“You may leave now.”
“Of course,” John said cheerfully. “Though if a certain blonde governess appears, do try not to make a fool of yourself. The evening has just begun.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “Leave.”
Still chuckling, John finally retreated into the crowd. Gabriel shook his head and wondered why he continued to maintain friendships at all. Then a sudden hush seemed to ripple through part of the hall. Conversations faltered. Several heads turned towards the staircase. Instinctively, Gabriel followed their gaze.
And forgot how to breathe.
Amelia was descending the staircase.
For one long moment, everything else simply disappeared. The conversations, the music, the guests, and even his own thoughts faded into distant noise. Her blue silk gown caught the glow of the chandeliers with every graceful step she took. The delicate white lace at her sleeves softened the elegance of the dress, while her blonde hair had been arranged in a style that revealed the graceful curve of her neck. The blue of the gown somehow made her blue eyes appear even brighter.
Gabriel’s chest tightened painfully.
Good God.
He had known she would look beautiful. He had purchased the gown himself. Yet nothing had prepared him for this.
His gaze lingered far longer than it should have. Every instinct urged him to cross the room at once. Every sensible thought reminded him why that was a terrible idea. Amelia deserved a life untouched by his fears and his family history. She deserved certainty, warmth, and happiness. Instead, all Gabriel could offer was a man who spent half his life terrified of becoming his father.
Beside him, Valerie stared openly. “Oh.”
The single word broke Gabriel from his thoughts.
Valerie blinked several times before glancing at him. “She looks beautiful.”
Gabriel swallowed. “She does.”
Valerie slowly turned towards him. “You said that rather quickly.”
Gabriel immediately regretted speaking. Fortunately, several guests approached before Valerie could continue. A middle-aged lady accompanied by her husband smiled politely.
“Lady Valerie,” the woman said, “I hope you shall introduce us to that lovely young lady. Who is she?”
Valerie glanced towards Amelia. “Miss Shirley?”
“Yes,” the woman replied. “Who is she exactly?”
Gabriel opened his mouth to answer, but Valerie beat him to it.
“Miss Amelia Shirley is my friend,” Valerie said proudly, lifting her chin. “She came to stay at Anderton Manor on my personal invitation. She serves as David’s governess and is also a very dear friend to our family, and coming from nobility herself, we do not exclude her from such occasions.”
The woman’s brows lifted.
Valerie continued without hesitation. “In fact,” she added, glancing briefly towards Amelia, “she is far more than merely a governess.”
Gabriel felt something unexpectedly powerful stir inside his chest.
Pride. Pure, uncomplicated pride.
Not long ago, Valerie would have hidden behind him rather than speak so confidently to strangers. Now, she stood tall, graceful, and self-assured before an entire room of guests. Amelia had helped make that possible. Somehow, through patience, kindness, and sheer stubbornness, she had reached places in Valerie and David that Gabriel had never known how to reach himself.
His gaze returned to Amelia.
She was speaking politely with several guests now, though he noticed the slight uncertainty in her smile. She was still uncomfortable being the center of attention. Somehow, that only made her more beautiful.
Before he could lose his nerve, Gabriel stepped away from the receiving line.
