He stared at her. The softness in his expression hardened, and his jaw clenched. “I’ve always been very easygoing with you. I have let you have your way—to your detriment, I fear. This must happen, Eleanor. Do you understand? I know you are angry with me, but in time you’ll see the wisdom. This is already settled. He will lead the school moving forward, and you will accept it.”
Gabriel should not be irritated with Bauer’s assessment of Abernathy. But he was.
The hour was late, and he had gathered with some of the men in the billiards room. At the moment, Templeton and Abernathy were engaged in a game, and he stood against the wall, watching.
He was here to observe Bauer to make sure he paid his debt. So why did it bother him that Bauer painted Abernathy as a wholesome, doting husband-to-be? Everyone present had to know that Mr. Milksop’s ability to relate to children was laughable.
Gabriel knew why it bothered him, even though he did not want to admit it.
He liked Ella Wilde.
He liked everything about her.
It angered him that those around her were coercing her into a future he could clearly see was not best for her. It was infuriating.
Abernathy retrieved his jeweled snuff box from his pocket as he waited for Templeton to take his shot. “So, gentlemen, tell me about the hunt. It had to be more interesting than my day.”
Templeton leaned his lanky frame against the table. “Our conquests, such as they were, are nothing compared to yours, for I believe you had a hunt of your own, did you not? Tell us, how was your walk with Miss Wilde this morning?”
Abernathy opened the box, pinched the snuff between his fingers, inhaled it deeply, and then put the box away. “A dismal failure, I’m sorry to report.”
Templeton smirked. “Hate to hear it but not surprised.”
Abernathy lined up his billiards shot. “She was not interested in a single thing I said. I brought up every topic I could think of that might be of interest to a woman like her—the new species of turtles, Prussian history—and I found nothing.”
“Give it time,” encouraged Templeton. “She’ll come around, especially with the right encouragement.”
“Speaking of encouragement,” said Abernathy, grinning as he stepped away from the table, “Mr. Wilde and I have spoken extensively on the matter. He’s certain she will come around and see the benefit for all involved.”
Templeton guffawed. “Very romantic of you, Abernathy. I’m surprised she’s not falling at your feet.”
Chuckles rounded the room.
“Make all the jokes you will, Templeton, but her father would like to see her settled as soon as possible, given his current state. I’d be lying, though, if I said I didn’t have a few concerns.”
At this Gabriel had to interject. “Concerns? Such as?”
“Oh, you know. What is said about her mother. About Miss Wilde herself. She does have different interests than most ladiesand is far more outspoken. What if her oddities only increase over the years?”
Gabriel’s defenses rose, and yet he kept his comment jocular. “Perhaps she just does not prefer you.”
Templeton burst out with laughter, but Abernathy’s expression grew taut. “Not all of us can wink and have the ladies fall at our feet, Rowe.”
Gabriel shrugged. “I assure you that’s never happened to me. A word of advice, though. If I wanted to win a lady’s affection, the last thing I’d do is talk of turtles and Prussian conquests.”
Templeton snorted again.
Abernathy forced his long, white fingers through his thinning brown hair. “I do wonder if I might have competition for Miss Wilde’s affections. You seemed quite eager to speak with her after the hunt. A private walk? Private conversations? Considering that you are a skeptic of phrenology, not to mention that your family has not been a part of the Society for years, people might question your motives for being here.”
The tension in the room grew, and the other men began looking in their direction.
Gabriel had to defuse it.
He laughed nonchalantly. “What are anyone’s motives for being here, I wonder? Your personal life is not my business, nor is mine yours.”
The conversation shifted from Miss Wilde, but even as the topic returned to the hunt, Gabriel reprimanded himself. He almost let his emotions affect the work he was doing. The last thing he wanted to do was draw more censure to Ella. He was walking a very fine line, and he knew one thing for certain: He needed to be more careful moving forward.
Chapter 26
