A Gentleman Never Tells(68)
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“Yes, and even though it was an accidental meeting, it has led to disastrous consequences for both of us.”
Rosa walked over to the bed and picked up her sleeping gown, putting her back to Gabrielle. “Your situation really doesn’t matter to me at the moment, Gabby. I’ll just have to make sure you don’t catch me next time. Now if you don’t mind, I would appreciate your leaving my room. I’m ready to put on my night rail and sleep so I can dream about Staunton.”
Frustration with Rosa burned inside Gabrielle, and she grabbed her sister’s arms and turned her around. Rosa’s foolishness and impulsive behavior had gone too far. “I cannot allow you to be this flippant about your reputation. I will have to tell Papa and ask him to send you to one of his country estates where you will never see Staunton again.”
Rosa stiffened. “You wouldn’t.”
“Of course I will,” Gabrielle said coldly, thinking only about how much she detested Staunton for preying on Rosa’s affection for him.
Her sister’s blue eyes sparkled with apprehension, and her bottom lip trembled. “Please tell me you won’t tell Papa about me and Staunton. I promise never to meet him in secret again.”
Within seconds, Rosa went from a self-assured young lady, determined to get her way, to looking and sounding like a frightened child begging not to be punished. For a moment, as Gabrielle stared at her sister, she was tempted to give in and agree she wouldn’t tell the duke. But Brent came to her mind, and Gabrielle knew she couldn’t. She had given up too much already in order to save Rosa’s reputation. She would not let Staunton ruin it now.
“If I even suspect you are slipping out again to meet Staunton, or anyone else, I will not even tell you I know. I will go straight to Papa and let him deal with you.”
Gabrielle turned and walked out, knowing she couldn’t wait to have a talk tomorrow with Mr. Alfred Staunton.
***
Gabrielle watched Auntie Bethie shiver as the carriage bumped along the uneven terrain of St. James Park. They had spent several hours touring homes for lease in different areas of London, but her aunt wasn’t ready to make a decision to settle on any of them. There were few carriages in St. James, so Gabrielle had hoped to spot Staunton quickly, but there had been no such luck. They’d been riding the carriage path for almost an hour with no sign of her former fiancé. Gabrielle was beginning to think they had missed him or he’d decided not to meet her.
“Why must I suffer through another cold ride around this dreary park?” her aunt complained as Muggs allowed the horses to plod along slowly.
Deciding to be truthful, Gabrielle said, “If you must know, Auntie, I’m looking for someone.”
“Oh, fiddle faddle, Gabby! I know that. Why can’t you just invite the viscount for afternoon tea? It’s much warmer in the drawing room than out here. The damp air is threatening rain.”
“It’s not Lord Brentwood I am looking for this time,” Gabrielle admitted.
“Oh,” her aunt said, sounding surprised. “Has another young blade caught your eye?”
“No, no, Auntie, not this one for sure, but you must believe me when I tell you what I’m doing is very important.”
“I do believe you, dearie. I just don’t know why you want to conduct your affairs in the parks so blasted often. It’s not summer, you know. It’s not even spring, and it is damn cold out here.”
Gabrielle pulled the blanket farther up her aunt’s chest and tucked it around her neck. “Oh, Auntie, I would be happy to ride alone if I could, but you know I can’t, so I must bring you with me. We’ll stay only a few minutes more, I promise. Shall I pour you more chocolate?”
“No, I feel like I will float away if I drink any more before I find a chamber pot!” Auntie Bethie laughed at her remark and huddled down into the folds of the blanket.
Gabrielle joined her aunt’s laughter as they rounded a bend on the west side of the park. When Gabrielle looked up, she saw Staunton sitting on his horse not far away. His back was ramrod straight and his chin lifted in an arrogant tilt.
“It’s about time,” she spoke softly under her breath, feeling relief he’d arrived.
She leaned up to Muggs and said, “That’s Mr. Alfred Staunton ahead of us. Please stop when we get near him and help me down.”
As she settled back in her seat, her aunt said, “So I now see who you wanted to meet, but I have no idea why. You don’t intend to apologize to him after the way he attacked Lord Brentwood at Lady Windham’s party, do you?”