A Gentleman Never Tells(40)
In the large foyer, the attendant helped Gabrielle and her aunt take off their velvet cloaks. From where she stood, Gabrielle could see into the drawing room and down the corridor. She quickly scanned the area to see if she could catch a glimpse of Lord Brentwood. When she saw no sign of him among the crush of people spilling into the rooms, she relaxed a little.
“Tell me, dearest, how are you feeling now that you are here?” Auntie Bethie asked her.
Gabrielle turned to her aunt, who was dressed in a puce-colored gown adorned with three flounces on the skirt and the sleeves. An elaborate necklace of gold and garnets was fastened around her neck, and large garnets were clipped to her ears. In her red hair, she wore a comb that had been festooned with ribbons and short-cropped pheasant feathers.
Long ago, Gabrielle had learned how to adapt and to accept whatever situation she was in at the time, so she gave her aunt a smile of confidence and said, “I feel exceptional, Auntie.”
Her aunt’s dark brown eyes gleamed with happiness. “That’s what I wanted to hear. You are doing the right thing, my dear, by coming out to the parties. When a person shies away from Society, it’s natural for people to think it’s because they have something to hide.”
Gabrielle pursed her lips and thought on that. “I suppose you are right.”
“I know I’m right. Now, who are those two young ladies I see standing over by that clock, trying desperately not to let me know they are trying to get your attention?”
Gabrielle laughed softly as she caught sight of her two friends motioning for her to join them. Fern Crenshaw was a lovely red-haired young lady who had married right after the Season ended and was blissfully happy with her new husband and the baby that was expected next spring. Babs Whitehouse was a voluptuous golden-haired beauty and an outrageous flirt who had turned down more than three offers for her hand this past Season. She was constantly admonishing Gabrielle for her prim and proper ways.
“No doubt they are eager to hear what has been happening in my life.”
“I’m sure they’ve heard the gossip their parents have brought home to them, and they are ready to hear the truth from you, should you decide to divulge more of it to them than you have to me.”
“Never, Auntie,” Gabrielle said with a sly smile.
Her aunt winked at her. “Go to them. I’ll be watching you from one of the chairs around the dance floor. Enjoy yourself, and I’ll find you whenever I’m ready to leave.”
Gabrielle leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Auntie. I don’t know what I would have done without you these past few days.”
“You would have managed and done the right thing. You always do. Now, remember what I said about holding your head high, and go have a wonderful evening. You deserve it.”
“Auntie, there’s only one thing I’m concerned about.”
Her gaze searched Gabrielle’s with concern. “What’s that?”
“I haven’t talked to Staunton since our marriage was canceled. What should I say to him if he is here? Should I apologize to him?”
“For what?” her aunt asked a little too loudly.
Gabrielle quickly put her finger to her lips and whispered, “Not too loud, Auntie. It seems to me that might be the proper thing to do, since I was in the park alone with Lord Brentwood.”
Auntie Bethie gave her a gentle smile, and in a softer voice said, “And just like your mother, you always want to do the proper thing. She would have been so proud of you. Tell me, are you the one who called off the engagement, or did he?”
Gabrielle thought about that. “That might be up for debate. I believe it was actually his father, Lord Austerhill, who called it off, but as you know it was because of what I did.”
Her aunt pursed her lips for a moment. “Hmm, in that case, I’m going to counsel you the way I think your mother would have had she been here instead of me, because I would probably say to you never apologize.” She laughed softly for a moment and then said, “But I can remember your mother once saying to me, ‘My dear Bethie, there are two things that are never out of line, out of place, or out of time—an apology and a thank you. You can never go wrong saying I’m sorry or thank you.’”
Her aunt’s remembered words from her mother brought a happy sadness to Gabrielle, and she smiled. “Thank you, Auntie. I think I know what I need to do.”
Babs and Fern didn’t wait for Gabrielle to reach them. When they saw her heading their way, they ran to meet her, excitedly throwing questions at her without giving her time to answer any of them.