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“I flirted with him after that to see if you’d react,” Eva said, tilting her head with mischief in her eyes. “You were not happy with me, were you?”
“I—”
“And you were even less happy tonight when you saw me sitting next to him.”
I looked away. “I don’t know what exactly you’re trying to get me to say, but there’s nothing to confess.”
“Who said there was anything to confess? Gabi, a two-year-old with chocolate over their face could tell me they didn’t eat the last chocolate buttons, and I would believe them over you.”
“I’m not that bad a liar.”
Addy held out her hand and shook it from side to side.
Great.
“Gabs.” She took my hand between hers. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I wanted to see if I could get him to admit he has feelings for you. I knew that dinner tonight was my best chance at getting to have a conversation with him, so I took it.”
“I told her if she wanted to see where things would go, to put you two on a table alone. Switch some name cards around, you know?” Adelaide rested her arm on Eva’s shoulder. “She didn’t listen.”
“Do you mind?” Eva side-eyed her for a second then turned back to me, squeezing my fingers. “And I’m afraid it was a big fat bloody bust, because the git wouldn’t tell me a damn thing.”
“I was right,” Adelaide mouthed, grinning.
I didn’t want to smile, but I couldn’t help it. “You’re such a bloody idiot. Why not just tell me if you knew I was bothered by it?”
“I didn’t think you wanted us to know. If you had feelings for him, I thought you might have told us.” She smiled sheepishly. “I thought I’d try my hand at playing Cupid.”
“Never, ever do it again.” I hugged her tightly, closing my eyes for a brief second. “Look, our… friendship is complicated. I… admit… I do have some feelings for him, but I have no intention of acting on them. No, no,” I said when she opened her mouth. “It’s for the best. It’s just a crush, and like all the others, it will pass.”
“Okay.” Addy wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Has your headache gone, now, Your Highness? Can we go back inside? It’s so bloody cold out here my nipples could scratch a car door.”
I laughed, leaning my head against hers. “Nobody made you come out here.”
“Not true. Eva did.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Worst sister and friend ever.” She finished her martini and held up the empty glass. “Shut up and let’s get a drink. I think we all need one.”
Amen to that.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
My feet were killing me. I’d been forced to dance far more than any one person should be, and now I was paying the price.
The makeshift bar that had been set up in the ballroom that had seen countless weddings and parties over the year was my favourite place right now. Most of the tables had been moved so the floor was clear for dancing, and as lovely as that was, there was a severe lack of chairs right now.
So the barstools were looking pretty damn comfortable right now.
“Ah, Lady Gabriella. Take my seat, you look like you want to throw those shoes out of the nearest window.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Lord Nelson. That’s very kind of you.”
“Not at all.” He stood and offered me his seat.
I took it gratefully, and I told him as much.
The portly, dignified gentleman nodded his head in response. He’d been a member of The House of Lords as long as I could remember, and he always had a kind word for everyone who crossed him.
He’d even tried to set me up with his grandson once.
That hadn’t worked out.
“Would you like a drink? I was about to order another Port for myself before I head home. Too many birdie dances for me tonight.” He chuckled.
I couldn’t help but agree, and I did take him up on his offer of a drink. “It is a favourite of Lady Victoria, especially after a couple of glasses of wine.”
“Personally, I think she likes to see who falls over first.”
“Better leave before she gets the Cha Cha Slide on, then.”
He laughed a big old belly laugh that made me grin, then flagged down the bartender and ordered a white wine for me and another Port for him.
Judging by his rosy cheeks, I might have suggested he go home now if I were any less polite than I was.
We made small talk for a few minutes. I asked after his wife and family, and he checked in with me. We briefly discussed my college course, whereupon he promised to have me come and redesign the front garden at their manor.
Whether he’d remember that in the morning was another story.
“Ah!” He caught the attention of another gentleman. “That’s Viscount Taylor gesturing for me. We have business to discuss. Lady Gabriella, it’s been a pleasure, as always. Do let me know about that course of yours.”
