The right side of her lips quirked, and though he could not see her full expression, the light in her blue eyes revealed his plan had worked.
Unfortunately, conversation halted as Monsieur Longuess arrived, along with at least a dozen guests, anxious to meet Gabrielle.None knew of their impending nuptials, only that Damien had brought the daughter of a British earl as his intended.Besides, on the tiny island, anyone new became an immediate fascination.
After introductions were made and idle conversation endured—all the while Gabrielle behaved with more civility than he’d expected—the guests excused themselves and left.Damien extended his arm.“Allow me to escort you to get a drink,ma douce.”
Frowning, she refused his arm, but followed him nonetheless to the other side of the gallery where a long buffet table held every kind of pastry and drink one could imagine.
He waved an arm over the chicken, pigeon, and fish topped with lemon and a parsley butter sauce.“I’m told this is delicious.Shall I prepare a plate for you?”He gestured toward the end of the table.“I hear the mango sorbet and candied plantains are not to be missed.”
“I’m not hungry,” she responded, glancing over the room as if bored.
“A drink, then?”Damien poured two glasses of claret.Then, after ensuring Gabrielle’s attention was elsewhere, he plucked a vial from his pocket, uncorked it, and poured it into her drink.Picking up the glasses, he handed her one.
Much to his chagrin, she shook her head.“As I have said, I prefer to keep my wits when around you.”
“The wine is not overly potent.Perhaps it will settle your nerves?”He extended it again, but she held up a hand.
“Perhaps ’tis your nerves that need settling, Damien, for you are as jittery as a puppet on a string.”
“Am I?”He silently cursed.His jaw tightened.Grabbing his wine, he sipped it at first, then finished it off with a gulp.
“Have another.”She smiled sweetly, a hint of chicanery in her tone that gave him pause.
The orchestra began playing a tune, and couples started for the center of the gallery.
“Will you honor me with a dance if I do?”He gave her his most charming grin.
Though her lips pursed tight, she nodded.
He scanned the table for his favorite port and refilled his glass.The sweet pungent brandy wine instantly sent a wave of warmth through him.Perhaps hehadneeded a drink, after all.“Now your turn.A sip before our dance?”
She huffed, her cute nose wrinkling, but finally she picked up her glass and took a sip.Not enough for the opium to work, but it was a start.He refilled his glass and then took both their drinks to the other side of the room where he placed them on a private side table.No sense in having someone else inadvertently drink the lady’s wine.
“Shall we?”He extended his arm and was pleased when she took it and allowed him to lead her out onto the floor.
Chapter 26
Gabrielle would rather boil in oil than dance with Damien Allard, but at the moment, it couldn’t be helped.She needed him to continue drinking, and the only way to do that was to be as pleasant as she could stomach.Yet from the vile brew bubbling in her belly, she’d already reached her limit.
In truth, Damien looked quite the posh gentleman in his gold-embroidered doublet, lined with colorful ribbons, and black breeches trimmed with Flemish lace.A foam of Mechlin bubbled from beneath his chin, and he had slicked back his light hair with lavender scented pomade.
However, behind his gold mask, there was something in the monster’s eyes, something she’d not seen before, a vulnerability, a longing that unnerved her.What was the man up to?Another thing she must discover as the night went on.
People stared at her from behind their masks as Damien led her onto the floor.A minuet was just beginning, and Gabrielle took her spot beside him and curtsied as he bowed.It had been quite a while since she’d danced, and she hoped she didn’t make a fool of herself, though what did it really matter?However, this would be the perfect opportunity to lure information out of Damien as they proceeded through the steps of the dance.
Gabrielle took two steps forward, meeting Damien in the center.
“You look lovely this evening, my sweet,” Damien whispered in her ear.
Retreating two steps, she circled the lady to her right.
“We did not finish our conversation from the other night,” Gabrielle said as they passed one another.
Hopping, Damien joined hands with the lady to his left and spun around.
“Did we not?”he said when they met again.
“Nay, you did not tell me what happened to your mother.”
