Any time she’d tried to steer herself away from thinking about Gabriel — there he’d be. It really was too bad alcohol wasn’t her forte, for she would be sorely tempted to forget him at the bottom of an expensive bottle of brandy. But even then, she knew the moment she sobered up, he’d be in the forefront of her mind....waiting.
What she wouldn’t give for the opportunity to turn back the clock and never set foot on that blasted terrace! She would have rather cast up her accounts in the middle of the Kensingtons’ ballroom, rather than feel this empty, hollow sickness that threatened to rip apart her chest from the inside out.
Triana blew out a frustrated breath and stared at the twinkling heavens, scrutinizing every star that made its home there. She vowed she would forget all those intimate moments with him and name every single constellation by the time she left this fountain — even if she had to sit here the rest of the night.
But the instant she located the big and little dipper, she felt her scalp begin to prickle and she realized she was no longer alone.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?”
Triana’s eyes slid shut as that familiar, velvety timbre skidded over her skin.
Oh yes, a definite plague.
“The stars,” the Duke of Chiltern murmured in that seductive tone, the one his voice held when he wasn’t even trying. “They’re quite remarkable, actually.”
Triana opened her eyes, but didn’t turn to him, keeping her face averted. Please, just go away. Unfortunately, he must have taken her silence as an invitation to join her, for he sat down; close enough that she no longer felt the chill from the fountain, but rather the comforting warmth from his body.
“You see there? That cluster of stars?” He pointed almost directly above their heads, and she reluctantly glanced upward, arching her neck as she did so. “That is Ursa Minor. And over there,” He gestured to another set nearby. “Is Ursa Major.”
“Yes, I know.” Triana said quietly. Without taking her eyes off the sky, she positioned her own finger in the air, determined that she wouldn’t be outdone. “That’s Orion.” She offered in return, “And of course, those three stars,” She made a line in the air. “Are his belt.”
“Like I said...beautiful.” He spoke so soft, that Triana finally turned to look at him. Her pulse leaped when she found those smoky, silver eyes fixated on her face; making her wonder if he’d been referencing the constellations at all.
Surely a more handsome man did not exist! Foregoing his usual, black and white attire, tonight he wore a sapphire blue waistcoat and silver cravat; the knot tied so expertly around his throat, that it drew her gaze to his freshly shaven jaw. She found her fingers itching to run them along that firm profile, before sliding closer to him, where their mouths might meet for another earth-shattering kiss…
Good Lord, what was she doing?
In a frantic effort to take back control over her wayward thoughts, Triana stood and put some distance between them, as if by doing so, she could shield herself from the fiery attraction trying to drag her under his spell. “What are you doing here?”
Bathed in the moon’s glow, those silver eyes glimmered with an unfathomable emotion. “I thought it was obvious. I came to see you.”
Chapter Nine
Triana’s heart began to beat so furiously that she feared it might leave her chest entirely. “I can’t imagine why.”
The duke’s clothes rustled as he stood, and although he made no move to touch her, she almost shook with the sudden desire to be in his arms. “Can’t you?” he returned softly.
While most of his face was still hidden in shadow, there was no concealing those shining orbs watching her calmly, as though he could see through to her very soul. Triana clenched her fists. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but it’s not amusing. Good evening, Your Grace. No doubt your affianced is wondering where you are.”
She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her elbow. She saw a deep frown creasing Gabriel’s forehead. “What are you talking about? I’m not engaged.”
Triana gave a laugh that was mysteriously hollow. She had to hold on to her anger, for to let it go would mean daring herself to hope. “You’re telling me that Lady Worthington means nothing to you?”
He tilted his head to the side and studied her. “If I said no, would you even believe me?”
“It doesn’t matter if I believe you or not,” she countered hotly, her eyes flashing. “It’s no concern of mine.”
Gabriel slowly smiled, the fiery intensity in his gaze causing her toes to curl. He reached up and touched her lips with the tip of his finger, the warmth of his breath fanning her cheek. “I do believe the lady doth protest too much.”
Triana held her breath as he continued to speak, his murmured words making her powerless to resist the pull he had over her.
“I must have been remiss in my attentions. I thought I’d already proven that when I touch you, your body reacts to my caresses—” He nipped her earlobe and a noticeable shiver ran along her spine. “But perhaps another demonstration is in order...”
Her pulse quickened in anticipation.
“...for I need to make sure the taste of your lips is as sweet as I’ve dreamed it was.”
With that, he lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers.
Triana’s eyes had barely fluttered closed in surrender before he was pulling away; his eyes searching her face, as if looking for the answer to an unspoken question. “Even better than I remembered.”
It was in that moment, staring into his remarkable eyes, that Triana finally faced what she’d been fighting for so long.
She was in love with Gabriel Wilde.
***
Lady Worthington had just ended a waltz with Baron Fitzhugh when a footman intercepted her exit with an anonymous message. As he bowed and walked away, she quickly read the contents, before shoving the note into her reticule. By all appearances, she was as carefree as she’d been a few moments ago, but her shoulders were tense, anger coursing through her veins.
