The Formidable King Read online

  ‘I won’t break off my engagement to Jeremy.’

  He swallowed back a curse. ‘I won’t make love to another man’s fiancée.’

  ‘Well, that’s awfully big of you, considering I haven’t asked you to.’

  ‘What do you think that was just now?’ He let out a short laugh that mocked her words. ‘Every time you look at me, your eyes plead with me to make love to you. Don’t bother trying to deny your body was begging me for fulfilment.’

  There was a short, sharp knock at the door and the handle turned. ‘Gabe! What are you doing in there? Open the door.’

  Bloody hell! What did Devereaux want?

  ‘India?’ It was Artarmon’s whining voice.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Her voice was complete panic. ‘Quickly! Do up my zip!’

  She turned her back toward him.

  He was tempted to ignore her request—to open the door and let Artarmon see exactly what they’d been up to.

  She turned her head to look at him. ‘Gabriel!’

  He couldn’t ignore the distressed plea, but hated having to slide her zipper back into place when what he really wanted to do was strip her of all her clothes.

  ‘Please, do up your buttons,’ she entreated.

  ‘You have to tell him, India. Tonight.’ He made quick work of the buttons then ensured his bow tie was back in place. ‘Do you really think the man will want to marry you when he knows what we’ve been doing in here?’

  ‘He won’t care.’

  ‘He won’t care? Well he bloody well should care. If I were him and I found you with another man, I’d rip out the guy’s throat.’

  ‘Damn you, Gabriel! It’s not like that between Jeremy and me.’

  ‘I can see that,’ he grated. ‘So what the hell is it like and why are you with him?’

  ‘Lust is never a good basis for a relationship,’ she muttered as she turned her back to him and began walking towards the door.

  Gabe grabbed at her shoulder and spun her back to face him. ‘Listen to yourself and your lame justification, India,’ he implored. ‘Your words are at complete contrast with the needs of your body and you sound like some bloody puritan talking.’

  ‘Gabriel!’ Devereaux called again.

  ‘This sexual chemistry between us isn’t going to disappear,’ Gabe told her as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. ‘You can’t marry into a lukewarm relationship and deny yourself the fulfilment of extreme, physical pleasure.’

  She gulped. ‘I love my role at the foundation. Please don’t force me into a position where I feel I have to resign just so I can avoid you.’

  It was no idle threat. He read the conviction behind her words in her eyes.

  They had a week scheduled together in Africa. If he pushed her now, she wouldn’t accompany him. This unfulfilled passion between them wasn’t going anywhere. Every day it seemed to grow. A week together in Africa... He could wait.

  Wordlessly, he went to the door and turned the key in the lock. ‘India! What on earth have you been doing in here with the door locked?’ Artarmon whined as the door opened.

  ‘Seeing to a few last-minute details.’ Her lie was evident in the tremor of her voice and in the way strawberry red stained along her cheekbones. ‘We have something special planned for midnight, and we didn’t want to be interrupted. I can’t tell you any more than that or it’d ruin the surprise.’

  Gabe had to hand it to her. Latching on to the fireworks planned as a surprise for midnight was very inventive.

  ‘We’ve seen to everything now, so let’s go back.’ She took her fiancé by the arm and he looked surprised at the contact as she bustled him out of the room. ‘I’d love something more to drink.’

  Gabe could relate to that need. Anything alcoholic would be welcome right now. The higher the alcoholic content the better.

  The sight of India leaving on Artarmon’s arm chafed. It was the first bloody physical contact she’d had with her fiancé all night and Gabe was sure it was designed to underline her link to the damned man.

  ‘Last-minute details?’ Devereaux drawled after the couple left.

  ‘Leave it,’ Gabriel warned.

  ‘Should I summon the guards and have them interrogate you as to your true identity and what it is you’ve done with my brother?’

  ‘What the devil are you talking about?’

  Dev laughed. ‘I never thought I’d see the day when my straitlaced, very proper brother was sprung behind a locked door with another man’s fiancée—and at an official occasion when you should be mingling with the guests. Just think, all this time I’ve thought we’re so different, I’ve wondered whether there was some genetic anomaly between us or whether I’d been swapped at birth.’

