A Gentleman Never Tells(33)

Brent was enjoying the conversation between the two ladies, who were as different as night and day. The first time Mrs. Potter spoke, Brent knew she was nothing like her niece.

“No doubt you are the reason she wanted to come to the park so early this morning, so I’ll allow her five minutes to talk to you while my maid pours me another cup of chocolate. But next time, Gabby, don’t make up a story about a poor lost dog. Just tell me you desire to see your handsome viscount, and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

Lady Gabrielle opened her mouth as if to counter her aunt’s words but turned toward Brent instead when she heard his chuckle.

Brent held up his hand to stop her from speaking, and she pressed her lips together. He allowed his gaze to drift lazily over her lovely face. Lady Gabrielle let out a sighing breath. Her taut shoulders relaxed, obviously realizing he wasn’t offended by her aunt.

“Don’t let your aunt’s comments disturb you. I find her refreshing and charming, and I don’t, for a moment, believe you came to the park to see me.”

“Thank you for that, my lord, it is true.”

“But did you come to the park just to look for Prissy?”

A wrinkle of concern formed between her eyes. “I must admit I hardly slept a wink last night. I’ve been anxious about her since you told me she was missing. Have you found her?”

“Not yet, but I’m still hopeful.”

Lady Gabrielle’s frown deepened. “I feel responsible for her disappearance and was hoping if I came to the park that, perhaps, I could find her for you. Brutus has a very good nose. I fear she may have somehow gotten trapped or tangled up with her leash or…”

She didn’t finish the sentence, though Brent could imagine what she wanted to say but had then thought better of it. He’d found himself thinking the same thing more than once. And while he would love to blame Lady Gabrielle for Prissy’s running away, in truth only he was to blame.

“I’m the one who let go of her leash. I know she’s prone to be a wanderer, and that’s why I have never trusted any of the servants to walk her. If she can get away and explore, she will. Her disappearance is in no way your fault.”

“That’s kind of you to say.” Her eyes searched the distance behind him. “I’m afraid the only thing I’ve found is this is a very big park when you are looking for a little dog.”

“That’s what I’ve found, too.”

Brent couldn’t help but be touched by her concern for Prissy, but knowing how much she liked dogs, he wasn’t surprised.

“How long have you been out here?” he asked.

“Though Auntie Bethie would lead you to believe we’ve been here hours, we haven’t been here that long,” she said and lowered her lashes over her eyes so he couldn’t see in their depths.

Brent didn’t believe her. The tip of her nose and crest of her cheeks were dark pink from the cold. Mrs. Potter was shivering from the chilly wind. However, he couldn’t help but be impressed Lady Gabrielle came out on this windy day just to look for his dog. He was quite certain he had never met another young lady who would trouble herself to do that on such a cold morning.

He took a step closer, lowered his voice, and said, “I’m glad to see you are properly chaperoned this time.”

She lifted her chin in quiet defiance. “I do try to never make the same mistake twice, my lord.”

“That’s good to know.”

Their gazes held a moment longer than was necessary, and then she said, “Your injuries look better today.”

He gave her what he knew was a crooked smile and shifted his hat from one hand to the other. “You think so? I thought a monster was looking back at me when I was shaving this morning.”

“It seems I still have things to apologize for. I’m sorry about what Muggs and Lord Austerhill’s footman did, as well.”

Brent threw a quick glance to the beefy man sitting on the driver’s bench as he touched the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “Don’t be. It was a small price to pay for a few kisses.”

“You two are going to have to speak up if you want me to hear you,” Mrs. Potter called.

Lady Gabrielle glanced back toward the carriage with a smile and said, “We are only talking about the weather, Auntie.”

“Ah, that’s what I thought,” she answered and then chuckled. “In that case, carry on.”