Page 23 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“And you are enjoying your return home, Your Grace?” Alastair asked, holding his hand out for Gabriel to provide a firm shake in return.
“The return home has been an adjustment,” Gabriel’s tone was curt.
“Indeed. Now, who doesn’t want to be here?” Lord Langley asked, revisiting his original question. “In my opinion, it is the most magnificent soiree by any season’s standards, is it not?”
“His ward, Lady Gemma Whitmore,” Hugh answered with a snicker.
“She is quite the beauty. Her hair reminds me of the glow of a fire,” Alastair said with wide eyes. “I wonder if Lady Gemma would suit me. I do so love a challenge.”
Gabriel refrained from glaring at the man, but an idea formed in his mind. Should he perhaps introduce the two, Lady Gemma and Baron Langley? Would he make a good match for Gemma?
“Attention,” someone called out loudly, disrupting the men's conversations.
“May I announce the arrival of the Countess of Sagewood and their daughter, Lady Vivienne.”
Gabriel looked towards the new arrivals and saw an older couple with their blonde daughter. Oddly enough, the gentleman had not been mentioned in the announcement. The daughter was beautiful, a picture of elegance, but she did not hold a candle to Gemma.
“She is quite beautiful as well,” Alastair said before excusing himself, no doubt to introduce himself to the newcomers. It had only taken the arrival of the newest young woman for him to forget all about Gemma Whitmore. The cad.
Gabriel looked over at Gemma and a tightening occurred in his chest. He looked away, reminding himself that he was her caretaker now. Any impropriety on his part would soil Gemma’s reputation and ruin her chances of wedding a good and decent man. Sometimes he wished he had stayed in France, estate be damned.
At the thought of France, he turned inward to memories of another. He had sworn off women after he experienced a hurt and betrayal he never thought he would survive. Hence another reason to get Gemma married off and out of reach as soon as possible.
***
Alastair gazed at all the beautiful ladies surrounding him. He had gotten himself in quite the predicament. He was going broke over gambling debts. Naturally, he had not mentioned that to the duke or to Hugh. Why volunteer too much? He needed to find a lady with a hefty dowry in order to free himself from these debts. The evening’s soiree was his happy hunting ground, or so he hoped.
He set his eyes on Lady Vivienne and Lady Gemma. Both were gorgeous and had wealthy upbringings. Either one would satisfy him. He would be debt free and married to a beautiful woman to boot. Not bad for the first season event.
Alastair knew about Lady Gemma’s parents’ untimely deaths, and he hoped that with her loss she was eager to feel love. He also knew that Lady Vivienne was looking for a husband this season, and he hoped if things did not work out with Lady Gemma, that he would be able to try to be with Lady Vivienne instead.
He again reminded himself how lucky he was to attend such a gathering.
Alastair made his way over to the Countess of Sagewood and her male companion.
“Hello, I am Baron Langley, it is an honor to make your acquaintance,” Alastair introduced himself. The Earl and Countess warmly received him as he certainly presented himself as a man with proper pedigree and holdings. Why show your hand too early? The smart play would be to bide his time, ensure the match was sealed, then come out with the truth.
Alastair spent time with the Earl and Countess, regaling them with tales of his journeys, all the while keeping Vivienne in his sights. He lecherously let his eyes roam over her from head to toe. She was a fetching woman with a nearly perfect body and a sweet and shy smile.
“This is our daughter, Lady Vivienne.” The countess introduced her with a flourish.
Alastair took Vivienne’s hand lightly in his. Glancing at her cleavage he replied, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
Vivienne hesitantly returned the greeting, and the conversation was steered toward pleasantries regarding their host and the large number of guests in attendance. As he spent time getting to know Vivienne, Alastair found himself quite interested in her, while still allowing his eyes to follow Gemma wherever she happened to be. Her lithe form and easy countenance were easy to spot anywhere in the room.
As he listened with one ear and watched with both eyes, he smiled gleefully at all the choices he had in front of him. Indeed, rich and beautiful choices.
Chapter 12
“Did you hear about the Earl of Sagewood?” Felicity asked Gemma in a hushed tone.
Gemma turned her ear towards her friend, ready for gossip.
“Did I miss something important?” Gemma felt guilty for desiring the gossip. It was unladylike and she silently chastised herself for wanting to hear it.
“He recently inherited the earldom from a distant cousin. Before the inheritance he and his family lived a modest life in Bath. According to the rumors, of course.”
This shocked Gemma. The Earl and his family looked the picture of wealth. It seemed as if it suited them. No one would ever guess they had lived differently before tonight’s party.
