Page 43 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
“That sounds like a fine idea,” Alastair spoke up.
Gabriel agreed and the three men got up to go to the parlor.
“Enjoy your time with the ladies,” Gabriel said to Gemma on his way to the parlor.
Gemma looked up from the table and shot him a small smile before turning towards Vivienne and Cressida who were already looking at Gemma.
“Let us make haste, Your Grace. We do not have all night,” Alastair urged Gabriel.Who does this little man think he is telling me to make haste? Gabriel fumed.
The three men made their way into the parlor.
The room was smaller than the dining room, but there was a billiards table in the middle and some chairs around a small bar area.
“My Lord, care for a game?” Alastair asked the earl.
Thomas eagerly agreed. He often didn’t have many people to play billiards with.
As the two gentlemen played, Gabriel brooded in the corner.
He did not like how Gemma’s attention was on Baron Langley for most of the night. Nor did he like the fact that the Earl and Countess of Sagewood seemed to be pushing him toward Vivienne.
Gabriel’s sights were firmly on Gemma, but no one could know that, not even Gemma. Was he simply torturing the two of them, then?
“How is everything, Lord Langley? Financially, I mean to inquire?” Thomas asked Alastair as they each had three balls left.
Alastair sank his striped ball into the corner pocket. “Things are finally looking up. I have my eyes set on someone who is particularly stunning and could mean a great deal to me.”
Gabriel’s interest peaked at Alastair's words. It seems his sources on his debts were correct, and his interest in Gemma was no mystery.
“You are planning on courting this season? Very good then. Who is the lady in question?” Thomas asked.
Gabriel feared the answer but kept his ears open as he sipped on a brandy in the corner of the room.
“Lady Gemma Whitmore, of course. She is a fine lady and has a handsome dowry. She would make the most respectable wife,” Alastair insisted.
Gabriel saw red as his stomach twisted into knots. He knew Alastair was interested in Gemma, that much was obvious, but he had no idea that Alastair had intentions of formally courting her. Langley should have been a gentleman and come to him, as her guardian, to ask his permission. This man’s arrogance knew no bounds.
He was stunned speechless. And conflicted. He thought he had more time. Was he even going to allow this courting to happen?
He had kissed Gemma, and even though he told her they should just be friends, he still saw her as his. It was an official declaration then; he was merely confusing himself as well as Gemma in the process. Now, he could see clearly that this might lead her straight into the arms of Alastair Langley.
Gabriel knew that he had to do something soon, but he was not sure what. He had most certainly created a web all of his own doing.
***
“Shall we retire to the drawing room, then?” the countess asked her daughter and Gemma.
“That would be lovely, Lady Sagewood,” Gemma responded as she slowly stood from the table.
Gemma looked at Vivienne who was staring at her mother as she too got up from the table. She wondered why Vivienne kept gazing at her mother. Was it for approval? Gemma didn’t know.
The three ladies made their way out of the dining room and down the hall to the drawing room where there were three couches in a semi-circle facing a fireplace. It was a stunning room that felt homey.
Gemma couldn’t help but smile as she saw the family portrait atop the fireplace. The Earl and Countess were seated, and Lady Vivienne stood behind them. They looked like a loving family, which was different than what Gemma got from having dinner with them.
Turning, Gemma saw that the countess and Lady Vivienne were already seated on the furthest couch making small talk. Gemma could feel the absence of Felicity, her dearest companion. When Felicity was around, Gemma had someone to talk to, someone to bond with. Without Felicity there, Gemma felt out of place, especially with the mother and daughter duo.
Gemma walked closer to the painting, inspecting it. She could see the paint was newer as the portrait had not faded at all. Gemma enjoyed art so studying the portrait filled her with warmth.
