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Evie looked at him, a gentle reprieve in her eyes. Gabriel could not help but lean in, wanting to feel her lips on his again. The crowd in the ballroom be damned. He was the devil, after all. He should not care what anyone thought.
“Evie!” A chorus of feminine voices sounded at that moment, and Gabriel cursed aloud. They both turned and saw Evie’s cousin, Julie, hurrying her way with her little sister, Mary, and Evie’s best friend, Samantha, with her sister Isabel not far behind. So much for playing the devil.
“I shall leave you in the company of your friends,” he whispered close to Evie’s ear, almost brushing his lips against her skin, and sauntered away.
* * *
Evie sat in front of her dear friends in the family library. They’d left the ballroom soon after their rambunctious meeting, and Evie had decided they needed some privacy to catch up. Besides, she was really not looking forward to spending more time in that ballroom filled with hostile guests.
Samantha looked rosy-cheeked and happy. She was eyeing Evie curiously in return.
“How is married life?” Sam asked. “Oh, and what a beautiful gown you’re wearing. It is not your usual style, but it looks lovely on you!”
“Thank you; it’s not mine. It was Gabriel’s mother’s.”
“Truly? That’s odd. It fits you quite well.”
“Well, the maids worked all day today to make it fit me. His mother was—well, bustier than I am. Although any lady would be,” she added with a smile, and the ladies laughed. “How are you here? I didn’t know you would be.” Evie eyed all the ladies in the room.
“We would never miss your wedding ball! Lord Winchester sent Robert and me the summons and asked if there was anybody else he should invite. Apparently, he didn’t know any of your friends,” Julie answered.
“He could have asked me,” Evie said. “Only I didn’t even know there was going to be a ball in our honor. I didn’t even bring any gowns, hence my current attire.”
“Well.” Sam looked at her from head to toe. “As I said before, you could wear a gown the color of manure and still look beautiful. But this gown is magnificent.”
“It’s very shiny,” Mary said and reached to touch the fabric. “Soft,” she proclaimed proudly.
“It really is.” Evie smiled. “And how are you, Mary?”
Mary smiled broadly. “I love this house; it’s beautiful. Many paintings here.”
“Yes.” Julie smiled at her sister tenderly. “Mary loves art, as you know. She might not want to leave this mansion once the party is over.”
“I am certain you can stay here as long as you want,” Evie said and turned back to Samantha. “Is marriage treating you well, Sam?”
“It is, although my husband can be an overprotective and overbearing arse at times.”
Evie snorted a laugh. “What a compliment!”
“He almost didn’t let me come on this journey! Thankfully, Isabel was with me, and she convinced him we should go.”
“He is worried about you, darling,” Isabel said softly. “And he has a cause to. Traveling in your con—” Isabel’s eyes widened, and she pursed her lips.
Evie studied her curiously then turned to Sam, who suddenly turned red.
“Your con…” Evie’s mouth gaped as she realized what Isabel was about to say. “You are with child!”
“Yes, but shush! It’s still early,” Sam mumbled.
“Congratulations! You must be so happy.” Evie blinked back tears of joy.
“Congratulations, dear,” Julie echoed.
“Thank you, I truly am,” Sam said as Isabel gave her a slight hug. She turned to Evie and smoothed her skirts. “Now that we are done with pleasantries, please share.”
“Share?” Evie asked, perplexed.
“Yes! How in the world did you end up marrying St. Clare? I thought you had more sense than that!” her friend cried, turning from composed to excited in a matter of a second.
