Page 36 of Unmask Me My Love

“Oh, il sont très jolie.” She buried her petite nose in the blooms and breathed deeply. “Merci, mon amour.”

“Gabriella,” the duchess called to her, “ring for Carter. They must be put in water immédiatement.”

“Oui, Maman.” Still sniffing the flowers, Gabriella pulled the bell. “Please take your seat, Hal.”

“I would, my dear, but I had hoped your parents could spare you for an hour or so. I’d like us to visit the house where we will live once we are married.” Hal looked hopefully at the duke. He’d not been completely alone with Gabriella since the engagement, and he wanted that to change. Today.

“I believe we can make time to accompany you, Halford.” The duke’s gaze pierced him, as if the man understood all too well what Hal had in mind. “We have no fixed plans for the day.”

Hal’s heart sank. Even this little time alone with the woman he loved was going to be denied him.

“Mon amour.” The duchess turned to her husband. “I fear I am trop fatigue. I thought I might rest for some time before dinner.”

“Are you ill, my dear?” The alarm on Rother’s face did him credit. The man had fallen back in love with Gabriella’s mother the moment they’d been reunited.

“Non, mon amour. Do not fear. I merely need some time in bed.” Her eyes closed to mere slits. “I had thought you might keep me company.”

Rother’s brows swooped upward, like birds taking flight. He took the duchess’s hand. “Of course, I will, my dear. Halford and Gabriella can wait to see the house, can’t you, Halford?”

“Certainly, Your Grace.” Hal bit out the words with a cheerful and totally false smile.

“Good.” The duke rose and assisted his wife to her feet. “Carter will see the marquess out, Gabriella.”

“Oui, Papa.” Gabriella continued sniffing the flowers, completely unconcerned that they still could not be alone.

“Will you dine with us this evening, Lord Halford?” The duchess spoke as she and the duke stepped into the corridor.

“I would be delighted, Duchess.” At least he could see Gabriella even if he couldn’t touch her.

Gabriella sent him a sweet smile then her gaze shifted to her parents. “Sentez-vous mieux, Maman.”

“Merci, ma petite.” The duchess waved as she and Rother hurried out of sight and Carter entered the drawing room.

“You rang, Miss Gabriella?”

“Yes, Carter.” She handed him the flowers. “Will you please put these in water and set them in the foyer. I wish for everyone who enters to see them.”

“Very good, miss.” The butler took the bouquet, bowed, and left.

“Bon.” Gabriella turned to Hal, her eyes suddenly hungry. “Now you can kiss me properly, mon cher.”

“I thought I was leaving.” Hal peered at the thin crack where the butler had left the door open.

“Only if you wish to.” Gabriella slid her arms around his neck. “Or would you rather kiss me?”

“Oh, I would rather do much more than kiss you, my love.” He skimmed his arms around her slim waist. “But I will take what I can get and be thankful.” Then his mouth was on hers, and thoughts of who might see them vanished like a puff of wind. The taste of her sweet lips drove him wild with wanting her. He pressed closer then slipped his tongue into her mouth.

Gabriella grasped his face, pulling him further into her, shocking him to his core. Before he could recover from that, she turned the tables and thrust her tongue into him. Groaning, he cradled her head, marveling at how perfectly they fit together. At how wonderful it felt to be so close to her. At how much he wanted her in his bed. Uncaring who might walk through the door, Hal slid his hands down her back, reveling in every luscious curve until he reached her derriere, which he cupped and squeezed, pressing her firmly against the hardness in his breeches.

She broke the kiss, gazing up at him with passion-filled eyes. “You wish to go to my chamber now, mon amour?”

“I…uh…” The woman had a knack for throwing him off kilter at every turn.

“That is why you wished to take me to our house, n’est-ce pas?”

“Well, that…might have crossed my mind.” He didn’t know where to look. Not at her, though he could feel her gaze on him.

“I think it must have crossed something else as well, mon cher.” She stroked the front of his tented breeches ever so slightly, and he danced backward, her bare touch like fire to his cock.