Chapter Sixteen
“Isuppose itwas my turn to receive a cryptic summons.”Gabriel arched a brow as he strode into Henley’s office.
It was an ironic turn of events, one that made him grin slightly.Life was nothing if not repetitive; however, he found himself quite curious as to why Henley had requested a meeting.The office was a masculine haven, all dark mahogany and leather-bound books, the faint scent of tobacco and ink lingering in the air, a stark contrast to the chaos of his own thoughts about a certain lady.
Henley stood as Gabriel entered.“Ah, yes, it is quite similar, is it not?Even the subject matter, to a certain extent.”He gestured to a chair, his shoulders tight and the amusement strained in his tone.
Immediately, Gabriel was on edge, curious as to what was on Henley’s mind.“Is all well?”
“Yes,” Henley answered, too quickly.“Or will be.”He ran a finger through his hair and speared Gabriel with an exasperated look.“If and when I have a daughter, I pray she is less work than my sister.Heaven help me.”
“Oh.So we are discussing Lady Peregrine.”
“Yes, again.”
Gabriel didn’t offer a reply; it wasn’t as if he should admit just how much he liked discussing the fascinating lady in question.Her sharp wit, that defiant spark in her eyes, had haunted him since Drury Lane, where her hand in his had felt like both a promise and a peril.
“I must request your assistance, once again.”
“I’m happy to be of service.”
“You might want to wait to say that till you know just what kind of service I’m requesting aid in.”
Gabriel chuckled but kept his peace.If it pertained to Lady Peregrine, as long as Henley didn’t wish him to stay away, he would seize any opportunity as an excuse to be in her company.He inwardly scolded himself for being so easily captured, but there was nothing for it now.He was at least willing to admit that much to himself.The admission was a bitter draught, yet sweeter than denying the pull she exerted, like a star drawing him into its orbit.
“There is a rumor.”
“Always a boon.”
Henley shot him a look that begged him to be silent, and Gabriel smirked and leaned back, but held his tongue, waving for him to continue.
“That I suspect was circulated by a certain widow that was intercepted by my sister… not sure how all that went down; however, the rumor calls into question your intentions toward my sister and puts my sister’s reputation in a less than pristine light.”
“I see.”Hawthorne leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.“And you’d have me assist by…” He wasn’t sure how Henley would try to rectify the situation; however, Gabriel had his own thoughts on the subject.
It would be a simple remedy to simply offer for her, here, now, with her brother so clearly pinned in a difficult situation.He couldn’t, rather, wouldn’t likely, refuse him… but that didn’t speak for Lady Peregrine’s affections.And that thought gave him pause, so he held his tongue.He had accused her of manipulating the situation; he’d not be accused of the same thing, and rightfully so, if he pressed Henley’s hand.The idea of a forced proposal soured in his mind, a betrayal of the honesty she championed at Drury Lane, where her words on vulnerability had cut him deeper than any flirtation.
No, this would need to take more than an opportunistic circumstance; he knew Lady Peregrine well enough to know she’d never be confident in his affections, should she even return them, if it was forced.
No, it had to be won.
But, just maybe, Henley was offering him the perfect foil for such a gamble.
“Would I ask too much, for you to direct your friendship with my sister to a more public camaraderie, so that the gossip would find no other reason to question her?Even she admits that you two are indeed friends, and showing the ton that side of your personality would hopefully suspend and extinguish any other whispers.”
Gabriel bit back a grin.“Yes, we are indeed friends, of sorts.At times I’m quite certain she’d do me bodily harm, but yes, I suppose that’s a friendship.”Gabriel didn’t add that he usually didn’t kiss friends, but in Lady Peregrine’s case, he’d make an exception every time.
A situation, he decided, that needed to be repeated upon first opportunity.And, if he was to be in her company and present that it was a welcome and expected proximity, then the opportunity would come quite soon.However, it did throw into sharp relief how he’d need to be overly cautious, because if the whispers were already surrounding them, he’d have to make sure they ended and not compromise her reputation more.He would be walking a tightrope of desire, but the reward was worthy of the risk.The prospect of her nearness, her laughter, her defiance, was a prize he’d never known he wanted until it threatened to consume him.
“Are you in agreement, then?”Henley asked.
And Gabriel realized he hadn’t actually given any verbal approval.
“Yes, I suppose I’ll survive prolonged exposure to her wit and stepping on my toes when I vex her during a waltz.”Gabriel schooled his features to hide just how delighted he was at the prospect.
“Thank you.”
“I suppose you’re attending somewhere tonight.Which ball, and I’ll be sure to run headlong into the fray.”
