A Gentleman Never Tells(71)
“No,” Gabrielle whispered, not wanting to hear any more from him.
“Yes! Why shouldn’t I accept her kisses and caresses when I couldn’t get my fiancée to allow me one little kiss?”
“That’s not true. Staunton, you know I allowed you to kiss me.”
“You gave me chaste little kisses that meant nothing and didn’t have enough fire in them to stir passion in either of us. And I had to ask myself, how could Rosa be so hot-blooded when you were always so timid and cold? Every time I tried to kiss you, you rebuffed me as if you were too special for me to touch.”
Gabrielle felt breathless and light-headed. “No, that’s not true,” she said but knew her words rang false.
She stared into his confident blue eyes and realized he had gone after Rosa when he didn’t get what he wanted from her.
She had never wanted to marry Staunton. She wanted only to obey her father, because that was expected of her. She had never felt passion when she was with Staunton but had expected it would come after they married. But now that she had tasted desire from the lips and touch of Lord Brentwood, she knew the passion Staunton wanted from her would have never come.
“Of course it is, and now I know why you didn’t want to marry me. You wanted a title. The youngest son of a wealthy earl was not good enough for you, so you went out and snared a viscount for yourself.”
Is that really what he thought about her? Gabrielle inhaled, breathing the cold air deep into her lungs, clearing her head and her throat.
“Staunton, hear me well,” she said calmly but firmly. “As you said, I am the daughter of a duke, a powerful duke, and I’m not afraid to use his power or his influence. Stay away from my sister, or I will see to it you will not find a mama in London who will let you come near her daughter.”
His eyes narrowed and twitched. “Are you threatening me, Gabby?”
She smiled. “Yes, I am. And, Staunton, it’s Lady Gabrielle when you are speaking to me.”
Gabrielle turned and started walking back toward her aunt. Her legs were shaky, but inside she felt strong knowing Staunton was wrong. She was filled to overflowing with passion. Brent had proved that to her.
And Gabrielle knew just whom to speak to about Staunton if he dared try to see Rosa in secret again. She’d heard Lady Windham took to her sick bed after her last party because Staunton had dared cause a scene in her home. Lady Windham was already predisposed to be wary of him, and if Gabrielle told her he was enticing young ladies into ruination, no doubt she’d be happy to spread the word to the pushy mamas in London.
But how would Rosa take his absence? Would she write him another note and try to see him in secret even though she had promised not to?
There was no way Gabrielle could watch Rosa every minute. Gabrielle would ask her maid, Petra, to help her keep an eye on Rosa’s whereabouts.
Fourteen
Jealousy is the only vice that gives no pleasure.
—Anonymous
The Cuddlebury’s house was filled to overflowing with elegantly dressed ladies and dapper-looking gentlemen chatting, laughing, and dancing under a brightly lit chandelier. Perhaps the lively mood of the gathering was because December was only a few days away and everyone was feeling the need to celebrate the festive season early. The music hadn’t stopped all evening, and from her aunt’s side at the far end of the dance floor, Gabrielle hadn’t stopped watching Rosabelle. Her sister seemed to be having a delightful time. She had already danced with three different gentlemen. But every once in a while, Gabrielle would catch Rosa watching the entrance to the room.
Her sister had been eager to come to the party and had spent the entire afternoon getting ready for the affair, Gabrielle knew, in hopes of seeing Staunton. If he arrived, she was determined to see he didn’t sneak into the garden with Rosabelle.
Gabrielle had worried over what to do since her egregious meeting with Staunton yesterday afternoon. She had vacillated too many times to count on whether she should tell Rosa that Staunton didn’t love her or remain quiet but watchful. She had wondered how Rosa would react if she did. Would she fly into a rage, slip into a depression, or do something crazy like go see him? But in the end, she didn’t tell Rosa because she feared Rosa wouldn’t believe her. Gabrielle came to the conclusion there was no use in expecting Rosa to give up her dreams of marrying Staunton; Staunton would have to give up Rosa. And if he didn’t do that soon, Gabrielle knew what she had to do.