  As if it wasn’t enough to cope with Devereaux’s mirth, Gabe’s two closest friends sauntered into the room.

  Oh, great.

  ‘I could swear the stunning woman who just left here on the arm of some weasel look-alike was wearing lipstick when she was dancing with you, Gabriel. Funnily enough, it now seems to have rubbed off,’ Marco remarked with a knowing smile.

  Khalid closed the door. ‘For a man who’s known for his discretion, there was absolutely nothing discreet about your behaviour on the dance floor just now, nor the way you danced your partner right off the floor and out of sight.’

  God damn it!

  ‘Mackenzie noticed your interest in the duchess when you greeted her in the receiving line,’ Dev added. ‘My very astute wife-to-be has spent the entire evening pointing out to me the way you’ve watched every move Eden’s friend has made.’

  ‘Eden’s friend?’ Khalid asked.

  ‘Who is this duchess?’ Marco wanted to know, ‘And why have I never been introduced to her before? She’s an incredibly beautiful woman.’

  ‘Stay away from her, Marco.’ The growled warning was made before Gabe could stop himself. Such was the vehemence of his tone that his brother and two friends stood gaping at him. Oh shit! Gabe ran one hand through his hair before he finally confessed, ‘Damn it all, she’s Cinderella!’

  Devereaux looked at him as though he’d lost his mind, but his friends—who’d been with him at the masquerade ball—looked at him with varying degrees of incredulity.

  ‘Gabriel?’ his brother asked. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Surely not,’ Khalid spoke over the top of Devereaux.

  ‘Cinderella?’ Marco chimed in. ‘But you said she was Eden’s friend.’

  ‘What the devil are you three talking about?’ Dev demanded.

  Gabriel ignored his brother and pinned his friends with a furious stare. ‘As unbelievable as it is, India Hamilton—also known as Duchess Dunmorton—was already a friend of Eden’s when I met her at the masquerade ball.’

  ‘Let me get this straight. That woman is Lady Dee Dunmorton?’ Marco asked. ‘She’s the woman who was such a close friend of Eden’s and she was Cinderella?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve been corresponding with her for the last two years, because she’s managing director of Eden’s foundation, but in all that time I had no idea she was the woman I’d searched high and low for years ago.’

  Khalid shook his head. ‘That’s incredible.’

  Gabe agreed. ‘I only met her a short time ago when she came to Santaliana to discuss the arrangements for tonight.’

  ‘Unbelievable.’ Marco let out a low whistle. ‘Eden used to speak of her in glowing terms, now you’re involved with her?’

  ‘For God’s sake, would someone please tell me what’s going on?’ Devereaux insisted. Khalid still appeared to digest the facts as he brought Dev up to speed. ‘Your brother met a woman years ago—’

  ‘Six years ago,’ Gabe cut in.

  ‘—and he was so smitten with her, he was prepared to end his engagement to Angelique.’

  ‘Which was exactly what you two had urged me to do,’ Gabe said as he pointed angrily to each of his friends.

  ‘I wish you had ended your engagement,’ Dev told him. �
��Why didn’t you?’

  ‘Because one of my friends here decided that I wasn’t behaving rationally and scared India away by telling her I was already engaged.’ His jaw clenched as he shot daggers at Marco. ‘It was you, wasn’t it, Marco?’

  Marco’s spine stiffened and his six feet three inches suddenly seemed taller as he stared straight back at Gabriel. ‘Yes.’

  Khalid groaned. ‘Oh, shit! Why did you do that?’

  ‘Don’t act now as if you disapprove, Khalid,’ Marco levelled at him. ‘You know damned well we both agreed that Gabe was acting completely out of character that night.’ He looked at Devereaux as he explained, ‘Your brother, who was still very much engaged, was prepared to have a one-night stand with a woman he knew nothing about—a woman he met at an event which was advertised as a masquerade ball, but was actually a cocaine-fuelled orgy.’

  ‘I ought to knock you out for interfering,’ Gabe snarled at Marco.

  Devereaux and Khalid both moved simultaneously to stand between Gabriel and their friend.

  ‘Calm down,’ Khalid urged. ‘I’ve never seen you so upset.’

