One Rogue Too Many (9 page)

A soft touch on her chin encouraged her to meet his gaze. His blue eyes shimmered with warmth. “I owe you an apology, Gabby. You deserve to be courted, and I missed that important piece. I don’t blame you for not wanting to marry me.”

“I never—” It was true her desire for him hadn’t waned, but she
had
told him she changed her mind. “I’m sorry for turning you out this afternoon. Perhaps a fresh start is wise.”

His thumb sketched a slow arc over her knuckles. “I agree. There is, however, one demand I have as we embark on this new beginning.”

She raised her eyebrows. “A demand?”

“Yes, a demand. I won’t compromise either.”

She pulled her hand free of his grasp and crossed her arms. “Let me hear this demand, Your Majesty.”

“End any involvement with Thorne. Either you want him or you want me.”

She nearly laughed in relief. Discouraging Thorne seemed a reasonable request, one she would gladly grant. Making the baron listen was another matter.

She captured Anthony’s hand again and aimed a flirtatious glance at him from beneath her lashes. “Lucky for you, it is
you
I want. Otherwise, you would be in a pickle. Ultimatums are a risky endeavor, Lord Ellis.”

A corner of his mouth lifted as his arms snaked around her waist. Her heart leapt into her throat as his lips closed the distance between them. But he didn’t kiss her.

“Is that so, Lady Gabrielle? Perhaps I think you are worth any risk.”

“More likely you already knew what I would say.”

“No. I hoped for the best, though.” He touched his lips to hers briefly then pulled away, leaving her wanting. How many times had she relived that glorious moment in his drawing room at Ellis Hall?

She sighed when he released her to open the door. “Where are you going?”

“Another time, my lady. You heard your brother; I may begin my courtship tomorrow.”

She followed him to the front stoop. “Well, you’d better be good at it to make up for that lousy kiss.”

Anthony chuckled as he sauntered toward his carriage. “Prepare to be wooed.”

Gabby rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hold back a laugh. “I shall retire early, though the anticipation may keep me awake all night.”

He waved before climbing into the Berlin. “Sweet dreams, Lady Bug.”

Oh, she would have dreams, but sweet they would not be.

Eight

Gabby didn’t know whether to get her hopes up the next morning. Anthony may have promised to court her, but he had disappointed her too many times in the past for her to completely believe him.

That he had tricked her on multiple occasions made her the most naive person alive. Of course, many of those instances were when they were children. It seemed unfair to hold pranks against him, and for the most part, she had let go of her childish anger.

Yet, trusting Anthony with her heart in the past had left her with deep scars no one could see. Those were the wounds she had trouble forgetting, no matter how much she wanted to trust him.

Therefore, she must stop straining to hear every noise from the street in anticipation of his arrival. She had better things to do, such as finishing page three of the gothic novel her brother Drew had snuck her the other night. Mama disapproved of her reading selections, but Drew didn’t object to many things, least of all a harmless book. Besides, Gabby had a way of bending her brother to her will. He owed her for helping to win his wife’s hand, and Gabby didn’t mind reminding him.

She made it to the second paragraph before a noise on the drive caused her to fling the book aside and dash for the window. Her heart tumbled clumsily as she spotted the source of the commotion. Anthony had arrived in a shiny, high-perched phaeton drawn by two white horses.

It was the most ostentatious vehicle she had ever seen. And she loved it. Not because it was the height of fashion so much as he was making good on his promise to woo her in a most impressive manner. Little did he know he needn’t try so hard.

She hurried to her dressing table and pinched her cheeks before smoothing a hand over her hair. Pleased with her appearance, she slipped from her chambers. She could hear Anthony asking for her below stairs. His grand arrival warranted a grand entrance on her part. Holding her head high, she floated down the staircase. He didn’t notice her at first, so she cleared her throat. When he didn’t respond, she cleared her throat again. Loudly.

He turned a lazy grin on her. “Did you swallow a bug, Lady Gabrielle?”

“I did no such thing, you Neanderthal.”

Wesley pretended she hadn’t said anything unladylike and made a quiet exit; perhaps he had become accustomed to overhearing her exchange barbs with Anthony after years of him practically living with her family.

