Page 44 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“Lady Gemma, come, sit,” the countess said, pulling Gemma from the portrait.
Gemma joined them on the couch.
“How is the season treating you, Lady Gemma?” Lady Sagewood asked. “You are quite the beauty, have any gentlemen caught your eye?”
Gemma shuddered. There was only one gentleman on her mind. Gabriel. But she knew that it would be scandalous to admit. A ward and her guardian, becoming involved with no proper courting, was scandalous.
“I am not sure,” Gemma confessed. Unsure of how to properly answer the question.
“Lord Langley seems taken by you,” Vivienne spoke up.
Gemma cut her eyes towards Vivienne who had been quiet around Gemma most of the evening.
“Lord Langley seems a nice man indeed,” Gemma answered.
The countess kept her eyes on Gemma and Gemma could feel her pointed stare but kept her gaze on Vivienne.
“How about you Lady Vivienne? Anyone courting you this season?” Gemma asked.
Vivienne flushed before glancing at her mother. “No one has outwardly courted me yet, but the duke is very impressive.”
Gemma felt a fire raging in her gut at Vivienne’s words. From dinner, it was clear Vivienne was interested in Gabriel but hearing her say as much filled Gemma with jealousy.
Gabriel and Gemma shared a close bond, though they were now only friends. Gemma hoped they could be more, but she would never admit that to anyone. Yet here she was again in a maddening conversation regarding the man that she truly desired.
“The duke is impressive, indeed,” Gemma responded with a smile on her lips.
“It is wonderful that you and Gabriel have such a fraternal bond. He must be a good guardian,” the countess said.
Gemma swallowed as she found herself uncomfortable with this unsolicited question. Did her and Gabriel’s bond seem fraternal? Gemma felt differently, but she could not say that aloud.
“The duke is a wonderful guardian. Even though he has only been one for such a short time.”
“Oh, we did hear about the late duke and your parents' passing. It is such a shame to lose so many close relationships at so young an age,” Lady Sagewood said, setting a hand on Gemma’s knee.
Gemma wanted to swat the hand away, not liking the way Vivienne’s mother was speaking to her, but she could not disrespect the countess, especially in her own home.
“Indeed, my lady,” was all the Gemma could say. How else was she expected to respond?
Gemma decided a change in topic was in order. She looked at Vivienne. “I understand you and your family just moved back to London. How are you finding your new surroundings?”
Vivienne again looked to her mother. Gemma caught the subtle nod that the countess gave her, after which Vivienne replied. “I find London most marvelous, and I could not ask for a better home.” Vivienne’s voice became surer as she continued. “The architecture is just beautiful, each room taking on a life of its o—”
Lady Sagewood cleared her throat and Vivienne shut down again. Gemma thought that the poor woman was clearly being controlled by her mother and sent the countess a sidelong glance. She must be very careful around the countess in the future, she was very certain of that.
The ladies spent the rest of their evening making small talk, which hardly appealed sufficiently to Gemma’s sensibilities.
In truth, Gemma could not wait for the evening to be done.
Chapter 19
As darkness settled in. Gabriel wandered the Ashbourne Estate as he reflected on how the invitation and gathering had played out for all of the guests.
With Alastair showing up, Gabriel could clearly see, and Alastair made it known, that he intended to try his hand at courting Gemma. This still irritated Gabriel to no end. How ignorant does that little man have to be to announce that right in front of Gemma’s guardian.
That thought alone made Gabriel’s blood boil. He did not like the idea of anyone courting Gemma. He knew Gemma needed to marry soon as she was going to be twenty-one, but Gabriel could only imagine her being married to him.
Truthfully, though, what right did he have to demand such an outcome when he had pushed their interactions into a platonic friendship? He himself had acted inappropriately and in trying to fix it, he has made it worse. It’s no wonder Gemma giggles and smiles were aimed at Alastair. He is the one treating Gemma with proper manners and etiquette.
