Celia tried jerking free again, her cheeks blushing pink. Gabriel merely arched an eyebrow at the intrusion and held her even tighter.

“What is it?” Gabriel barked. Their bodies were no closer than if they shared a waltz, but the fact Celia was alone with him for more than a few minutes was scandalous on its own.

“Ahh, a necessary interruption, Mister Rose. You are needed in Lord Ravenswood’s study. The footman said something about an unexpected visitor?” Caroline’s gaze swept over them, boldly curious and perceptive. The library door opened even more, giving the small group still standing in the corridor an unobstructed view. Lord Harvey’s features were pinched with fury. Indeed, the man looked as though he might suffer an apoplectic episode.

“The Earl requires your presence, Mister Rose,” Celia said tightly. She’d gone completely still, no longer fighting Gabriel’s hold.

“If it were anyone other than Ravenswood, I would tell them to go to the Devil.” Gabriel’s mouth brushed her ear, making note of her imperceptible shiver. “You’ve been granted a reprieve.” His arms finally loosened enough so she could back away. “But this conversation is not over, Celia. Nor shall I forget your punishment.”

Gabriel rapped on the door of Sebastian’s study, his knuckles striking the wood forcefully.

Annoyance was evident in his actions. Annoyance at being interrupted. Annoyance at leaving Celia behind in Harvey’s company. The summons to Sebastian’s study effectively broke apart the group intent on playing parlor games, but Gabriel did not trust Harvey when it came to Celia. The man wanted her badly enough that he might do something extreme if it meant she would be his.

“Come in,” Sebastian called out, and Gabriel wasted no time pushing through the door. His impatience was hard to conceal. For whatever purpose Sebastian had summoned him, he wished it over quickly.

Sebastian stood up from behind a huge burlwood oak desk. With a tumbler of whiskey in his hand, he gestured toward Gabriel. His smile was both pleased and mysterious. “Ah, here is the man himself, Lord Banbury.”

Gabriel swung toward the person Sebastian addressed. The other man stood near the fireplace, his body half turned so he could watch Gabriel stride forward.

A curious sort of premonition flooded Gabriel. A feeling that something momentous and life-altering was imminent. He recognized Lord Heath Banbury. And the young earl’s sudden appearance at Beaumont could only mean one thing.

“Lord Banbury,” Gabriel almost growled the two words, his nostrils flaring with distrust.

“Our father has died,” his half-brother stated without preamble. He took a gulp of whiskey from the cut crystal glass held tight in one hand.

The atmosphere swirled with tension. Silence hung heavy and it seemed no one was interested in breaking it.

Gabriel’s heart twisted with hate. Hate for the man who’d abandoned him as a child. Hate for the man who’d cast aside Gabriel’s mother as though she were something dirty. Something to be ashamed of. It was difficult keeping all his emotions in check as he stared at Heath.