After murmuring a polite excuse, Cordelia went in search of her quarry. She found him moments later in the hallway with Lord Palmerston. He was shrugging on his jacket, still in deep conversation with the viscount, so she quickly slipped into a nearby doorway as they strode closer, their voices drifting over to her.
“I shall keep you abreast of any new developments, my lord,” Lord Curdiff was saying.
“Splendid,” the other man replied. “I suppose it’s time I return to the party, as should you. ’Twould be a shame if you kept any of those hopeful, young ladies waiting over long.” He gave a boisterous chuckle, and then she heard him clap the viscount on the back before he strolled past.
Cordelia knew this was her chance, so she hastily walked into the hallway. She pretended to be distracted by fixing a button on her glove — as she collided with Travell. Instinctively, he reached out and steadied her as she swayed precariously.
Fluttering her eyes at him innocuously, she said breathlessly, “Lord Curdiff! Pray forgive my clumsiness. I really must pay more attention to where I’m going.”
He released her once she regained her balance and gave a brief nod. “’Tis quite all right, Lady Worthington.” Offering a light bow, he started to walk away. “If you’ll excuse me—”
“Your sister is looking well this evening,” she called out, and he paused and faced her once more, this time with a slight narrowing of his eyes, as if trying to decipher what she was getting at by that comment.
“Yes, Triana is very lovely, I agree.” He replied carefully, “But then, I’m her brother and bound to favoritism.”
Cordelia gave a tinkling laugh. “Oh, come now, surely you aren’t the only one who sees what a treasure she is!” She paused, as if waiting for him to respond, but when he remained silent, she eyed him coyly, a small smile curving her lips. “Perhaps the Duke of Chiltern is also aware of her charm?”
His jaw tightened fractionally. “I wouldn�
�t know.”
“Oh, come now. You can be forthright with me,” she returned innocently. “I was under the impression that you and Gabriel were friends.”
“We are simple acquaintances, my lady,” Travell stated firmly. “However, even if we had a more in depth friendship that wouldn’t mean that I directed his thoughts or opinions.”
“I see.” She seemed to mull this over for a moment, before adding, “Even if it meant Triana’s reputation would suffer past the point of repair?”
His jaw tightened fractionally. “What exactly are you saying, Lady Worthington?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Only that I felt it important that you should know the duke was noticed leaving the ballroom—” She paused, lifting the corners of her lips rather smugly. “—and neither he, nor your sister, have been seen in quite some time.”
Travell didn’t reply, so she knew that he took her meaning.
She smiled sweetly, and then shook her head mournfully. “It would be dreadful if they were to get caught in a compromising position. Why, an occurrence of that magnitude would certainly tarnish her reputation more than any silly article ever could.” She paused meaningfully. “Just a friendly cautionary word, my lord.” With that parting remark, she sauntered back down the hallway, but not without throwing over her shoulder; “Do enjoy the rest of the party, Viscount Curdiff. I know I shall.”
***
With Gabriel’s arms around her, standing underneath a dark canvas of twinkling stars, Triana gave into the spell of the moment. “I want more, Gabriel.”
Something predatory flashed in the duke’s eyes before his mouth tightened. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me, Triana.”
He started to pull away, but she stopped his retreat with a gentle hand on his jaw. She could feel the strength under her gloved palm and knew it was because he was trying to control himself. The fact that she held that much power over him was incredibly heady. “Yes, I do,” she whispered confidently. “I want you to fill this ache inside of me.”
Gabriel didn’t move a single muscle. It was as if he were carved from stone. “I’m not the man for you, Triana.” His eyes were stern. “Rest assured I’ll break your heart.”
She refused to accept that, and whether or not it was true she would deal with the consequences later. Right now, it was about the needs of a man and a woman and her love for him. “I may be innocent in many ways, Gabriel, but I’m not a child. I know what I want. And that’s you.”
He took a deep, fortifying breath. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
She smiled. “Then don’t let me go.”
Her softly spoken plea was his undoing. Without another word, Gabriel pulled her flush against him. He plunged his hands into her hair, causing more than one pin to go awry, and caught her mouth in a deep, drugging kiss that made her head whirl. She clutched his shoulders and sighed at the overwhelming sensations shooting through her body — hot one minute and shivering with excitement the next. Desire was a potent malady, but one she didn’t mind suffering in the least.
She rubbed her hands along the hard wall of his muscular chest, and wondered what his naked skin would feel like beneath her fingertips. For years she’d fantasized about what transpired between lovers, but until Gabriel came into her life, she had never wanted to explore that carnal world. But now — tonight — she intended for the handsome duke to teach her that exquisite intimacy, and she promised herself that she would be an apt pupil.
Gabriel’s hands roamed at will, setting every inch of her body on fire. But just as he began to lift up her skirts, feeling the cool air on the back of her legs, a twig snapped behind them.
Instantly, Gabriel pulled away and pushed Triana behind him — just as Travell appeared around the corner.
Triana’s face burned scalding hot. It was thoroughly embarrassing for her brother to find her in such a compromising position, but she knew if anyone else had happened upon them, she would be well and truly ruined, for there was no hiding the evidence of her tryst with Gabriel. No doubt her lips were still swollen from Gabriel’s torrid kisses… her skin rosy and flushed with unrequited desire...her hair hanging in disarray about her shoulders.
