Free When Love Is Enough by Laura Landon Page A

will abide is a scandal involving the woman my son intends to marry."
    "I assure you," Harrison said, "that no improprieties have occurred between my sister and Major Talbot."
    "Of course they haven’t," the duke answered, the glare in his eyes icy cold. "We all know how disastrous that would be. For everyone." He turned toward Harrison. "Especially you, Etherington."
    Fire flashed in Harrison’s eyes. His hands clenched to tight fists.
    "Harrison?" Lydia stepped toward her brother. Several deep frown lines etched her brow. "I’m not sure I understand."
    Gabriel clamped his fingers around the arm of the chair and struggled to keep from rising. If he were strong enough to make it to his feet, he’d hit the bloody bastard. And hitting him once wouldn’t be enough.
    He was afraid he wouldn’t stop until he was dead.
    Harrison dropped his gaze to his sister. "It’s all right, Liddy."
    The duke recovered smoothly. "Yes, there’s nothing to concern yourself with, my dear. Just suffice it to say that we all understand how important it is to avoid even the slightest misunderstanding. And how imperative it is for you and my son to announce your betrothal. Soon."
    Chisolmwood smiled at Lydia. "Perhaps avoiding the major altogether would eliminate any disaster and give you and my son ample time to make a decision."
    "Of course," Lydia agreed, her voice sounding contrite and amiable.
    Gabriel shot her a look. Agreeing so readily was totally unlike her. And yet...
    Why wouldn’t she agree with Chisolmwood? The man was going to be her father-in-law. His son was the man she was going to marry. She hadn’t been there the day he’d threatened her father and brothers. She had no idea what he was capable of.
    "Now," Chisolmwood said, giving Gabriel his full attention. "I’ll get to the reason I’ve come. With the war at an end, news of the part you played in its conclusion is widespread. My son insists that your heroism needs to be acknowledged. He tells me it is my duty to host a gathering in which you will be given the accolades you deserve."
    Gabriel experienced an explosive flash of anger. There had been nothing heroic in what he’d done. He’d simply followed the orders someone else had given him. If anyone needed to be honored, it was the man he and Austin had dubbed "Thorn". He was the one who had somehow ferreted out the information that led Gabriel to a meeting where the Russian general would in all likelihood leave with important papers in his pocket. All Gabriel had done was take them.
    But even if he’d single-handedly brought the war to an end, the Duke of Chisolmwood was the last person he would allow to host a gathering to honor him. He rubbed his palms across the knot in his thigh that had begun to ache again.
    "I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I doubt I’ll be well enough to attend a function that you host any time soon."
    Chisolmwood’s brows arched. "I wouldn’t refuse so quickly, Major. My son tells me that both you and Lieutenant Landwell are aware of several shortcomings concerning our military and the conditions our soldiers were forced to endure. Several very influential members of Society will be in attendance, as well as my son." Chisolmwood’s chin lifted slightly. "If reform is truly your goal, you cannot ask for a better champion. Isn’t that true, Etherington?"
    Harrison nodded. "The Marquess of Culbertson would be the ideal person to sponsor reform." Harrison’s look turned serious. "But the decision is yours."
    Gabriel knew what he meant. Harrison knew how difficult it would be to give Chisolmwood the distinction Gabriel’s presence would lend to his affair. He was torn between his hatred for the man and an obligation to make sure the men fighting under Britain’s flag never had to endure the hardships the men in the Crimea had endured. Military reform was desperately needed. And yet...
    He was being used by Chisolmwood. Since his recovery, he’d received more invitations than he could count