“Do you know how lovely you are when you’re sleeping?” Her gaze flew to Gabriel, where he sat in shadow on the other side of the carriage.
Trying to still her hammering pulse, she rolled her eyes and made light of his statement. “If I’m sleeping, then naturally, I would have no idea, now would I?”
A hearty chuckle followed. “I do enjoy it when you’re putting me in my place.”
Triana gave a reluctant grin in return, as she moved her head and grimaced, noticing a slight crick in her neck. Good Heavens, how long had she slept? Surely it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Even so, she asked, “How long have I been asleep?”
Gabriel ignored her query as he alighted the hackney and quietly spoke to the driver. He reached a hand back in, and Triana accepted it as he helped her step down. Once she did so, the carriage immediately drove off. Surprised at first that Gabriel hadn’t wanted the driver to wait for him, she glanced beyond him — and froze.
This wasnotAbernathy House, nor did the activity of the city surround them. Before her stood a sprawling, slate gray manor that seemed to rise up out of the darkness like some imposing foe from a Gothic novel. If it wasn’t for the bit of illumination shining through a few, haphazard windows, she might have been convinced that it was haunted, or at least inhabited by some madman.
She glanced at Gabriel, who announced flatly and without emotion. “Welcome to Chiltern Hall, my lady.”
Her mouth fell open in a rather unladylike gesture; shock rendering her temporarily speechless. “Chiltern Hall? But why are we here, at your home, and not—?”
“This may be my estate and my property,” he interrupted. “But rest assured, madam, it is not myhome.” He turned on his heel and strode toward the front door, leaving her to stare after him in confusion.
What was going on here?
Triana rushed forward, prepared to stand in front of Gabriel and demand some answers, but she paused when a starched and proper butler appeared to greet them. He bowed formally from the waist, his expression blank as he gave a strictly formal welcome, as if their spontaneous arrival was nothing unexpected. “Your Grace.”
“Hannity,” Gabriel returned in the same, stiff manner. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The gray haired servant replied, moving aside so they could enter.
Gabriel wasted no time upon their entrance but instructed, “I shall need my chambers prepared in the east wing, as well as the blue room for Lady Triana.” Without another word, the butler bowed and went off to do his master’s bidding, no questions asked.
Still reeling from the fact that she was even here, Triana couldn’t help but take a moment to glance about her surroundings. At first glance, one would have thought they were in a museum than an actual residence, for everything was in neat, orderly form — the tapestries, priceless antiquities, and gleaming, walnut staircase boasting of decades of wealth and privilege. Instead of inviting, it looked rather… cold and unfeeling.
“I’m going to have a drink.” When Gabriel spoke to her, his words were nearly as brusque as when he’d spoken to Hannity. “I suggest you follow Greta—” A young, dark haired maid in a starched, white apron miraculously appeared and bobbed a light curtsy. “—and get settled in. We have much to discuss in the morning.”
With that, he turned to leave her standing in the middle of his stately foyer.
In the morning?It wasn’t until his words sank in that she placed her hands on her hips. It was the stance Triana normally took with Travell whenever he tried to order her about. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”
Gabriel paused and turned back to her, determination writ in every line of his unyielding face. Confident that she had his attention, she lifted her chin. “Now, if you would kindly call your carriage to take me back to London—”
He crossed his arms. “And if I don’t?” He raised a curious brow and — damn his stubborn hide — he knew she didn’t have a ready answer.
For one, she didn’t have any idea where Chiltern Hall actually was. Since she’d chosen to fall asleep rather than concentrate on her surroundings, she had no clue how far they’d actually traveled — or in which direction. She had no idea what time it was, and the idea of trudging about in the dark in unfamiliar territory held little appeal. And other than making her way back to town on foot, she really had little option other than to accept the duke’s generosity and remain a guest at Chiltern Hall, albeit a reluctant one.
As if reading her thoughts, Gabriel gave a light smirk. “Exactly.” And this time, he did not hesitate as he left her.
“Miserable wretch,” she grumbled, right before she looked up and realized the maid, Greta, was still patiently waiting for her. “As it appears I have no choice in the matter, and I certainly have no intention of sleeping in the foyer, I suppose you should show me to my room.”
The maid tried and failed to hide a smile as she said, “This way, my lady.”
As Triana followed the girl up the stairs and along several hallways with twists and turns, she realized it would be very easy to get lost in such a mammoth of a mansion.
She would likely need a trail of breadcrumbs to find her way back out of this maze.
Finally, Greta paused before an open door on the second floor, at the same time several maids rushed out, bobbing quick curtsies as they went on their way. She turned to Triana, and said a bit sheepishly, “The main rooms haven’t been used for some time and since we weren’t really expecting His Grace this evening…” She let her words trail off, but Triana understood her meaning. The rooms had been very rapidly prepared for their stay.
However, the moment Triana stepped over the threshold; she couldn’t help but gasp, this time in delight. It was one of the loveliest rooms she’d ever laid eyes on, decorated in varying shades of white and powder blue. She let her gaze roam freely over the expensive, Queen Anne style furnishings; a wardrobe, desk, a carved chaise, before coming to rest on the large, four poster, complete with an elegant set of bed steps. It occupied the middle of the room like a massive centerpiece with its flowing canopy curtains.
“The blue room is the second largest chamber in the manor,” Greta was saying, as Triana continued to peruse her surroundings in awe. “Other than the master’s suite, of course.”
This made Triana still. Heavens above, surely she hadn’t been assigned to the mistress’ chamber! If so, then that meant Gabriel would be…
