Page 59 of A Bargain with the Rake (Necessary Arrangements 3)

It was long past suppertime when Gabriel finally heard the carriage wheels and horse hooves outside of the townhouse. Evie had finally returned home. He had paced back and forth in his study for hours, looking out the window every ten minutes.

He’d wanted to go to Clydesdale’s townhouse himself and bring her home, but he knew he had no right to do that.But what if something happened to her? The nagging voice inside his head didn’t give him a moment’s reprieve.It’s not that late. She probably stayed for supper.Besides, Clydesdale wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. He tried to reassure himself, but it barely worked. Just as he’d decided he would finally go and track her down, the carriage rolled into the driveway.

He walked into the hall to greet his wayward wife, when he saw the tall figure of his friend in the doorway.

“Ahh, Rob, good to see you,” he said somewhat tersely.

“Gabe.” Clydesdale gave him a short nod.

Evie looked from one man to another, then shook her head and walked to the stairs. “I shall retire now if you both don’t mind. Today was quite exhausting.” She smiled at Gabriel as she walked past him. He sent her a gentle look before regarding his friend again.

“Shall we adjourn to my study?” He led the way at Robert’s nod. “Would you like some whisky, or brandy perhaps? I’ve got this new supplier; his brandy is magnificent,” he said as he entered the study and walked to the sidebar.

“No, thank you. Perhaps you have some scotch?” Robert replied as he settled in the chair across from the table.

“Scotch it is then.” Gabriel filled two glasses and brought them to the table. He handed one to Clydesdale and sat comfortably in his chair. “Come to wish me felicitations, have you?” he asked with a sly smile.

“Not quite.” Robert took a sip from his glass and looked at Gabriel in concentration.

Gabriel cocked a brow at him. “Oh?”

“You should have come to me, Gabe,” Robert said in ominous tones. “The moment Evie appeared on your doorstep, you should have come to me.”

“And risk Montbrook finding out where she was? Did she tell you what happened? He sent thugs after her, ready to murder anyone who stood in their way.”

“And yet here you are, unscathed.”

“I had help.” Gabriel carelessly waved his hand.

“You had no right to marry her,” Clydesdale said darkly.

“You are the one who has no right to tell me what I did or didn’t have the right to do. She chose me. She came to me for help, and I agreed. I didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did she.” Gabriel’s temper started to rise.

“She was desperate, Gabe! You should have known that. You took advantage of a beautiful young girl in peril, just like you always do.”

Gabriel landed his glass on the table with a loud thud.

“You should have brought her to me,” Clydesdale said more softly. “We would have come up with a better plan.”

“Oh, would you now? And what would you have her do? Hide away until her twenty-fifth birthday? Murder her guardian?” Gabriel’s face started turning red.

He’d expected his friend to be angry with him, but he hadn’t expected himself to get worked up over his accusations. Clydesdale was right, after all. Gabriel had ruined more than one young lady. He had no reason for getting defensive about this. And yet, the thought of relinquishing Evie bothered him too much for rational thought to take over.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Gabe—”

“No, let’s hear your better plan, Robert. What would you have done to help her?”

Clydesdale shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, you don’t know,” Gabriel jeered. “Now,thatwould have helped her splendidly. It would also have wasted just enough time for Montbrook to find her. And we would have no right to keep her with us. Now, I do,” he said heatedly.

Robert watched him for a moment, lost in thought. “What happened on that trip to Scotland?” he asked, tilting his head. “You seem… different.”

“Tired.” Gabriel relaxed in his chair. “I am just bloody tired. I barely slept through that trip. Today wasn’t a picnic either.” He scrubbed his face with his hand and took a sip of the scotch.

“What happened today?” Clydesdale raised a brow in question.

“Nothing you should worry yourself over.” Gabriel let out a breath and sat back in his chair. “Why are you here, Robert, to debate the unchangeable?”

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