Page 22 of The Lady's Forbidden Marquess
Demure?Lady Peregrine?He turned to watch whatever was about to happen unfold.She lingered behind her brother, her whole demeanor soft and so… debutante-like.Gabriel frowned.It wasn’t that he didn’t understand she was a lady of high quality—no, he was well aware—but this was the woman who had, not ten minutes before, given a peer of the realm a sharp rejection without a blink.She had been fierce, determined, bold even.Now, she followed her brother, a step behind him, the perfect image of a reserved innocent.
Gabriel moved around several people standing in idle chatter to get a better view.Henley led his sister toward a group of gentlemen, all of which seemed to cease talking at their approach.An introduction.Henley was introducing his sister to several men, all of which seemed to quickly ask for dances, since Lady Peregrine offered an artful curtsey and then her dance card.
Gabriel frowned.If Henley were proceeding with introductions, then they were perhaps not the caliber of rake Lady Peregrine had at first intended to pursue.The thought should have offered some relief, yet Gabriel found an odd knot of irritation tightening in his chest.
He recognized one of the men, Lord Woodbury.Affable chap, but certainly sowing his wild oats, if the titter could be believed.Surely Henley wasn’t anticipating such a match for his sister?Lady Peregrine would certainly not tolerate any sort of infidelity.He winced as he considered just how Lady Peregrine would take matters into her own hands.
He dismissed the idea but couldn’t tear his eyes away from the interaction taking place.After a moment, Lord Woodbury offered his hand to Lady Peregrine and led her to the dance floor.
The knot in his chest started to burn.
He never should have darkened the bloody door of the ballroom.He’d known it was foolish, but the temptation to see Henley and Lady Peregrine address the situation with Ramsford was too enticing.And, if he were being honest, he wanted to ensure that Lady Peregrine was well after their private moment.Even though it was only a kiss, it was her first, and he’d rather brazenly stolen it.But she was no wilting English flower; that had been made abundantly clear when she had given Ramsford his setdown.Gabriel shook off the memory of the kiss and watched as Woodbury and Lady Peregrine began dancing to a Scottish reel.
He should leave.
Or at least play faro and distract himself—distract, it was becoming a common word in his vocabulary, and he wasn’t sure how he wanted to face the truth of it.
Distraction was just a way of avoiding the reality.
But facing one’s demons shouldn’t happen in the middle of a London ballroom, so with a charming smile forced through his lips, he approached the faro table.
And played the worst set of his life.
After one game, he decided he’d be better off leaving the ball entirely, since the only time he’d been able to focus was when his attention was on somewhere it didn’t belong.Rather someone.
Exactly half a ballroom away.
Wrapped in a soft sage gown.
Damn it all.Against every shred of better judgment, Gabriel wound his way around the ballroom till he was beside Henley.
“Good evening.”He bowed, his gaze straying once to the dancers and the figure in the green dress before focusing on his friend.
“Hello to you too.”Henley raised his glass then took a step closer.“It is done.”He spoke softly, keeping his words from the listening London ton.
“I know.I watched.It was one of the highlights of my life.”Gabriel chuckled.
Henley regarded him with a grin.“It was rather fun.Pere did well; I’m not sure what she exactly said but he got the point.”
“I have no doubt he is still bleeding from the verbal wounds she gave him.”
“Likely.But I have no pity.It was less than he deserved,” Henley replied.
“I agree.”Gabriel gave a sharp nod.
His attention strayed back to the dancers.His curiosity rising to the surface, he searched for a way to ask a question regarding the introduction without raising suspicion.
“That’s an odd expression; all you need is a ledger and a pen and you could be doing calculations,” Henley teased, arching a brow.
“Math never was my strong suit.I have other… talents.”
“And that is where this conversation ends.”Henley raised a hand in surrender.
“Did you see Woodbury?”Gabriel asked, proud he came up with an inconspicuous way of ferreting out information.
“Ah, yes.Well, I didn’t notice him till Pere mentioned wanting an introduction.It’s been an age since I’ve seen him.I rather thought he was still in the Caribbean at his family’s estate.”
Gabriel nodded.“I didn’t know he’d returned either,” Gabriel added with a shrug, his suspicions validated.