Travell’s face turned grim as he took in the scandalous scene before him. He looked at Triana, and she glanced away guiltily. “I might ask what the hell is going on here, but seeing as though I can hazard a rather thorough guess on my own—” He ran a hand through his hair. “We have to go, Tri. We haven’t much time—”
As if on cue, voices arose from the other side of the hedge, and Triana’s blood abruptly left her body. She reached up to try to repair her coiffure, but she knew it was no use. The damage had been done.
Everything that happened next seemed to play out in slow motion.
Her brother turned to Gabriel and said curtly, “You know what has to be done.” The duke replied with a barely perceptible nod — just as Lady Worthington turned the corner, along with Lady Trenton and two of the biggest gossips to ever cross the thresholds of London society.
***
“There you are, darling!” Cordelia casually strode up to Gabriel, although the triumphant sparkle in her green eyes gave her innocent manner away. “I was wondering where you’d ran off to—” She paused as she spied his companions. “Lord Curdiff, what a surprise… and Lady Triana — my gracious, dear. You look quite… disheveled.”
Lady Trenton’s mouth fell open, but Gabriel spoke up first, the words he was about to say nearly getting lodged in his throat. But as Travell said, he knew what he had to do. Adopting an arrogant prose, he murmured, “I regret being waylaid, my dear. I daresay I was on the cusp of winning a wager with Lord Vestry regarding my fair companion, before I was… interrupted.”
Triana made a sound between a sob and a gasp, but Gabriel didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. But he did see the two matrons standing nearby begin to flutter their fans furiously. “Tsk, tsk, Chiltern.” Cordelia arched a delicate brow, although her eyes flashed with mirth. “Do tell.”
Gabriel forced himself to wink at the marchioness. “I shall be glad to give you all the details. Perhaps somewhere more… private?”
Cordelia’s lips began to twitch with unsuppressed delight, while Gabriel was suffering a wash of guilt. He wanted to rail against the injustice of it all, but since he still needed to keep up appearances, he kept his face impassive. But that didn’t mean he didn’t hate his actions, nor himself, as much as he did in that moment. And never had he resented the fact he was a spy — until now.
Unfortunately, he realized he’d told Triana the truth.
He had broken her heart.
Travell finally stepped forward and took Triana by the hand. “I think it’s time we took our leave.”
They were halfway across the lawn before Lady Trenton shook herself out of her own stupor and followed in close pursuit.
The other two women continued to wave their fans wildly as they made their way back to the ballroom, likely to spread the latest gossip to any and all who would listen.
Gabriel carefully masked his true feelings, and turned to Cordelia with a lazy lift of his brow. “I do hope this doesn’t injure my association with Curdiff, for he was a capital fellow with prominent ties to Parliament, but surely he can understand the certain delights that a bachelor must enjoy.” Holding out his arm to Lady Worthington, he asked, “Shall we return to the ball?”
She hesitated only a moment before accepting. “Indeed, Your Grace. It’s nice to know I’m once again at the forefront of your attentions.”
***
Triana endured her brother’s stoic silence as he unceremoniously hauled her across the lawn and into their carriage, not bothering to pause in his stride long enough for it to be brought around. Her throat burned like acid at the carelessness of Gabriel’s words, although she wasn’t sure if she was more upset at him — or herself for wanting to believe in the fantasy she’d spun in her naiveté. Every time she thought he spoke the truth, his actions wou
ld prove otherwise and she would remember why she didn’t trust him, even if her heart yearned to do so.
When the countess joined them, she opened her mouth, intending to speak, but Triana feared she might very well burst into tears if she did.
Fortunately, Travell intervened and pinned Amelia to the seat with an outright glare. “Not a word, Mother.”
And for once, Lady Trenton complied.
The instant the barouche jerked to a halt in front of their stately brick townhouse, they all went inside without a single word, although the tension was so thick that it hung over them like a heavy cloak. The butler had the good sense not to remark on anyone’s silence, however odd, although he did stand by dutifully in case anyone might be in need of assistance. He needn’t have bothered, however, for Amelia instantly flounced off to her bedroom, while Travell half turned away from his sister and said, “A word, if you please,” before heading for his study.
Triana swallowed over the lump in her throat, but she slowly trailed behind him.
He instructed her to close the door, which she did, but she remained just inside the room, her hands clasped in front of her like a recalcitrant child. He stood with his back to her, tall and imposing near the solitary window that overlooked the street, the street lights outside casting his face in shadow. Not until the distinct sound of ice clinking on glass drifted to her ears, did Triana allow a single tear to escape. Her brother was never prone to consuming spirits like so many of his peers, unless something weighed heavily on his mind. She felt a rush of shame that she was the cause now.
Unable to bear the heavy silence any longer, she whispered, “Please say something, Travell.”
At first, she wasn’t sure if he’d heard her, but finally, he turned around. His face was expressionless, but when he spoke, his voice was clogged with emotion. “Why do you keep doing this to yourself, Triana?”
She jerked as if struck. “Travell, what happened tonight…”
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