Deverill’s frown was immediate, and he searched her face for a long moment.
When he remained silent, she explained further. “You can find a bride who will better fit your requirements. You won’t be compelled to deal with my unreasonable demands, or suffer my hounding you to share your feelings. When we arrive home,” she added for good measure, “we can announce that we don’t suit after all. We don’t love each other, so there is no reason to continue our betrothal.”
He started to reply, then apparently thought better of it. “Perhaps that is the best course.”
It astonished Kate, how much his simple agreement hurt.
His willingness—even eagerness—to end their betrothal was an admission itself. Deverill didn’t love her—and probably never would.
With effort, she forced another amiable smile. “We should return to the cottage and begin packing, don’t you think?”
Not giving him time to reply, she pulled out of his arms and struck out for the pool steps, doing her level best to hide the hurt that was lashing at her inside.
—
Brandon woke early the next morning with Kate still sleeping beside him. The unease he felt was not full-blown panic, but he’d sensed her distance for the remainder of the evening.
Kate was pulling away, and he needed to decide how best to deal with her withdrawal.
For that reason alone, he was glad to be leaving France. In England he would have allies. He could solicit Lady Isabella’s help, for one thing. Kate loved and revered her aunt, who was something of a matchmaker herself.
He could also enlist Kate’s brother, Ash, and even her cousin Skye, Lady Hawkhurst. With her family aligned with him, he would wage a full-fledged campaign to win her hand in marriage. And no matter the obstacles, Brandon vowed, he was not giving up.
That pledge was prime in his mind when he gently roused Kate awake, and later as they breakfasted, and still later as they walked the short distance to Louvel’s mansion.
Upon admission, they found the pirate and his mistress finishing their breakfast. Louvel seemed satisfied with the final payment for the excavation, but frowned when Kate asked to speak to Gabrielle alone.
His suspicious gaze followed the two women from the dining room and lingered on the doorway they had passed through. Hearing their lowered voices out in the corridor, Brandon could infer the scene taking place: Kate offering her unexpected financial gift, and the Frenchwoman responding with shock and delight.
As if wondering at the cause, Louvel rose from the table and strode to the door. Brandon followed in time to see Gabrielle flushed and beaming.
“What is the matter?” Louvel demanded of her in French.
She turned excitedly, waving the bank draft for three hundred guineas, which Brandon knew had been converted to francs. “You will not credit Mademoiselle Wilde’s generosity! She has given me a fortune.”
Snatching the draft from her, Louvel first examined the amount, then narrowed his eyes on Kate. “I will excuse your mistake, mademoiselle, but any recompense belongs to me.”
Brandon saw Kate stiffen, but she kept her tone amiable when she replied. “There is no mistake, monsieur. I wish to thank Gabrielle for her kindness in allowing us to stay in her friend’s cottage all this time. She is due remuneration for our room and board at the very least.”
“I will keep it all the same.”
Gabrielle spoke up then. “Jean, you have no right to claim—” She gasped when he suddenly grasped her elbow, whether in surprise or pain wasn’t clear.
“You are not to question me, do you comprehend?” he declared. “I expect you to obey me.”
Immediately Kate stepped forward in protest. “I’ll thank you to unhand her, monsieur.”
He turned back to her, his jaw hardening. “You will keep your opinions to yourself if you are wise.”
“Then I am not wise,” Kate retorted in a tightly controlled voice. “Abusing a lady like this is hardly the behavior of a gentleman.”
“Fortunately I make no claim to being a gentleman.” Even though he released Gabrielle, who rubbed her arm, his smile was almost a sneer. “I will brook no interference from you, Mademoiselle Wilde.”
With a cold smile of her own, Kate stepped even closer, obviously willing to challenge him.
A bystander thus far, Brandon felt tension knot his muscles. The situation was fast spiraling out of control, with Louvel’s temper on a short leash and Kate’s eyes flashing.
“It does you no credit to rely on brute force to gain your way,” she added in a caustic tone.