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Her eyes on the floor, Frederica curtsied, gave Dorothy one last glance, and left the room. Dorothy wanted to go after her friend, but Gabriel had a firm hold on her hand before she could move.
“Let’s go, Dorothy.” His voice was stiff as he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I think a walk around the garden is just what is needed right now.”
Dorothy wanted to argue but worried about what she might say by accident. Also, if she were honest, it had been a little uncomfortable travelling back in the carriage. While she hadn’t been hurt, she was feeling somewhat sore. Sitting down didn’t really appeal to her right now.
She could only hope that the soreness faded soon; sitting down to dinner and wincing was not going to be missed.
Keeping her gaze fixed ahead of her, Dorothy allowed Gabriel to lead her out into the garden, her mother following close behind. The countess stood on the terrace as the couple went down the steps and across the lawn, heading into the warm sunshine that had moved across the sky to douse the garden with bright sunlight.
It was warm, but Dorothy was feeling rather chilly.
“So, you decided Dashwood was a better companion than me, did you?” Gabriel sneered.
Dorothy frowned.
“We already had a standing engagement with him. It would have been rude to cancel that close, and Mother knows that is not proper etiquette.”
“And so you insulted me by going to him instead.”
“It wasn’t meant to be an insult, Gabriel.”
Gabriel snorted.
“Well, it was. I’ve been trying to court you as a man would court a woman, and you’ve just thrown it back in my face.”
Dorothy sighed and stopped, turning to Gabriel.
“Courting? I thought you and I were merely meeting as friends. When did this become courtship?”
“Dorothy, you’re not stupid. Do you think I would be coming over so often if it was just being friends?”
“You’ve never given any indication. And I’ve never seen you like that. Surely, you know that.”
Gabriel scowled.
“You would prefer that rake Dashwood over me? A man who would wring a woman dry and throw her away before moving on to the next one?”
“Don’t be so vulgar, Gabriel. Lord Dashwood suggested courtship, and I accepted.” Dorothy lifted her chin, drawing on the confidence Frederica was always telling her to retain. “I don’t have to answer to you regarding my actions, and if you wanted to court me, you should have spoken to me about it.”
“I spoke to your mother about it, and she said it was a good idea.”
“That’s not speaking to me, is it?”
Gabriel snorted.
“Do you seriously mean to say you had no idea what I’ve been trying to do all this time?”
“You should have made yourself clear, Gabriel. I wanted to spend time with a friend. Courting, though?” Dorothy sighed. “You would do better being around someone who could give you their complete attention and affection. While I have some affection for you, I can’t do what you wish.”
She felt awful saying it, but this couldn’t keep going on. Dorothy was aware that things would end soon between her and Lucas, but she couldn’t bring herself to see Gabriel as a better option. True, he was good-looking, had a title and wealth, and was a good man, but nothing about him was exciting. If Dorothy was going to choose to be with someone, they needed to keep things interesting.
Gabriel was just … dull. And Dorothy was only just realising this.
“You don’t think you’re going to get Dashwood to settle down are you?” Gabriel snapped. “He’s slept with so many women we’ve lost count due to all the gossip. Once he’s finally got you into bed, he will discard you and head onto the next one.”
Dorothy knew her face was going red, but whether it was from the embarrassment that Lucas had already taken her to bed or anger, she wasn’t really sure. She glared at Gabriel.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business, is it?” she asked stiffly. “Also, Mother and Father gave me the freedom and choice to choose who I wanted to court after what happened. Mother permitting you to court me goes against what they promised.”
