Page 129 of Notorious

He lifted her to her feet. “Come on, darling. Let’s get away from all this.”

“But—what about Samir?”

“He’s at home. Byer’s man already found him.”

“Thank God!” She swayed, and Gabriel held her tightly against him and started to lead her away. But she stopped, turning back toward Rowland’s unmoving body.

“What will happen to him?”

Gabriel looked at Byer.

“The constables will report him dead due to an accident.” He was beside the door, his face a grim mask. “I hate to say it, but it is better this way, Mrs. Marlington. His life would have been over and he would have shamed his family. This way—” He shook his head and opened the door wider. “Well, don’t worry, we shall take care of it.”

“Come, darling. Let’s get you home.” Gabriel led her toward the waiting carriage.

“Gabriel, you forgot this.” He turned to find Byer holding out the satchel.

“Thanks, Tommy.”

Beside him Drusilla shook her head. “Money,” she said, the word dripping with disgust.

Yes, money—Gabriel agreed silently, and the things people would do for it.

Epilogue

Two mornings later they were lazing beneath the blankets, even though they would be leaving for the country today and should have been up and about an hour ago.

They lay side by side on Gabriel’s bed, slick with sweat.

“There,” Gabriel said, turning only his head to kiss her shoulder. “I think I can face hours closeted inside a carriage now.”

Drusilla chuckled weakly. “That’s not very flattering to me as your travel companion.”

“I did not mean you, my dear.” He gave an exaggerated shudder. “You’ve never taken a two-day carriage ride with a child before, Dru. Trust me,” he went on before she could reply, “I’ve done it several times with my young brother and sisters, and it is not an activity for the faint of heart.”

“It can’t be that bad, Gabriel.”

Gabriel thought about his mother’s three youngest children—the twins and the heir, all of whom were under the age of five. It wasn’t enjoyable for anyone to be closeted in a coach for hours—but it was especially difficult for little bundles of energy.

“Besides, half the coach is full of toys and books. It will be a delightful journey,” his blissfully ignorant wife said.

It was Gabriel’s turn to laugh. “That just goes to show you how—” A sharp rap on the door interrupted him. “Who the devil could that be?”

Drusilla shrugged. “I don’t know. But it is your room, so you should have to get up.” She stretched and then pulled the covers up to her chin.

“You lazy thing,” he chided, kissing her hard on the lips before swinging his feet to the floor and pulling on his robe. “I told Drake last night that we would leave when we chose to leave and not to disturb us at the crack of dawn,” he said, somewhat unfairly, since bright sunlight was piercing the gap in the drapes.

Parker stood outside in the hall, his expression pained. “I beg your pardon, sir, but this just came for you.”

Gabriel glanced at the note—it was his mother’s handwriting.

“There is a messenger waiting below, sir.”

“Give me a few moments, Parker.”

His butler nodded, and Gabriel closed the door before cracking the wafer.

“What is it, Gabriel?” Drusilla called from the bedchamber.