“That there will be many parties to attend?” she queried.
“No.”
“That we’re going to be a bit crowded here, with two of my brothers visiting as well?”
“No.”
“Then what’s got you annoyed, aside from the remark that provoked your charming display of jealousy?”
Gabrielle could guess. Although she hadn’t said a word yet, Malory must have assumed that as the daughter of a pirate she was utterly unsuitable to be foisted on the ton.
And yet all he said was, “Bite your tongue, George. I am not, nor will I ever be, charming.”
He didn’t deny the jealousy, though, which brought a flush to Richard’s cheeks. Nor did he answer the question, which prompted his wife to make another guess.
“You must be feeling guilty, then, for making so many unnecessary threats.”
It was such a provocative statement. How did the woman dare to talk to him like that? For that matter, what was a petite, perky woman like her doing married to such a big, menacing bruiser? Granted, he was handsome, with his long blond hair that reached his shoulders and those sharp green eyes. But he was deadly. There was absolutely no doubt in Gabrielle’s mind.
And yet, all he did was snort at his wife and say, “The devil I am.”
“Glad to hear it,” Georgina said in a chipper tone, then added by way of explanation to the others present, “He’s impossible to live with when he’s feeling guilty.”
“I’m bloody well not guilty, George.”
It wasn’t just the words but the tone that lent truth to that statement, and yet the woman said, “Yes, yes, and I can depend upon it, too, I’m sure you’d like to add, though we both know better.”
“George.”
Such warning in a single word, but the women still ignored it and said briskly to Gabrielle’s escorts, “You gentlemen can be at ease now. My husband isn’t going to tear off any limbs today.”
“You might, m’dear, when you realize that you’ll have to cancel your trip to accommodate this request.”
Georgina frowned. “Oh, dear, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Didn’t think so,” Malory replied.
“Ah, sothat’swhy you’re annoyed? You think I’m going to be disappointed?”
He didn’t deny it, and actually confirmed it by saying, “Aren’t you?”
“Not a’tall. Jack probably will be, though. You know how impatient children can be. But next year will do just as well for that trip.”
Gabrielle had blanched with the realization that this favor was going to interfere with their plans. She finally spoke up.
“Please don’t change your agenda on my account. My father probably didn’t consider that you might not be available to assist me. His decision to send me here was made on the spur of the moment. We can make other arrangements and wait until he arrives to figure out something else.”
“When will that be?” Georgina asked.
But Ohr said at the same time, “No we can’t. He’s still in the Caribbean and won’t be coming here anytime soon.”
“Well, that won’t do a’tall,” Georgina said with some finality.
But Malory clinched it when he said, “You’ll stay.” And that settled that. However, he wasn’t finished. With a look and tone that left no room for argument, he told her escorts, “You won’t. You’ve done your duty. She’s in my care now. There’s the door.”
Ohr and Richard hadn’t intended to stay in this part of town. Gabrielle quickly hugged them good-bye. She felt bad that James Malory had all but kicked them out the door, but she was sure it was Richard’s stirring up Malory’s jealousy that resulted in their having to leave sooner that she would have liked.
Alone now with the lord and lady, she felt her nervousness increase tenfold. But Georgina put her more at ease when she asked, “Shall we adjourn to the dining room? If you haven’t eaten yet, the buffet is still hot. We eat at odd hours here, so breakfast is served for most of the morning. In any case, let’s have a cup of tea while we get acquainted.”
