Tristan glared at Gabriel. “You just gave me the reason I need to kill you.”

Gabriel’s eyebrows rose high. “Why would you do that?”

“Why? It is enough that you have ruined her! Now, you are brazenly going about the business of shaming her. I’ll have your head for this, Gabriel. Friend or no.”

“Your sister has not suffered at my hand,” Gabriel said calmly, brushing away a tiny drop of blood from his lower lip. “What are you doing here anyway? Did you arrive with your parents?”

“The entire countryside is abuzz with news of your potential rise in station. Along with the rumor you have thoroughly compromised my sister,” Tristan growled. “I came the moment I received word. And it doesn’t matter, but I passed my parents on the road an hour ago. They told me of your plans to wed Celia, but I don’t intend on allowing that to happen. Now, Rose, do you prefer pistols? Or rapiers?” The use of the old surname was done intentionally by Tristan. He did not know the title of Marquess was already bestowed upon Gabriel.

Celia pushed through the door, surprising both men with her sudden appearance. “You shall choose neither! Will you make me a widow before I’ve a chance to be a wife, brother?”

Tristan exhaled a sigh of relief upon seeing his sister, furious though she may be.

“Celia, sweetheart, are you all right?” Tristan exclaimed, stepping around Gabriel. He gave her a quick embrace, looking her over as if she suffered numerous injuries, although truly, he was the one who looked the worse for wear. His hair was wet and tangled from the wind and morning dew. His coat was askew, and his boots flecked with mud left imprints on the floor rug. Eyes wild and dark with worry, he examined her more closely. His jaw tightened when he realized she wore only her nightclothes. “What are you doing here in his chambers?”

Gabriel waved a hand in Celia’s direction with an air of exasperation. “Explain it to him, pet. I doubt he will listen to me.”

Tristan shot Gabriel a deadly stare before turning back to his sister.

“Come away with me, Celia,” he urged in a heated plea. “I can scarcely believe Ravenswood approves of Gabriel’s actions, but the moment our parents arrive we will leave Beaumont at once and—"

“I’m not leaving, Tristan, at least not until Gabriel decides we should. I am where I am meant to be. After all, we were married last night. A rather hasty ceremony, but one deemed necessary.” Celia pulled her robe tighter around her body at Tristan’s expression of confusion. “You see, Lord Harvey took it upon himself to try and abduct me to save me from marriage to Gabriel. It was decided I’d be safer as a marchioness, rather than just as the future fiancée of a marquess. This is why we did not wait for Mother and Father’s arrival.”

“Married,” Tristan repeated the word as though in shock.