“Not every woman wishes to marry,” Gabriel said tightly, fighting back an unfamiliar surge of jealousy. The thought of Celia marrying some stuffy, self-important lord was disturbing.

Besides the very real problem of his inappropriateness as a husband, there was the issue of his predilection when it came to sex. He preferred a darker manner of lovemaking—acts of wickedness no well-brought-up, innocent young lady would ever understand or welcome between her bedsheets. Regardless of whom he married, or more precisely, if he ever married, his bride must understand and accept that side of him. She must be a willing participant because he would never seek his pleasures outside of their vows. It was that sort of faithfulness which required a certain type of woman.

Lady Celia Buchanan was not that type of woman.

“Perhaps you are right.” Alan grinned and downed his whiskey. “Being a happily married gent myself, I’ve an irrational need to see my friends attain the same sort of marital bliss. And if you require further proof of how perfect life can be with the right wife, you need look no further than Ravenswood and Richeforte. Hell, even Longleigh finally found his treasure and she was sitting right beneath his nose.”

“I appreciate the advice. However, I’m not in the market for a wife.” Gabriel set his half-empty glass down and retrieved Celia’s bonnet and his gloves from the chair where he’d tossed them. “If you will excuse me, Bentley, I shall return this to its owner.”

Alan waved a hand in dismissal, then, remembering something of vital importance, his eyebrow rose in question. “Before you go, tell me how Lady Celia came to return to the manor alone and on your horse, no less. What actually happened?”

“I reached the conclusion it was inappropriate for the two of us to ride alone. My intent was to avoid any hint of scandal, so I dismounted and instructed Lady Celia to ride on alone. I would follow on foot.” The lie stuck in Gabriel’s throat but he choked past it. He would not sully the girl’s reputation, and this seemed the most logical explanation for an illogical situation.

Alan threw back his bright blond head and laughed with such hearty enthusiasm that Gabriel knew a pang of unease.

“Ah, Rose, you are in the thick of things now. Indeed, you are in far deeper than you realize.”

Gabriel’s gaze remained stony as he regarded his friend. “Why is that? What did Lady Celia say was the reason?”

“That you lost your seat and she could not control your horse as it raced back to the stables without you. Knowing the lady’s skill when it comes to horseflesh, I knew her explanation could not possibly be true. But it’s best you repeat the tale as she relates it.”

At least she did not say you accosted her in the forest, and she fled for fear of her safety and reputation.

Gabriel grit his teeth. He should have gone directly to her so they might correlate their stories.