Page 62 of Lady of Providence
"I do hear that you were spending some time with the Duke of Clarence once more," her mother continued, assessing Elizabeth with a critical eye. “Of course I commend you on whatever you did to encourage him to come back to you. I warn you, however, do not make the same mistake that you did last time."
"Which was?"
"Allowing emotions to impede your progress. He's the Duke of Clarence, Elizabeth!" her mother hissed, looking around her furtively. "It doesn't matter if the man beds half of London, as long as you have his name and his children."
"I feel otherwise, Mother," Elizabeth said, glancing to her father, who didn't even seem to be listening to them, but instead was looking rather bored as he glanced around the room. "But as a matter of fact, I must be going. Shall we have dinner together soon?"
"Very well," her mother said with a sigh. "Brush me to the side once more. But fine. I shall see if Terrence is available one evening."
Her words caused another twinge of regret within Elizabeth — not for her mother's apparent pain, but for the fact that she hadn't seen Terrence in some time now. He was likely busy himself, but still, she should reach out to him. She had always been the one to encourage closeness between them and she had become preoccupied with other things.
"Very good. Thank you, Mother."
"Oh, and darling," her mother said, her lips curling into a smile now. "I don't suppose you have received any of your benefits yet from your partnership?"
Elizabeth stared at her coldly. "Is that truly all you care about, Mother?"
Her mother's lips turned down in a pout.
"I am only wishing for you to spare a thought for your dear mother."
"You will be compensated accordingly," was all Elizabeth said, as she rolled her eyes and continued on. Her grandfather had looked after the entirety of his family, and yet it seemed it wasn’t enough for most of them.
"Lady Elizabeth?" she heard a voice behind her and turned to find David Redmond approaching, the wide, usual smile on his face.
"I know this isn't the place for it, but I was wondering if we might have a discussion at some point in time? I know my father isn't pleased with his current banking situation, and perhaps we might see what Clarke & Co. could have to offer?"
Elizabeth was caught off guard but pleasantly surprised. Finally, a spot of good news. “Of course," she said. "I'm sure we would be a wonderful home for your family. Can we arrange a time for this coming week?"
"That would be ideal," said the handsome man with a cheeky grin, displaying how he had won the hearts of so many women. "I look forward to seeing you then."
He winked at her before continuing on, and Elizabeth knew that she should be thrilled with his question — which she was. But first, there was something else she had to do. If Redmond was here, then where was Gabriel? She continued on to the back rooms, intent now on her mission.
CHAPTER29
When Redmond and Berkley decided to return to the festivities, Gabriel told them he would remain for a moment alone in the library, as he wanted to finish his drink in silence before returning to the noise and the crush of the ballroom. He'd had enough of these people and the endless introductions to eligible young women, and could hardly wait to return home. Which was interesting, as he had never been particularly pleased to be alone. Everything seemed to be changing now.
He finished his drink, set it on the table before him, and looked around the library with a sigh. It was a comfortable room, which was to be expected in a library. Bookshelves. Portraits of ancestors. A merry fire burning in the hearth. A brooding gentleman on the chesterfield.
Then suddenly the creak of the door captured his attention, and he turned around to face it. His thoughts flew to Elizabeth, his heart pounding slightly faster, but from the first footstep, he knew it wasn’t her.
“Gabriel.” The woman drew out his name, the syllables long, her tone sultry and practiced. At one point in time it may have caused a reaction in him, but now it only made him weary. He hoped that she was meeting someone else here, having an assignation of another sort. But, of course, she was alone.
“Lady Pomfret,” he said, standing. “I was just about to return to the party, so I will leave the room to you.”
She stepped more fully into the library, closing the door behind her and leaning back against it to prevent his escape.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, motioning her away, but instead she stepped closer to him, invading his personal space.
“Oh, Gabriel, that’s no way to treat an old friend. I thought perhaps we could… catch up.”
“It will have to wait for another time, Lady Pomfret. Now, pardon me.”
He hardened his gaze at her, dismissing her pout and brushing past her and out the door. His old self would have welcomed the distraction of such a woman, but it seemed neither his body nor his heart could move on from Elizabeth. Not yet, anyway.
Ignoring her protest, Gabriel strode down the corridor, found his cloak, and was out the door in minutes. He was done with this damn party, this social scene, this life. What he was going to do, however, he had no idea.
* * *
