Against every impulse within her, she grabbed her glass with one hand, slipped the other into his, and stood.“I will but let us refresh yours first.Besides, I believe I’ll try one of those candied plantains.”
The intimate gesture had the intended impact as he flinched slightly before he smiled and led her to the buffet table.
Once there, Damien quickly filled his glass and raised it to her before gulping it down.She pretended to drink from hers when fortunately, a man standing on Damien’s other side drew his attention.
“Heard you’ve been quite successful as a French privateer, Captain Allard,” the man began.
Before Damien could answer, Gabrielle glanced around to make sure no one was looking, then poured the remainder of her drink into his glass.
???
Excellent.Gabrielle had finally finished her drink.Faith, but the woman was stubborn.Smiling, Damien grabbed the decanter of wine and refilled her glass.The potion should take no longer than twenty minutes to affect her mood, remove all inhibitions and make her more compliant.He handed her the glass and grabbed his own.The evening was going splendidly and yet would be even more enjoyable after they were wed.Especially in the wedding bedchamber the governor had arranged for them.
He extended his arm and was once again thrilled when she placed her gloved hand in the crook of his elbow—another sign that the ice around her heart was melting.Leading her through the throng, ignoring the greetings and smiles, he gestured for her to sit in one of the stuffed high back chairs against the wall.
“You must be tired,ma douce.Rest awhile.”He grinned.And wait for the potion to take effect.
Meanwhile, Damien turned to watch the couples dancing a loure, admiring the beautiful women who gave coquettish glances his way.He was handsome.Handsome, successful, from a noble family, and soon to be wed to British nobility.Despite his father’s predictions that he would amount to nothing but a churlish wastrel, he was on his way to great success.Andfortune, if he could trap Cadan and find Demster’s treasure.He sipped his wine.Oui, things were going his way.
Gulping the rest of his drink, he set down his glass and was about to take a seat beside Gabrielle when he heard gasps from some of the ladies standing nearby.In fact, as he glanced around the ballroom, all eyes—even those engaged in dance—drifted toward the entryway.
???
Gabrielle was more interested in watching to see what happened to Damien after he finished his drink than she was in whatever orwhoevercaused a commotion in the room, particularly among the women.
Yet when Damien’s entire body stiffened, and his eyes narrowed behind his mask, she couldn’t help but rise to her feet and follow his glance toward the entryway.
A man had entered.Not any man.Nay, this man moved with the grace and authority of a god.A man whose very presence had drawn all female eyes his way, including several male’s.
He wore a suit of black velvet with silver lace, the trousers of which were stuffed into tall Hessian boots.A crimson damask waistcoat provided the only color on his person, save for a matching plume on his cocked hat.Dark hair was tied behind him cavalier style, and a brazen rapier was strapped to his hip.A black silk mask hid the top half of his face, and he strode into the ballroom as if he were the French king himself.
A slight curl to his lips was the only indication he was aware of the attention he garnered.He had an authority, yet a wildness about him, a confidence, a power that permeated every inch of the room.
Unbidden, Gabrielle’s heart began to beat faster.Her breath caught.
Several women offered him flirtatious glances above fluttering fans.One poor lady seemed to swoon as she slid onto the seat behind her.
“Who is that?”Damien said with spite.
The mysterious man’s eyes scanned the room, quickly glancing across the buffet table, the crowds lining both sides of the room, the groups of chattering people around the dance floor, and finally they landed on her….
And remained.
There was something…familiarin that gaze.But no, it couldn’t be!He wouldn’t be so bold…so foolish!Gabrielle’s heart thrashed against her ribs.
Damien blinked, rubbed his eyes, and touched a column beside him for support.“What is happening?”he slurred.
The enigmatic man in black headed toward Gabrielle.One glance toward Damien told her that her suspicions about the drink had been right.He wobbled on his feet and began to hum some nonsensical tune.
Every female eye followed the dark man until he halted before Gabrielle and bowed, sweeping his hat out before her.“May I have this dance, my lady?”
That voice!Those eyes!Cadan.
Damien’s mumbled protest faded away as Cadan swept Gabrielle out onto the floor.The orchestra started an allemande, and with more elegance than she thought he possessed, Cadan executed the steps with precision and grace.
She leaned into him.“Are you quite mad?”
“Entirely,” he responded, twirling her around.
