Page 9 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
Gemma eventually closed her eyes and moved her head to the rhythm of the music, causing Gabriel to take notice of her neck and how long and delicate it looked.
“The music is wonderfully captivating, is it not?” Gabriel’s voice had taken on a slightly husky tone.
Gemma’s eyes opened as she turned to look at Gabriel. “It is, to be sure. Felicity is rather gifted on the piano. I envy her talent.”
“Do you have any musical talents? Perhaps you are a talented harpist or a gifted soprano?” Gabriel joked.
Gemma did not seem to be impressed by his question as her eyes darkened. She felt he was mocking her.
“I lack any musical abilities,” Gemma said icily, turning her back to Gabriel. She huffed and crossed her arms.
With Gemma’s back to him, Gabriel took in her petite silhouette. Gemma was average height for a female and was on the thin side. A perfect size for Gabriel as he wasn’t too much taller than her though he was muscular. It might not be an entirely appropriate thought at that moment, but he imagined the shape of their bodies would fit rather well together.
Gabriel ran a hand through his tousled dark hair as Felicity finished her song. He needed to distract himself from watching Gemma so closely. He really should keep his distance from her.
“That was marvelous,” Hugh said, standing up and clapping.
“She really has a talent for the piano,” Gabriel joined in. “That was absolutely wonderful.”
As a proper segue from such a fine performance by one of their own, Gemma announced to the guests that the drawing room was prepared for their comfort and repose. Almost immediately, Hugh took up his stance with the duke regarding the estate and its vital matters.
“Gabriel, we need to talk about estate matters,” Hugh started to say, in earnest, under his breath. This was a delicate conversation for his ears only. Hugh registered with disappointment that Gabriel was distracted.
Gabriel looked around and saw that it had become very dark outside. His brow furrowed.
“We shall but now is not the time.” The finality of his tone was not wasted on Hugh.
“Tomorrow morning then, unless you have previous arrangements?” Hugh asked.
Hugh and Gabriel both knew that Gabriel had no such engagements. They regarded each other warily, waiting for the other to acquiesce.
“That will be satisfactory,” Gabriel’s tight-lipped answer sent Hugh a message. It was not going to happen until Gabriel was ready.
It was clear that he would not be able to avoid a deeper discussion with Hugh regarding the estate. He resigned himself to the fact that Hugh was not going to let him. With his response in the affirmative, Hugh nodded, pleased at the agreement between them. He turned to Felicity and offered his arm to her once again with a smile.
“My lovely lady, might I accompany you to your carriage?” Hugh smiled warmly at Felicity who ducked her head shyly. She offered a small wave to Gemma and took Hugh’s arm.
With the air of perfect timing, both Gemma and Gabriel responded to Felicity’s wave together.
“Lady Gemma, thank you for this evening,” Gabriel said with a bow of his head as he turned and smiled with a barely perceptible flash in his eyes. He did his very best to present an appropriate politeness.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Gemma took a formal tone in return as she also internally wondered if she could have spoken something slightly more captivating to him. At times, she displayed a countenance and manner that any keen observer would have characterized as icy.
Upon excusing himself, Gabriel made his way back to his chambers, grateful for the time alone and away from guests or talk of his responsibilities at the estate. He gave the door to his room a shove, but did not latch completely, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Gabriel realized just how worn out from his journey he was as he leaned against the bed. The relentless social demands of the dinner party tired him immensely. However, he had made it through the evening. This was enough to commend himself for surviving it. Tomorrow would be another day, and he was sure to be fully engaged by Hugh and others over the business of the estate.
“I will enjoy this slumber tonight. Tomorrow will begin the duties from which I have run from for years.” As an announcement to no one but himself, Gabriel stretched out on the bed and yawned fully from the entire day. Sleep was now going to be his reward.
Chapter 5
Gemma couldn’t sleep, and she stared up at the ceiling from her bed. She was wrapped up in light colored blankets and as cozy as ever. Her mind was buzzing from her charged encounter with Gabriel earlier and her reactions.
Her body seemed to be restless, and her thoughts were jumbled in a way that she could not fully digest. The encounters and time spent around the new duke appeared to be having a profound effect on her, through and through.
She didn’t mean to react so coldly to his question about music, but she did not have a musical bone in her body, and it irked her to admit it. Ladies were supposed to have some form of musical talent but with her mother being gone, she had no one to teach her music.
She tossed and turned as she tried to fall asleep, but her mind had other plans for her.
