Page 59 of Notorious

“I’m engaged for the next set but free the one after that.”

Visel nodded and turned to Eva, his air expectant.

“I only have the supper dance free, my lord.”

Gabriel knew that was a lie. In fact, it would surprise him if there was even one slot filled on her dance card. What was she doing? By dancing the supper set with Visel, she was dooming herself to dining with him.

The earl grinned as if well pleased. “I’m honored.” He dropped a bow, cut Gabriel a glance that was sharper than a razor, and took himself off.

Just as at White’s, it was not until the conversation was over that Gabriel realized just how quiet the ballroom had gone around them.

* * *

Drusilla was glad to be sitting down. The confrontation, although clothed in civility, had been the most tension-filled minutes she could remember.

Seeing Visel and Gabriel a mere foot apart, and under the bright light of the chandeliers, had made her realize the men were almost physical equals. If Visel was a hair taller, then Gabriel was a little stockier. The men had reminded her of an animal trainer she’d gone to see when she was a girl. The man had exhibited a mongoose and a cobra, the animals such inherent enemies they’d been frozen with ire—until one of them had struck, moving faster than the eye.

She’d had the same feeling tonight—although it would be difficult to say who was the cobra and who was the mongoose.

“Drusilla?”

She pulled her gaze away from Visel’s departing back and looked up into the concerned face of her husband.

“Are you committed for this set?”

She shook her head. She’d only told Visel the next set because she knew she would need some time to prepare her wits.

“Would you like to take a stroll on the terrace?”

She stood immediately. “Yes.”

The way the crowd parted told her everyone had been listening and watching the exchange with Visel. The murmur of voices right now was like the hiss of the surf as the gossip made its way to the far reaches of the ballroom.

“Ah, this is pleasant,” he said, once they stepped from the sweltering room. He glanced down at her. “Would you like me to fetch your wrap?”

“No, the air is lovely.”

“Shall we follow the lanterns? They seem to have been placed out here for that purpose.” He led her down the steps into a sizeable garden, following behind several other couples, most of whom would need to remain within sight of their chaperones. The hedges had been trimmed and shaped to form a series of concentric circles with breaks, the inner circle containing a huge fountain that held pride of place. It was flanked by stone benches, the colorful lanterns more sparsely spaced on their wrought iron holders. It was . . . romantic.

He led her to a bench, and she sat while he propped one foot on it and leaned over his bent knee until their faces were not far from each other. The nearest lantern had a blue glass cover, and the cool light bathed his handsome features in silver and made him seem as distant as the moon.

“That was not so terrible,” she said, uncomfortable with his silent regard.

“Yes, but you’ve still to dance with him.”

“Just one dance, and that will be the end of it.”

“Hmm. I meant to ask you sooner—are you free for the supper dance?”

“But—” She bit her lip, not wanting to say the next words.

“But what? Surely you cannot be thinking a man cannot ask his brand-new wife to have supper with him?”

She couldn’t help smiling at his arrogant tone. “It will be our second dance this evening.”

He shrugged. “You are free? And if you are not, you can disappoint the other gentleman.”

She shook her head to hide the joy leaping inside her. “You are incorrigible. Do you always get your way?”