Anthony’s smile widened as she reached the foyer. “My, but you look fetching today, my lady. Would you care to make the other gentlemen envious by taking a turn around the park with me?”

She hesitated. Lord Thorne could very well be one of those gentlemen. Although she had made her decision, she owed it to the baron to inform him in private. His family had suffered enough embarrassment over the scandal involving his sister.

“Perhaps another day.”

His jaw dropped. “Another day? But I purchased a new phaeton for the occasion.”

“Oh, my! I think I might swoon.” She covered her heart with her hand and playfully batted her lashes. “Just think how envious the ladies would be if I were to be the first to ride in your fancy new gig.”

“Ah, I see,” he said with a smirk.

“What do you see?” she asked, struck by the thought he might know she was trying to avoid Lord Thorne. She hadn’t been straightforward with Anthony last night. When she had promised not to see the baron again, she had neglected to mention she must speak with him at least once more.

Anthony ignored her question. “Would you grant me an audience in the drawing room instead?”

She allowed her gaze to roam over his body and prayed he couldn’t read how strongly he affected her. The sight of buckskins hugging his muscular thighs made normal breathing impossible. “I suppose we shouldn’t allow your new waistcoat to go to waste like the phaeton.”

The violet satin brought out the blue in his eyes. Gads, how seductive his eyes were, even when he wasn’t attempting to seduce. He sauntered in her direction, the embodiment of insolence.

“Shall we?”

When he held out his arm, her hand shook as she reached for him. He left the door to the drawing room open and took a chair after settling her on the settee.

“Even Luke wouldn’t deny you the privilege of an ardent pressing of your soon-to-be betrothed’s hand,” she chided. “There’s no reason for you to sit halfway across the room.”

He crossed his ankle over his knee. “I beg to differ, Lady Gabrielle. If I were to join you on the settee, an ardent pressing of your hand would be the last thing on my mind.”

She flushed, recalling their last encounter on a settee.

“Your brother wouldn’t be as forgiving if I forgot myself.”

He had a point. She smoothed her hands over her skirts, her palms damp in her gloves. Well, they should get on with it then. Gabby had made her decision, so there was no sense in dragging out the affair. Liz and Katie would be thrilled to learn she had made a match, and they truly would have their Season at last.

“I’m ready,” she said.

His brow arched. “Have you changed your mind about Rotten Row?”

“I am not referring to the park, Anthony. You may ask for my hand now. I’ve prepared my answer.”

“Is that so?” He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, merriment shining in his eyes. “I hate to disappoint you, darling, but I’m committed to wooing you now. You haven’t even allowed me to take you for a turn around the park.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not trying to be humorous. I intend to romance you like you deserve.”

She crossed her arms. “And if I don’t
want
to be romanced?”

“It doesn’t matter. You will have flowers, trips to Gunter’s, and declarations of love whether you like it or not.”

Huffing, she hopped up from the settee and marched to the window to peer at the phaeton again. Perhaps she should just accept a silly ride. “This is ludicrous. I don’t need those things.”

His hand on her shoulder startled her. “Yes, you do, my love.” He slid his hand down to her waist. His mouth touched her ear, sending tingles to her fingers and toes. “You may not think these are important now, but you want a love story of your own. I’ve known you since you were a young girl. This will only feel right if I try to win your heart.”

“I already said I’ll give it to you.”

“Only if I prove I’m worthy, and I will prove it, Gabrielle. I’ll never leave you with doubts again.” His arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against him. She sank into his chest, soaking up his heat, and surrendered little by little. He placed a soft kiss behind her ear.

It was her family duty to marry a gentleman of means, but loving the man who would become her husband wasn’t a prerequisite. Still, she
had
always longed for an epic romance, and in her girlish fantasies Anthony had always been the one.

She nodded slowly. “As you wish, my lord.”

“Hmm… I might grow to like your docile side, my dear.”

She spun in his arms and captured him around the neck. “I wouldn’t get used to it.” She planted a big kiss on his mouth, then laughed when he quickly set her away with a mild curse.

“You are dangerous, Lady Gabrielle.”

