Page 41 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Gemma and Gabriel spent the rest of the carriage ride to Sagewood Manor making small talk about everything and anything, just getting to know each other better. Naturally, this somehow seemed rather ironic given what had already transpired between them. Talk about putting the cart before the proverbial horse. Regardless, conversation continued on as if they were complete strangers getting to know one another.
For the first time, Gemma wished the carriage ride wouldn’t end. If this is what every day with him could be like, then hopefully one day, she could convince to be more than friends. To be equals, to be married.
At last, they came upon the estate, and Gemma’s excited outburst shifted the conversation entirely out of small talk.
“Sagewood Manor is simply stunning! I had only heard of the architecture of this estate, but seeing it up close, I hardly know what to say.”
Gemma craned her neck to be able to get a better view of the estate in the waning late afternoon light.
The manor was magnificent with ornate arches and front gardens, neatly trimmed. The brick was lighter than most buildings. The stairs that led up to the front door were staggered in levels and decorated with beautiful colors of plants and flowers in all sizes and shapes. The door itself was white with large amounts of glass that glittered in the setting sun. Gemma had never seen anything so beautiful.
As the carriage pulled in and the horses slowed their pace, Gabriel alighted first and then aided Gemma in climbing carefully down from the carriage, as well.
As their hands touched, Gemma’s heart skipped a beat but she tried to not think about it, since the duke had drawn the line clearly at only friendship. Gemma grimaced at the thought, but put it aside as she greeted the Earl and Countess of Sagewood,
She and Gabriel climbed the first set of steps to reach the Earl and Countess who patiently waited for them. Gemma was sure she might trip and tumble down from nerves and excitement forging a not so endearing impression. She let out a quiet breath as she reached the top without incident.
“Your Grace, Lady Gemma, it is wonderful of you two to join us tonight,” Thomas Ravenscroft, The Earl of Sagewood, spoke loudly from his spot on the stairs.
He looked magnificent with his round belly and short hair. There was kindness in his eyes but when Gemma looked towards his wife, she felt an icy chill darting down her spine as the older woman’s eyes roamed over her. Gemma could feel her scrutinizing gaze as if daggers were being shot through her entire body.
Vivienne, on the other hand, gave Gemma a soft empathetic smile.
“Your dress looks very elegant, Lady Gemma,” Vivienne said in her soft tone. Her smile was truly genuine, and Gemma warmed to the young woman.
The small act of kindness shown by Vivienne appeared to go unnoticed by everyone else but Gemma. She appreciated the warmth in Vivienne’s demeanor. And it was clear that Vivienne was a genuinely kind person. She looked forward to getting to know the woman better over dinner.
Thomas took the opportunity to speak with solid volume to Gemma and Gabriel. “Please do come in. We have prepared a lovely evening ahead. Shall we start with drinks, then?”
Gabriel nodded his agreement and followed Thomas inside as the ladies remained outside for a brief moment.
“Your dress is beautiful as well, Lady Vivienne. I wanted to make sure that you know how beautiful you look,” Gemma said to Vivienne whose cheeks heated up to a ripe shade of pink.
“Ladies, we must head inside. Please make haste,” the countess cut off the soft moment with her stern command.
Gemma did not like the tone coming from Vivienne’s mother, but the woman was their hostess, so she carefully made her way into the estate with a smile plastered across her face. She made it as sincere as possible, but her face was frozen due to the air of conceit that Cressida displayed so well.
What could one do when the hostess was, in a word, icy? Gemma did not know for certain, but she hoped to immediately find Gabriel just as soon as she was inside with the other guests of the manor. A lovely gathering. That was how the earl had described it. It was time to find out if that would be the case or not.
Chapter 18
Everyone was led into the dining room which was much smaller in comparison to Gabriel’s estate dining room. It did have a warmth to it that was surprising since the lady of the manor was anything but warm. A gold candelabra was prominently displayed in the center of the long table, a subtle but beautiful hint at the wealth the earl and countess may possess.
The room was painted a warm beige color, and the table had enough chairs for six people which suited their party of five perfectly.
The earl sat at the head of the table with his wife to his right and Vivienne to his left. Gabriel was seated next to Vivienne and Gemma sat across from Gabriel and next to the countess.
It was a small but lovely affair if not for Lady Sagewood’s icy looks towards Gemma who by now had learned to ignore them. Any attention she paid to the countess would surely ruin her evening and she wanted to enjoy herself as much as possible.
As Gabriel found himself seated next to Vivienne, he could not help but notice her nervous disposition. She fidgeted in her seat and occasionally chewed on her bottom lip, as well.
From the careful manner in which Vivienne chose her words to the tentative way she sipped her wine; it was evident she feared a misstep. Gabriel wondered who she might be afraid of angering.
“Lady Vivienne, what do you enjoy by the way of hobbies or interests?” Gabriel asked politely.
“I like to paint,” Vivienne’s timid eyes darted at her mother as if seeking approval or fearing a sign of disdain.
“She is a gifted alto,” Lady Sagewood spoke up for her daughter after a beat.
