Page 38 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“I have enjoyed talking with Lady Gemma myself,” Alastair said glowingly.
Gabriel cut his eyes towards the man and didn’t like how flirtatious he was continuing to be around Gemma. If he wasn’t careful, his feelings for her would be obvious to everyone in the group. Right now, he suspected they were only obvious to Alastair.
The man was staking his claim like a dog marks his territory. This could clearly become a competition for Gemma’s affections and love triangles were not his forte.
Gabriel knew that he wanted Gemma to himself and if he couldn’t be with her, he definitely did not want her to be with someone like Alastair. He has realized that his initial idea of introducing her as his ward during the season had been a horrible mistake. A man presenting himself as a possible suitor to Gemma was no longer working for him. In fact, it looked as if he should put a stop to the whole thing.
“I enjoy the time we spend together as well,” Gemma responded to Alastair.
The two grinned at each other and Gabriel was having none of that. How could this banter still be going right in front of him?Could it be time to introduce some interesting information I found out about Lord Arrogant, I mean Alastair?Gabriel thought to himself.
“Gemma really brings light to every occasion,” Gabriel said.
Gemma looked at him with more than intrigue in her eyes. Smoldering beneath her hazel eyes was a different kind of light. He returned her gaze with one that he hoped subtly indicated his feelings.
Gabriel held Gemma’s gaze as he grabbed a cracker and took a bite. He chewed slowly and deliberately.
Gemma looked at his mouth and her eyes widened, and she shifted on the blanket.
“Lady Gemma,” Alastair spoke, taking her attention away from Gabriel. “I would very much enjoy the opportunity to get to know you better. Share with me your interests and hobbies.”
“Well, I do enjoy history and art. I find that those subjects intrigue me the most. I also do enjoy reading and needle work. And you, Lord Langley, do you have certain interests that please you?”
“He enjoys gambling quite a bit, isn’t that right Lord Langley?” Gabriel asked.
Alastair shot daggers out of his eyes at Gabriel. Gabriel responded with a perfectly blank and innocent stare in return.
Both men knew that Alastair had lost ample money gambling and needed a wealthy wife to pay off his debts. It probably wasn’t far off to imagine that much of their society knew the very same thing.
Gabriel did not approve of Alastair trying his hand at Gemma if he intended to use her as a purse to clear his debts, and he was determined to ruin his chances. This was what was known as a wide-open shot, and Gabriel intended on making the very most of it.
“I do enjoy making bets but nothing too extreme. I know just how addictive gambling can be,” Alastair lied through his teeth. His eyes blazed.
Gemma watched the exchange between the two gentlemen, unaware of any animosity between the two.
Gabriel’s horse neighed.
“Is your horse alright?” Alastair asked tersely. “Maybe you should go make sure nothing spooked her.”
Gabriel shot Alastair a piercing look before he got up to go and check on his mare to make sure everything was okay.
As he petted his horse and checked her hoofs, assured that nothing had bothered her, he kept his eyes trained on Gemma and Alastair.
His chest tightened with a sense of possessiveness every time Alastair engaged with Gemma. Each bit of laughter or interested glance shot molten lava through his veins. He grew more determined than ever to put a stop to what he started.
Once again, Gabriel reminded himself that he had likely sent mixed signals to Gemma and created this whole mess he was in. Now he had to compete for Gemma’s affections with a man of undesirable character. This was his responsibility to fix. He either had to play dirty and out Alastair or he had to be the man his father taught him to be and open his heart and confess his feelings.
As he returned to the group, they all made small talk about the upcoming season events and laughed at jokes the men told. There was no shortage of gossip on the upcoming events.
The conversation moved easily between the group of five, even if Gabriel was uneasy about Alastair. The man was a polished communicator, to be sure. Naturally, that might be a perfectly admirable quality if it hadn’t been for the extra doses of affection toward Gemma.
Throughout the day, Gabriel could not help but allow himself to indulge in the memory of the kiss with Gemma. It had been a heated and passionate exchange, that surpassed anything he’d ever experienced. Not even with the woman he thought he had found love with, in France.
It was a shame that they were surrounded by other people. He would take her in his arms right then and there, if decorum was not an issue. Gabriel took in Gemma’s smiling face as she conversed with Felicity, and his body and heart were in complete sync with one another. Her beauty and poise were incomparable.
He closed his eyes briefly, imagining the feel of Gemma’s soft lips pliable against his own. A shiver had run down his tight spine. It was all he could think about as everyone laughed, and conversation enlivened the air.
After a handful of hours out under the cloud-free sky, the group made their way back to the manor, happily tired from their outing.
