The Forgiven Duke (A Forgotten Castles Novel) Read Online Free PDF

across from him. He folded his hands into his lap, hating to have to say the next words to this man of distinction. “I would like to introduce my secretary, Mr. Meade. Meade will take down what you say in a speaking book, as I’ve had some difficulty hearing of late.”
    Montague’s intelligent blue eyes darted to Meade and then back to Gabriel. He gave Gabriel a small smile, his eyes thoughtful. Meade wrote almost as fast as Montague spoke. “I see that Alexandria’s plan was successful and our friend Baylor here has kept you from her ship. Had you planned to board it or take her from the shore?”
    “I planned to board it.”
    “A more dramatic move, but what then?” Montague flicked an imaginary piece of lint from his pants.
    “I planned to go to Iceland with her, help her track clues there, and hopefully, though I have personal doubts, find her parents. Then I planned to take her to London and the prince regent.”
    Montague’s head came up, steel gray brows raised. “You would defy the regent’s orders for her?”
    Gabriel tipped his head to the side. “Something like that.”
    “I’m sorry, then.”
    “Sorry?”
    “I tried to detain her. I told her you might be trusted and reasoned with. Of course, she wouldn’t take the risk, not with your power. She knew the moment you got close enough, she could be forced to give up her search. When I knew I couldn’t convince her, I let her make her own plans.”
    “Tell me about your nephew.”
    “You saw him, did you?”
    Gabriel felt a thunder gathering in his chest. “I did.”
    Montague sighed. “He’s a good fellow. He has a good hand with the sword too, so that should help, though I promised to join them in Iceland as soon as I’m able.” A long look of intensity passed through his eyes. “He thinks himself in love with her. Of course, so do most men who cross her path, but he’s a charming fellow and handsome. She agreed to marry him before they left.”
    A stone being thrown into his middle couldn’t have more impact than those words. Gabriel swallowed and turned his head away to gather himself. “So they’re engaged? Not married?”
    He held his breath and watched the words appear on the page.
    Not married yet. I asked that they wait until I arrive. I wouldn’t want to miss the wedding, you know. They agreed as there wasn’t time to wed before they left, what with the only ship headed that direction leaving in two days.
    “But she is listed on the passenger list as Alexandria Lemon.”
    “I suppose they are pretending to be a married couple so she can travel alone with him. I don’t like it, but she was determined to lose no time getting to Iceland.”
    Gabriel remained silent, looking off into the empty fireplace, thinking. What if they didn’t wait? He turned back toward Montague. “You approve of the match?”
    Montague gave a bark of laughter. “John is my nephew, and you would think I would be ready to dance at their wedding. But”—he shook his head once—“I feel like the father who hasn’t met anyone good enough for her. Even John.” He rubbed his knees. “And I suspect her heart isn’t really in it. Not for John—” he broke off with a humorless chuckle.
    Gabriel raised his brows. “For someone else?”
    Montague looked right into his soul it seemed. “If you plan to catch her in time, Your Grace, you should hurry.”
    “Thank you, my friend. Your debt is paid.”
    MONTAGUE'S WORDS WERE LIKE A haunting chant circling in his head as he rode back to the hotel. Hurry indeed! Gabriel had to find a way to overtake the Achilles . The image of her face when she’d locked gazes with him on the deck of the ship caused a fierce sweetness, a sought torture that burned as if it was branded on his heart. He’d wasted too much time. Montague was right. If he had any chance of talking her out of this marriage, he had to hurry and see that she knew she had alternatives to accomplish her end. That she could have him at her