“Thank you, my lord, but such flattery is truly unnecessary,” she replied evenly. “Won’t you have a seat?” As he settled himself on the settee with much aplomb, she returned to the chair she’d just vacated, ignoring the displeased frown on his face when she chose not to sit beside him.
She clasped her hands tightly together, hoping that he wouldn’t remain long. “What can I do for you, my lord?”
“My dear, Triana—” She had to bite the inside of her mouth to keep quiet at the familiarity. “I must confess to an ulterior motive for being here.”
He was forced to pause as a starched maid rolled the teacart in. After she left, Triana poured herself a cup, then another for Eastbury, whereupon he requested four cubes of sugar and plenty of cream. He stirred his tea, the spoon clinking against the sides of the delicate china. It made Triana’s nerves scream in frustration, until the earl finally continued speaking.
“Surely you realize by now how much I ardently admire you. Not only do I speak for myself, but your dear mother has also kept open a certain amount of hope for us.”
Triana barely refrained from rolling her eyes to that vast understatement.
“In that light, I think perhaps it is time to consider a union—”
Unable to contain her silence any longer, she held up a hand. “Please, my lord, I beg you do not continue. I know your feelings, so I must openly express mine. I have never attempted to encourage your affections—”
“I realize you might need some time,” Eastbury continued as if she hadn’t even spoken. “Or even a bit of… persuasion if that’s what it takes.”
She stared as he lifted a meaningful eyebrow. Dear God, was he actually suggesting that she allow him tocompromiseher? “My lord, again I must protest—”
“His Grace, the Duke of Chiltern.”
The harried butler barely had enough time to announce him and back out of the parlor, before Chiltern’s towering visage strode into the room.
Triana’s traitorous heart instantly did a somersault in her chest. Even though she was still furious with him from the night before, Triana couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief that he had saved her from Eastbury yet again.
He was dressed elegantly in a pair of shining Hessians, black breeches with a gray waistcoat and jacket, and a crisp, white linen shirt and cravat. He was as dashing as usual — except for one marked difference. His eyes had taken on the color of granite as he pinned the earl where he sat.
“Your Grace. What a pleasant surprise.” Triana did her best to keep her voice even, as that gleaming gaze abruptly shifted to her. “Do, please come in.”
He hesitated only a moment before he strode across the floor with every confidence. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Triana gave a slightly strained laugh. Had he somehow overheard part of their conversation? “Of course not.” She cleared her throat and asked lightly, “Would you care for some tea?”
After he shot another glare at Eastbury, who looked more than aggrieved by his presence, Chiltern nodded. “I would, thank you.” He walked over to stand by the fireplace, then leaned against the mantel and brought forth a cheroot. “May I?”
At Triana’s nod, he lit a match. The curling smoke that he expelled instantly reminded her of the first night they’d met — and all the lurid fantasies she’d conjured up about him since.
She quickly averted her gaze, should her telling blush give her thoughts away. But as she poured him a cup of the steaming tea, her mind was racing.What is he doing here?“Cream or sugar?”
“Neither.”
She carefully carried the delicate cup and saucer over to him. As he took it, she couldn’t resist stealing a quick glance at his face. Not making it past his mouth, she instantly recalled how wonderful those glorious lips had felt upon her own, how they had caressed her skin — and the harsh words he’d spoken to her afterward.
He must have sensed the direction of her thoughts, for he let his bare hands brush hers, lingering a bit longer than necessary. “Thank you, my lady,” he said huskily.
The air had become so charged, that not until Eastbury spoke did Triana recall that he was even in the room. “I wasn’t aware you were a frequent guest at Abernathy house, Your Grace.”
The corners of the duke’s mouth lifted as he slowly exhaled a breath of smoke. “Perhaps not in the past, but that’s all about to change.”
Her gaze instantly shot to his, where he watched her through the haze. It caused parts of her body to tingle deliciously.
“Indeed.” Eastbury’s voice rose in haughty indignation. “And why is that?”
Gabriel chuckled, although there was no humor in it. “I don’t believe that’s any of your concern, Lord Eastbury.”
The earl neatly puffed out his chest, before retorting caustically, “I think it is when it directly involves a lady of my particularly close acquaintance. I’m here on gentleman’s business—”
“Ah, yes, ever the gracious gallant, aren’t you, Eastbury?” Gabriel cut in, his eyes sparking ominously, a challenging tilt to his face. “However, I imagine that one of the girls at Madame Rinard’s House of Ill Repute might contradict such a statement. As I understand it, Maria is still recovering after your last bout of—” He smiled chillingly. “—chivalry.”
