Page 123 of Rules for Ruin

Together, they sank down to the floor, wrapped in each other’s arms. Franc frisked about them, his pom-pom tail quivering with joy.

The crowds below set up an enormous cheer.

Gabriel struggled to catch his breath. “I should have said, ‘You’re not going anywhere alone.’ ”

Effie didn’t know whether to kiss him or strangle him. “You daft man. What on earth were you thinking? You might have fallen—”

“No chance.”

“But to climb that rope—”

“Had to. It was the only way to get to you.”

She shook her head in wonderment. “You’re mad.”

“Clearly.” He smiled at her. His pale blue eyes gleamed with unvarnished affection. “I’ll say one thing for you, sweetheart. You’re never dull.”

Franc climbed into Effie’s lap. She wrapped an arm around him as the balloon was carried along on a soft blowing breeze. The gondola swayed to the left. Effie’s trembling stomach swayed with it. She briefly closed her eyes, leaning into Gabriel’s embrace. “I wish life were dull at present. Anything rather than this.”

Gabriel held her as protectively as she held Franc. He looked around the interior of the gondola. It contained folded blankets, a hamper of food, a writing box, several maps, and a leather compass case. There was even a red silk–padded seat for those who weren’t disposed to sit on the floor.

“This isn’t so bad,” he said. “You and me in absolute privacy, and no way either of us can storm off?”

“I’ve never stormed off,” she replied, on her dignity.

He cocked a brow at her. “In Hyde Park?”

“I was furious with you.”

“And on the train at Waltham Station?”

“I wasn’t furious then, but…” She wrinkled her nose. “The timing was less than ideal.”

“Timing,” he said. “Another thing in our favor today.”

“Yes. We’re stuck up here, aren’t we?” Effie suppressed another tremor of terror. She couldn’t dwell on how high up they were. It would only lead to gibbering panic. “When do you suppose we’ll land?”

“Soon,” he said. “But not before I’ve had a chance to tell you what I came to say in Brook Street.”

She gave him an uncertain glance. She’d been too distraught when he arrived at the Belwoods’ house to fully consider what had brought him there. All she knew was that, for bookmakers, the Derby was the most important event of the year. And instead of being there, Gabriel was here.

The significance of it wasn’t lost on her.

He gazed down at her steadily. His expression grew serious. “I tried to tell you in the carriage, but you were too distracted. Understandably so, with Franc missing.”

Effie hugged the little poodle close. “I have him back now, thank heaven. He’s in excellent spirits, and doesn’t appear to have been harmed. My only regret is that I had to give up the book to earn his freedom.”

“The book, yes,” Gabriel murmured.

“It was the sole proof I had against Compton. Without it…” She was loath to admit she’d been outmaneuvered. But one must face facts. “I suppose I’ve failed.”

“You haven’t failed,” Gabriel said. “Book or no book, Compton’s reign as Lord Solomon is over.”

Effie lifted her head from Franc. A hopeful thought occurred to her. “You’re not saying you’ll give me Wingard’s papers?”

“I can’t give them to you,” he said. “I don’t have them anymore.”

She stared at him in alarm. “What do you mean you don’t have them?”