Page 97 of A Winter Scandal

“I had it brought from a florist in Cheltenham.” He chuckled at her expression. “Surely you did not think I would let you go to a ball without flowers. What sort of an admirer would I be?”

“Is that what you are? An admirer?”

“Of course.” He bent closer, murmuring, “Among other things that it is perhaps better not to mention here.”

“Well, my dear, you look most lovely,” Daniel said, coming up and surprising Thea by kissing her on the cheek. “I am quite looking forward to seeing everyone’s expression at the ball tonight.” He patted her shoulder. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must run up and change. Save me a dance. I suspect your card may be crowded this evening.” With a chuckle, he trotted up the stairs.

“Your brother is right,” Gabriel said, taking the corsage from her and reaching down to pin it in place. “I shall have to write in my name on your dance card before we leave, or I shan’t have a hope of getting on the floor with you.”

“Don’t be absurd.” Thea’s heart fluttered as he bent over her, his fingers lightly brushing the bare skin above her dress as he pinned the flowers. “It is just the absence of my spectacles. You may have to lead me about, I fear.” She held up her mask by the strings. “Glasses simply don’t work with a mask.”

“It is far more than that, I assure you. But it will be my pleasure to ‘lead you about.’” He reached up to touch one of her earrings with the tip of his finger, and he smiled. “They look just as I thought they would on you. Beautiful.”

Thea felt her throat close up, and she knew she was perilously close to tears.

“Here, let me tie on your mask.” Gabriel took it from her hand and reached around her to tie it on. “There, look.” He stepped aside, turning her toward the mirror on the wall.

Thea had bought the mask on her shopping expedition to Cheltenham with Damaris last week. It was far dearer than anything she would normally have purchased, but she could not resist the temptation. Sprinkled lightly with tiny glittering rhinestones, the corners arching up into saucy points, the black velvet was a sensual contrast to her milky skin, and it gave her face a hint of exotic mystery. Her gray eyes were luminous and large, outlined by the intense black, and the mask’s concealment of her upper face seemed to emphasize her mouth below it.

She met Gabriel’s eyes in the mirror, and the sensual softening of his mouth, the heat in his eyes as he gazed at her, confirmed the allure. He moved closer behind her, his arms sliding around her waist.

“I am not sure I can keep my hands off you tonight,” he murmured in her ear, his breath on her skin sending flickers of desire down through her.

“Perhaps we should leave, then.”

“Mm. But first.” He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to kiss her. His kiss was long and slow, an establishment of possession as much as it was a promise of delights to come. When at last he released her, Thea took a shaky step backward, her eyes wide and slightly dazed.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I think we will have to stay here,” he growled, reaching out to take her in his arms again.

But Thea skipped out of his reach laughingly and took her cloak from the rack by the door. “Oh, no, not after promising me a dance. I intend to collect on that.”

“You may have every one. Thea … I wanted to ask you …”

She turned to look at him. A dark look that she could not read was in his eyes. “What?” she asked somewhat apprehensively, unconsciously taking a step backward.

“No, not now.” He shook his head. “Later, after this party is over.” He smiled and swept her a bow. “After you, Miss Bainbridge.”

It would have taken a more saintly person than Thea not to have been pleased by the reaction from the other guests when they entered the party. Damaris, smiling broadly, kissed her on both cheeks and assured her that she would outshine all the other women in attendance. On all sides, Thea saw the amazed stares of the people who had known her all her life. She was gratified to see that even Lady Wofford was gaping at her.

“Cousin, you are looking lovely tonight.” Ian recovered more quickly than his wife and stepped forward to claim the right of a cousinly kiss on Thea’s cheek. He cast a thoughtful glance over at Gabriel beside her. “Morecombe. Once again you surprise me.”

“Miss Bainbridge.” Lady Wofford’s nod and brief smile were more reserved, but Thea could see the same quick calculation in her eyes as she looked from Thea to Gabriel.

Sir Myles, who had been standing with Ian and Emily, took Thea’s hand, his bright golden-brown eyes laughing down into hers. “I have been suspecting for some time that Gabriel was hiding you from us, and now I understand why. You are far too lovely for us mere mortal men.”

“You, sir, are a shameless flirt.”

“I am,” he replied with no apparent regret. “And I intend to flirt with you a great deal tonight. I confess, I enjoy it twice as much when Gabriel is shooting jealous daggers at me with his eyes.”

“Now, Myles,” Gabriel drawled. “You know I have no objection if you only look …”

“What character did you draw?” Lady Wofford apparently decided that it was time for a change of subject. “I am Mrs. Melody; Ian says I shall have to go about singing all evening.”

Thea unfolded the card she had been handed by Damaris as they had entered. “Miss Pinchpenny.” She laughed. “That should be an easy one.”

On any other night, she would have enjoyed the role, too, exclaiming over the extravagance of everything and vowing that she could have bought this or that more cheaply, but tonight she could think of nothing but Gabriel’s meeting with Hannah. Even as she stood, talking and laughing with the others over their character roles, sipping at her warm cup of mulled wine, her nerves were stretched to their fullest, waiting for what would happen.

A ripple of excitement ran around the room, and Thea turned to see that Lord Rawdon had entered. Even wearing a mask, Rawdon’s pale hair and eyes immediately gave away his identity. The tall stranger drew everyone’s attention, and a low buzz started, building as whispers passed from guest to guest. Thea sensed Ian and his wife stiffen at the man’s entrance, and after Rawdon paid his respects to the hostess and headed in Gabriel’s direction, both Lord and Lady Wofford drew back a little. Myles cast a wary glance at Gabriel, but it was soon replaced by surprise as Gabriel stood calmly beside Thea, awaiting Lord Rawdon’s approach.