closed his eyes, to shift his thoughts away from Olivia. ‘I need you to trust my instincts regarding Janvier and not make me doubt the importance of my meeting with Madame LaGrange today. The Comte wants Prinny dead. I am certain of it.’
‘Very well, let’s spring a trap for him tonight and then you can find a way to woo Olivia back over breakfast.’
That was what he needed. His brother’s levity and confidence had him outlining his plan. ‘Everyone is expecting Prinny to attend the theatre this evening. However, we both know he is still confined to Carlton House. I’ll disguise myself as our Prince Regent and go to the theatre in his place. You and some of the others will mingle through the crowds and look for Janvier. Once you find him, observe him closely. The moment there is any indication he intends to cause harm, you need to stop him. And I would appreciate it if you would subdue the man before he manages to fire a shot at me.’
‘I took care of the last man who shot you, I will do my best to take care of this one before it comes to that.’
Their eyes held with the weight of what Andrew had done to protect him.
‘Take this sketch I drew of him. Circulate it amongst our agents so they are familiar with his face and send word to me in the royal box when you catch him.’
Andrew eyed him sideways. ‘You have too much to lose here if something should happen to you. I shall play the part of Prinny and place myself in harm’s way.’
Gabriel leaned forward. ‘I cannot ask you to do that. This is my duty. I will not put your life in danger and risk losing you. I would not be able to live with myself if I knew I was responsible for your death.’
‘You are not asking me, I am willingly volunteering.’
Before Gabriel could reply, the sound of a carriage rolling up to the house drifted in through the window and he strained his neck to peer outside. When his crest came into view, the hair on the back of his neck rose.
She wouldn’t.
Flying out of his chair, Gabriel raced to the door.
‘Where are you off to? Who has arrived?’
‘It’s Olivia, I need to stop her from leaving for the theatre.’
‘But the performance doesn’t begin for another few hours.’
‘It doesn’t matter. Our box is next to Prinny’s. She is not to be anywhere near that building tonight.’
Just as he entered the hall, a vision of solemn resolve descended the stairs, adjusting her gloves. Her cool expression was focused directly in front of her, even though Gabriel was certain she knew he was standing a few feet from the bottom of the staircase.
She went to walk past him, and he reached out, holding her forearm. The warmth of her skin, exposed over the top of her glove, burn every cell of his body. Their eyes met before she arched a condescending brow.
He didn’t release her. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I don’t see how that is any concern of yours,’ she replied, calmer than he expected.
‘Regardless of what you believe, your welfare does concern me.’
‘Then we have very different views on what that means. Release my arm, Gabriel.’
He tightened his grip. ‘Where are you going, Olivia?’
‘Why should it matter? Are you worried I’m heading for an assignation?’
The thought hadn’t entered his mind—that is, until Olivia had just firmly placed it there. He took a deep breath and tried to force the image from his head. She cocked her head to the side as if waiting for some response. Had she asked him a question? He was so focused on getting control over the mixed emotions running through his body, he had no idea.
She appeared to continue speaking. ‘Well, regardless, soon you will not have to concern yourself with my comings and goings. Tomorrow I will be leaving here with Nicholas. I find I can no longer abide residing under the same roof as you. Living apart seems a more agreeable option.’
‘Olivia, do not be foolish.’
Apparently by the look on her face that was not the correct response one said in this situation.
‘Gabriel, if you do not release my arm right now I will create such a spectacle that the servants and our neighbours will be speaking about it to their grandchildren years from now,’ she said calmly.
Knowing her to be a woman who did not issue idle threats, he lowered his hand.
Her gaze was direct and unwavering, and her expression held no emotion. It appeared as if she had long been resigned to the fact that this would have been the outcome of their reconciliation.
His skin grew cold and clammy. He was losing her and there was nothing he could say to her now that would mend this chasm between them—unless he told her everything.
If she knew about Madame LaGrange, knew that when he was with her all he was doing was gathering intelligence, she would understand. She would see that he had never betrayed their marriage vows—not five years ago and not now. But to do that he would have to confide in her the identity of someone who worked for him. Memories of sitting in front of the fire confiding in his Uncle Peter came flooding back, making his chest ache. He swore he would never do that again with anyone.
She turned towards the door.
‘Olivia—’
‘I cannot do this any more, Gabriel. I have no strength left to listen to your lies.’ She accepted her cloak from a visibly uncomfortable Bennett and turned towards Gabriel with sadness and resignation in her eyes. Shaking her head, she rubbed her lips together. ‘You have not been a part of my life for the last five years. I shall have no problem removing you from my remaining years. And this time, I will do so while residing somewhere else. I will send word to Mr James of which of our houses I have chosen. Of course you are free to see Nicholas whenever you wish, but I will make arrangements not to be home when you do.’
Without waiting for a reply, she nodded to Bennett and walked out the door.
Ice spread through his body. She was walking out of his life and his gut was telling him it was for good. He needed to stop her. He needed to somehow fix this. And, he needed to do it now.
Gabriel took a step towards the door and heard his brother call his name, stopping him in his tracks. Demmit! Duty demanded that he go to the theatre to apprehend the Frenchman. This was what he had vowed to do. He was fighting the need to go after his wife when his father’s words echoed in his mind.
‘The responsibility is ours to protect the safety of our sovereign and our family. The personal sacrifices you will be forced to make will be a small price to pay for ensuring we will not endure what our friends in France had to. The lives of those you care for depend upon it.’
Living his life without Olivia was not a small sacrifice. Didn’t he deserve to be happy, too?
Andrew approached his side in the empty hall. ‘I can manage this for you, Gabriel. Let me impersonate Prinny. You need to trust that we can fulfil our duty even when
