A Gentleman Never Tells(34)
“Your aunt is a very astute person.”
“I can see she amuses you. Some people, including my father, find her crude and offensive at times.”
“Everyone’s nature is different.”
“I know, but she has shocked most everyone in the ton at one time or another with her loose tongue.”
Brent nodded. “I’m sure. Has she lived with you since your mother’s death?”
“Good heavens no,” Lady Gabrielle said. “Not that I would have minded. I would much rather have had her than the string of governesses we’ve had over the years. But she and my father can’t tolerate each other for very long, and they stay away from each other as much as possible.”
“But he allows her to visit.”
“Yes, once or twice a year. She arrived in London just yesterday. She was going to help with last-minute preparations for the wedding.”
Brent watched Lady Gabrielle’s face carefully. There wasn’t even the tiniest bit of disappointment or bitterness showing in her eyes or voice when she mentioned the canceled wedding. That sort of thing would have devastated most young ladies. He couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t wanted to marry the earl’s son and why she was willing to elicit the aid of a complete stranger to make sure the wedding wouldn’t take place. That puzzled him immensely. He’d tried to get her to tell him when they talked yesterday. She was keeping that bit of information to herself, for now, but Brent intended to find out the answer.
“When I talked to your father yesterday, he mentioned your sister. I take it that, since she’s not with you, she doesn’t enjoy early morning jaunts to the park like you do.”
Brent watched a faraway look come to Lady Gabrielle’s eyes, as if she were remembering some private pain she didn’t want to surface, and he wondered what it was about the mention of her sister that brought such a look of sadness and contemplation to her face.
“Her name is Rosabelle,” she finally said. “Not even as a small child did Rosabelle want to start her day early or in a hurry. She has always wanted to stay up all night and sleep all day.”
“My mother was like that until she was given Prissy. That dog changed her life. She didn’t trust the servants to walk her, so she was up at dawn almost every morning to make sure Pris had her stroll.”
Lady Gabrielle lowered her lashes over her eyes, as if shielding what she felt from him. He hadn’t meant to bring up Prissy again.
“Gabby,” her aunt called, “I do believe it’s time for us to go. I’m going to catch a death chill if we stay out here any longer. Lord Brentwood?”
“Yes, madame?” he said, looking over Lady Gabrielle’s shoulder at the woman.
“We are planning to be at Lady Windham’s party on Saturday night. Will you be there?”
“Yes,” he said at the same time Lady Gabrielle walked closer to the carriage and said, “No, Auntie.”
“He just said yes,” Mrs. Potter contended.
“I mean no for me. I will not be attending any parties for the foreseeable future.”
The older woman’s brow wrinkled, and her lip curled up curiously. “That’s pure poppycock.”
Lady Gabrielle glanced back to Brent before saying, “There’s bound to be talk, Auntie.”
“Of course there will, but you have to treat it like falling off a horse. If one throws you, you get right back on and ride him again to overcome your fear. That’s what you shall do in this case. Besides, the best way to confront scandal and gossip in Society is to face it head on and dare them to breathe it to your face. I will not allow you to hide away in your house and feel as if you have been shunned by Society. No, it won’t happen as long as I am here.” She turned back to the viscount. “We all know gossip travels fast, don’t we, my lord?”
“Yes, madame.”
“I’ve hardly been in Town twenty-four hours and I’ve already heard about your twin brothers. Interesting fellows they must be.”
“Society seems infatuated with them, and I must admit they are not shying away but enjoying the attention.”
“See, Gabrielle. That’s how you handle scandal. Will they be attending Lady Windham’s party with you?”
“I’ve not talked to them personally about it, but they will probably be there, too.”
“Good. They can help keep you out of trouble. Judging from what little I know about your rendezvous with Gabby, I believe there will be a certain amount of unflattering talk when both of you appear at the same party for the first time. You must keep your wits, she must keep her head held high, and you both must resist the urge to fight back verbally or otherwise. It will only invigorate and prolong the gossip and enlarge the scandal. It will do more harm, and I would say the two of you have done quite enough already, wouldn’t you, Lord Brentwood?”