A Gentleman Never Tells(69)
Gabrielle kept her eyes on Staunton’s proud figure. “Absolutely not, Auntie. I will not be apologizing to him for anything, I assure you. No, it’s quite a different matter I need to discuss with the earl’s son.” Gabrielle looked over at her aunt and patted her fur muff. “Thank you for being patient with me and for being so willing to put up with my strange habits. I don’t know what I would have done if you had not come and Papa had not gone away.”
Her aunt reached over and gave her a rare kiss on the cheek, and Gabrielle gasped with delight. “What was that for?”
Auntie Bethie’s eyes softened. “For all the times I’ve wanted to be there for you and couldn’t. Now go, talk to this man and say whatever you must. I will shiver right here until you return.”
Gabrielle’s heart swelled in her chest, and she gave her aunt a heartfelt smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Muggs helped Gabrielle down from the carriage as Staunton dismounted and, holding his riding crop, sauntered up to the carriage.
“Lady Gabrielle.” Staunton stopped in front of her, took off his hat, and bowed rather stiffly. He then placed his hat under his arm. “It’s nice to see you. I must say your loveliness brightens an otherwise gloomy day.”
“Thank you, Staunton. You remember my aunt, Mrs. Potter, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. How could I forget such a lovely lady? You are looking as beautiful as ever, Mrs. Potter. I trust you are well.”
“Quite well, Mr. Staunton. Thank you.”
Gabrielle looked at Staunton and said, “Perhaps you’ll take a short walk with me. You don’t mind, do you, Auntie?”
“Not as long as you don’t get out of my sight and you don’t take too long.”
“I promise not to do either, Auntie.”
Gabrielle and Staunton walked away from the carriage. It was the first time Gabrielle had ever noticed that although Staunton was broad in the shoulders, he wasn’t much taller than she was. With his light blue eyes and sandy brown hair, she’d always thought him attractive. She had easily agreed with her father when he’d said there was much to recommend him. And it was true that his station in life and handsome face made him a sought-after match for many young ladies.
But looking at him now, Gabrielle knew she’d never felt any womanly desire for him. She had never felt that all-consuming, breathless excitement of wanting. She had that feeling the first time she caught sight of Brent. And it hadn’t gone away. If anything, her feelings for him had only grown stronger.
It pained her to have to continue to find ways to make herself unattractive to Brent, when all she really wanted was to make herself so appealing to him he would forget about the way they had met. She wanted him to forget her father threatened to ruin his brothers’ business. She wanted him to feel for her all the things she felt for him.
But she knew from experience life was seldom so accommodating.
“How are you, Staunton?” she said after they were well out of her aunt’s hearing.
“I suppose I’m as well as can be expected, considering all I’ve been through.”
“Well, you are looking quite fit.”
He smiled. “Thank you,” he said and then added, “It’s truly been quite hellish the past couple of weeks, but I’ve withstood the jokes and damning wagers that are cropping up all over London. I do believe the gossip is easing now.”
She wanted to say she was sorry for what he’d been through but couldn’t find it within herself to do it. “Thank you for coming to meet me, Staunton.”
“I rather expected I would hear from you sooner or later.”
Obviously Rosa had told him she knew about the two of them. “Good. That should make what I have to say easier.”
“Easier?” He laughed. “No, Gabby, I’m pleased you came to your senses and wanted to meet with me to discuss what happened and what will happen now, but you need to know I am not of a mind to make it easy for you. Why should I, after the stunt you pulled in the park with the viscount and the extreme embarrassment you caused me?”
Her brows drew together quizzically. That sounded odd. Did that mean he was going to fight her father about having their engagement annulled?
“But this isn’t about me, Staunton.”
“Isn’t it? Your behavior was shameful. An apology about now would be appropriate.”
Gabrielle pursed her lips and hesitated as she stared at his smug expression. Apparently he wanted an apology to soothe his bruised self-esteem before he would talk about Rosa. She really didn’t want to say she was sorry, because she wasn’t. She was happy they were no longer engaged, and he should be too.