Jack hurried Stefanoout of his rooms and told him he’d speak to him soon about the Allegretto. The painting, however, played second fiddle as he poured a scotch and paced his room, unable to get his mind off Gabriella. What in blazes was she doing in the marchioness’s rooms? He itched to give her what-for and squeeze the secrets from her sweet lips.
In truth, he longed to again sink deep within her, drive her to the brink of bliss, and then withhold satisfaction from her until she confessed all. Such was the madness of his thoughts as he ran his fingers through his hair,damn her.How had his life come to this madness?
Another depressing thought came to his mind: his required attendance at the evening’s dinner party and having to endure the baroness’s innuendos regarding the lack of a forthcoming proposal for Cynthia’s hand in marriage. His duty to the family’s legacy demanded he make an advantageous match to secure his patrimony.
I am lost on a storm-tossed sea, and whatever course I navigate will take me in the wrong direction. Have I no other option then to go down with my ship?
The tinkle of china arrested his ruminations and self-pity. He threw open the door and caught the subject of his roiling feelings by surprise, and the tray she held clattered to the carpet. The cups, saucers, sterling, sugar, and cream took flight in every direction.
“Leave it!” The force of his angry tone froze his quarry in her tracks. Jack immediately realized he needed to reel in the simmering pot of his frustrations. No good would come of his recalcitrant, unyielding position or his ballistic assault on Gaby.
Jack watched a flush of red rise from Gabriella’s neck to her ears. Her expression transformed from one of anticipating the whip of his anger to her wielding the whip and finally to where he felt the stripes of the whip on his back. Her spine strengthened, and her chin rose skyward. She went from submission to battle-ready in the blink of an eye. He couldn’t help but admire her stalwartness. This was a woman worth winning, and mercy on his peace of mind if he lost her.
“I beg your pardon, my lord.” Her censorious gaze and formal address diminished his ability to exert power over her, and he nearly found himself tongue-tied.
“If you would please allow me to have a few words with you in privacy, I would be appreciative.” It was all he could do not to stammer.
Her eyes swept the hallway. “Would that not be injurious to my reputation, my lord?”
“Oh, bollocks, you have no past to contend with, and I doubt very much that your future will be much affected.” He was close to losing it again, and he modulated his voice to a more welcoming tone. “Please, Gaby, allow me to speak my mind, as I must find clarity.”
“But what of all of this?” She waved her hand at the mess.
Not wanting to argue about meaningless things, he bent and began picking up the shards of broken crockery and utensils scattered across the carpet. Gaby chuckled, bending to assist him. “It isn’t seemly for a man of your station doing the work of a lowly servant.”
“I implore you not to tease me, Gaby. I am trying my best to diminish the differences between our stations to better understand you.”
Gaby huffed, her hazel eyes glowing bright with renewed anger. “Do me no favors, my lord. It is probably best we keep the disparity of who we are in the forefront of our thoughts.”
“Instead of flinging arrows, it would be better if we spoke civilly to each other.” Jack left the tray by the door and, grabbing Gaby’s wrist, pulled her into his room.
As he closed the door, Gaby wrenched her hand from his. It was impossible for him to believe she could feel such an aversion to someone she’d loved with such passion only the night before. It made him question the truth of the letter she’d written to him. He sensed she was struggling as much as he with the dissolution of whatever it was they’d shared.
Gaby turned and stared at the painting. It was as if their interaction pained her, and to hide her feelings, she focused on the Allegretto. “I see you wasted no time in hanging the painting; you must find it very appealing.”
Jack’s anger dissipated as he gazed at the work of art. “It is strange how much I’m drawn to it. The love between them is so profound and moving. It gives one hope that real love is possible.” He settled his gaze on her.
He must have touched something in her, because the way Gaby looked at him made him want to profess his feelings for her, the devil be damned.
“Gabriella, what is your relationship with the Marchioness of Danbury?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Come now, do not play coy. I saw you deliver tea to her room, and I saw your face when she opened the door. You displayed recognition, and then you disappeared into her room and spent an inordinate amount of time there.”
“Were you spying on me, my lord? Have you not more important ways to account for your time?” Gaby refused to meet his gaze, keeping her eyes on Allegretto’s painting.
“Your desire to change the subject does not dissuade me from asking again how you and the marchioness know each other.”
“I’m sorry, but I have nothing to tell you. At first, I thought she was someone I knew, but the ridiculous notion became apparent when we spoke. As for my time in her room, she asked me to wait for the tray and tea service. Now, I really must get back to the kitchen, or the dinner party will be a disaster.”
Gaby spun on her heel and stomped out of the room in a huff. He heard the tray clatter and her muttered curses through the door, and a smile came unbidden to his face.
She really was magnificent. He pictured her curvaceous hips swaying as she marched back to the kitchen.Madon! Che bel culo.He’d lived in Italy long enough to know that the Italians were spot-on when it came to their vernacular expressions, andwhat a beautiful asswas a classic one.
Jack’s eyes were drawn once more by the Allegretto painting. His gut instinct told him it was all connected somehow. Not for a second did he believe one word Gaby had said. To be certain, she was hiding something, which only added to the growing mountain of lies he suspected her of, including that damn letter. This had everything to do with Gabriella and all these supposed coincidences. The mysterious marchioness was just one more twist in this tale.
I’ll uncover the truth no matter what happens.