“You don’t know how dangerous I can be, my lord, but I expect you’ll find out soon enough. Beginning tonight at Lady Dewhurst’s musicale, should you choose to meet me there.”

***

When Anthony had learned of Gabby’s plans to attend the musicale earlier that afternoon, he thought he’d hidden his dismay well. While Gabby had heralded Miss Eliza Dewhurst’s unparalleled talent, he had nodded and interjected with “ah” or “oh” at the appropriate times. He hadn’t groaned, grumbled, or complained even once, at least not aloud.

Cursing in his head didn’t count.

He glanced at the mantel clock above the marble fireplace of the Dewhursts’ great room. The hands hadn’t moved since he last checked the time. Gabby was late. He took up position opposite the door in order to see her when she finally made an appearance.

Guests trickled into the oak-paneled room and began laying claim to the white damask chairs lined up in neat rows. Perhaps if he was lucky, all the places would be taken before Gabby arrived and they would be forced to seek entertainment elsewhere.

He had never been a fan of amateur performances, although in truth he didn’t care for the opera either. Still, he kept a box at the theatre and attended on occasion. Therefore, he knew the difference between the voice of a diva who could shatter glass and one of a lady who was intent upon abusing his eardrums. His expectations were low this evening, at least when it came to the musical entertainment. Gabby, on the other hand, could be quite entertaining.

A flash of dark hair and alabaster skin through the crowd made his heart speed up. She was here at last. He moved forward to greet her and came up short when she entered the great room on Sebastian Thorne’s arm.

Bollocks!
What was she doing with that bloody scoundrel? She had promised to have nothing to do with him. But Anthony’s wife had made promises, too, and she had broken every one. He mentally shook the thought from his head. Gabby wasn’t Camilla, and his wife had never measured up to this woman he loved so completely.

Small lines formed on Gabby’s forehead as her gaze shot around the room. When she spotted Anthony, the lines deepened, and she caught her bottom lip between her pearly teeth. Thorne leaned close to say something in her ear. She tried to angle away from him.

It was clear Gabby welcomed Thorne’s company as much as she would a case of the Clap. Gabby’s mother stood a few feet behind, chatting with Lady Eldridge, and apparently hadn’t noticed anything untoward. Anthony’s fingers curled into a fist, and he stalked toward them.

“Lady Gabrielle, I have seats saved,” Anthony said and held out his arm to offer his escort.

“How thoughtful, my lord.” Gabby slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, but when Anthony tried to draw her away, she jerked to a halt.

Thorne had tightened his grip on her other arm and looked none too willing to give her up. “Yes, how thoughtful, Ellis.”

Gabby’s mouth fell open, and her wide-eyed gaze shot back and forth from the baron to him.

Anthony forced a smile so any onlookers would think they were having a friendly conversation. “I only claimed two chairs. You’ll have to find another place to enjoy the musicale.”

“And there are only two of us,” Thorne said. “Again, Lady Gabrielle and I thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“She is sitting beside me,” Anthony hissed, trying not to draw more attention to them than necessary. “Release her now.”

“Gentlemen, please,” Gabby said. “People are looking.”

She was correct. Several pairs of curious eyes were glued to them.

“May I suggest we find a place where we may all sit together?” Without waiting for a reply, Gabby dragged them toward a row of vacant chairs in the back.

Anthony glared at Thorne as they both stood, waiting for Gabby to take her seat. Thorne glowered in return. Why wouldn’t the baron leave them in peace?

“What are you doing here?” Anthony demanded.

There was a cocky lift to Thorne’s brow. “Lady Gabrielle invited me.”

Her head snapped up, her gray eyes larger than usual. She whipped out her fan as a pink flush invaded her cheeks. “I believe the concert is about to begin.”

Thorne plopped into the chair next to Gabby like an obedient pup.

She had invited him? Anthony narrowed his eyes as he assumed the vacant spot beside her.

“Later,” she mouthed behind her fan.

Oh, yes. They would be discussing this later. He crossed his arms and waited for the young miss to take her place on the dais.

Gabby’s mother found a seat with Lady Eldridge three rows ahead. Despite allowing her daughter a little distance, Anthony knew the dowager duchess would be watching them like a mother bear.