“But—”
“If I renege, the people of St. Giles could face a terrible fate. I can’t have that on my conscience. And besides, I have always prided myself on being honorable. Guthrie is right. We have a deal, and I intend to make good on that deal.”
“What about your sisters?” she asked again, her voice trembling with the desperate need to make him see reason. “They’ll be ruined by association. People will surely discover that you are one of the opponents, even if you try to prevent them from doing so. Gossip will follow, and Amelia and Juliette will lose the good chance they have to make suitable matches for themselves.”
For a second, she thought she might have reached him, but then he shook his head. “My sisters’ well-being has always been my first priority, but I will not ignore my moral compass, not even for them.”
“Then there really is no hope for us. Is there?” Because once word got out about the fight, it would probably just be a matter of time before everyone discovered that the Duke of Huntley had not only risen from the slums of London to the elegance of Mayfair, but that he was also involved with Carlton Guthrie. Questions would be asked and rumors would spread before dawn the next day. Raphe’s character would be called into question to such a degree that he and everyone associated with him would become social outcasts. “I don’t know,” he said. His hand found her cheek, his calloused fingers scraping against her soft skin until heat began to bloom there.
Stepping forward, she touched her lips to his, kissing him with the fear of finality, with the need to imprint the feeling of him on her mind. She knew he would do what he could to find a way for them to be together, but she didn’t know how—could not see a clear way forward. There were simply too many obstacles in their path, and since his title wouldn’t even be enough to persuade her father to let her marry him, Gabriella wasn’t sure what would. If anything even could.
“You told your maid that you would just be a moment,” Raphe told her gruffly, drawing her attention back to the present. “It is late. Your parents will be expecting you and I would like to return to Juliette’s bedside.”
All excellent reasons to stop what they were doing and part ways, however much Gabriella regretted having to do so. “I will call on you tomorrow, to see how Juliette is doing.”
He nodded in response. “Please do.” And then, in a whisper that brushed the edge of her ear to produce a soft shiver, “I’ll look forward to it with great anticipation.”
Chapter 23
“A letter, from the Duke of Coventry, has just arrived,” Richardson said as he strode into Raphe’s study a week later. Juliette had made a full recovery from her bout with measles, and was now busily preparing herself for her presentation at court, which was set to take place in just a couple of hours.
Accepting the missive that Richardson handed him, Raphe tore open the seal and read quickly. “He’s inviting me to join him at his club this evening.”
“Excellent,” Richardson said as he lowered himself to a vacant chair. “It’s about time you make friends with other high-ranking members of Society.”
“As amiable as the duke seems, I’m sure there’s another reason for why he wants to meet.”
“Must you be so cynical?”
“Considering the fine reception I received when I first arrived, I find cynicism difficult to avoid.”
Richardson’s face remained blank. “Point taken,” he said as he reached for one of the ledgers. “Shall we discuss the repairs required at your estate in Gloucester?”
“Absolutely.”
Discussing her was out of the question. Richardson, Humphreys and Pierson all knew this. She’d visited Juliette and Amelia every day as promised, even though her visits had resulted in a few angry letters from her father. Apparently, Lord Warwick was under the impression that Raphe had more authority over his daughter than he did. A touching thought since the truth of the matter was that Gabriella was proving to be the most stubborn woman that Raphe had ever encountered in his life. She simply refused to listen to reason, so unless Warwick meant to lock her in her room, Raphe wasn’t sure of what to do with her.
Not entirely true.
He knew what to do with her, he just knew better than to act on those baser urges. Which only denied him the kisses he longed for, leading to restless nights that were, more often than not, haunted by dreams of her skin against his in an intimate tangle of limbs that left him aching for more.
Pushing her from his mind as best as he could, he focused on what Richardson was saying about drafty windows and rotted fencing. “There’s also a need for a new caretaker. Mr. Elliot is getting on in years—the work required of him is too taxing.”
“Perhaps we can find a way to reward him for his years of service,” Raphe suggested. “Ensure that he’s able to enjoy his dotage.”
Richardson agreed, and a little over an hour later, they’d decided how much money to allocate toward the repairs and drawn up a plan to help Mr. Elliot afford a comfortable retirement. They had also agreed that Raphe would soon have to visit his other estates so he could become properly acquainted with them. “Getting out of the city will be a welcome change,” he told Richardson. “Will you join me?”
“If you wish it,” Richardson replied.
“I think I’d enjoy the company.” A knock sounded at the door. “Enter!”
Amelia peeked inside. “Lady Gabriella has arrived. We are almost ready to depart.”
Rising, Raphe followed his sister out into the hallway, where Gabriella was busily admiring Juliette’s gown. Hearing him approach, she turned to face him, a pretty blush rising to her cheeks the moment their eyes met. Raphe’s chest tightened. “My lady. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
A timid smile captured her lips, and he was instantly reminded of what it had felt like to kiss her there. Lord, what he wouldn’t give to kiss her there again. But he mustn’t. Not if he cared for her. Not until he knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that they stood a real chance of being together. So he schooled his features and refrained from showing any sign of emotion.
“Likewise,” she said, her smile slipping in response to his cool detachment. She gave her attention to Amelia and Juliette. “Your sisters look lovely. I have every confidence that they will make a fine impression today.”
