Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn Read Free Book Online Page B

your brother’s car for our escape. Gabriel’s just paying us back in kind.”
    “You really think they’re eloping?”
    “Have you ever seen Gabriel Starke with a smile that big?”
    Johnny shook his head. “Now that you mention it…well, our own quiet escape seems to have been scuppered. What now?”
    She grinned. “We will go in and make scrambled eggs and toast and cocoa and tell everyone they can sleep over if they can find room.”
    She took Johnny’s hand and they made their way back inside. On the steps, they passed Quentin and Tarquin, staring after the Aston Martin as it vanished around the corner.
    “I thought you said he wouldn’t do anything stupid,” Quentin said acidly.
    Tarquin’s eyes glittered coldly behind his spectacles. He turned, not entirely surprised to find Jack at his elbow. The boy’s black hair was rumpled and one long, shimmering blond hair trailed over his shoulder, but his expression was serious.
    “Congratulations, Jack. We suddenly find ourselves with an opening. Report to my office on Monday.”
    Jack smothered a grin and gave Tarquin a serious look. “Yes, Tarq—er, sir. I won’t let you down.”
    “That’s the trouble, lad,” Tarquin said softly. “All of you do. Eventually.”
    * * *
    Nestled against Gabriel’s side, Evie felt the solid warmth of her soon-to-be husband and sighed.
    “This is the most outrageous thing I’ve ever done, you know,” she told him.
    “Me, too.”
    She gaped at him. “How can you say that? You’ve climbed in the Himalayas.”
    “Yes, but I’ve never stolen a car before.”
    “Borrowed,” she corrected. “And if Delilah didn’t want it borrowed, she really ought to have kept it in a garage.”
    Gabriel gave her an admiring look. “I’m beginning to think you might be something of a pirate. Perhaps you aren’t Wendy after all. Perhaps I’m marrying Captain Hook.”
    She shrugged. “I can think of worse professions than piracy. I might make a rather good pirate. I’d like to see the world, sail the seven seas. I’ve always thought it the most romantic phrase in the world, haven’t you? The seven seas… ”
    “Hmm,” Gabriel said absently. He was listening, but not entirely. He had seen only too clearly the look of chilly disapproval on Tarquin’s face as he dashed away with his bride. And worse, he had seen the flicker of something absolutely gutting—Tarquin had not been surprised. He had expected Gabriel to muck it up, and he wondered just how badly things were going to be now that he had run away with Evie.
    He looked down at the dark head resting on his shoulder and felt a surge of protectiveness. It didn’t matter, he told himself fiercely. Evie was the only thing that mattered now. He would keep her and he would find a way to make Tarquin happy, as well. He could have everything he wanted. Never mind that other men couldn’t seem to do it. He would make it happen by the sheer force of his own will. He had to. Now that he had found her, giving her up would be too much to ask of any man.

Chapter Six
    Dear Aunt Dove,
    I can’t thank you enough for your sweet note—you are such a dear! I was afraid the news of our elopement would come as a shock to you, but I ought to have known better. (Speaking of shocks, your remarks about the Danish ambassador were most unexpected. One always thinks of the French as being the most passionate of races, but I did initiate the experience you suggested and I can only say it is equally effective upon Englishmen. Gabriel was terribly appreciative and afterwards asked me to convey his kind regards to you. At least I think that’s what he said. He was very sleepy and couldn’t manage more than a mumble.) In any event, I ought to have known you would be delighted for us.
    The wedding itself was quiet—as all elopements are—but utterly perfect. The weather in Scotland was cold and clear and the snow on the ground whitened everything like the most beautiful storybook imaginable. I