“Never fear. I will only beat him to a pulp.”
“It is more honorable to show mercy. If you maim him, what kind of life could he give his wife?”
She could see Deverill struggle to control his rage, but slowly his fierce expression began to fade.
“I believe you should stay your hand,” Kate added for good measure.
>
“It is more than he did for you.”
“I know, but you are the better man.”
Another moment passed, but when Deverill lowered his fists, Louvel recognized his reprieve.
“I…thank you…monsieur.”
Deverill gave a snort of disgust. “Lady Katharine is the one who deserves your gratitude. She is more merciful than I could ever be.”
Nodding weakly, Louvel climbed unsteadily to his feet. When he took a step backward, as if to retreat into the house, Kate spoke up. “Not so quickly, Monsieur Louvel. There is one condition for our leniency.”
“And what is that?”
“You must wed Gabrielle or set her free.”
Shifting his gaze, Louvel shared a long, intent look with Gabrielle. “I will wed her if she will still have me. Chérie, I will love you and treat you as you deserve, I swear on my life.”
Seeing his unexpectedly humbled expression, Kate somehow believed him. He had earned much greater punishment, he clearly knew, and stood to lose the woman he professed to love.
Deverill addressed the pirate again. “We shall call it a draw, Louvel. I trust I have seen the last of you, but if not, be warned: You cross me again at your peril.”
“I fully comprehend.”
When Gabrielle slid off her horse, Kate did the same, then moved to embrace her. “Again I thank you, my friend.”
“But, no, it is I who is indebted to you,” Gabrielle said.
“I truly hope this is the right course and that you will be happy with him.”
“I shall, my lady.”
They clasped hands in farewell, then stepped back from each other.
Going to Louvel’s side, Gabrielle put her shoulder under his arm and helped him limp up the front steps and into the house.
As she watched, Kate at last felt her fear begin to ease. Turning, she met Deverill’s intent gaze and offered a faint smile.
For the first time in hours, she could breathe.
Kate was highly eager to return to Royan, but before departing, Deverill conferred with his cousin and Macky while she was near enough to overhear some of the conversation.
“My thanks to you both for voyaging all this way.”
“Think nothing of it,” Trey answered. “You would have done the same for any of us.”
“Hawk did not accompany you from England?”
“No. He offered, but I felt he has done enough for our league.”