Page 12 of My Darling Rogue
Lady Darby gently patted Celia’s hand. “I know, my darling. It is all we can ask of you. To try. To give a gentleman a chance before casting him aside. I think you are searching for something that perhaps doesn’t exist. The mythical knight on a white horse. That sort of thing.”
Celia said nothing. If only her mother knew the truth of what she needed from any man offering for her hand. The requirements far exceeded the usual listing of a good family name, the means to provide, and shared affection and respect. She needed a husband whose adoration was unquestionable. A husband who would understand and forgive her anything. A husband who would willingly ignore certain matters, or perhaps not care at all.
She’d been searching for ages, hoping to find such a man.
Celia sighed, her thoughts drifting again to Gabriel Rose and the things she’d done with his encouragement. Why she should think of him at all was most vexing. And her reactions to him were stomach-wrenching. Why she ever thought him attractive—or honorable—was an awful error in judgment. The man was a complete scoundrel. She must do her best to avoid him during the rest of their visit.
“Lady Ravenswood is a lovely hostess and Beaumont is the perfect place to spend these last few days of summer.” Lady Darby’s attention focused on the scenery outside their bedchamber’s window. “She spoke of plans to visit Richeforte and Grace before the Season begins. Since Ravenswood and the duke reestablished their friendship, they apparently visit frequently with one another. Especially now that Grace is with child. It’s heartwarming how close the four of them have become.”
“We should visit Grace before the baby arrives. When last we spoke, she said she had no desire to give birth in London.” Celia nibbled on a piece of toast, which only reminded her how Gabriel had feasted on her lips. Blast him for invading her thoughts, and for looking through her with such intensity she wondered if he didn’t already know all her secrets.
“What a lovely idea! Your father will understand if we should take a detour when we do head for home. I shall send the necessary letters today to Oakleigh and inform the Duke and Duchess of our plans.”
Hopefully, her mother’s attention would now focus on their new travel itinerary rather than what Celia herself was doing. Because she could not be certain Gabriel would not cause trouble for her.
She must be extra vigilant in avoiding Gabriel during their remaining time at Beaumont. The man did not possess any scruples, as evidenced by his scandalous behavior last night. Even if she had kissed him first, he’d taken advantage of her unexpected weakness.
He could not be trusted not to do it again. And if he dared try, she would not make it easy for him a second time.
* * *
The next day,Celia entered the solarium where a few of the young women had gathered.
An outing into the neighboring village was planned for the ladies’ activity, and Celia welcomed the opportunity to escape the house. She’d spent the day before skirting Gabriel’s path and ignoring his confident smirk. Even Robert’s sulky demeanor was preferable, but he seemed mysteriously hellbent on avoiding Celia.
“Good morning, Celia.” Ivy motioned to join her and Lady Sara Bentley where they stood at a bank of windows.
Celia had become fast friends with the two countesses over the course of the past year. This enviable circle included Grace, the Duchess of Richeforte, and Celia’s closet friend and new sister-in-law, Violet, the Viscountess Longleigh.
“Good morning, ladies. Is something amiss?” Celia asked, puzzled because the two women wore matching somber expressions. She did not miss the quick exchange of glances Ivy and Sara shared.
“I’m not sure,” Ivy replied, sliding an arm around Celia’s waist and squeezing it with affection. “A most unusual conversation occurred this morning between Ravenswood and Gabriel Rose. They were in the antechamber of our room. So I could not help but overhear.”
Celia’s heart thumped faster. Surely, Gabriel would not boast of the incident in the library.
“It was a very hushed conversation but involved keeping a close eye on Lord Harvey.” Ivy frowned as she continued the story. “Ravenswood mumbled something about the man’s audacity, and Gabriel mentioned your name as they moved into the hall. I could hear nothing at that point. When Ravenswood returned, I asked what had occurred. He would say nothing on the subject other than that it would be handled by himself or Gabriel. He would not say anymore, even when I pressed for details.” Ivy scowled in disgust. “He simply kissed me on the forehead and bid me a pleasant day with our guests. The man can be extremely vexing sometimes.”
“I do hope Lord Harvey has not been overly zealous in his pursuit, Celia,” Sara said with a concerned smile. “We all know how single-minded some gentlemen can be.”
Ivy gave a good-natured roll of her eyes. “I should know better than anyone. Sebastian was most persistent when convincing me I should marry him. He could not be dissuaded, although I fought him at every turn. Thank goodness he succeeded in his endeavors. I cannot imagine life without that stubborn man. But let us return to the problem. Why should Gabriel concern himself with Lord Harvey? More importantly, how does Celia factor into their conversation?”
Both women turned to Celia, waiting for some manner of explanation.
“I know as much as the two of you. Harvey has been no more of a pest than usual,” Celia smiled calmly as she appeased their curiosity. “As for Mister Rose, I’ve scarcely had the opportunity to converse with him during our time here. Indeed, I hardly know the man, so I cannot fathom any interest he might have taken in me.”
But somehow, I found the opportunity to use the hardness of his body for my personal pleasure.
The unbidden thought flashing through her mind sent a guilty flush of remembered satisfaction throughout Celia’s body. Laying a hand to the warmth of her cheek, she stepped back from the windows. “Goodness, isn’t it rather warm in here?”
Ivy’s turquoise gaze hardened with understanding. Reaching for Celia’s hand, she gave it a quick squeeze. “If Harvey has overstepped, I swear to you, Celia, I will see that it doesn’t occur again. That is, if Ravenswood doesn’t handle the matter first. I’ll not have my dearest friends harassed and hunted by unscrupulous gentlemen at my house party. No matter how well connected they might be.”
Celia gave a soft laugh, intent on steering her two friends away from such a dangerous subject. “I assure you, dearest, the man has done nothing so terrible as to merit your wrath. Or Sara’s. Set this aside and let us continue with our plans for a pleasant afternoon in the village.”
* * *
Celia swungher pretty bonnet by its ribbons as she and the other women walked along the road leading away from the village. It was a lovely day. The sun flitted between a few puffy clouds and the air was warm and sweet with the aroma of wildflowers.
Some ladies lamented not making use of the Ravenswood stables and their comfortable carriages, but Celia did not mind the physical exercise. She relished the opportunity to stretch her legs. Turning her face toward the sun’s rays, she squinted, wondering if one of the darker clouds might hold a sudden afternoon storm. While she admitted a love of walking in the rain, it was an activity best undertaken with the proper outerwear.
