Valiant Soldier, Beautiful Enemy - Diane Gaston

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      â€˜Bonjour, Gabriel.’

      Emmaline.

      She looked even more beautiful than the image of her that inhabited his dreams at night. Her lace-lined bonnet of natural straw perfectly framed her flawless face. The dark blue of her walking dress made her eyes even more vibrant.

      Good God. After two years she still had the power to affect him.

      â€˜Why did you come to see me?’

      Her lips trembled before she spoke. ‘Oh, Gabriel. I need you.’

      The hard earth he’d packed around his emotions began to crack.

      She swallowed and went on, ‘I need your help.’

      He came to his senses. ‘Help with what?’

      She met his eyes. ‘I need you to find Claude.’

      â€˜Claude.’ The son who’d driven a wedge between them.

      About the Author

      As a psychiatric social worker, DIANE GASTON spent years helping others create real-life happy endings. Now Diane crafts fictional ones, writing the kind of historical romance she’s always loved to read. The youngest of three daughters of a US Army Colonel, Diane moved frequently during her childhood, even living for a year in Japan. It continues to amaze her that her own son and daughter grew up in one house in Northern Virginia. Diane still lives in that house, with her husband and three very ordinary housecats. Visit Diane’s website at http://dianegaston.com

       Previous novels by the same author:

      THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M

      And in Mills & Boon® Historical Undone! eBooks:

      THE UNLACING OF MISS LEIGH

      Look for Claude’s story THE LIBERATION OF MISS FINCH coming soon in Mills & Boon® Historical Undone! eBooks

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

       AUTHOR NOTE

      Here is the final book in my Three Soldiers series, Valiant Soldier, Beautiful Enemy, Gabriel Deane’s story. Unlike the heroes of Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady and Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress, Gabriel Deane was a career soldier, a man who believed the army was where he belonged. Like so many other men and women, both in history and in today’s world, Gabriel gave up a normal conventional life for service to his country. He went where his government sent him and valiantly did what he was ordered to do, no matter how difficult or dangerous.

      While the Three Soldiers series has focused on the effect of war on the soldier, specifically the effect of one horrific event, the theme of this book is how war affects everyone, the soldier and civilian alike. The more important message of all the books is that, in spite of war, love can still flourish and lead to happy endings.

      That is my wish for all the soldiers

      and their families in today’s world: Love and a happy ending.

      Look for Claude’s story THE LIBERATION OF MISS FINCH coming soon in Mills & Boon® Historical Undone! eBooks

      

      

      Valiant Soldier, Beautiful Enemy

      Diane Gaston

      

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Dedication

      In memory of my cousin,

      Lt. Commander James H. Getman, who lost his life at age 31 while on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard. And to all who lost their lives while serving their country. We are grateful.

       Prologue

       Badajoz, Spain—1812

      A woman’s scream pierced the night.

      Countless screams had reached Captain Gabriel Deane’s ears this night, amidst shattering glass, roaring flames and shouts of soldiers run amok. The siege of Badajoz had ended and the pillaging had begun.

      The marauding soldiers were not the French, not the enemy known to live off the bounty of the vanquished. These were British soldiers, Gabe’s compatriots, prowling through the city like savage beasts, plundering, killing, raping. A false rumour saying Wellington would permit the plundering had sparked the violence.

      Gabe and his lieutenant, Allan Landon, had been ordered into this cauldron, but not to stop the rioting. Their task was to find one man.

      Edwin Tranville.

      Edwin’s father, General Tranville, had ordered them to find his son, who’d foolishly joined the marauders. Once inside the city Gabe and Landon had enough to do to save their own skins from drunken men in the throes of a bloodlust that refused to be slaked.

      The scream sounded again, not distant like the other helpless cries of innocent women and children—this woman’s cry was near.

      They ran in the direction of the sound. A shot rang out and two soldiers dashed from an alley, almost colliding with them. Gabe and Landon turned into the alley and emerged in a courtyard illuminated by flames shooting from a burning building nearby.

      A woman stood over a cowering figure wearing the uniform of a British Officer. She raised a knife and prepared to plunge its blade into the British officer’s back.

      Gabe seized her from behind and wrenched the knife from her grasp. “Oh, no, you don’t, señora.” She was not in need of rescue after all.

      â€œShe tried to kill me!” The British officer, covering his face with bloody hands, attempted to stand, but collapsed in a heap on the cobblestones.

      At that moment another man stepped into the light. Lieutenant Landon swung around, pistol ready to fire.

      â€œWait.” The man raised his hands. “I am Ensign Vernon of the East Essex.” He gestured to the unconscious officer. “He was trying to kill the boy. And he attempted to rape the woman. I saw the whole thing. He and two others. The others ran.”

      The two men who passed them? If so, it was too late to pursue them.

      â€œThe boy?” Gabe glanced around. What boy? He saw only the woman and the red-coated officer she was about to kill. And nearby the body of a French soldier, pooled in blood.

      Gabe kept a grip on the woman and used

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