Discovering that she studied insects had certainly been intriguing. And her willingness to risk her reputation on account of people she barely knew had also raised her appeal to a whole new level. He thought of her sense of humor—there was an openness to it that he definitely liked. And the way in which she reacted to him . . . It obviously terrified her, but still, there could be no denying that it was there—a very elemental awareness always simmering beneath the surface when they were in the same room.
Another bit of laughter flew toward him.
Oh, to hell with it.
He pushed the handle down and the door swung open, revealing a scene that put him momentarily off his guard. Because there on the floor, with her bottom sticking up in the air while she reached for something under a table, was Lady Gabriella—the very image of feminine comportment in a state of absolute disarray.
His sisters, Raphe noted, were lying flat on their bellies, both trying to help her with whatever it was they were hoping to accomplish. Holding himself perfectly still, he stared, aware that a gentleman ought to announce his arrival. But he couldn’t seem to bring himself to do it—could not deny himself the pleasure of admiring a part of Lady Gabriella that was otherwise hidden from view. Yes—it was only the contour of her bottom, but it was enough for him to measure its size and shape. And then, heaven help him, she wriggled it, and Raphe almost let out a groan. Instead, he clasped the door frame for support, took a second to compose himself, and finally said, “Might I ask what you’re looking for?”
His sisters squealed at the sound of his voice, both jumping back while Lady Gabriella went instantly still. A second passed. He heard the clock tick and wondered if she might remain underneath the table forever after, her embarrassment too great for her to come out. But then she slowly scooted back and gracefully rose to her feet, her cheeks as pink as blossoms in bloom. “There . . .” she cleared her throat and straightened her spine a bit. “I found an interesting spider.” And then she did the most unexpected thing. Stepping closer to him, she held out her closed hand and carefully opened it to reveal a black creature with long spindly legs. “See?”
Raphe stared down at the thing, unsure of how to react without causing offense. He raised his eyes to her face, seeing the stiffness there, the slight trembling of her lower lip as she held herself rigid, the puckering between her brows. She was nervous, but with the spider in her hand she made no effort to retreat as she had done before. Perhaps the creature gave her comfort, as strange as that thought seemed. “Yes,” he told her softly. “I see.”
Her eyes, swimming with uncertainty, met his. Impossible to resist. And he found himself not thinking. Instead he said the first thing that came to mind, “Would you like to take it home with you?”
She beamed then, a brilliant smile as dazzling as any star. “If you don’t mind.”
Raphe chuckled slightly, amused by their odd conversation. “I’m sure we can manage without him.”
She laughed as well then, her demeanor more relaxed than he’d ever seen it before. “I believe it might be a her, Your Grace.”
He wasn’t about to ask her how she might know—not now when they were once again enjoying an easy bit of conversation, devoid of the usual tension that whirled between them. So he crossed to the bell-pull instead. “I’ll ask a maid to bring a small box for it then.”
“Eleanor,” Lady Gabriella announced.
Raphe glanced back over his shoulder at her. “What?”
“I think I will call my new spider Eleanor. What do you think?” But she wasn’t looking at Raphe any longer, she was addressing his sisters.
A spark of something—something Raphe didn’t care for at all—squeezed at his chest with unbidden force. He gave the bellpull a disgruntled yank and crossed his arms.
“I think it suits her,” Juliette said.
“It’s the perfect name,” Amelia agreed. She took a seat in one of the armchairs and Raphe couldn’t help but notice that she did so with a bit more elegance than usual. “Do you ’ave a very large collection of insects?”
“Have,” Juliette reminded her sister.
“I like to think so,” Lady Gabriella said as though commenting on a painting she might have made. There was pride in her voice, and a sort of intensity about it that conveyed great passion for her hobby. “I’ve been gathering samples since I was seven and . . .” She bit her lip, shook her head and eventually shrugged a shoulder. “Never mind.”
Curious.
“Do you go out into nature often then?” Juliette asked. “With a net?”
Lady Gabriella chuckled. “Well I—”
“What about your friends? Do they ever go with you?” Amelia inquired. “I think it would be a wonderful way for us to make their acquaintance. Much better than over tea and cake. It’d be less formal, see? That is, if you’d like for us to meet your friends.” She paused for a second and Raphe watched as his sister’s smile slipped from her animated face. “Or perhaps you’d rather we don’t meet them. I mean, we’d hate to impose.”
Frowning, Raphe moved so he could get a better glimpse of Lady Gabriella, surprised by how stunned she looked. But it wasn’t just that. There was that touch of fear again. “My lady?” he asked. He didn’t want to force an explanation, but he wouldn’t let her hurt his sisters either, by allowing them to think that they weren’t good enough to meet her friends.
“I err . . .” Lady Gabriella looked at them each in turn, her hands still clasping the spider.
Where in God’s name was the maid?
“To be perfectly honest, I have none.”
Juliette and Amelia both frowned at that while Raphe instantly bristled. The least she could do was be honest, but to lie to them . . . The door opened at that moment and a maid entered. Raphe asked her to bring a small box, then turned back to face Lady Gabriella. “A word, if you will.” He waited for her to join him at the other side of the room, his voice a low whisper when he spoke once more. “They’ve taken a liking to you. Don’t ruin it with falsehoods. They might lack your upbringing, but they’re not stupid, Lady Gabriella, so as long as you’re in this house, ye’ll treat them with respect.” Damn it. He’d let the last you get him.
Her eyes had gone wide, her lips parting as she stood there staring up at him. And then she took a breath and managed to say, “I would never lie to them about such a thing. If I had any friends, which I do not—”
