“Did I…do something wrong?” she said haltingly.
His gaze softened. He lifted his hand, rubbing his thumb briefly over her bottom lip, which felt puffy from his kiss. Then his brows drew together, and he took his hand away.
“On the contrary, Miss Billings, you did everything right. Too right.” He cleared his throat. “I hope your wish is not for a long engagement.”
As his meaning sank in, she was swamped with sudden joy.He wants to marry me. I’m going to be Mrs. Adam Garrity!
“I will leave that up to you and Papa,” she said shyly.
“Excellent. And I must commend you on your timing, my dear,” he murmured. “Your setting up this rendezvous saved me the trouble of trying to get you alone.”
She suddenly remembered why she’d sent for him in the first place.
“Mr. Murray,” she blurted.
The warmth in Mr. Garrity’s gaze flickered out. He regarded her with eyes as flat and black as coal. “What about him?”
“That’s why I wanted to see you. Not the only reason why,” she added hastily, seeing his darkening countenance. “The others were saying that you’ve called in his debt.”
“This is a business matter. And I fail to see why you are so concerned for Murray.”
“He’s a friend—or, at least, a friend of a friend. He’s a chum of Miss Violet Kent,” she explained, “and Violet has been so good to me. In fact, I’m indebted to all the Kents, who took me under their wing during my seasons.”
“I am acquainted with the Kents.” Mr. Garrity’s tone was rather dry.
“Then you know that they are good people. And once Violet weds Viscount Carlisle, Mr. Murray will practically be one of their family. Couldn’t you extend your generosity to him just a while longer? Give him a chance to make good on his debts?” she pleaded.
Mr. Garrity gave her a brooding look. “You do understand that I don’t run a charity.”
“But these are exigent circumstances. And I know you are a kind and honorable man. That’s what I told the Kents.”
“Did you indeed?” He smiled without humor. “And what did they say to that?”
Garrity is one of the most dangerous and ruthless men in all of London.
“I, um, can’t recall exactly. But won’t you please, this once, grant Mr. Murray a boon…for my sake?”
“You are asking me to do this for you,” he said without inflection.
She wondered if she’d gone too far. But she couldn’t let her friends down, not after all they’d done for her. Squaring her shoulders, she said, “Yes.”
“I’ll speak with Murray. Work something out with him.”
“Youwill? Oh, Mr. Garrity, you are ever so good and noble and kind—”
“On one condition.”
“Anything,” she said happily.
“From here on in, when we are in private, you will call me Adam.”
“Oh, all right…Adam,” she said shyly. “And, um, do call me Gabby. Everyone does.”
“Gabriella.” His possessive rasp made her ordinary name sound beautiful and exotic. “I will speak to your father today, if that suits.”
“Yes, please,” she said over her thumping heart.
His eyes burned with that dark fire, and she knew he was going to kiss her again. She trembled in anticipation. As his mouth claimed hers, her last thought was,Adam Garrity, you’re going to be my husband…my everything.