  ‘Upset is an understatement, and I have every right to be furious to discover my friend chased away a woman I wanted, and also lied to me by telling me she’d set her cap at Abdul. That was another lie, wasn’t it, Marco?’

  Marco’s lips twisted with regret before he gave a sharp nod. ‘We’d gone there to prove to you how unsuitable Angelique was. I thought you were making a mistake getting involved with someone from the same social set she moved in.’ He made an apologetic gesture. ‘How was I to know she was one of Eden’s closest friends?’

  ‘Hell, what was she even doing there?’ Khalid demanded.

  ‘Obviously I made a mistake,’ Marco admitted. ‘I’m sorry. All I can say is I had your best interests at heart.’

  ‘Gabe, am I reading this right?’ Dev asked. ‘Dee—India—was the woman you met at the masquerade, and you’re still attracted to her?’

  ‘Yes, God damn it!’

  ‘But she’s engaged,’ Khalid protested.

  ‘Would you have let that stop you from pursuing Sabihah?’ Gabe demanded.

  ‘He has a point,’ Marco put in.

  ‘Hang on,’ Dev urged. ‘Khalid’s married to Sabihah. Are you saying you feel equally as strongly about India?’

  ‘No, I’m not!’ Gabe exploded. Then, trying to calm down and justify his actions, he said, ‘You’ve seen Artarmon. He’s a whining weakling.’ God, but he wanted to kick something. ‘I’ve watched them together tonight and seen absolutely no sign of any closeness between them. She virtually just admitted there’s no physical passion between them. They interact with each other like formal strangers.’

  ‘Judging from her lack of lipstick when she left here, I’m guessing she doesn’t react to you like a formal stranger?’ Marco ventured sardonically.

  ‘But they’re still engaged,’ Khalid pointed out before Gabe could put Marco in his place.

  ‘Only months ago, you told me I had to marry to secure the de la Croix line,’ Dev said. ‘You told me categorically you’d never remarry, so if that’s the case, just what are you offering her?’

  ‘Shit! I can’t believe I’m having this discussion with you three. This is really none of your business.’

  Khalid looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. ‘I’ve only ever seen you rattled once before, and that was when this woman failed to return to you at the ball. I can’t believe how badly you’ve got it for her—still.’

  ‘Which is why I bloody well can’t let her walk away on Artarmon’s arm.’

  ‘What are you planning to do? Seduce her?’ The surprise in Marco’s tone was reflected on his swarthy features.

  ‘Yes, damn it!’

  ‘I doubt Eden would be impressed,’ Marco said.

  ‘Eden’s not here, Marco.’ Gabe made the point savagely and immediately regretted his outburst as both Marco and Devereaux looked sucker punched.

  Devereaux regarded his brother like he was looking at a stranger. ‘This isn’t you, Gabriel. You’re not the type to seduce an engaged woman away from her fiancé for a short-term affair.’

  ‘In all the time since Angelique’s death, have you even had a short-term affair?’ Marco asked.

  ‘We’re not discussing this any further,’ Gabe declared. ‘My mind’s made up. Whatever is between India and Artarmon, it’s definitely no love match. I’ll be doing them both a favour by breaking them apart.’ I’ll be doing her a favour by showing her just how much passion she’d be missing out on if she took Artarmon as her husband.

  ‘I never thought I’d see the day,’ Khalid said softly as he ran his fingertips along the strong line of his jaw. ‘I think I want Sabihah’s take on this.’

  ‘Oh for God’s sake, just leave it, Khalid,’ Gabe groaned. ‘You should definitely leave Sabihah out of it.’

  ‘But you’ve never played around!’ Dev said.

  ‘And how often have we bemoaned that fact, Devereaux?’ Marco countered. ‘As much as we all love him, haven’t we always wanted your brother to loosen up and live a little more? To shed some of those responsibilities he takes so seriously? Why shouldn’t he have an affair with a beautiful woman? He should be having affairs with many beautiful women, but I’m not entirely comfortable with him choosing Eden’s close friend.’

  ‘Stop discussing me as though I’m not here. I don’t care what any of you think. I’ve told you, my mind’s made up and I don’t need your approval.’

