Page 124 of Rules for Ruin

“This morning, when I returned from Epsom, I collected Wingard’s papers from my safe and I took them to Miles Quincey. As of this moment, they’re in the possession of the London Courant.”

Effie’s mouth nearly fell open. The implications were extraordinary. “Are you saying that Mr. Quincey is going to publish a story about what Compton did to Elizabeth Wingard?”

Gabriel nodded. “He’s a hardheaded, cynical bastard at the best of times, but Miles is fearless when it comes to a good story. This is just the kind of piece he lives for. He says he’ll publish the whole of it.”

“Goodness,” Effie breathed. “It will be explosive. Possibly libelous. Is Mr. Quincey prepared?”

“Not only prepared, but eager. He presumes Compton will sue, but it doesn’t trouble him. Apparently, truth is an absolute defense—whatever that means. At any rate, it’s done. And there will be no connection to you. You’ll be safe from blame. You can even remain in society if you choose.”

Emotion rose in Effie’s throat. “Why did you do it?”

Gabriel shrugged one broad shoulder. “For you. For love. Why have I done any of the crackbrained things I’ve done recently?”

She swallowed hard. For love, he’d said. Love.

As ever, he seemed to read her mind. His mouth hitched at one corner. It was the same wry half smile he’d given her on countless occasions, but this time it wasn’t accompanied by a coolly detached stare. There was nothing distant or remote in the way he was looking at her. He was here with her body and soul.

“I love you, Effie Flite,” he said. “That’s what brought me back from Epsom. It’s what brought me here. What’s been driving me since the moment you threatened to knock me down. Before you walked into that library, I didn’t have a future. Only endless, empty days and every one of them with more of the same. But not anymore. I dream of building a life with you, if you’ll have me. If you’ll let me love you—”

She framed his face with her hands and kissed him.

His arm tightened around her waist as her lips shaped to his. His brow creased. “Effie—”

“I love you, too, Gabriel,” she said.

It wasn’t the first time she’d uttered the words. They nevertheless sent a visible jolt through him. He made a gruff sound in his throat as he kissed her back, fiercely, deeply.

And she forgot they were sailing far above the ground. There was no such thing as heights or fear or gravity. Nothing else existed except them and their love for each other.

“But what about the Rookery?” she asked when they finally paused for breath.

Gabriel held her fast. Franc was no longer between them. He’d abandoned Effie’s lap in favor of the stack of blankets on the floor of the gondola. “I’m still going to reform it, but not with the help of some feckless politician. I’ll do it myself. I’m going to run for a seat on the St. Giles District Board of Works. After that, who knows? Perhaps I’ll stand for Parliament. There are already villains aplenty in politics. One more won’t do any harm.”

Her fingers threaded in his hair. This time, no gloves impeded her. She could pet him as much as she liked. Indeed, he appeared to relish her proprietary touches. He held still for every caress, his breath fracturing in the most delicious way.

“Oh, Gabriel,” she said. “What a splendid plan.”

His lips brushed over her cheek. “Then, you approve?”

“Entirely. If you’re in Parliament, you can assist the passage of a married women’s property bill. With Compton out of the way, there’s every chance it will come to a vote.”

He gave a husky chuckle. The sound tickled her ear as sensually as a purr.

“You would support it, wouldn’t you?” she asked him.

“Darling,” he said, “I’m yours to command.”

She smiled. “I shall try not to let it go to my head.”

His hand moved over her back. His expression sobered. “I should tell you, this likely means an end to my betting shop. I’ll have no great riches. No particular power. If you join your lot to mine, minx, you must take me as I am.”

Effie recalled his offer to her on their return from Trowley Green. “What are you proposing this time?”

He slowly drew back to meet her gaze. His face was as serious as she’d ever seen it. Only his eyes betrayed the truth of his vulnerability. The deepest desires of his heart were written there, laid bare for her to see. “Marriage,” he said.

A gust of wind whistled over them, snapping against the silk of the balloon.

Effie scarcely noticed. The whole of her attention was focused on Gabriel’s face. His answer wasn’t the one she’d been expecting. “On the train, you said—”