“Camels,” Gabriel said when he had recovered his composure. “She’s very fond of riding camels.”
Lord Hunting-Mad turned and peered at Callie in astonishment. “Camels? Well, bless my soul, how dashed peculiar!”
Callie was still laughing when Gabriel caught up with her. “Minx,” he said. “I think the Lady Anthea victory has gone to your head.”
No, thought Callie, it was Gabriel Renfrew who’d gone to her head. She was bubbling, as though she had champagne in her blood.
She pretended to consider him, scanning him from head to toe in a thoughtful manner. “You are rather like a camel,” she began and then froze as a movement over his shoulder caught her eye. Her fingers bit into his arms.
“Count Anton!”
As she spoke, the count spotted her from across the room. He bowed elegantly, enjoying her discomfiture.
Callie clenched her fists. “How dare he come to our wedding party!”
“My fault, I’m afraid,” Nash said, coming up behind them. “I notified the Foreign Office and the Zindarian Embassy of your marriage straight away. I should have guessed that the count would find some way to gain entrance to this party.”
“I don’t want him here. Can’t we throw him out?” she asked Gabe.
“Not without making a scene and mortifying Aunt Maude,” Nash said quickly, seeing that Gabriel looked quite willing to do just that. “The count is the guest of the Austrian ambassador. He escorted the ambassador’s wife here, Princess Esterhazy, a very influential leader of theton—she’s one of the patronesses of Almacks. If you tossed the count out, she would be mortally offended and take it out on Aunt Maudie.”
Callie scowled. “Then I will tell him to leave—very politely—and you don’t need to look so worried Nash, I am the soul of politeness—”
“Lady Anthea will vouch for that,” Gabe murmured.
Callie looked daggers at him. “Count Anton is no joking matter.”
“No, I know,” Gabriel said soothingly. “But remember, he can do nothing to you here. We’ve stopped his legal move to have Nicky handed over and he’s surrounded by some of the most influential people in England. And I’m here, and Harry and Rafe and Luke and Ethan and Nash.” He gestured to where Harry and Rafe had positioned themselves on either side of the count—not obviously, but with clear intent to protect. Ethan, as Callie knew, was upstairs with Tibby and the boys.
Gabriel slid an arm around her waist. “We won’t let him touch you, so there’s no need to be afraid.”
“I am not afraid of that snake,” Callie declared, and suddenly realized she meant it. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Not since that moment when Gabriel had handed her the sword stick. And then offered to kill him for her.
She took a deep breath and said with dignity, “I merely wish not to have my party spoiled by his vile presence.”
She stalked across the room toward the count.
Harry stepped out in front of her. “Time for supper, is it? I shall escort you.” He offered her his arm.
Callie blinked at him in surprise. “No, thank you, Harry, I have eaten,” she told him and made to step around him.
Again he stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “Then will you dance?”
She stared at him. “But you haven’t danced a single dance all evening.”
“Yes, well, I feel like dancing now,” he said coolly. “A dance with my lovely sister-in-law. To celebrate the wedding. You can’t deny me that.”
“Harry, are you perhaps trying to stop me from talking to the count?”
He gave her an opaque look. “Why would I do that?”
“I have no idea. Oh look, here comes Lady Gosforth with a young lady for you to dance with.” His head snapped around and she took advantage of his momentary distraction to skip around him and make a beeline for the count.
“Princess Caroline,” the count purred as she reached him. He gave a perfectly correct bow that somehow managed to be insolent. “I am informed that you have found someone to marry you. A younger son, I am told, and of paltry fortune.” He smiled.
She was aware of Gabriel at her back. And Harry and Rafe and Luke and Nash. She was deeply moved by their immediate and unquestioning support.
She gave the count a cold look and said simply, “That is correct, you may felicitate me before you leave.”
