Bride for a Night

Christ, he could not have endured having her so near and yet forever out of his reach.

“You know nothing,” he said.

“Tell me, Gabriel, do you often have Silas join you and mother for dinner at that mausoleum of a townhouse? Or has he been condemned to the country with your ridiculous wife?” Harry laughed at his own joke. “Fitting if you had lodged him in the barn. He is a pig of a man who isn’t fit to polish the boots of a true gentleman.”

Gabriel made a sound of distaste. “And yet you were willing to steal his hard-earned money.”

“It is what he deserves for daring to believe he could force his nasty presence among his betters.”

The very fact that Gabriel had been equally condemning of Silas Dobson only increased his annoyance. With a low hiss, Gabriel stepped away from his brother, watching with a jaundiced gaze as Harry slowly turned to face him.

“You are not only a coward, Harry, but you are a fool,” he snapped.

The younger man lifted a hand to straighten his cravat, his expression sardonic.

“No, on this occasion it is you who are the fool. Not even your lofty position can bear the shame of possessing an awkward lump of a wife who—” This time Gabriel made no effort to restrain his temper. With one smooth motion his fist connected with Harry’s jaw, smacking him back against the wall with a satisfying force. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Harry pressed a hand to his bruised jaw, staring at Gabriel in disbelief. “Damn you. You knocked a tooth loose.”

Gabriel narrowed his gaze. “The next occasion you speak of my wife I will break your damned neck.”

There was a startled pause before Harry lowered his hand and studied Gabriel with an incredulous expression.

“My God. You have feelings for the wench.” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “What a joke. The Earl of Ashcombe in love with his own wife.”

Gabriel shrugged, refusing to rise to the bait. He might not be prepared to label his feelings for Talia, but he had no desire to deny she had become a necessary part of his life.

“It is no joke. She is quite remarkable.” He smiled at the unexpected irony of their situation. “In fact, if your only sin was having jilted Talia and forcing me to wed her, I should be in your debt.” His smile faded to leave a bleak expression. “But we both know that what you have done puts you beyond redemption.”

Harry paced toward the window that overlooked the dark street below, his hands fisted at his sides.

“I do not need one of your sanctimonious lectures, brother. Unless you intend to offer me a means to pay off my debts, then I suggest that you return to your remarkable wife and your perfect existence.”

“You believe I can return to England and simply forget my brother has betrayed his country?”

“Why not?” Harry gave a casual lift of his shoulder. “Your precious conscience remains pure.”

Gabriel was stunned by his brother’s sheer indifference. Was he truly so far corrupted that he felt no shame whatsoever for his sins?

“Christ, do you have no concept of the damage you have wrought?” he thundered. “How many British soldiers have died because of you? How many families have been destroyed?”

“And what choice did I have?” Harry asked in sulky tones. “You refused to pay my debts and the bill collectors were becoming…troublesome.”

“Your allowance has always been more than generous, not to mention the money you were constantly demanding from mother.”

“I had a run of bad luck. It is bound to change eventually.”

Gabriel shook his head, realizing it was too late.

Too late for all of them.

His brother was beyond redemption, fully believing he had the right to do whatever he pleased, indifferent to the pain he caused others. He had no regrets at having betrayed his country and would no doubt do so again if there was money to be earne

d.

Which meant that Gabriel had no choice but to stop this madness.

“No, there will be no opportunity for your luck to change,” he said, a heavy sadness replacing his anger.

Perhaps sensing Gabriel’s sudden resolve, Harry pushed away from the window, a frown marring his brow.