Gabriel hadn’t even realized he’d stopped, but as he returned to the present, he realized the cause for his hesitation.
Damn.
It was as if by thinking of the blasted woman, he’d actually gone and conjured her in the flesh. His pulse quickened as Triana and her brother rode steadily closer, both perched bravely atop their mounts with heads held high, giving the appearance they had nary a care in the world, but Gabriel could tell quite the opposite was true. In the short time he’d been observing their progress down the track, Triana had received more than one direct cut and the barbs were starting to make their mark — showing in the strained smile and the tension coursing through her body as she stiffly sat in her sidesaddle.
Travell glanced up and noticed him and his mouth set in a grim line. It was obvious he wasn’t pleased that Gabriel intended to acknowledge them. After all, how was Gabriel going to gain Cordelia’s confidence if he kept pushing back each opportunity to earn it?
A brief look at his companion confirmed that Cordelia’s mouth was indeed pinched in displeasure at being detained. Nevertheless, heset the brake on his phaeton, becausein his defense, he was the Duke of Chiltern and thus, could do whatever the hell he wanted.
***
Triana had anticipated this outing with her brother as a temporary respite from her mother’s rant, but it soon became all too evident that she wasn’t going to gain much of a reprieve from her peers.
The first direct cut was to be expected, she supposed, for it was common knowledge that thetonenjoyed a good scandal and reveled in their own superiority. Besides, hadn’t she had enough experience with this theory in the past to prove its worth? But as each carriage and horseback rider passed without so much as a single glance in her direction, she felt the backs of her eyelids beginning to sting. She could tell these blatant snubs angered her brother as well, for whatever nod Travell returned had become strictly formal at best, his mouth having compressed into a thin, white line of fury.
At least he isn’t suffering the full brunt of their snobbery, Triana noted gratefully, as another couple passed by and greeted him, although pointedly ignored her.
To reflect, all of this could have been prevented if she’d only said no to Gabriel’s offer to dance. One simple word would have made all the difference between continuing as a forgotten wallflower and becoming a true outcast in society. One simple word would have been the choice between accepting the duke… or the earl. True, she hadn’t been considering the full consequences of her actions when her heart was screaming yes, but even so, would it have mattered?
The answer was, again, that simple word —no. Even if her option had been any other man than Eastbury, she would have still wanted to dance with Gabriel.
And even though she was paying the price for that moment of freedom now, it had been worth every glorious moment.
With a newfound resolve stiffening her backbone, Triana took a deep breath and lifted her chin, prepared to face whatever lay ahead down the track — only to find that bit of courage rapidly skitter back down to her toes as her gaze clashed with a pair of silver eyes.Gabriel— and by his side — Lady Worthington.
Panic started to well up in Triana’s chest with such force that she had to look away in order to gain control of her emotions. She darted a nervous glance in her brother’s direction in an attempt to gage his reaction, but his face was wiped clean of any expression. He seemed neither upset nor concerned that they were about to create a scene in the middle of Hyde Park. It seemed as if a hush had already descended over the area; thetonlying in quiet anticipation for the sparks to fly.
Triana held tight to her mare’s reins as her eyes drifted back tohim.Her pulse began to flutter wildly as those brilliant orbs caught hers yet again, an unknown emotion flashing in their depths.Dear God, please don’t let it be pity!She didn’t know if she could bear it if that were true. The humiliation alone would cause more grief than anything she’d endured thus far.
But even with her heart pounding in her chest and her palms sweating, as they drew closer Triana couldn’t help but admire the man. He was truly a wonderful specimen of masculinity. The ever impressionable duke, today he had dressed a bit more leisurely, having donned a pair of caramel breeches… which managed to hug every corded muscle of those long legs. A honey-hued waistcoat and cravat accentuated a wide chest and firm stomach, while his dark chocolate jacket showed off those broad shoulders to perfection. Complete with a shining pair of black Hessians, did he not look tempting enough to eat!
A true, sexual confection to enjoy…
Why, oh why, didhehave to be the one to affect her like this?
“Good day, Lord Curdiff.” Gabriel inclined that glorious, chestnut mane as she and Travell paused beside his phaeton. “Lady Triana.” As he bestowed a wide, charming grin in her direction, Triana couldn’t help but feel her lips lift in return.
“Your Grace,” Travell replied mildly. “I trust you and Lady Worthington are having a pleasant drive?”
That hypnotic gaze remained on her. “Indeed we are, although I must say the day has vastly improved with your dazzling encounter.”
Triana felt her cheeks heat unwittingly, while her brother answered somewhat curtly, “You flatter my sister and me unnecessarily, Your Grace. It is merely the sunshine to which you surely refer.” She wondered at her brother’s sudden demeanor, for she had not heard him take that tone with anyone before. She glanced back at the duke to see his reaction, but he seemed completely unaffected by her brother’s terse manner, keeping his expression perfectly pleasant.
Travell turned to Cordelia, who had remained silent during the entire exchange, although, if the look on her face was anything to go by, she was not in the mood for polite conversation. “Lady Worthington, you’re looking extremely well today. I must say that shade of apricot brings out your skin tone quite admirably.”
A stiff, but tolerable smile touched her lips. “Thank you, Lord Curdiff. Allow me to express how well you sit atop a horse.”
After that bit of courtesy, she fell silent, and it was obvious that Cordelia had no intention of acknowledging Triana. Gabriel turned to his companion with a simple lift of his dark brow. “My dear,” he said smoothly. “Surely you also remember the viscount’s sister, Lady Triana Abernathy?”
For a heartbeat, the marchioness sat as still as a statue. Finally, those green eyes slowly descended upon Triana, every bit as frigid as London in January. “Of course. How could I forget?”
While the greeting was given reluctantly, Triana could not have cared less. She was still reeling from the fact that Gabriel had stood up for her. He wasn’t supposed to do that! If he acted nice then that would only made it that much harder todislike him. But this was the compassionate man who had loaned her his handkerchief, not the arrogant rogue from the night before.
So why was he trying so hard to convince her that he was the former and not the latter?
“I’m sure you’re anxious to be on your way, Your Grace, so we shall not take up any more of your time.” Again, there seemed to be that sharp edge to Travell’s voice.
But Gabriel seemed oblivious as he turned and offered Cordelia one of those heart-stopping grins that made Triana’s knees weaken. “I did promise Lady Worthington that she could have a try at the reins before I escorted her home and if nothing else, I am a man of my word.” While the widow still looked as if she’d bit into a ripe persimmon, she perked up slightly at the prospect of being alone with Gabriel once again.
