“I strongly suggest that you listen to the lady, Eastbury, if you ever wish to see the light of another day.” Gabriel materialized out of the shadows at the rear of the box. The menace in those shining, predatory eyes as he pinned the earl with a thunderous scowl causing a delicious shiver to crawl down Triana’s spine.
Eastbury straightened his jacket and puffed up his chest, but he released Triana. “Are you trying to browbeat me, Your Grace?” With a haughty sniff, he continued, “I suppose I should let you enjoy playing the hero as it suits you, for before long, the law will be on my side.”
“Indeed?” Gabriel raised a challenging brow. “Well I guess we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?” He took Triana’s hand and led her out of the box, leaving Eastbury to stew alone.
Once they were outside, Gabriel hailed down a hackney, and after helping Triana inside he murmured a few instructions to the driver. The carriage rocked slightly with his weight as he entered, before they set off with a light jolt.
“Are you all right?” His deep voice was uncommonly husky.
Triana nodded. “I’m fine. It shall take more than that sniveling weasel’s advances to overset me.”
Gabriel’s next words were dark and ominous. “I’m relieved to hear that. However, if you wish it, I will gladly go back and pound the living—”
She quickly put up a hand up to stop him. “Please,” she said wearily. “I’d rather just forget the entire episode, for it only reminds me of what I will have to endure in the very near future.” Silence fell after her statement, the only sound being the horses’ hooves as they struck the cobblestones. After a time, she said, “I didn’t know you were going to be at the opera tonight.”
Gabriel’s lips twitched. “That’s because I didn’t tell you.”
Triana hesitated, as if unsure how to proceed. “Lady Worthington was there. I daresay she didn’t look very pleased to have Lord Vanderbree as her escort.”
Material rustled as he switched position. “No, I imagine she wasn’t.” His words were clipped and dismissive, so Triana reluctantly let the matter drop.
Even after everything she and Gabriel had been through, she still burned to know what his intentions were toward the lovely widow. It was obvious, by his tone, that it wasn’t something he wished to discuss, but was it because he felt nothing for Cordelia? Or was he resentful of the fact he hadn’t been able to escort her that evening?
With a frown, she recalled the note tucked away in her bodice. While it had given her such elation earlier, she fished it out and handed it to him without the slightest bit of excitement now. “It turns out my brother was right about Madame Corressa. She was most accommodating.”
After perusing the short missive, Gabriel handed it back to her. “Well done, but then, there was never any doubt in my mind that you would be a success.”
As she carefully tucked the paper back away, she said ruefully, “I wish I had your confidence.”
He suddenly reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. The intensity in his gaze enough to stop her heart. “Where does this low regard for yourself come from?” he asked softly. “Because I don’t see anything but a beautiful woman in front of me. With eyes as blue as a cloudless sky—” He moved closer, the warmth of his breath lightly fanning the hair at her temples, causing her to shiver in response. “—skin as soft as the finest silk—” He ran his fingers along the length of her exposed collarbone. “—and a mouth as close to heaven there is.”
She closed her eyes in abandon; wanting — no,needing, his kiss.
Her lips trembled helplessly as he finally gave her what she most desperately craved.
It was gentle at first, but he quickly deepened the embrace, the kiss completely devouring them in its greedy hunger. Mouths fused, and desire soon flamed and burned out of control. Hands caressed and tongues mingled, until they were both yearning for more.
Gabriel was the one who finally pulled away, breathing heavily. He reached out and traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “God, what you do to me,” he whispered.
Triana stared at him in utter bewilderment. What she did tohim? As far as she knew, she hadn’t done a thing. The problem was — what he did toher!
You still have time to change the rules…
That haunting voice came back to taunt her as she looked into those silver eyes.But whatabout when it’s time to say goodbye?she argued silently.
Isn’t it worth it to have a few precious stolen moments in Gabriel’s arms?That voice demanded harshly.Canyou turn your back on your heart’s desire forever, orwill yougrasp joy when it’s offered—however fleeting it may be?
It was true. She’d waited long enough.
Somehow, she would find a way to seduce the Duke of Chiltern.
Chapter Fourteen
Lady Cordelia Worthington yanked off her white gloves and threw them down on her dresser in disgust. She’d just returned home from the opera after bidding a rather eager Lord Vanderbree, a firm, good evening, and she felt a bit out of sorts. Now that she was away from the prying eyes of theton, she could vent her irritation at will, while fury boiled in her veins like a disease.
Without calling for her maid to assist her, she kicked off her shoes and began tugging at her dress; her movements jerky and agitated as she twisted and turned to remove it, feeling as if it were choking her. Hearing a sudden, distinct rip, Cordelia uttered a foul curse before stepping out of the expensive, emerald satin gown. It had cost her a fortune to have it made, though she had been happy to pay the price, knowing the color would set off her honey hair and creamy skin to perfection. But without the appreciative eyes of a handsome, wealthy duke to see her in it — well, then it just became ordinary material and thread.
She tossed the crumpled heap in a corner of her bedroom, quickly adding the layers of undergarments and stockings to the pile, until she was standing in the middle of the room without a stitch of clothing on, save her diamond jewelry. The impersonal cold feeling of the jewels seemed to fit her mood, not to mention that she just liked the heavy weight of them. It gave her a sense of confidence — and power.
