A Gentleman Never Tells(52)
Gabrielle looked out the foggy windowpane and continued her dreams of Lord Brentwood. She remembered how eagerly she had anticipated seeing him, how fast her heart beat at the sight of him, and the feeling of those wondrous sensations low in her abdomen and across her breasts when his hand touched hers as they stepped onto the dance floor. She loved the feel of his strong embrace as he guided them through the steps of the complicated waltz. And as much as she hated to admit it to herself, she could hardly wait for the day of their afternoon in the park.
“There you are, Gabby,” Rosa said, hurrying into the room. “I didn’t see you at first. What are you doing over here in the corner?”
Gabrielle smiled, picked up her embroidery from her lap, and held it up. “Does this give you a hint?”
Rosa looked down at it and said, “Oh, yes. Nice stitches. Would you take the time to read this and give me your opinion?”
Gabrielle laid her work on the table by the lamp, took the sheet of foolscap from Rosa, and read:
My Dearest Staunton,
I have missed you and long to see you.
Where and when can we meet?
I wait for word from you.
Your forever love
A feeling of dread settled over Gabrielle. She looked up into Rosabelle’s young, eager eyes. She saw a raw desperation in her sister’s face that worried her.
“Rosa, I don’t think you want to send this note.”
Rosabelle’s mouth tightened. “Of course I do.”
Gabrielle knew she had to be careful with what she said. “What if it falls into the wrong hands?”
An irritated wrinkle formed on Rosa’s brow. “What if it does? I didn’t sign it. Staunton will know it’s from me, but no one else will.”
Gabrielle rose from her chair. “True, but it is very risky for you to suggest the two of you should plan to meet in secret.”
“Yes, but it can be done.”
Treading lightly, Gabrielle asked, “Has he contacted you?”
Rosa bit down on her bottom lip and then said, “No, I haven’t heard from him in over two weeks, and I don’t know why. I think I’ll go completely mad if I don’t see him soon.”
“You might well, but this secrecy is not the way to see him. Auntie and I will be going to Mr. and Mrs. Cuddlebury’s dinner party on Saturday night. Staunton will probably be there too. I think you should plan to attend with us and see him there, as is proper.”
“What? That’s almost a week away, Gabby. I can’t wait that long. I won’t wait that long.” Rosabelle snatched the note from Gabrielle’s hand. “I should have known you wouldn’t understand, and you wouldn’t want me to see him.”
Her belligerence startled Gabrielle. “Rosa—”
“No, don’t say it,” Rosa demanded. “You always say you understand, but you never do, Gabby. You have always been jealous of me, and now you are jealous of Staunton’s love for me.”
Gabrielle was speechless for a moment. “That is simply not true. I’m happy you have found true love.”
“Then why don’t you want me to see him?” she asked petulantly.
Gabrielle was trying to hold on to her patience. “I don’t care if you see him. I want you to see him. Just not in secret. I asked that you go with us to Lady Windham’s last night. Staunton was there, and you could have seen him the proper way.”
Rosabelle’s eyes widened, and her face instantly changed from peevish resentment to eager delight. She grabbed Gabrielle’s hands in hers and asked, “What did he say, Gabby? Did he ask about me? I know he did. Oh, I could just scream at myself! Why didn’t I go?”
“Rosa, settle down. I saw him only from a distance as he was leaving. I didn’t speak to him.”
“Did the poor dear look absolutely miserable, like me? He’s probably pining away for me. I must see him soon or I shall die.”
“And you shall see him, Rosa, but it has to be under the proper circumstances. You cannot meet him in secret.”
“Of course I can.” She dropped Gabrielle’s hands as if they were a hot poker. “You’ve done it. You met with Lord Brentwood in the park while you were still engaged to Staunton, so I don’t think I need any lectures from you.”