“He had her locked in here and would not let her pass,” he murmured, and Celia wondered if he might pull her even closer and kiss her in that moment. A public display of possession and his intention to keep her. Something was happening to her. It transcended physical attraction and desire. It made her palms damp and her mind go to mush whenever she thought of Gabriel Rose. She’d never expected that she’d feel this way.

Love. That’s what it was. Love for this rogue turned Marquess. For this man who would kill another for her. How could she fall in love with such darkness?

From the corridor where they stood peeking into the room, Ivy and Sara gasped in collective outrage.

Sebastian leveled a glare at Robert. “That was rather stupid of you, wasn’t it?”

Robert scowled. “Perhaps. But that does not excuse the attack on my person. Call for the constable, Lord Ravenswood. This matter must be dealt with at once.”

Heath’s laughter was terse. “Dear God. You cannot possibly be that naïve.”

Gabriel’s jaw tightened as he dragged his gaze from Celia’s and stared at Robert. “Yes. It will be dealt with immediately. I intend on seeing you arrested for attempted kidnapping. Sebastian, while summoning the constable, you may also call for the minister.” Pulling Celia closer, he protectively tucked her under his arm. “Go near her again and I will kill you, Harvey.”

She somehow controlled her trembling body, still reeling from the realization she’d fallen in love with this man.

The firmness of Gabriel’s tone left no doubt. He would not be swayed from his decision.

“Lady Celia and I will marry tonight.”

CHAPTER 23

Not long after the constable dragged Robert Harvey away from the manor house, the minister of the village chapel appeared on Beaumont’s doorstep. The bedraggled man was more than a bit perturbed that he’d been roused from bed in order to perform a wedding.

“An ungodly hour,” the man proclaimed, although, in reality, the clock had just recently struck the hour of ten.

After perusing the special license, huffing beneath his breath over the highly irregular circumstances, and finally accepting a rather large donation to his parish, the minister finally conceded. He would perform the ceremony but only within the confines of a holy place.

As a group, they all traipsed across the green lawns and gravel paths to the small chapel on Beaumont’s grounds.

“Must we do this tonight?” Celia asked as Gabriel entwined his fingers with hers during the walk to the building.

He slanted her a quelling look. “I’ll not take the chance of another former suitor bursting through the doors, intent on carrying you off to Gretna Green before I make you a marchioness.”

“I don’t know if that was Lord Harvey’s intent or not,” Celia replied tiredly. “Oh, did someone inform his valet that the plan was foiled? The poor man has been standing in the nearby woods for hours now, waiting for his master to return with a hostage.”