Page 116 of Notorious

Drusilla could not answer to that, but she had felt an unexpected twinge of admiration for them—of course that was nothing to the jealousy she felt. She didn’t know what she had expected to find, but it hadn’t been two well-spoken and attractive women in a house that had been decorated with exquisite taste. And it had almost ripped her apart to imagine Gabriel making love with them in that house.

Gabriel took her hand, no longer laughing. “I should have taken steps to introduce you to them myself—but I was far too cowardly. I’ve noticed before that women are frequently braver than men.”

She gave him a slight smile, unable to scrub her imagination of disturbing pictures of him with his ex-lovers: touching them, being touched.

It would take time, but she would conquer her emotions.

Gabriel lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I am pleased you made their acquaintance, Drusilla. You are correct in saying it will make future relations much easier.”

The carriage rolled to a halt just then and Drusilla was spared from responding—which was an enormous relief. While she had wanted to establish contact for Samir’s sake, that didn’t mean it was an enjoyable activity. The fact that the women were so elegant and well spoken might have actually made matters more difficult.

A footman opened the carriage door, but Gabriel handed Drusilla down. It wasn’t until he was halfway up the steps that he realized the door was open.

Parker stood in the opening, his face tight and tense.

“What is it?” Gabriel demanded, his voice harsher than he had intended.

Before he could speak, Byer came up behind Parker. “I’ve just come from Giselle and Maria’s; Samir has been kidnapped.”

Chapter 25

Drusilla had always believed she’d seen her husband at his most angry when he’d attacked Visel. But this . . . he sat across from her, engaging in low-voiced conversation with Byer, and his eyes—his lively green eyes—seemed to have become stone.

Gabriel had only stopped long enough to strip off his cumbersome costume before accompanying Byer to Alder Street.

He hadn’t been gone long and Byer did not return with him.

Drusilla had changed into a comfortable gown and paced until his return. She led him to the library. “Sit, have some tea.”

He did not demur, his expression almost crazed.

“What happened, Gabriel?”

“Giselle and Maria’s maid discovered Sami’s nurse, Mrs. Banks, in her room with a large lump swelling on her head.”

“Is the lady hurt?”

“Not seriously, thank God. She was already awake when I got there, but she remembered nothing as both she and the boy had been asleep when it happened. The open window in the schoolroom makes it clear how the person—whoever it was—entered the house.

“It is a steep climb with very little to hold on to,” Gabriel said, his expression taut with worry. “I hope to God Samir took no harm or—”

The door opened to the library, and Parker stood in the doorway, a full tray in his hands. He glanced nervously from Gabriel’s angry face to Drusilla.

“Right here will be fine,” she said, smiling at the obviously upset servant and gesturing to the table in front of the fire. It had seemed chilly tonight, although she knew it was most likely an emotional chill they were all feeling.

“Thank you, Parker.”

She began to prepare the tea, unable to wrap her mind around what had happened. She shook her head and turned to Gabriel. “Who would kidnap the boy? Could it be somebody from his mother’s family, Gabriel? Perhaps they want him back? Or maybe—”

“Byer and I believe we know who is behind this.”

He told her how he’d seen Rowland meeting with Visel at least twice.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Gabriel?”

“Because I had no idea what they were doing. I assumed that if Visel was involved, it would be something to do with me.” He shrugged. “As for Rowland? I thought perhaps he would be helping with whatever Visel had planned.”

“Yes, his cousin. Although he always indicated he was not close to him—that he despised his wealthier relatives as lazy, useless spendthrifts.”