His tone was low, a caress.
He couldn’t help it.“I am quite well.”His gaze darted between her eyes and then rested on her lips.
The urge to close the distance was overwhelming, a reckless impulse he barely restrained.
Her pink tongue darted out and moistened them, and he flickered his eyes to study hers, drowning in the warmth he saw there.Her small gesture, unconscious yet intimate, pulling him toward a precipice he wasn’t ready to face.
He wanted to touch her, hell, he wanted to kiss her… but no.A kiss would be too much, too damning; it could be misunderstood in far too many ways by far too many eyes.But a touch, so much could be said without words.He leaned closer to her, calculating how his shoulder near hers would block the view of the movement of his hand.He watched her brow pinch with a slight furrow, and she leaned in slightly, as if expecting him to speak.The fragrance of rosewater filtered through the air, and with a tentativeness he rarely experienced, Gabriel slowly reached over and laid his hand over hers.His gloved fingers were warm against her silk gloves, a silent confession of the desire he could not voice, a risk that set his heart pounding.He watched as her small hand slowly relaxed its grip on her dress, and he hazarded a glance to her face, watching as emotions flickered across her expression, finally resting on a pleased smile.
He released the breath he’d been holding and risked his heart further by deftly lacing his gloved fingers through her own.The gesture was bold, scandalous in its intimacy, yet hidden from Henley’s watchful eyes by the angle of their seats.
“This… was not what I was expecting.”Lady Peregrine’s voice was soft, invitingly vulnerable.
Gabriel gave a soft chuckle.“I am full of surprises, my lady.”
“Clearly.And I do like surprises,” she replied, then quickly lowered her gaze to their laced fingers and then back to his, a slight wary edge to her eyes.
Her caution was a mirror to his own, a reminder that they both treaded a dangerous path, yet her willingness to linger in the moment sent a thrill through him.
“Then you’ll love what happens next in the play.”He gestured to the stage with his chin.“I’ll not distract you further, since, if my memory serves correctly, I was threatened with bodily harm.”
“You were.”She arched a brow, the wary edge softening in her expression to one of pure amusement.
Her teasing was a spark, reigniting the playful dance they’d begun, and he relished the challenge of matching her wit.
Gabriel was acutely aware of every gasp, every shift of Lady Peregrine’s delightful form, of every smile that touched her lips through that next act.She’d glance to him occasionally, when the play had a twist she hadn’t expected, and her expression would be alight with a pleased allure that held him captivated.Her delight was infectious, drawing him into her world, where honesty and passion intertwined in a way he’d never known.As the act ended, he reluctantly released her hand, knowing the lights would illuminate their private moment and wanting to protect her from any scrutiny… or scandal.Yet the memory of her hand in his lingered, a promise of something unspoken, something he dared not name.
Her gaze flickered to his, understanding washing over her face as she gave a quick nod, then smiled as the theater lit up.Gabriel’s gaze dropped to her lips, and he gave a teasing smile, one he hoped reminded her of his rather scandalous actions.The smile was a dare, a silent invitation to continue their game, and the spark in her eyes told him she was not unwilling.
Her eyes widened, then narrowed slightly.
Unable to resist teasing her, he leaned slightly forward.
Her eyes widened once again, but she didn’t move.
Henley’s voice interrupted Gabriel’s study of his sister, and he quickly schooled his features and belatedly leaned away, hoping their little game wasn’t obvious.The interruption was a cold splash of reality, a reminder of the eyes watching, waiting for a misstep that could bind them in scandal.
“Pere?We’re going to take some air in the foyer, join us?”
Gabriel shifted to look at Henley, noting with relief that his friend’s attention was solely on his wife as he helped her to stand.He turned an expectant gaze to his sister a moment later.
“Of course,” Lady Peregrine replied, almost stumbling over her words to say them quickly.
“Allow me.”Gabriel stood and offered his hand to Lady Peregrine, assisting her to stand.
Even though he’d just released that same hand only a few moments ago, his body reacted to her touch.His body warmed, his senses sharpened, and his worldview narrowed to simply include her.Her touch was a spark, reigniting the fire he’d tried to douse, and he wondered how long he could resist its pull.
“Thank you.Will you join us?”Lady Peregrine asked, her eyes searching his as if asking more than what was actually said.
“Of course.May I escort you?”he asked, offering his arm as she stepped into the aisle.
“If I must,” she replied, her tone dripping with mock reluctance, but the slight pressure of her hand on his arm betrayed her eagerness to continue their dance of words and glances.
“It was a question, not a demand,” Gabriel whispered softly as he led her from the room, her hand resting on his arm.
Lady Peregrine merely shrugged.Her nonchalance was a challenge, urging him to push further, to see how far her wit would carry them.
The stairs were thick with people having the same idea to escape the theater for a few moments’ reprieve.The foyer buzzed with the ton’s chatter, the clink of glasses mingling with the rustle of silk and the scent of pomade, a glittering chaos that mirrored the turmoil in his heart.As they came to the wide expanse of the stairs’ landing, Gabriel turned to Lady Peregrine.“Care for a refreshment?They have orgeat, Madeira, and, I think, lemonade.”
