“In the herb garden.” He pointed to a low wall that jotted out from the other side of the house. “I was investigating my property and spotted the fellow. Made me think of you.”
It was suddenly impossible for her to speak, the emotions he stirred in her threatening to tip her over. So she stood completely still and stared down at the beetle, afraid of meeting Huntley’s gaze—afraid she might cry. “He’s . . .” She cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
He might as well have pushed her. Her head jolted back as she sucked in some air. “How wrong you are.” She snapped the box shut and pressed it to her chest. “There is no better gift than this.” Calling for Anna she spun on her heel and hurried away, chased by the feeling of imminent change.
Chapter 15
“You would be fortunate to win her,” Richardson said, his voice breaking the silence and making Raphe wince. He hadn’t noticed his secretary’s arrival.
“What makes you think I’ve an interest?”
With a chuckle, Richardson came to stand beside him. “One look at you right now is all it takes.”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Raphe turned to face his secretary—a man whom he’d come to consider a friend more than employee. The same could be said of Humphreys, although not Pierson. “I have more important things on my mind than considering a courtship.”
“I suppose that explains why you’ve asked your sisters to make themselves scarce whenever Lady Gabriella comes to call?”
That got Raphe’s attention. “How did you know?”
“All it takes is a pair of eyes and a bit of common sense.”
Raphe pressed his lips together. “I just want to get to know her better. That’s all.” He would never reveal the effect Gabriella had started to have on him—her pink lips as tempting as ripe fruit on a summer’s day, her porcelain skin a bloody torture device, inciting the most deplorable contemplations. Hell, he’d had a difficult time sleeping last night, his body tight with the memory of how she’d looked at him in the courtyard, as though she hadn’t known whether to devour him or run.
“Really?” Richardson sounded entirely too skeptical for Raphe’s liking.
“Of course it is!”
Liar.
“A pity,” Richardson told him. “I personally think she would make you an excellent wife. And there is no doubt in my mind that you would be better for her than that fop Fielding.”
Raphe almost choked on a laugh. “Surely, you jest.”
Arching a brow, Richardson met Raphe’s gaze. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Huntley. You’re a good man with a sense of normalcy that the ton lacks. Lady Gabriella—”
“Would run screaming in the other direction if she knew all there is to know about my past.” Raphe inhaled deeply. “Besides, her parents would never give their approval. It would be a wasted effort to even consider the possibility.”
“So you’ve told her part of it then? About your past?”
“Yes. Most of it really, just not the part about Guthrie.”
“Hmm. And how did she react? Was she horrified? Appalled?”
“No.” He recalled the sensitive look in her eyes when he’d told her, the pain there when he’d mentioned Bethany. “Far from it.”
Nodding, Richardson said, “I’d recommend focusing on that then. Trust her to understand the rest of it.” When Raphe said nothing, he added, “In the meantime, I thought I’d suggest an outing tomorrow afternoon. You and your sisters have not been out much since your arrival here. We can go for a bit of shopping on Bond Street, and then for an ice at Gunther’s?”
Raphe eyed him with hesitation. “I don’t know . . .”
His caution prompted Richardson to ask, “Do you really wish to hide away in this house?”
“No. Not really. It is just—” Oh, how could he possibly explain? “What if something bad comes of it?”
Richardson stared at him in surprise. “Something bad? From an excursion in Mayfair?” He looked dubious. “I don’t see any threat, as long as we venture out together. Your sisters will have our protection, if that is your concern.”
Pushing aside his fear, Raphe allowed a faint smile. Did Richardson not realize that there existed threats beyond anyone’s protection? “I worry about Juliette’s health,” he admitted.
