Triana nearly applauded his quick thinking. He’d smoothly maneuvered it where their mother had no choice but to accept his offer or appear rude, so the countess reluctantly followed her son out of the room, but not without giving Triana a meaningful glare upon her departure.
Once they were gone, Gabriel remarked dryly, “Your mother seems… pleasant.”
Triana snorted. “Thank you for putting it so delicately.” She turned to him and became serious. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow.” But it was the sudden glimmer in his gaze that gave him away.
Triana clenched her fists. “I thought it was too risky to allow your friendship with Travell to be out in the open.”
The teasing suddenly left his eyes as he said, “I don’t think our association really matters at this point, but even if it did, let us worry about the consequences. Taking care of problems is what we do.”
“You shouldn’t be here.” She sighed heavily. “And I certainly don’t want to be the cause of any more trouble.”
A muscle worked in his jaw. “I’m afraid it’s a little late for that. After last night, you could be in real danger if someone recognizes you.”
She shook her head. “No one could have known who I was in that disguise.”
“You’re right, of course. There’s probably nothing at all to worry about,” he returned mockingly. He grabbed hold of her shoulders, his eyes flashing with that silver fire. “But then, what if you’re wrong?” He released her and paced to the mantel, where he ran an agitated hand through his hair.
Suddenly it all began to make sense.
“So that’s why you’re here? Because of your honor?” Triana’s emotions began to bubble up inside of her. “In that case, you can leave, because I don’t want to be just another responsibility for you and my brother.”
Gabriel set his hands on his hips. Tilting his head to the side, he stared at her in disbelief. “Surely you don’t believe that all of this is just to satisfy some gentlemanly code of conduct? God, Triana, can’t you see by now what you mean to me?”
A pin could have dropped in that moment and Triana would have heard it, the silence was so deafening. “What are you saying?” she whispered.
“Triana, I…” But any admission he might have made was cut off by the announcement of the earl’s arrival. With obvious reluctance, Gabriel fell silent as Triana’s grinning intended stepped into the room.
However, Eastbury’s smile abruptly faded as his gaze landed on the duke. “Your Grace,” he said stiffly, obviously remembering the last time they were in this room and how they had nearly come to blows. “I didn’t realize you were joining us today. How… delightful.”
Triana could tell the earl was doing his best to contain his annoyance, although she knew he was intelligent enough not to blatantly ignore a higher ranking peer of the realm, no matter how irritated he might be with his presence.
Gabriel’s voice was equally cool as he murmured a simple acknowledgment, but the twist of his lips was anything but cordial. “Eastbury.”
After that, the room became thick with tension, and for the first time in her life, Triana was thankful for her mother’s swift return. “Ah, my lord, right on time.” Amelia gushed upon seeing her future son-in-law, instantly bringing the smile back to his face. “Shall we have a seat?”
“Indeed.” The earl nodded and glanced at Triana when he took a seat on the settee. It was obvious he intended for her to join him there, and after a quick glance at her mother, who apparently expected the same she sank down beside him. Her mother sat in a chair to their right, while Travell, upon his return, sat next to Gabriel across from the couple.
The teacart arrived shortly thereafter, carrying a plate of cinnamon scones and raspberry tarts. Lady Trenton asked Triana to serve, and as she carefully poured and passed out the delicate china cups and saucers, she tried not to flinch when Eastbury attempted to hold her hand a bit longer than necessary when she handed him his set. Sitting back down, Triana glanced over at Gabriel to see if he had noticed, and judging by the murderous glare he shot the earl, it was obvious that he had.
The conversation remained on neutral ground for some time, with much of the talk being about the weather and current politics, as Eastbury consumed most of the tarts. After a time, he gave a delicate pat to his rounded stomach and glanced at Triana. “I say, it would do my constitution good to get some air. Would you accompany me for a turn about the garden, my dear?”
She dreaded the thought of being alone with him and the advances she’d no doubt have to fight off, so she was pleasantly surprised when Gabriel spoke up. “Wonderful idea, Eastbury. I believe I shall join you.”
Triana had to hide a smile in her teacup at the perturbed look on the earl’s face, and she could have sworn her brother covered up a snort of laughter with a suspicious cough.
“Capital.” Eastbury slowly stood and would have offered Triana his arm, but Gabriel was there first.
With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he asked, “Shall we?”
Without a single second of hesitation, she slipped her hand through the crook of his muscular arm. Gabriel shot a look over his shoulder. “Are you coming, Eastbury?”
Triana had to smother another grin upon seeing that Eastbury’s ruddy cheeks were more pronounced than usual.
The moment they stepped outside, Gabriel leaned down and whispered in Triana’s ear, causing wonderful gooseflesh to scatter all over her body. “I do believe Eastbury is rather aggrieved by my presence, although he might as well get used to it. I plan to be around quite often.”
***
