“Oh, I am not so terribly transformed, Aunt. My views have always differed from my mother’s. I just wasn’t aware of how much until recently.”
“How interesting. I cannot help but wonder if this newfound clarity might have something to do with our handsome neighbor.” Leaning slightly forward, Aunt Caroline narrowed her gaze on Gabriella. “Tell me, where exactly did this walk of yours take you?”
“To the garden, and—and beyond,” Gabriella told her irritably. “Anna was with me.”
“Yes, I can see that,” she said with a nod. “And in case you’re wondering, I don’t disapprove.”
“You don’t?” Gabriella thought for certain that her aunt would at the very least have advised her not to repeat the outing—that it would be her duty to inform Gabriella’s parents so that any future efforts to see Huntley could be thwarted.
“Of course not.” Aunt Caroline waved her hand dismissively. “I’m surprised you would think otherwise, or have I not made my position on Fielding clear to you?”
“Well yes, but that doesn’t mean you might encourage me to seek out Huntley instead.”
“Ah, so you were rendezvousing with him!”
“I’m helping his sisters prepare for their presentations at court.”
“Of course you are, dear.” Aunt Caroline’s eyes twinkled. “Frankly, I think Huntley is quite a catch, but then again, I’m a widow, so my view on the matter is going to be quite different from your parents’. They want the best of the best for you, however misguided their idea of what that is might be. Which reminds me—Fielding is waiting for you in the parlor.”
Air whooshed from Gabriella’s lungs. “And Mama and Papa?”
“They have not yet returned from their respective outings.” Studying Gabriella, Aunt Caroline quietly asked, “Would you like for me to come with you?”
“No,” Gabriella said. “That won’t be necessary.” After all, she’d been alone with Fielding several times before. But that had been before she’d decided not to marry him—before Huntley had kissed her. Would Fielding see the betrayal on her face? Would he even care?
Numbly, she approached the parlor and entered. He was standing by the window, perfectly straight and with his hands folded neatly behind his back. “My lord. What a surprise.”
Turning, he regarded her with restrained appreciation. “I know you weren’t expecting me today. I’m sorry if I’ve upset your plans.”
“No, no.” Crossing to the sofa, she tried to calm the quaking of her nerves as she lowered herself onto it. She addressed Fielding. “Won’t you have a seat?”
“Of course.” He claimed the spot beside her so quickly it almost made her head spin. She tried to smile, and almost managed it until he said, “I think it is time for us to announce our engagement.”
A squeak was all Gabriella could manage. She’d known this moment would come, and yet it still caught her by surprise. Blinking, she tried to meet his gaze. “Did you just propose?”
With a wince, he shifted closer. “Forgive me.” He took a series of breaths before saying, “I have always striven to excel at every task. When I decided to choose a bride, I never considered anyone but you. Nobody else is as . . .”
He seemed to struggle a bit, so she added dryly, “Rich?”
“No!” He had the decency to look a bit embarrassed. “I was going to say, ‘Exceptional.’”
She had to admire the smoothness with which he delivered such a compliment. Had it come from Raphe, she’d have believed him, but Fielding? Not a chance. The man was only interested in one thing.
“With you by my side,” he continued, “I shall be—” Able to buy all the horses in England, Gabriella imagined him thinking. “Truly happy,” he said. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“I—” Gabriella’s mind whirled. She wasn’t prepared, but she knew it was time for her to break her attachment to Fielding.
A crooked smile emerged in the confines of her mind, accompanied by dark, piercing eyes.
Raphe.
A man who, in the space of two weeks, had managed to make her doubt every aspect of her life—of the person she was, and more important, of the person she wanted to be. He’d blown into her life like a thunderstorm, stirring the very foundations of everything she’d ever known. She cared for him, and she believed he cared for her too. It might not be love, but it was more than what Fielding was able to offer. And in that moment, Gabriella finally understood how Victoria must have felt. It wasn’t easy, swimming upstream instead of flowing with the current. And Raphe was the Duke of Huntley—rich and powerful, no matter how one chose to look at it. She’d want for nothing except perhaps Society’s approval—an artificial attainment that she’d learned to live without years ago.
As for her parents, Gabriella knew they would likely resent her, but she’d already decided that she would accept that when she’d spoken to Raphe earlier. After all, they’d had their chance to live their lives. It was her turn now, and to marry a man she didn’t even like when the one she cared for was ready to take his place, would be monumentally stupid.
With this in mind, she gave Fielding her full attention. “You are exceptionally kind, my lord, but I fear that I must refuse your offer, as much as it pains me to do so.”
He sat back with a jolt. “I beg your pardon?”
