Unable to help it, she let her eyes roam over him. His tailcoat was darker than her dress, but his cravat was navy against his black shirt and waistcoat.
He looked alluring, mysterious, and Sibyl found it hard to keep her eyes off him. Even his hair had been combed back for the occasion, but she found she rather missed how disheveled it usually looked.
Gabriel held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Sibyl nodded, tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow.
They started towards the ballroom doors, which swung open, inviting them into the scene beyond the short staircase.
As soon as they entered, heads turned in their direction. A line of ladies gathered on one side of the staircase, and they all began to whisper and giggle when they saw Gabriel.
Some lords gazed up at Sibyl—some of whom she knew—regarding her as though seeing her for the first time. Instead of judgment, she saw something akin to admiration in their eyes, and she wondered at that.
Wondered at how she lookedworthyof their admiration.
Gabriel’s arm tightened around hers as he followed her gaze. She could have sworn she heard him growl.
One face in the crowd stood out to her, making her stomach drop. She tensed, and Gabriel once again followed her gaze.
Ferdinand was mingling with a few other lords, a glass of wine in hand. His eyes were already fixed on her, narrowed in disgust.
Turning her focus back to her husband, Sibyl found his expression cool and collected.
He nodded at her. “Trust me, Sibyl,” he murmured.
For someone who found it so hard to do exactly that, Sibyl nodded, and they descended into the fray.
But Gabriel didn’t steer her away from Ferdinand. No, he led her directly to him.
“Wait—”
“I asked you to trust me,” he said quietly. “Just… do it.”
Sibyl could barely respond, for they had already approached her former brother-in-law. Surprise registered on Ferdinand’s face for a brief second before he masked it with a sneer.
“Well, to what do I owe the displeasure of being greeted by the Duke and Duchess of Stonehelm?” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
Sibyl swallowed, fighting back the urge to flee. This man had wanted to see her destitute, had called her terrible names, and had accused her of being the reason Edmund died.
He still blamed her; she could see it in his eyes.
“Sibyl, you look rather… different,” Ferdinand commented. “Uncomfortable, though. Perhaps the role does not?—”
“She is Your Grace to you, Lord Kerrington,” Gabriel interrupted, keeping his tone pleasant and polite. “And she is most comfortable in her new role as the Duchess of Stonehelm. It suits her impeccably.”
Sibyl’s eyes flicked to Gabriel, who lifted his chin ever so slightly. She did the same.
She did not need to fear Ferdinand anymore, and Gabriel certainly did not. Ferdinand could no longer threaten to turn the ton against them, nor threaten to kick her out on the street. She had a new life now, no longer tied to the Kerringtons.
“Indeed, Lord Kerrington,” she spoke up. “My new life suits me perfectly. One might say your request for me to vacate Kerrington House has done me a great favor.”
“Yes, well, do not forget that people still remem?—”
“Lord Kerrington, I do hope you enjoy your new title,” Gabriel cut in smoothly. “Especially given your new financial freedom. I do hope you recall who granted you that, for that person could have stripped you of everything you own.”
“I—” Ferdinand recoiled a little, his mouth twisting into a grimace. He gaped, rather like a fish, for several moments before squaring his shoulders and excusing himself.
As soon as he was gone, Sibyl exhaled.
