“Actually, I did,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “I do not think I’m going to attend.”
“But you have to!” Justine said, and Elizabeth looked at her in surprise. She never thought that her grandmother of all people would make her attend a party full of members of the nobility. Noting Elizabeth’s questioning gaze, her grandmother continued. “Part of being senior partner of a bank is the relationships you develop with clients. It was one of the aspects of his position that your grandfather was best at, and how he grew the bank into one of London’s finest. You have to cultivate strong partnerships, allow potential clients to get to know you and trust you. Sometimes what you can accomplish in one night of uncomfortable conversations is more than you could in weeks of meetings.”
Elizabeth nodded slowly. “Of course. I should have known that.”
“These are things that take time to learn,” Justine said. “Soon they will be second nature.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “To the party we go.”
* * *
Elizabeth climbedthe steps of her parents’ home with some trepidation. She had returned a few times, of course, to call upon them and to have dinner. But this was the first event with others in attendance — and, thinking of that, she wondered just who would be here this evening.
Of course, there was one person in particular she was wondering about, but she didn’t want to give that thought any credence.
She hadn’t seen Gabriel since the partners’ meeting, after which they had inadvertently kissed. He had attempted to call upon her one day, but she hadn’t been home — which she had been relieved about once learning of his arrival, for she had no idea how she would have greeted him.Hello, Gabriel, nice to see you. I hope you didn’t read much into that kiss, for it meant nothing.Then he would agree, and all would be back to how it was, would it not? But that conversation would be particularly uncomfortable, and she would rather avoid it, despite the fact that, at some point, their paths were bound to cross again, considering their social circles and involvement in the bank.
Her grandmother squeezed her arm.
“Smile, dear,” she said, and Elizabeth complied just as the butler opened the door and led her in to greet her parents, who were perfunctorily polite.
Elizabeth had taken only two steps into the room when her eyes were instantly drawn to one man, the dark, deceptive Duke of Clarence, as though there was a magnet that captured her gaze in its grip. Despite the fact the room was filled with people, all she could see was him. Why, oh why, did it have to be so? She didn’t want to feel anything for Gabriel. She didn’t want to be inexplicably attracted to him, to long to feel his arms around her and his lips upon hers once more. But she couldn’t help her yearning any more than she could keep from breathing.
Which was why, she determined as she tore her gaze away to peruse the rest of the room, she would stay far, far away from him.
* * *
It was as thoughhe had traveled back in time.
For when Elizabeth walked into the room, Gabriel was reminded of the moment, years ago now, when he had first seen her in her womanly form as she had entered that party that had forever changed them both. Tonight, as she walked into her parents' receiving room on the arm of her grandmother, Gabriel was once again instantly captivated.
He had hardly been able to rid her from his mind since he had kissed her at the bank those few months ago now. He had attempted to call upon her, but he had received her message clearly — she wanted nothing to do with him. She was a woman with a long memory, one who may have forgiven, but had not forgotten.
Gabriel had long ago accepted the fact that he had ruined any opportunity he would ever have with her, and had moved on. Or so he thought.
Seeing her here now, he was reminded of why she outshone any and every other woman he met.
It wasn't as though she was a stunning beauty. She was pretty, graceful, and had an elegance the likes of which he had never before seen in another. But it was the knowledge of who she was, all she had accomplished, and the confidence with which she carried herself that was unmatched. She walked with the air of a woman who cared not of what others thought, though he was aware that this was truly not the case. Elizabeth cared. Gabriel knew because he had seen the true woman underneath the air of unconcern. He could tell as her unsettling violet gaze surveyed the room that she didn't particularly care to be here, and would likely rather be anywhere else — particularly the bank, he assumed.
This, however, was her parents’ party, and she couldn’t very well avoid attending — which was why he had chosen to accept tonight’s invitation from Lord and Lady Shannon.
He could practically feel when Elizabeth’s gaze passed over him, and as much as he knew she had seen him, he could tell she was attempting to pretend she had not. So she was not yet ready to see beyond their past. Very well.
Gabriel had told himself it was probably better that way. How would a woman like Elizabeth, with her position and her disapproval of most within society, fit into his life, anyway?
At one point in time, she had, he reminded himself but shook his head to toss away the thought.
"Clarence." Gabriel turned behind him to see who it was greeting him, pleased to find two of his closest friends, David Redmond, as well as Jeffrey Worthington, Marquess of Berkley.
"Gentlemen," he said. "A pleasure to see you here this evening."
"Who did Shannon and his wife not invite?" Jeffrey asked with a raised eyebrow. "It seems as though half of thetonhas gathered in this room."
He was right. The Moreland family had a substantial home within London, though nothing at all like Gabriel's own.
"Are they not still in mourning?" Redmond asked, and Gabriel shrugged. "It has been a few months, it is true, and Lady Shannon continues to wear black."
"Still..."