He tilted his head to the side and studied her. “If I said no, would you even believe me?”
“It doesn’t matter if I believe you or not,” she countered hotly, her eyes flashing. “It’s no concern of mine.”
Gabriel slowly smiled, the fiery intensity in his gaze causing her toes to curl. He reached up and touched her lips with the tip of his finger, the warmth of his breath fanning her cheek. “I do believe the lady doth protest too much.”
Triana held her breath as he continued to speak, his murmured words making her powerless to resist the pull he had over her.
“I must have been remiss in my attentions. I thought I’d already proven that when I touch you, your body reacts to my caresses—” He nipped her earlobe and a noticeable shiver ran along her spine. “But perhaps another demonstration is in order...”
Her pulse quickened in anticipation.
“...for I need to make sure the taste of your lips is as sweet as I’ve dreamed it was.”
With that, he lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers.
Triana’s eyes had barely fluttered closed in surrender before he was pulling away; his eyes searching her face, as if looking for the answer to an unspoken question. “Even better than I remembered.”
It was in that moment, staring into his remarkable eyes, that Triana finally faced what she’d been fighting for so long.
She was in love with Gabriel Wilde.
***
Lady Worthington had just ended a waltz with Baron Fitzhugh when a footman intercepted her exit with an anonymous message. As he bowed and walked away, she quickly read the contents, before shoving the note into her reticule. By all appearances, she was as carefree as she’d been a few moments ago, but her shoulders were tense, anger coursing through her veins.
After murmuring a polite excuse, Cordelia went in search of her quarry. She found him moments later in the hallway with Lord Palmerston. He was shrugging on his jacket, still in deep conversation with the viscount, so she quickly slipped into a nearby doorway as they strode closer, their voices drifting over to her.
“I shall keep you abreast of any new developments, my lord,” Lord Curdiff was saying.
“Splendid,” the other man replied. “I suppose it’s time I return to the party, as should you. ’Twould be a shame if you kept any of those hopeful, young ladies waiting over long.” He gave a boisterous chuckle, and then she heard him clap the viscount on the back before he strolled past.
Cordelia knew this was her chance, so she hastily walked into the hallway. She pretended to be distracted by fixing a button on her glove — as she collided with Travell. Instinctively, he reached out and steadied her as she swayed precariously.
Fluttering her eyes at him innocuously, she said breathlessly, “Lord Curdiff! Pray forgive my clumsiness. I really must pay more attention to where I’m going.”
He released her once she regained her balance and gave a brief nod. “’Tis quite all right, Lady Worthington.” Offering a light bow, he started to walk away. “If you’ll excuse me—”
“Your sister is looking well this evening,” she called out, and he paused and faced her once more, this time with a slight narrowing of his eyes, as if trying to decipher what she was getting at by that comment.
“Yes, Triana is very lovely, I agree.” He replied carefully, “But then, I’m her brother and bound to favoritism.”
Cordelia gave a tinkling laugh. “Oh, come now, surely you aren’t the only one who sees what a treasure she is!” She paused, as if waiting for him to respond, but when he remained silent, she eyed him coyly, a small smile curving her lips. “Perhaps the Duke of Chiltern is also aware of her charm?”
His jaw tightened fractionally. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Oh, come now. You can be forthright with me,” she returned innocently. “I was under the impression that you and Gabriel were friends.”
“We are simple acquaintances, my lady,” Travell stated firmly. “However, even if we had a more in depth friendship that wouldn’t mean that I directed his thoughts or opinions.”
“I see.” She seemed to mull this over for a moment, before adding, “Even if it meant Triana’s reputation would suffer past the point of repair?”
His jaw tightened fractionally. “What exactly are you saying, Lady Worthington?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Only that I felt it important that you should know the duke was noticed leaving the ballroom—” She paused, lifting the corners of her lips rather smugly. “—and neither he, nor your sister, have been seen in quite some time.”
Travell didn’t reply, so she knew that he took her meaning.
She smiled sweetly, and then shook her head mournfully. “It would be dreadful if they were to get caught in a compromising position. Why, an occurrence of that magnitude would certainly tarnish her reputation more than any silly article ever could.” She paused meaningfully. “Just a friendly cautionary word, my lord.” With that parting remark, she sauntered back down the hallway, but not without throwing over her shoulder; “Do enjoy the rest of the party, Viscount Curdiff. I know I shall.”
