Page 49 of Love Unraveled
Gaston watched as the Duke of Salinger tempered his ire and schooled his face before he spoke. “Did the countess inquire if I was attending?”
“I’m certain she would be pleased to see you there,” Bentley said smoothly, and Gaston once again had the urge to punch the man.
“I will be going,” the duke said and walked away without another glance at Gaston.
Bentley brushed at his cuffs absently. “A bit of a hothead, don’t you think?”
“Why would you mention the countess?” Gaston still wanted to hit him.
“A little competition to keep you on your toes.” Bentley glanced at him and grinned. “Besides, wagers are being placed at White’s on who is going to win her hand at the races. Bets are off if all three of you aren’t there.”
Gaston was displeased they were in the betting books. Such foolishness to occupy idle minds. His anger slipped away. Bentley was not malicious, simply a man with too much money and time on his hands. A thought struck him. “Who did you bet on?”
“A silly question. You forget I have seen what the others have not.” He scanned Gaston from head to toe much more appreciatively than the duke had done. “Two rumpled morning returns. Since the countess has already secured her position in society and has no need of coin, my money’s on you.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Good cousin, give me audience for a while.
—Shakespeare,Henry IV
“You did not!”Elizabeth and Catherine exclaimed in unison, but neither of them looked remotely appalled as they clapped their hands gleefully.
“Sì,le mie belle, I did.” Sophia could not help but laugh at her friends’ reaction.
“And what did he say?” Elizabeth asked.
Sophia shrugged both shoulders. She had sent a note to the duke informing him no amount of flowers could woo her back, as she had her own garden to enjoy and had no need of his. “I do not know. I sent it before I joined you. But it does not matter what he responds. I will not be treated like property by any man.”
“And perhaps you now have a different gardener to tend to your flowers?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
“Perhaps,” Sophia said, and both Catherine and Elizabeth squealed. A ripple of genuine excitement flowed through Sophia. Sharing with her friends made her tentative decision about Gaston seem less tenuous.
“I never understood what you saw in the duke anyway.” Catherine sat back as the carriage rocked. “I mean, if he was a royal duke, there might be some fun in it. But even then, he is excessively condescending.”
“And dull,” added Elizabeth.
“Well, he does have a big…” Sophia deliberately paused and raised both eyebrows, and her friends’ eyes grew round. “…estate,” she finished. They laughed so much they were wiping at their eyes when Raimondo opened the carriage door.
They spent a good hour in the small shop, picking out ribbons, feathers, and small odds and sods to embellish bonnets and outfits. Catherine was returning to the countryside soon and wanted to update some of her items as well as have something to do while the baby slept.
“I’m so happy you will join us in Newmarket before we return to Woodfield,” Catherine said as they stepped back outside.
“How could I deny you anything?” Sophia watched Raimondo put the packages on the carriage.
“I’m sure your easy acquiescence had nothing to do with the fact Monsieur Durand has already agreed to join us all.” Elizabeth bumped her hip against Sophia playfully.
“You are devilish conspirators,” Sophia said and smiled.
“Oh, we are near Madame Moreau’s. Can we stop by and see if she has a minute to spare? I seem to need a few gowns with a bit more room here.” Catherine splayed a hand across her bosom.
“Of course,” Sophia said, but her mind scattered. How could she have forgotten about Jocelyne? “Raimondo, we are to the modiste.”
She knew he would inform Charles and follow discreetly behind. Raimondo always insisted on being around, even when there was no need. A simple footman could be an escort, but Raimondo would have none of it. It was both irritatingly overprotective and comforting. Elizabeth and Catherine chatted happily as they strolled the block and a half to Jocelyne’s shop, and Sophia debated how she was going to tell Jocelyne about Gaston’s surprising resurrection.
The bell tinkled when they entered. They were greeted by a young maid and seated in the small salon. Jocelyne, tall and elegant, looking more like Gaston’s sister than his cousin, joined them a few minutes later.
“C’est un plaisir, my ladies.” She smiled at Catherine and Elizabeth and shot a quick questioning glance at Sophia. “But I am afraid I am in the middle of a fitting…”
