Page 28 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“If you insist that I do not tease you on the matter, then I dare not. But I would say that Hugh might want to be more than merely a friend?” Gemma smiled warmly at her friend.
Felicity gasped as her face blushed to a sweet shade of pink. Gemma could tell that just the thought of Hugh as more than a friend filled Felicity with hope. What a lovely turn of events that would be.
Before Felicity could respond to insinuation, the door opened. “Lord Langley has arrived, Lady Gemma,” Kingsley announced, before Alastair stepped through the threshold and into the drawing room.
Alastair was carrying a bouquet of roses and showcasing a most brilliant smile. Gemma quelled her nervousness as she accepted him into the drawing room.
“These are for you, Lady Gemma. I hope they are to your liking,” Alastair said, handing the bouquet to Gemma. He nodded kindly to Felicity.
Gemma took a deep whiff of the roses and melted. They smelled divine.
“Thank you, my lord. That is most kind of you.” Gemma could feel the red rising in her cheeks.
“I am most enthralled by you, Gemma.” The statement was bold by society’s standard, and it caught both Gemma and Felicity off guard. If Lord Langley registered the shock on Gemma’s face at his forwardness, he made no indication of it. He stood confidently in front of Gemma.
It was Gemma’s turn to blush. Felicity’s eyes widened as she watched the exchange between them. This was truly a significant moment. Gemma knew Felicity didn’t want to miss one second of it. A bit of teasing would probably be coming forth later.
“They are most beautiful,” Gemma said after a pause.
Alastair made deep eye contact with Gemma.
“I have seen other, more beautiful things,” Gemma knew he meant her. “But I am glad you like them.”
“Gemma, we need to ta-” Gabriel’s voice interrupted Gemma and Alastair’s staring contest.
“Lord Langley, I had no idea you were here,” Gabriel said through his teeth, as his eyes blazed. It appeared Alastair’s attentions were becoming truly irksome to Gabriel.
“He just got here, Your Grace,” Gemma explained, hoping to keep the peace.
Gabriel nodded but didn’t take his eyes off of Alastair.
The men stared at one another before Alastair spoke. “Well I just stopped by to give Lady Gemma these flowers, but sadly, I cannot stay any longer. I have business in the city to attend to.”
Alastair reached out for Gemma’s open hand and took it in his own. He placed a purposeful kiss on her gloved hand before departing. He passed Gabriel with nary a look in his direction.
Gabriel sat down across from Gemma and Felicity.
Felicity excused herself and with great haste, she exited the room.
“That was a rather curious encounter, was it not?” Gabriel asked Gemma.
Gemma set her roses in a vase before taking her seat.
“Whatever do you mean?” Gemma decided to play very coy on the matter.
“Why was Lord Langley here?” Gabriel inquired. He was not long for patience.
“To give me flowers, wasn’t that obvious?” Gemma smiled.
When Gabriel winced, Gemma pushed. “What is wrong Gabriel? You look peaked.”
Gabriel closed his eyes as he sometimes did when he was stressed. She knew he disliked stress and conflict. He was always running away, never one to confide. His father, the late duke, had mentioned it several times. That Gabriel felt all he wanted was a simple life, surrounded by his studies with the freedom to travel.
“I am going to my study. I shall see you later.” His tone was abrupt, and he sounded like a spoiled child that didn’t get his way.
How could he possibly run so hot and then cold with her? Once again, she reminded herself that a woman such as herself need not put up with games. If he wanted her, he must say so. If he didn’t, then his behavior should remain consistently polite and amiable. She was getting frustrated at the back and forth.
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