.”

Gideon sent her stepbrother a flinty look. It was as if she'd never made the offer to stay in his place. ”I a.s.sume you have a mount for Lady Charis. Unless you intend to s.h.i.+ft the tree.”

Gideon's continued calmness astounded her even through her dread. He wasn't shaking or sweating or pale. He looked like the invincible man who'd come to her rescue in Winchester.

Hubert's piglike eyes darted between Gideon and Felix as he tracked the s.h.i.+fts of power. ”She can have my nag.”

Gideon turned to her and gently cupped her face. His smile, like his touch, was poignantly tender. She searched his eyes for the fatalistic resignation she'd seen so often when he faced down his demons. All she read in the glowing black depths was strength, serenity, resolve.

And love, like a single star s.h.i.+ning over a dark sea.

”Trust me, my darling,” he said softly. ”If you love me, trust me.”

He knew he defeated her with that last demand. Gathering her ragged courage, she swallowed another furious protest and raised her chin.

Agreeing to what he asked was the hardest thing she'd ever done. Harder by far than defying Felix and Hubert or confronting the vile sailors in Portsmouth. Harder even than fighting Gideon for the chance to create a life together.

Fear coiled like an angry snake in her belly. For all Gideon's bravery, she abandoned him to an ordeal that could break him. But she couldn't let him down. Or succ.u.mb to pathetic, immature hysterics. She was the daughter of Hugh Davenport Weston. She was the wife of Gideon Trevithick. She wouldn't shame either valiant hero by failing now.

”I'll go,” she muttered reluctantly.

She closed her eyes in despair as Gideon pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was sweet, pa.s.sionate, heartbreakingly brief.

As he slowly drew away, she looked into his eyes. The star was still there. More radiant than ever.

”I love you.” She could no longer hold back the words.

”I love you.” He spoke without reluctance or equivocation. She s.n.a.t.c.hed the vow close and locked it in her heart, never to let it go. Surely if they loved each other, Felix and Hubert couldn't defeat them.

Such hope rang false when she forsook her beloved to torture and imprisonment.

”Oh, for G.o.d's sake, get a move on,” Felix said in a theatrically bored voice.

She ignored her stepbrother's jeering. She clung to Gideon's hand as she climbed down from the carriage. Her knees felt like custard as she reached the road.

Summoning all her courage, she released Gideon and braced her shoulders. Standing straight, she faced Felix. A scatter of cold raindrops. .h.i.t her. The storm wasn't far off. A crack of thunder made the pony start and neigh.

The gig creaked as Gideon jumped to the road behind her. He towered over her, and his gloved hand closed firm and possessive around her arm. ”She leaves unharmed. Otherwise, we have no agreement.”

Felix gestured Hubert toward Gideon. ”She'll leave unharmed, all right. But only when we've got you trussed nice and tight.”

Charis waited for Gideon to object, but he merely said, ”Let me give Lady Charis my coat. The weather's about to break.”

Felix nodded briefly. ”No tricks. I can hurt you without killing you.”

”I'll keep that in mind,” Gideon said dryly.

He released Charis and quickly divested himself of his coat. As he dropped it over her shoulders, it swamped her. Immediate warmth surrounded her. And Gideon's scent. Such an absurd thing to bolster her unsteady resolve.

Gideon brushed one gloved finger across her cheek and smiled. ”It's like old times.”

Her skin tingled under his touch. His words reminded her they shared a history of danger and survival. She wished she could draw comfort from the fact. ”Be careful, Gideon,” she whispered, her throat thick with anxiety and love.

He stepped past her. Charis bit back a protest as Hubert grabbed Gideon's hands and roughly wrenched them behind his back. Her husband stood stiffly, but he presented no resistance. Could the touch of Hubert's hand spark an attack? Please, no.

How could Gideon bear this? He must know what the brothers had in store. His unflinching bravery threatened her fragile control. Her belly knotted with sick anguish. He gave himself over to torment for her sake. She felt like she pushed him back into the pit in Rangapindhi with her own hands.

When Gideon looked at her, he must have read her faltering purpose. ”Put the coat on properly. You've got some tough riding ahead.” He sounded as if he sent her off on a morning's canter. She remembered she owed it to him to reach Penrhyn and save him. No matter how she wanted to scream and cry against what happened now.

She stiffened her spine. Her gaze clung to his face as she memorized every beloved feature. His burning eyes, the proud blade of his nose, his pa.s.sionate mouth, taut with controlled anger. Beneath his composure, she knew he was fuming. She wanted him to stay furious. The fierce emotion might keep his ghosts at bay.

”Good-bye, my love,” she said huskily.

He stared back. ”G.o.dspeed, Charis.”

”Come on.” Felix snapped, s.n.a.t.c.hing her arm. His touch bruised, even through the thick woolen sleeve. ”All h.e.l.l's about to break loose.”

”Let her go,” Gideon said in a low, dangerous tone.

For all that the brothers were armed and Gideon was bound, Felix's hand automatically dropped away from her. Charis sent Gideon a grateful glance, then picked up her skirts and followed Felix.

There was nothing more she could do for Gideon here. Pray heaven, she could help him once she was free.

In spite of her urgency to reach Penrhyn, Charis took one last lingering look at her husband as she climbed the steep bank to bypa.s.s the fallen tree. Dwarfing Hubert, he stood tall and proud and undefeated. No trace of fear or weakness showed in his set features.

Stay safe, my love. Stay safe until I come for you.