Oh, God, she was the devil’s child. Her father had been right all along. A chill breeze accounted for the high red in her cheeks. But nothing could justify the spreading warmth she felt in her belly, or the unsteadiness of her knees.

Still, she walked with her head high. After they returned to London, she would become one of the devil’s children in truth. Because whatever her father had said, she always thought privately that the devil didn’t care very much about talkativeness. But even she couldn’t fool herself that behavior of this sort wasn’t wicked.

And yet…And yet…somehow the prospect didn’t alarm her as much as it should have. Gabby sighed. She was well-aware, and had been since age fifteen, that she had far less regard for God’s commandments than she ought to. She had been brought up by Indian servants, who paid lip service to her father’s beliefs, but were Hindu by inclination. And her father himself often forgot that he was chosen by God to be a missionary, particularly after starting a new exporting venture.

After a brisk forty-five-minute walk, Margaret was whimpering and Gabby had regained some calm. One thing her father had preached far more intently than he did religion was the fact that wives and daughters should be subservient to their masters.

And that meant, Gabby thought, ignoring the treacherous pulse of fire in her loins, that it was her duty to submit to whatever sinful practices Quill wished to impose on her.

She entered the inn feeling far too cheerful for such a somber occasion. After supper with the family in a private parlor, Quill escorted her to her chamber and then left. She could tell that Margaret was perplexed to find that she was sleeping alone. But Gabby didn’t feel piqued by Quill’s absence. He had bowed punctiliously at the door.

But then when he straightened up, he had leaned over and said just five words. They burned into Gabby’s heart. His voice was hoarse and utterly belied his gentlemanly demeanor.

“I am burning, Gabby. Perishing.”

Chapter 15

CONTRARY TO HER OWN PREDICTION, Gabby did not lie awake that night wishing that her wedding night was less lonely. Instead, she puzzled over Quill’s headaches. Clearly, something had to be done about them. She was not satisfied with the idea that doctors could do nothing. Surely there was some medicine they could try. It was most unfortunate that Quill had expressly told her not to consult Sudhakar.