  ‘Have an affair, by all means. But choose someone who’s not already engaged.’ Khalid folded his arms across his chest. ‘There’s no reason to become embroiled in any type of scandal. There are a million beautiful, single women out there who’d be yours for the taking. Forget this woman and find someone else.’

  ‘It’s somewhat alarming to know you’re about to break the habits of a lifetime,’ Marco said, ‘but I feel obliged to intercede, Gabriel. Find another woman to take as your lover.’

  ‘Keep your advice to yourself, Marco,’ Khalid ordered.

  ‘Shit!’ was all Devereaux managed as he covered his face with the palms of his hands. ‘I can’t believe this is even happening.’

  Marco was all arrogance. ‘It doesn’t happen often, but I admit it seems I was wrong to intervene at the masquerade ball. I had no idea the extent to which your libido had been stirred by Duchess Dunmorton and if Eden had known I’m sure she would’ve encouraged a serious relationship between you both. However, she wouldn’t have approved of you pursuing her friend when said friend is engaged.’

  ‘Is it his libido or his heart that’s been stirred?’ Khalid wondered aloud as he looked with narrowed eyes at Gabe.

  Chilly fingers traced across Gabe’s tautened shoulders, right down his spine. He was quick to declare, ‘I said nothing about a stolen heart, gentlemen. Rest assured, my organ continues to pump away steadily in my chest, and that situation will never change for any woman.’

  Devereaux made a scoffing sound. ‘Now you’re definitely sounding like my brother, but you know from my example and from Khalid’s that all it takes is the right woman, and when you find her, you give her your whole heart over willingly and have every confidence it’s in safe hands.’

  ‘I will not marry again, and I don’t intend to lose my heart to any woman,’ Gabe insisted.

  Gabe’s friends exchanged glances that were faintly superior before Khalid and Devereaux spoke simultaneously, ‘We’ll see...’

  ‘Gentlemen,’ Marco put in, ‘I think we should all return to the ball before our presence is missed.’

  ‘Come on, Gabe,’ Devereaux urged.

  Pent-up frustration coiled inside him as he followed them back to the ballroom.

  His friends would wait for an eternity if they ever thought he’d fall in love. Santaliana was his mistress. His responsibilities allowed him no time to invest in a serious relationship. Besides, as much as he hadn’t loved his shallow wife, he’d been r
esponsible for Angelique’s death—just as he’d been responsible for the death of his parents and his sister.

  Apart from the men he was with, everyone Gabe had ever formed a close relationship with had been killed. He was damned if he’d form a close attachment to anyone else—have anyone depend on him to make the right decisions for them—and watch them die because of his actions or a decision he made.

  India Hamilton.

  Although he had a physical craving for her, there was no risk he’d ever become emotionally involved with her. Even knowing she wasn’t the fortune hunter he’d thought she may be, and even while logic told him she wasn’t skimming any money from the Princess Eden Foundation, he still couldn’t be certain she hadn’t run with the same crowd as Angelique at some point. There was some reason she’d been invited to the masquerade ball. Even if he’d wanted to remarry, she could never be his wife. He agreed wholeheartedly with her that titles were no recommendation of a person’s worth. It didn’t matter she was a duchess. The fact that she’d lived an idle life of luxury and been part of that London crowd made her totally unsuitable in any other role than as a short-term mistress.

  A mistress.

  His friends were right. He’d not taken a lover since Angelique.

  As King of Santaliana he’d needed to live a very circumspect lifestyle.

  Thinking back to the original goals he’d had for India, he readjusted them. As she probably possessed her own sizeable fortune, he may not be able to lure her with a pot of gold. But her reactions to him told him she was definitely as attracted to him as he was to her. India’s role at the foundation may be altruistic, but there was no integrity in marrying Artarmon when she responded so fervently to another man’s kisses.

  Not long and they’d be in Africa together.

  No Artarmon.

  No Devereaux, Khalid or Marco looking on.

  Gabe could be a patient man. He’d back off India—for now. She’d have no excuse to cancel her trip, but upon their return from Africa, she’d definitely be cancelling her engagement.

  Chapter 4

  How was India supposed to get through the next eight days?