Page 79 of Wedded to the Deviant Duke

The “robe” itself appeared to be made of a more sheer material, complementing the opalescent gown beneath. Her fair hair had similarly been adorned with glimmering pearls, and even her spectacles appeared far more regal than previous pairs.

“Thank you,” Madeline said. “But I can’t take full credit. Louise was a big help in choosing the fabric.”

“Oh, but Louise always has such wonderful taste.” Charlotte’s head swiveled, her interest clearly piqued. “Has she arrived yet with Christian?”

“Louise actually came a touch earlier,” Mr. Beaumont explained. “Before the majority of guests arrived. Poor dear was feeling rather faint today. Something about an upset stomach.”

Robin suddenly looked far more interested in the refreshments table, and Thalia’s smile strained somewhat. “That’s a shame. We’ll have to visit her and see what can be done to help ease her troubles.”

“That sounds like you’re volunteering me for chores!” Charlotte gasped.

“Would you not volunteer yourself to aid your cherished friend in her time of need?” Gabriel asked innocently.

“Oh, well, we would, of course, but,” Robin quickly pulled on Charlotte’s hand, dragging the pair free from the conversation as he made a dash for the refreshments table proper.

“A-ah! Sorry, he’s my chaperone this evening!” Charlotte called out. “Have to stay by his side—you understand!”

It took everything Thalia had not to roll her eyes. And given Gabriel’s strained look, he was holding in his own admonishments toward his given sibling. “Well, let’s not take too much of the Beaumonts’ time, then. I’m sure there’s plenty of other guests still in need of greeting.” She offered a curtsy Madeline’s way, who replied with a grateful nod and a deeper curtsy of her own.

“Oh, but before we leave,” Gabriel interjected. “I’d like to arrange for a visit sometime, Mr. Beaumont. Thalia has recently come across a number of properties, and I believe she would find your expertise in managing boarding schools quite helpful.”

Thalia’s face warmed as Mr. Beaumont’s expression brightened considerably.

“Is that so? Well, congratulations, Miss Sutton! I would be delighted to share my wisdom, though I can’t promise much. I certainly have no proper background or education in the matter, but I’ll offer what my experience has brought to me.”

“That alone would be of great help,” Thalia insisted. “Thank you ever so much, Mr. Beaumont.”

With one more round of handshakes, hugs, and curtsies, the trio departed from the presence of their host, their spot quickly filled by another group of guests.

“I hadn’t realized Madeline had such a prominent standing in society,” Thalia said.

“It’s more so her father that holds that title,” Gabriel explained. “Madeline has made it a goal of hers not to stand in the spotlight, but that’s a bit difficult when your father helps to manage some of the most esteemed schools in London. Eton, Winchester, Westminster—I believe he was recently appointed on the board for Harrow as well.”

Thalia gasped, catching her balance on Gabriel’s arm. “But, when we first met, he spoke of such a simple desire. Boarding schools for those in the country, helping those less fortunate and in need of a second chance..?”

“Oh, he would much rather do all that,” Gabriel reassured. “But you can do so much more with money lining your pockets. The man's quite good at persuading the purses of the more influential families.”

“That’s why he often isn’t seen at home,” Thalia finished.

Gabriel nodded. “He’s constantly traveling between districts to ensure his high standards of education are being met.”

Thalia found herself suddenly quite dizzy. “But, he appears so… so…?”

“Salt of the earth?” Gabriel offered. “Yes; it’s quite a useful tool in his arsenal. He really should be spoken to as ‘Lord Beaumont’, but like his daughter, the idea feels a bit too grand for his taste.”

And now, such influential people were to visit Thalia over tea. It all honestly felt too good to be true. She glanced about the party, feeling quite lost as to what to do next. Charlotte had been by her side for such a majority of her visit, it was strange to have her absent. Though, she seemed fully dedicated to keeping Robin entertained, showing off a number of strawberry-themed sweets as he happily added them to his plate.

“Well, it seems the younger siblings are fully occupied,” Gabriel’s voice dropped to a low whisper, breath heavy against her ear as a shiver of pleasure ran up her spine. “What say we pick up where we left off last during Orion’s Hunt?”

A coy smile crossed her lips, and Thalia playfully pushed against his chest. “Five minutes?”

Gabriel smirked. “I only need three to catch you, Thalia Sutton.”

CHAPTER34

The garden party stretched well into the evening, after the sun had fallen and the brightest of stars managed to break through the twilight sky. With a glass of strawberry gin-and-tonic in hand, Gabriel entertained himself with polite conversation between guests, eyes scanning the crowd in search of Thalia for the third time that night.

He’d been right, of course; it’d taken only three minutes to find Thalia the first time, as she thought herself clever to hide among the wave of arriving guests. She demanded the best two out of three, and of course, Gabriel agreed. But this time, she enlisted both Robin and Charlotte’s aid, keeping the man thoroughly off the scent. Every so often, Gabriel thought he saw a blur of lilac, only to find his empty-armed sister standing alongside Robin, a branch of purple flowers in hand, a coy smile across her lips.

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