Page 50 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“Marvelous, we were just heading upstairs. Follow me,” the countess demanded.
Gabriel, Gemma, and Alastair followed the Ravenscroft's upstairs to their box.
The inside of the box was even more grand than the entrance.
From the box, Gabriel could see the entire theater. There were three levels of boxes, their box was in the middle level, and then the floor.
The people on the floor looked cozy but the richer folks sat in their own boxes.
“The view is amazing, my lady,” Gemma offered.
Gabriel caught the look countess shot Gemma before a smile broke out on her face. He was curious what that exchange was about.
“Your Grace, please, sit over here,” Vivienne called out after her mother whispered into her ear.
Gabriel couldn’t deny the beautiful woman and took a seat next to her.
“How have you been Lady Vivienne? It seems a lifetime has passed since last I saw you,” Gabriel said.
Vivienne flushed, looking quiet and timid.
“It has felt like it has been a very long time since our last meeting. It is always a pleasure to be in your company.” Vivienne pulled out a fan and began fluttering it.
Gabriel watched the action and knew she was attempting to flirt with him. If he was any other man, he would no doubt be taken by Vivienne. Her blonde locks were done in an intricate updo, and her pale pink dress matched her flushed cheeks. But his mind was occupied by auburn hair and hazel eyes. Stormy hazel eyes tonight.
“What is playing tonight?” Gabriel asked Vivienne hoping to distract his mind from thoughts of Gemma.
“La Vestaleby Gaspare Spontini.” Vivienne explained.
Gabriel nodded, never having seen that opera before. He glanced to where Gemma and Alastair were standing by the balcony’s edge. They seemed to be talking in a playful manner that made Gabriel’s blood feel like fire in his veins. He wanted to rage and stop their conversation, but he remained calm and continued his conversations with Vivienne.
***
Gabriel just kept talking to Vivienne and it made Gemma’s heart ache. She wished it was her he was talking to.
“Are you looking forward to the opera to start, Lady Gemma?” Alastair asked as he led her to her seat, which happened to be beside Gabriel with Alastair sitting to her left.
Gemma could feel the tension coming off of Gabriel in waves as she sat next to him, their shoulders brushing. She tried not to think about the flutter in her stomach or the way her shoulder was on fire at the spot where his shoulder touched hers.
“Very much so, my lord,” Gemma finally responded to Alastair.
“I find I admire your jacket, Your Grace. I do not often see dark green jackets,” Gemma heard Vivienne compliment Gabriel.
The smile Vivienne shot Gabriel felt like a piercing shard of betrayal to Gemma.
Why were the two of them getting so cozy? Was Vivienne the reason Gabriel did not want to commit to Gemma? Was he running around kissing her in secret rooms too? Her mind danced around with the possibilities.
All of these negative thoughts were at the forefront of Gemma’s mind as she glanced across the opera house.
Somehow, she ended up making eye contact with Felicity who stood up and waved at her.
A smile grew on Gemma’s face at the sight of her friend, her eyes taking in her box and seeing Hugh seated beside Felicity. At lease her friend was able to find happiness. It settled a small piece of the ache in her heart, to know that her friend was in love.
***
There was something magical in Felicity’s smile.
Hugh watched as Felicity stood and waved across the opera house to her dearest friend, Gemma. It was not the most ladylike thing to do but it made Hugh smile. He was beginning to grow fond of all of Felicity’s quirks.
