He sat next to Georgina. They talked for quite a while. She even noticed the lady laughing. Well, Richard was quite handsome and could be very amusing. But she’d been right. After a little warm-up, her friend must have got right to the point.
Even if she hadn’t seen it, the slap Georgina gave Richard was hard enough to be heard across the garden. She winced for her friend. She just wasn’t surprised. She hoped he wasn’t too disappointed, though. Actually, knowing him, he’d probably try again. But she was sure that he’d continue to fail. Georgina Malory wasn’t just a married woman. She happened to be a happily married woman who loved her husband, too.
“I suppose I should apologize to you.”
Gabrielle jumped, she was so startled. She groaned inwardly before she turned to face James Malory, who’d come up silently beside her. “Apologize?”
“I’m going to have to hurt your friend,” James said.
She was afraid he was going to say that. But he didn’t really sound or look angry. She just didn’t know him well enough to realize that his expression was never an indication of his true feelings.
“Must you?” she asked. “He’s really harmless. And Georgina has already dashed his hopes.”
“He’s trespassed. I’m afraid I can’t allow that.”
Richard, looking disappointed, started to walk back to her. But then he saw James standing with her and bolted in the opposite direction. It was almost funny, how quickly he went over the high wall that separated the garden from the neighbors’ property.
“Very wise of him,” James said. “I don’t climb walls.”
She would have been relieved, but she had a feeling Malory wouldn’t leave it at that. “Would it help if I gave you my word that he will never approach your wife again?”
He raised a brow. “While I don’t doubt your word, m’dear, I must point out that one person can never fully control another’s actions.”
“True, but what I will do is gethisword. Once he’s given his word, he’s quite trustworthy.”
“Very well. That will suffice to keep me from tracking him down. But you might want to warn your friend, it won’t suffice if I ever see him again.”
She nodded, grateful for the clarification. And if Richard didn’t pay attention when she visited him this afternoon to warn him how close he’d come to dying, it would be on his own head.
Chapter 15
LATER THAT AFTERNOONGabrielle met the other Anderson brother who was visiting the Malorys. Actually she ran into him, since he barged out of his room upstairs just as she was passing it. The collision didn’t knock them over, but it drew an immediate apology from him, then a very telling pause as he looked her over.
Boyd Anderson was a surprise to her because he didn’t look anything like his brother Drew. He was shorter and a little stockier than Drew, and even his facial features were different from Drew’s. In fact, only the brothers’ hair color was the same—golden brown.
“Well, hell,” he said, leaning a hand against the wall, which pretty much blocked her from proceeding. “I can see I had a good reason to avoid you after all.”
She stiffened instantly. Was he going to be as insulting as his brother tended to be?
“Did you?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re far too pretty. I could have gotten along just fine without finding that out.”
She relaxed, even chuckled. “And now?”
“I just may have to get in line.” He grinned. “How long is it?”
“Not long a’ tall.”
He seemed incredulous, then slapped his forehead. “That’s right, you’ve only been here a few days.”
“It’s not that,” she admitted. “There’s been ample interest, but only a few men who have piqued my own interest so far.”
“I’ll consider that a boon. What’s on your agenda for tonight?”
“The theater.”
“Really? I just happen to love the theater.”
