As they finished the first course, Sibyl decided to give her husband a respite. “How did you two meet?”
At that, the atmosphere of the room shifted.
“University?” she suggested, hoping to clear the tension. “Business, perhaps?”
“Letitia,” Gabriel finally answered, his voice tight. “We met through Letitia.”
Sibyl was not preparedfor the shift in Nicholas’s tone, from endlessly jovial to serious. “I was one of the suitors Gabriel presented to Letitia when she debuted. He had heard of my prominent businesses across London and beyond, and thought I would be a good choice.”
“Heaven knows why,” Gabriel drawled, as if trying to lighten the mood.
“You are right.” Nicholas sighed. “For in the end, I could not catch her eye. Although she was very beautiful. Very much, indeed. She would have made for a lovely marchioness.”
“I-I am sorry to have brought it up,” Sibyl murmured.
To her surprise, Gabriel shook her head.
“No, I am glad you asked,” he said. “It is good to speak about her, and to acknowledge that I never would have gotten to know Nicholas had he not been there for me throughout… everything.”
The two of them shared a somber look, and Sibyl nodded, letting him know she would not push any further, not tonight.
“I never would have done anything otherwise,” Nicholas declared. “You are my closest friend, and what you went through was the worst ordeal anybody could imagine—having to watch their dear sibling struggle with addiction.”
He looked at Sibyl, his smile fond. “Letitia was very much a Persephone, dancing between worlds. She loved everything lovely and spring-like, but she possessed a darker part that ached for more, if Gabriel does not mind my saying so. That part ached for the danger she put herself in. In the end, it consumed her, but she was loved, despite it. Very, very loved, and it can be hard to love somebody while they ruin themselves, but Gabriel did. How could he ever not?”
He gave an acknowledging nod to Gabriel, who just tightened his fingers around his glass before nodding as well.
“However,” Nicholas continued, “I remain on the hunt for the perfect woman. Not that Letitia was not perfect, but she was clearly not interested in me, regardless of anything else. I accompanied her on a few outings and got to know her a little, but overall, we were not well-matched.”
“She did like your sense of humor, though,” Gabriel revealed with a soft laugh. “She said it was refreshing.”
“Of course it is,” Nicholas snorted. “Many women do not expect my boldness. It is what keeps me on their minds.”
“What sort of lady areyou looking for?” Sibyl asked, curious.
Nicholas tilted his head as more food was served, and Sibyl’s stomach rumbled when the scent of glazed meat rose from her plate.
“A woman who is not a simpering fool. A bold woman who can keep up with me. I think… I think she would not have to be afraid of what she says.”
“You have not mentioned looks,” she noted, surprised.
Nicholas chortled. “Oh, I am not so shallow. A woman will catch my eye based on her principles and manner, not on her looks. Although I am partial to brunettes.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Do not believe him, Sibyl, for his head will be turned by any pretty lady.”
“Ifshe has a mouth on her that snags my attention,” Nicholas countered. “I want a woman who isloud. Loud about herself, her beliefs. There are too many wallflowers in the ton. I mean no disrespect by that, for I believe you once were one.”
“I was,” Sibyl acknowledged. “But it seems I am coming more and more into myself with every passing day.”
Gabriel caught her eye, and his hand lowered onto her thigh beneath the table. Not to grab or touch her, but to offer his palm up to her.
She laced her fingers through his, happy at the silent agreement.
“Why?” Nicholas asked, bringing her focus back. “Do you have a lady in mind?”
Sibyl actually did.
She bit her cheek to hold back a smile. “Perhaps, but she is… most broad.”
