“And I forgot to mention how I know Tessa. She is adearfriend. My husband has business dealings with her and her grandpapa all the time,” Gabriella added ingenuously.
Apparently, this friendly chatterboxwasmarried to the infamous moneylender. The one who had sent the ruffians after Rhys. Who had set the clock ticking on the hunt for the jewels.
Warily, Maggie said, “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Garrity.”
“Gabby, please—that’s what my friends call me, and I do wish for us to be friends,” Gabby said earnestly. “You seem ever so nice. I can always tell with people: a sixth sense, if you will. In point of fact, I met Emma at a ball years ago and knew straight away that she and I would be bosom friends. And the same with Polly and Tessa.” Her smile was as bright as the chandeliers overhead. “I suppose I have an affinity for Kents.”
“We have one for you as well, Gabby dear,” Emma said. “But perhaps we should ask Maggie how she is enjoying the evening?”
“Oh dear. There I go again.” Gabby’s dismay was so sincere that Maggie couldn’t help but find her charming.
“It’s quite all right,” she said. “I was enjoying the evening and even more so now that I’ve made your acquaintances.”
“Where is Ransom?” Tessa asked. “Why is he not paying you escort?”
“He is on the dance floor at the moment. But we shared a dance earlier,” she said quickly.
Upon arriving at the ball, Rhys had been besieged by admirers—mostly of the female variety. Apparently, his absence from London had made their hearts grow fonder, and his dashing reappearance had caused excited speculation to ripple through the mirrored ballroom.
Despite being swarmed, Rhys had made a point of dancing with Maggie twice, both times waltzes. He’d been right: with him leading, dancing had been effortless…and divine. She could have floated in his arms forever. With the violins swelling, his hazel eyes focused only on her and intimacy pulsing between them, she’d felt like a princess in a faerie tale.
After their last dance, he’d been surrounded yet again. Maggie left him to attend to his social duties while she took a break. At present, he was on the dance floor, partnering a ravishing brunette. He looked sophisticated, dashing…and bored.
Over the brunette’s head, his gaze met Maggie’s. She sucked in a breath at the flare of heat in his eyes. He gave her a subtle but undeniable wink.
“His Grace may be dancing with another, but his attention is certainly on you,” Emma said knowingly.
Realizing that the by-play between her and Rhys was not lost on her new friends, Maggie blushed. “He’s being kind as he knows that I’m not at ease in high society.” She gave a self-conscious smile. “The truth is I’m just a country mouse.”
“Polly and I grew up in a village in Hampshire,” Emma said. “We’re country mice at heart.”
“I didn’t grow up in the country, but I’m a mouse too,” Gabby blurted.
They all laughed.
“How is Glory enjoying her first visit to London?” Tessa asked, still smiling.
“She wishes to see more of it.” Maggie hesitated. “Unfortunately, I’ve been rather, um, busy.”
As much as she liked the ladies, it was vital to keep the treasure hunt a secret: especially from Gabby’s husband, Mr. Garrity. She hoped that Tessa had practiced discretion, even with her close friends.
“Oh, yes, Tessa mentioned you have a daughter. She was the ward of His Grace’s uncle, I believe, and that is how you and His Grace know one another?”
Gabby’s innocent question showed that Tessa hadn’t divulged that Maggie was helping Rhys find his inheritance. Her worries allayed somewhat, Maggie nodded.
“Is there anything we can assist with?” Emma’s tea-colored eyes had an unaffected kindness. “If you’re busy, we would be happy to show your daughter the sights. All three of us have children, and the more, the merrier, I always say.”
“That is very kind of you.” Maggie wished she could take the duchess up on the offer; Glory could use some friends. “But we may not be staying in town for long.”
“Let us know if you change your mind,” Polly said, a soft smile tucked into her cheeks. “Acton and I plan to take our boys and some of their cousins to Astley’s Amphitheatre next week. There’s always room for more.”
“I’ve signed up my hellions for the outing, haven’t I?” Gabby asked worriedly.
“Yes, dear.”
“Thankheavens.”
Gabby’s sigh was so heartfelt that they all laughed again.
