Page 21 of My Darling Rogue
“We’ll just step out into the hall and give you two a little privacy,” Ivy replied, standing and shaking out her skirts. “But just a little, you understand. We must maintain appearances, after all.” She winked at Celia and then linked an arm with Sara. “Just call out if you need us.”
Celia wanted more than anything to beg Ivy and Sara to remain in the room, but her stubborn nature forbade it. Her chin tilted and she steeled herself for confrontation.
Once alone, silence fell as they stared at one other with mutual wariness.
“You’ve left me quite adrift, Lady Celia,” Gabriel finally admitted with a sigh. “Indeed, I’m at a loss when it comes to you. If I possessed a single thread of self-preservation, I would stay far away from such temptation. But I’m finding it an impossible task. You both fascinate and sadden me, if you must know.”
Celia reached for her teacup, taking a sip as a way of hiding her surprise. She wasn’t sure of the correct response after such a brutally honest declaration.
“Have you considered courting me, Mister Rose? What I mean to say is that I would not be averse to it,” she impulsively blurted out.Oh, blast it all. Why would I say such a thing? “Your irrational behavior could then be explained away to others.”
Gabriel’s eyes darkened. “That is impossible.”
Setting her cup back down, Celia took a deep breath and turned fully toward the man. “Why? Why is it impossible? And what have I done that saddens you? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
Gabriel stood so suddenly that Celia fell back against the divan with a startled “Oh!”
He raked a hand through his hair, leaving the deep chestnut waves in a ruffled mess. “I’m saddened because someday you will belong to a man who has the right to claim you. We cannot be anything to one another because of who I am. Or rather, who I am not.”
“That’s ridiculous. Courting does not necessarily end with marriage, Mister Rose. Perhaps this might allow us to explore the fascination we seem to share and forever put it to rest. You are not without connections and wealth. Nor are you a pariah because of your birth. It will not impede your prospect of obtaining a wife of social standing at some point. Indeed, it may even help.”
Gabriel leaned toward her with a growl. “I’ve no wish for a wife, regardless of her social status, and need your aid in gaining one even less. Do I make myself clear?”
Celia assessed him and the ferocity of his response. “Perfectly,” she murmured. “Then there is nothing for it. You must abstain from contact with me until I leave Beaumont.”
He appeared startled by her statement and then scowled. “Leave? Where the Devil do you think you will go with that injured ankle?”
“Mother and I will be off for Cornwall soon. We intend to visit Richeforte and Her Grace before their babe is borne.”
“When?” Gabriel barked.
“I don’t know precisely when. Babies have their own schedule, or so I’m told.”
A hand raked through his hair while he muttered beneath his breath. “Seven hells.” He pinned her with a steely glare. “I do not meanthat.When doyouintend on leaving?”
“Oh.” Celia frowned at her mistake in misunderstanding him. “Mother only sent the letters yesterday.”
His gaze turned even sharper as he loomed over her. “Because of my actions in the library?”
Celia broke eye contact first. She picked up the bonnet, fiddling with the ribbons. “No, it wasn’t that,” she finally admitted in a low voice.
Before Gabriel could respond, the parlor door flew open, and Lady Darby breezily floated into the room. Ivy and Sara were directly on her heels, unable to hide their curiosity when they saw Gabriel looming over Celia. He quickly stepped away but not before his position was noted. Lady Darby smiled broadly.
“Celia, my darling, I’ve finalized all the arrangements for moving into a separate room while you recover from your injury,” she said cheerfully.
“Mother, that really is not necessary. I’m positive I will be back to my normal self by tomorrow.”
“Nonsense. It’s for the best and Lady Beatrix’s departure this afternoon meant the extra room is available. I know you’ve not been sleeping very well the past few nights, my dear.” Lady Darby kissed her daughter on the forehead and sat beside her on the divan. She then turned a sunny smile on Gabriel.
“Thank you so much, Mister Rose, for your assistance to my daughter today. I do regret you were forced to walk back to the manor. Celia is an accomplished horsewoman, so I can only reason that in her pain she was unable to control your horse. Thank goodness she suffered no additional harm during her ride back.”
Gabriel bowed at the waist, his own smile benign. “Yes. Thank goodness.”
“You simply must be Celia’s escort at the next evening meal. After her ankle has healed, of course,” Lady Darby said before turning to Ivy. “Lady Ravenswood, would that be possible? I would hate upsetting the seating arrangements, but I’m sure Celia would enjoy the opportunity to become better acquainted with her rescuer.”
Celia choked on her astonishment. What in the world had gotten into her mother?
Celia’s eyes narrowed. Of course. Matchmaking. But why was her mother focusing her efforts on the inappropriate, unattainable Gabriel Rose? There was hardly a good explanation other than she apparently saw something redeeming in the man and was suddenly willing to overlook his lack of title.
