Page 5 of Unmask Me My Love

Gabriella held her breath. The young valet obviously wanted to help her. A nudge in the correct place, and he might be tempted enough. “I have heard my mistress speak of this Duke of Rother.” She pointed to the handsome man, who quite took her breath away. Never had she dreamed he would be so dashing. “She says he is the most distinguished and commanding of men. Now I see him for myself, I know she did not lie. Il est très beau, non? And since I have seen this duke, this is the one I wish to meet.” She stared at him, daring him to dispute her words. “Is there any other English duke so attractive? So splendid? So noble?”

“I grant you, the duke is a fine specimen of an English nobleman.” Monsieur Carpenter’s face had paled. “However, this may prove more difficult than I first believed.”

“Will you help me, monsieur?” Artifice gone, Gabriella spoke from her heart.

He closed his eyes and nodded. “I will speak to my master about it. If anyone can arrange it, he can.” A long pause, and the valet opened his deep brown eyes and sighed.

“Oh, monsieur. Merci, merci.” She flung her arms around him. At last, she would meet the Duke of Rother. Before she thought, her mouth found his in a kiss of pure jubilation.

Then everything changed. His soft, insistent lips sent a thrill through her she’d not experienced before. Relaxing against him, she gave herself over to pure pleasure as their mouths dissolved into one another. A delightful heat sizzled in her veins. She should not have been enjoying this, yet the tingles he caused to skitter up and down her spine could not be denied.

At last, he broke the kiss and stepped back. “That was the loveliest thank you I’ve ever received.”

Gabriella came slowly back to the balcony, the music, and thanked God for the dimness of the candles, half burned out in their sconces on the wall. Heat seared her cheeks, and she danced back from this stranger. “I beg your pardon, Monsieur Carpenter. You made me forget myself.”

“You can forget yourself with me any time you like, Mademoiselle d’Aventure.” He grinned and lifted her chin so she had no choice but to look him in the face. “How may I contact you?”

She jerked her chin away. “Oh, non, monsieur.” Gabriella retreated until her back hit the wall behind her. Wax flew, and the candle flame sputtered. She must put an immediate end to any romantic notions this valet had about her. Nothing must come between her and her goal.

“You have been very kind, but do not think that because of that one kiss—”

“I will need to contact you, Mademoiselle d’Aventure, to inform you of my master’s progress with your request to meet the duke.” The insufferable man’s face twitched with laughter. He at least had the good manners not to laugh in her face. “Where may I send you word?” His brown eyes glinted with amusement still.

Gabriella sniffed. So what if he thought her a fool? The one thing that mattered was arranging the meeting with the duke. “Ah, oui.” She raised her head as though nothing had occurred. “La comtesse is staying here with Lady Hamilton, a connection of her late husband, the Earl of Chalgrove. You may send a note to her servants’ quarters, and I shall get it.” She would alert the housekeeper that she was expecting a letter. The woman was stern but had been civil to her so far.

“Do you know if your mistress will attend Lady Atherton’s musical evening, day after tomorrow?” His tone and eyes were eager.

“I believe that she has accepted that invitation. Why?”

“Can you manage to accompany her there?”

Gabriella frowned. “There is nothing to arrange. Lady Chalgrove insists I attend all functions with her, in case there is an emergency with her toilette.” She shook her head, laughing. “Once, she told me, she attended a ball without her maid and during the first dance her partner tore her gown. The lady’s maid of the household could not repair the tear and la comtesse was forced to leave the ball early. Since that day, she insists on her maid accompanying her to every entertainment. I grew up in a modiste’s shop, so I can repair anything.” She arched her neck. Monsieur need not look down on her skills. She’d wager herself more proficient in personal care than he.

“Excellent. I will see you there and bring word of my progress in gaining an audience with Rother.”

Something in his request didn’t ring true. Gabriella cocked her head. “Why ask for my lodging if you plan to meet me elsewhere?”

The valet grinned, all trace of shyness gone. “Because I realized if we meet, I’ll be able to see you again.”

“You also accompany your master to parties and balls?” She accepted that the countess required her services almost constantly but hadn’t thought this usual. “I did not think English gentlemen so fussy in their costumes that they must have constant attention.”

Monsieur Carpenter cleared his throat. “The marquess styles himself a follower of Beau Brummell. He too requires me always at hand to see to his appearance.” He made a sharp gesture toward the balcony. “That is why I am cooling my heels here. I can keep an eye on his lordship through the railing. If he leaves the ballroom, I can hurry downstairs to see if he requires anything.”

Gabriella had heard of Monsieur Brummell’s fastidious fashion and the men who tried to emulate him. She sighed. “The English can be quite excentrique, ne peuvent-ils?” Excentricité also explained Monsieur Carpenter’s very informal dress. Never had she seen a valet without a proper jacket.

He grinned and nodded. “Indeed they can, mademoiselle.” The warm look in his big brown eyes sent a warning signal.

“I must go back to la comtesse’s chamber. If she should return, and I am not there…” She threw up her hands. “She will have many unkind words for me.” The woman had been furious the last time that had happened. Gabriella had feared she would strike her.

“I don’t see how anyone could be harsh with you, Mademoiselle d’Aventure.” The valet raised his hand toward her face, and she skipped away from him.

What a shame Monsieur Carpenter was such an attractive man. The sable brown hair and piercing dark eyes sent shivers all through her. The memory of his strong arms and warm kiss promised exceptional delights, but she could not let herself be distracted from her quest to meet the Duke of Rother.

Gabriella curtsied and, picking up her skirts, hurried from the room. She raced past the staircase, the uncanny feeling that she was being pursued pushing her to greater speed than was safe. No time for dalliances with a valet when the duke was so close at hand.

Chapter 3

Hal stared at the doorway, his head spinning with that whirlwind conversation. What a web of lies he’d just constructed, as glibly as any charlatan on the street corner. The flow of falsehoods that had seemed to come out of his mouth of their own accord amazed him. He’d been so delighted with the beautiful mademoiselle he would’ve said almost anything to help her. What the devil he was to do now, though, he had no idea. He could simply introduce her to Rother, whom he knew quite well, although only as the Marquess of Halford. Unfortunately, that bit of information he would rather keep to himself for now.