“Standard for women who’ve been around the block a few times, not for husband-hunting virgins.”
“Did that pretty face make you forget so quickly who she is? The daughter of a pirate is no more a virgin than you or I.”
Chapter 18
“MISSBROOKS, MAYIBE FRANK?”
Gabrielle hadn’t really been paying attention to Wilbur Carlisle, who was twirling her about the dance floor in Lady Dunstan’s large ballroom. This was her third ball since she’d come to London, and the gown for this one almost didn’t arrive in time.
It was pale lilac in color. Margery even dug out an old necklace of Gabrielle’s that her mother had given her years ago, in the hopes it would cheer her up. It was a miniature painting of an English coastline that depicted a small fishing village very like the one close to where she’d grown up, so she’d always assumed the miniature depicted that village. Hung on a chain of pearls, the small oval painting was frame by a border of tiny roses that nearly matched the lilac silk of her gown. If she’d been in better spirits, she would’ve been pleased at how well the necklace complemented her gown.
She’d almost begged off from going out tonight, just as she’d done the last two nights. She’d pretended not to be feeling well, enough so that she wouldn’t have to leave her room. It was a lie, but Georgina didn’t question her too much about it after Gabrielle implied it had to do with her monthlies. And besides, she might not really be sick, but she certainly felt sick at heart.
She’d been staying in her room in order to avoid Drew. Finding out what he really thought about her last week had hurt her terribly. She could try to correct his opinion, but she had a feeling he wouldn’t believe her. The aversion his family had for pirates ran too deep. And there was nothing she could do about that. They were seamen in legitimate trade. Of course they’d hate the men who tried to steal that trade from them.
But did he have to paint her with the same brush, and assume she was a woman of loose morals because of her parentage? And yet, what had she done to prove otherwise? Drink with him? Let him kiss her and caress her? She winced at the memory of her own wanton behavior. In trying to get to know him better, she’d actually reinforced his low opinion of her, so it was her own fault.
God, she wished she hadn’t been so flustered that she’d gulped down that glass of port that night in the parlor. It had gone right to her head. She never should have let him take such liberties, wouldn’t have if she’d been clearheaded, well, she liked to think she wouldn’t have, but oh, God, everything he’d done, his touch, his kisses, it had been so nice she hadn’t wanted any of it to end. But it had meant nothing to him. If she’d learned anything from that night, it was that she’d been a fool to even consider a cad like him for her husband.
And her feelings had just got more and more downtrodden as the week had progressed, until it got so bad she had trouble concealing them and so she hid in her room instead. Drew had made no further overtures to her, not even in jest. In fact, it seemed as if having remindedhimselfof her background that night, he utterly regretted having made any at all. He’d continued to escort her and his sister to whatever party was on the agenda, but he’d also continued to desert them as soon as they’d arrived where they were going.
And she even saw him pursuing several other young women, not just once, but twice, at two different parties they attended. He didn’t even try to be subtle about it. It was as if he wanted her to notice!
His sister noticed, too. Unfortunately, Georgina also noticed the effect it had on Gabrielle and took her aside to tell her, “I’ve been rather thoughtless in not warning you sooner about Drew. I forget sometimes how handsome he is and how easily he breaks hearts without even trying.”
“It’s all right. He hasn’t broken mine,” Gabrielle replied, forcing herself to smile.
“Good, then I’m not too late in mentioning it. I’m sure he likes you, I just don’t want you to get the wrong impression and think something might come of it. It won’t. While our family would love to see it happen, he’s made it clear he has no intention of ever settling down.”
Georgina had the best of intentions, but she wasn’t telling Gabrielle anything she didn’t already know. Changing Drew’s firm commitment to bachelorhood had been the plan, but it wasn’t looking very promising. He’d formed some wrong impressions about her somehow, and in the coach, coming and going, she’d never been alone with him to discuss his false assumptions.
But she was tired of hiding, and tired of bemoaning the fact that the one man she was seriously attracted to was the one man she couldn’t have. So be it. She’d come to London to find a husband and that was exactly what she was going to do, and Drew Anderson could go to Hades for all she cared!
Drew didn’t join her and Georgina for the ball tonight. Boyd was their escort, but Boyd had lost all interest in her apparently. Because he’d witnessed her kissing his brother? It didn’t matter. He hadn’t been on her list anyway.
She was glad now that shehaddecided at the last minute to attend the ball. With Drew off her list, she had this opportunity to learn more about the Honorable Wilbur Carlisle. So she ought to actuallylistento him, she supposed.
He hadn’t waited for her to approve his frankness; he was telling her, “I wanted to assure you of my intentions. I don’t want you to think that like some of these other chaps, I’m here in London merely to enjoy the Season. On the contrary, and I hope you can keep this just between us, I have been sent here for three years now, to find a bride.”
“I suppose I can assume you’ve had no luck so far?” she queried politely.
“Indeed, none. Not that I haven’t applied myself earnestly. But for one reason or another, well, I’m either always too late, or I’m not interested enough to appear convincing.”
Three years? she thought. How depressing. Or maybe he didn’t really want to get married.
She decided to be just as frank as Wilbur. “Do you really want a bride, Wilbur?”
He sighed. “I do, actually. But the pressure has been tremendous and is even worse now. You see, my father has informed me that if I don’t bring home a bridethisyear, I needn’t return home a’tall.”
“Good heavens, really?”
“He’s not in the best of health,” he explained. “He wants to see me settled before, well, Idounderstand his position. I’m his only son, after all.”
She began to feel uncomfortable with the direction Wilbur’s frankness was taking.Shewasn’t ready to make a decision yet, even if the Season was almost over. If he proposed before she was ready, she had no idea what her answer would be.
“Wilbur, why are you telling me all this?”
“I just want you to keep me in mind, m’dear, and to assure you that my intentions are very honorable. I confess I was in such despair before you arrived. Nearly the end of the Season and my only prospects were, well, not to my liking. Then you appeared, like a breath of fresh air. Dare I say I was quite smitten?”
