Gabriel spoke before she could answer. “We are only here to finish this, Lady Dentry. I doubt Ma—Miss Winters is interested in making your acquaintance.”
His slip turned Lady Dentry’s icy lips. Marietta could see the satisfaction combined with the anger in her smile.
“That may be true, Gabriel, but here we are. And you did say you wanted to initiate how this drama would play. Go, shoo, while I chat with your Miss Winters.”
Gabriel’s face was unamused.
“La, Gabriel, your companion can handle herself, can’t you, Miss Winters?”
Marietta nodded. She hadn’t been dealing with Mark for all of these years not to know how to deal with difficult people and petulance. Even if Lady Dentry was above her set and had taken viciousness to another level, she couldn’t show fear.
Gabriel seemed to understand this, and she had observed that he never interfered before allowing the person to take care of their own issues first. It was one of his many admirable qualities. He rose and walked to the fireplace. Lady Dentry rose as well, motioning for Marietta to do the same. She put her arm through hers. “Come view the gardens from the window, Miss Winters.” She led her over to the window, and Marietta had to wonder if this was what walking to the gallows felt like.
She could see Gabriel watching them from the corner of his eye as he inspected the fire screen, crouching in front of it and looking over the top edge.
“The azaleas look lovely this time of year. And the roses magnificent. Do you enjoy horticulture, Miss Winters?” Her voice was soft, so it wouldn’t carry to the other side of the spacious room. Not that it would stop Gabriel from eavesdropping, with his finely tuned hearing.
“No more than the average person, Lady Dentry.”
“Please, call me Melissande. A close friend of Gabriel’s cannot stand on ceremony.”
“Mr. Noble calls you Lady Dentry.”
“Is that what you call him when he is inside you, Miss Winters? Pushing cries and plumbing your depths? Seems a bit formal. Oh, Mr. Noble, your cock is so large.”
Marietta tried to pull away, but Lady Dentry held firm.
“But then Lord Dentry has never called me anything but Lady Dentry. Annoying, don’t you think? To be so formal?”
Marietta stopped struggling, suddenly understanding this game. “I think that you are jealous, Lady Dentry.”
“I am, Miss Winters. Terribly jealous that you have my little avenger.” The name rolling from those lips made her ill, made the bile rise again. “Not that he is little, no. He is terribly lovely in that department. In all departments. My jealousy is boundless. He was delightful at sixteen, and he is delicious now. You must set him free.”
“Set him free?”
“He is besotted by you.” Marietta couldn’t help but display her doubt. Lady Dentry gave a tinkling laugh. “You don’t see it. How wonderful. And better that way. You two will never last longer than it takes for your brother—the younger one, if the papers I finally procured were correct—to go free.”
She knew it was the truth, but couldn’t help asking. “Why would you think that, Lady Dentry?”
She laughed again. “Oh, it is obvious why. You are from two very separate classes and spheres—in all respects. I do so hope you break his heart. Perhaps he will return to me.”
“You are delusional.”
“Perhaps. But it is all I have now.” Her fingers tightened on Marietta’s arm.
Marietta found herself free of Lady Dentry and beside Gabriel just as quickly as she’d been freed from Kenny so many days ago that it felt a lifetime.
Lady Dentry stuck one delicate finger into her mouth and sucked it, her lips making a little pop as she pulled it out. “Naughty, Gabriel.”
“I grow tired of this. Hopefully the murderer will spare me your antics and show up soon.”
A faint whistle echoed. He motioned toward the screen, which he had moved closer to the desk. “Marietta, behind the screen. Lady Dentry, sit at your desk.”
Marietta immediately ducked behind, then watched Lady Dentry saunter to her chair, only her straight back and tensed shoulders belying her concern.
Gabriel crouched next to Marietta and they waited a moment. A minute. Two minutes. The room sat in silence, Lady Dentry even feeling the need to remain quiet and focused. Another minute passed. Marietta was about to say something to Gabriel when the door opened.
The person stepped into the room, the face going from the shadows into the light, and Marietta couldn’t believe her eyes.
