Page 60 of Her Tempting Traitor
CHAPTER 11
“Please 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’sworse,” he muttered, planting his hands on the sill and staring out into the darkness. “Poor old Sir Dickie has stoppedsuspectingI’m incompetent and is outright saying it now. I’m spending all day with the beast, Gabs, and Idinnae 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. “AndI applied a warm linen soaked in chamomile to her abdomen tosoothe the womb. Gabs, I dinnae even ken what thatmeans. 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 Ievergiven 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?—”
