He arched an incredulous eyebrow, as if surprised by her daring. “May I? I believe the so-called felicity remains to be seen.”
“Which do you doubt? My happiness or that you are leaving? There is no doubt of either,” Callie said serenely. She had no doubt in the world of her happiness now. She looked at the count and said clearly, “Good-bye.”
He flushed a little, aware that people were craning to hear the conversation. It was obvious from her attitude as she faced him that something was going on, not to mention the five men standing protectively at her back.
His lip curled. “Look at you in your fine feathers, flaunting that stupid tiara with its paste jewels—it’s pathetic! What would all your elegant friends say if they knew it was a worthless piece of—”
Her hands flew to her tiara. “How did you—” she broke off.
“Know?” He sneered. “From Rupert of course. He used to laugh about it—we all did.”
Gabriel stepped forward. “Then he was a fool. You all were. This tiara, like the woman wearing it, is unique and priceless.”
“Priceless,” Count Anton scoffed.
“Don’t you think a younger son with a paltry fortune would check up on that sort of thing before he married its owner?” Gabriel said in a hard voice.
Callie looked at him in shock.
The smile died on Count Anton’s face. He looked from Gabriel to the tiara, to Callie and back to Gabriel.
Gabe rested his hands on Callie’s shoulders. “She might tell people the diamonds are paste and that it’s worthless, but I am not so easily gulled. You may take it from me, this tiara is priceless.”
The count glared at him.
“Now,” Gabriel said softly, “my wife asked you to leave. Good-bye.”
Balked, aware of the eyes on them, the count had no alternative but to go with as much grace as he could muster. He gave them a supercilious smile. “I will go then, since you behave so boorishly, but you’ll find soon enough that Count Anton is not so easily defeated.”
They watched him go. “I don’t like the look of that smile,” Gabriel said.
“I don’t like the look of anything about him at all,” said Harry. “Little golden weasel.” They all laughed.
He heard them, too, turning back to fling them a glance filled with vitriol.
Later in the evening when they were alone for a moment, Callie said to Gabriel, “I didn’t lie to you about the tiara, it really is paste.”
“I know,” he said.
“But—then, why did you say it was priceless?”
“Because your mother’s tiara is priceless to you. And if it is to you, it is to me. Now, would you like a drink? It’s been quite an eventful evening. I think another champagne is called for.”
Callie stared at him. He had no idea how much his words meant to her. And that he simply took it for granted that he would support her. “Gabriel,” she said as he was about to go off and fetch her a drink.
“Yes?”
She kissed him. “I cannot wait for this party to end.”
He looked surprised. “Aren’t you enjoying yourself?”
“Oh, yes, I am. It’s been wonderful. It’s just that I am so looking forward to…um…” She blushed.
His eyes danced. “Chess?” he said gently.
“Yes.” And telling him she loved him.
It could not be said that the rest of the evening dragged, but Callie was glad when finally people started to leave. It was very late. The party had been a great success. She stood with Lady Gosforth thanking and farewelling people; she smiled and smiled and wished them gone.
