Page 64 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
To show that he was serious, he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring box from his coat pocket. He opened the box and an enormous diamond ring sat inside. This time, he was prepared.
Gemma gasped at the ring as Gabriel took it out of the box and placed it on her ring finger.
He stood up, took her hand in his and lifted it to his mouth, kissing her hand in front of everyone. Her blush made him smile.
“Congratulations,” Hugh said as he made his way over to Gabriel with a wide grin. “Looks like we must talk.”
Gabriel gave Alastair a direct stare as he walked by him. He reveled in the way Alastair's stunned face was crimson and his mouth was agape at the news.
Hugh led Gabriel away and Gabriel glanced over his shoulder toward his fiancé. She was staring at the ring with her mouth open wide while Felicity was talking in her ear.
A smile grew on Gabriel’s face knowing that the look of awe was because of him. At last, he had done something properly.
Chapter 26
“Gemma… I do not know what to say,” Felicity said once Gabriel was pulled away from Gemma and her. “Are congratulations in order?”
Gemma shook her head and wiped a small tear from her eye before pasting a smile onto her face.
“What happened?” Felicity asked.
Gemma led Felicity to a more secluded corner of the ballroom.
“We are engaged, but how it happened was less than ideal,” Gemma started, fidgeting with her gown. “The engagement arose more out of Gabriel’s sense of duty rather than any romantic inclination, which hurts deeply.”
Felicity’s face etched with concern, she hated that her best friend was hurt.
“I know it may not seem this way, but you care for him deeply and he seems to care for you, maybe this will all work out in the end.”
“I hope so Felicity, I really do. But right now, every time I look at him it is as if my heart is shattering into a hundred little pieces that are waiting for him to pick them up, but he will not. It is as if he magically knows just how to make things worse. I cannot wrap my head around him in the slightest.
Felicity felt for Gemma. She wanted to hold and console her but there were too many eyes around them.
“Engagements are supposed to be happy times, but I am anything but,” Gemma confessed under her breath.
This time, Felicity did take Gemma’s hand on her own and gave it a tight squeeze.
“I wish you nothing but true joy, Gemma. Gabriel will find his way to make this right.” Felicity said, not sure what else to say to make Gemma feel any better.
“Thank you, Felicity, you truly are the greatest friend,” Gemma said with a warm smile. The first time Felicity had seen Gemma smile all night.
She knew her friend was struggling as they continued to talk, but Felicity couldn’t help but let her gaze wander over to Hugh and Gabriel, wondering what they were talking about.
Hugh looked up and met Felicity's gaze. He smiled widely at her and said something to Gabriel before heading toward Gemma and her.
“Ladies, I am sorry to interrupt but I was hoping to borrow Lady Felicity for a dance?” Hugh interrupted the ladies. Felicity looked over at her friend, as she would not leave her in a time of distress.
“Go ahead,” Gemma said with a small smile.
“I would love to dance with you,” Felicity responded to Hugh.
Hugh’s face broke out into a huge grin as he took her hand in his and led them to the dance floor.
An upbeat song was playing as they floated around the dance floor, both so enamored by the other.
As they danced, Felicity finally acknowledged her burgeoning love for Hugh. She wanted to marry him and spend the rest of her life with him. He was kind, respectful, and above all else just plain wonderful to be around.
Felicity’s smile felt as if it would break her face as they danced together.
