Knowing he still wanted her.
She also appreciated any person who stood between her and that horrid Lord Lockley. She wondered if she ought to have mentioned the embrace she’d witnessed earlier to Gabriel. Lady Priscilla was his sister, after all.
Surely, Lady Priscilla did not wish to align herself with the likes of Lord Lockley? Admittedly, he was handsome, and if one didn’t analyze his words too closely, he seemed charming enough. But when he stared at her, his eyes bode nothing good.
Olivia could discuss it with Louella. Perhaps Louella would know the etiquette for this sort of situation.
“Are you all right?” Gabriel turned and asked. Caught up in her conundrum, she’d slowed her pace considerably.
Concern etched his features.
He wasn’t happy. She knew him well enough to know that.
She shouldn’t have come.
“Just… thinking.” She grasped the rusted rail and increased her pace.
At the same time, she drank in the sight of him as he confidently descended the rickety steps.
He’d tied his inky black hair into a queue—or perhaps he’d hired a valet as he’d said he would—but a few tendrils escaped, and he’d tucked them behind his ear. The muscles in his back stretched and pulsed beneath his jacket as he gripped parts of the railing and then released it. Each time he turned back to check on her progress after that, she hastily averted her eyes.
She could not look at him, but that she’d become lost in the warmth of his gaze.
She’d drawn upon every ounce of strength she possessed in order to keep from falling into his arms when he’d cradled her cheek in his hand. She’d wanted his kiss so badly.
She’d wanted all of him.
Already, she suffered for loving him. How much more would she suffer if she were to give in to it again?
* * *
“Cameron!”Olivia nearly jumped out of her skin when her sister shouted gleefully as they approached the stable. A welcome surprise for Louella indeed, her husband himself was there to greet her.
Rather than be paired up with any gentleman for the ride back, Olivia had attached herself to Louella’s side and made far too much fuss describing the delights of the ride and the abbey.
“Didn’t think you’d manage to get away.” Olivia watched Gabriel greet Crawford from the corner of her eyes.
All the gentlemen dismounted their horses in the courtyard while Miss Shipley approached the mounting block. The duke easily lifted Louella down and then, one hand still on his wife’s waist, stretched his other out in greeting to Gabriel and then each of his brothers.
“I thought you were needed at home?” Louella gazed up at her husband. He was a handsome man, in a much different way than Gabriel was. His skin was tanned from outdoor exertions and his shoulders a little broader. His hair was blond, and he lacked the rakish swagger Gabriel had.
Olivia shook her head at herself. Must she compare every man in the future with him?
“A duke grows rather fond of his duchess.” Crawford smiled.
Olivia had known her sister was already missing him. And as always, seeing her sister happy gave her a special sort of joy.
As though reading her mind, Gabriel caught her glance for the slightest of moments and sent her a quick grin.
Oh, but Olivia could not look at him. She’d give her feelings away for certain and she’d feel horrid and embarrassed and a cluster of other undesirable emotions if anyone guessed as to the nature of her yearnings.
Lockley assisted Lady Priscilla off her horse and Nathaniel approached Olivia with a charming smile and sparkling eyes. She didn’t hesitate when he assisted her to the ground.
And again, she wondered why one man’s touch could have such a different effect than another. They were both handsome, similar in appearance even. And Nathaniel did not repel her as Lord Lockley did.
But she felt none of the attraction she felt with his older brother.
Standing on the ground, her knees were most noticeably steady.
