Page 42 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“That is quite nice, would you perhaps sing something for us after dinner?” Gabriel asked.
Vivienne looked to her mother again, who nodded slightly.
“What would you like to hear? She can sing almost anything,” the countess asked Gabriel.
Gabriel glanced at Gemma who merely nodded to him to direct what the selection should be.
“How about her favorite song?” Gabriel insisted.
The group adjourned to the drawing room to listen to Vivienne who gave Gabriel a shy smile and nod before she stood and went to the pianoforte.
As Vivienne began to sing, Gabriel could tell instantly what song she was singing.
Amazing Grace.
Vivienne's voice was truly beautiful and angelic, but Gabriel’s eyes were focused only on Gemma.
Gemma was looking toward Vivienne with wide eyes as she listened intently to the rendition of such a well-known song.
As Vivienne softly concluded the song, each guest, along with her mother and stepfather, broke out into a round of applause.
They made their way back to the dining room.
Gabriel opened his mouth to compliment her when a familiar voice spoke from the open doorway.
“I am so sorry that I am late but that was a beautiful performance, Lady Vivienne,” Alastair spoke with gusto as he walked over to join the group.
Gabriel tensed up at his voice. “Lord Langley, I did not know you were attending.”
“Well, I heard you two were attending and I just knew it would be a grand evening, so I managed to obtain an invitation,” Alastair turned toward the hosts. “Thank you so much for the invite and I deeply apologize for being late.”
Alastair took the open chair at the opposite end of the table, next to Gemma and across from Gabriel. Gabriel’s stomach curled at the thought of having to watch him flirt with Gemma all evening.
“Hello, Lord Langley,” Gemma said with a small grin on her face.
“It is lovely to see you again, Lady Gemma. It’s like fate keeps bringing us together.” Alastair laughed at his own line.
Gemma found herself allowing a small giggle in response to Alastair's presence.
The sight of Gemma’s radiance being bestowed upon another man unsettled Gabriel. It was an undercurrent of jealousy that was prickling at him. It was starting to feel very familiar to him.
Gabriel took careful note that the smile with a spark to it Gemma seemed to reserve only for Alastair. Alastair did not present himself as a friend, but rather, he approached Gemma as the beautiful woman that she was. He was a rather practiced flirt. His manner in flattering Gemma was very effective, which irked Gabriel down to his core.Why does she not react to me that way?
Nonetheless, Gabriel forced himself to remember his promise to remain friends with Gemma, suppressing the irrational pangs of possessiveness. It had been his idea to focus on a friendship, not Gemma’s. She had agreed to it, but it had all been his grand idea. He had hoped once they knew each other better, a proper relationship could bloom. Now, it seemed he had tripped himself up yet again.
As dinner was being served, each guest again complimented Vivienne on her rendition of Amazing Grace. She humbly accepted the praise smiling shyly and dropping her head demurely thanking each person in turn.
Everyone talked about the latest scandals and soirees that would be coming up, as well. Dinner was delightful for everyone except Gabriel, who kept stealing glances at Gemma and Alastair as the pair had their own conversations that he and the rest of the group were excluded from.
Gabriel found himself repeatedly being pulled into conversations with the Ravenscrofts. The trio acted as if Gemma and Lord Langley were not even there, making Gabriel the center of their conversation and interest.
“Dinner was excellent, Lord Sagewood,” Lord Langley said as he wiped his chin with a napkin.
Gabriel hated that Alastair beat him to the compliment but extended his own. “Yes, thank you for the invitation. This evening has been wonderful,” Gabriel urged.
The earl beamed at them as he stood. “Well, if I may be so bold, you two are more than welcome to have drinks with me in the parlor. The ladies can retire to the drawing room.”
Gabriel looked at Gemma, but her eyes were set on the table.
