Elizabeth nodded slowly. “Of course. I should have known that.”
“These are things that take time to learn,” Justine said. “Soon they will be second nature.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “To the party we go.”
*
Elizabeth climbed the steps of her parents’ home with some trepidation. She had returned a few times, of course, to call upon them and to have dinner. But this was the first event with others in attendance—and, thinking of that, she wondered just who would be here this evening.
Of course, there was one person in particular she was wondering about, but she didn’t want to give that thought any credence.
She hadn’t seen Gabriel since the partners’ meeting, after which they had inadvertently kissed. He had attempted to call upon her one day, but she hadn’t been home—which she had been relieved about once learning of his arrival, for she had no idea how she would have greeted him. Hello, Gabriel, nice to see you. I hope you didn’t read much into that kiss, for it meant nothing. Then he would agree, and all would be back to how it was, would it not? But that conversation would be particularly uncomfortable, and she would rather avoid it, despite the fact that, at some point, their paths were bound to cross again, considering their social circles and involvement in the bank.
Her grandmother squeezed her arm.
“Smile, dear,” she said, and Elizabeth complied just as the butler opened the door and led her in to greet her parents, who were perfunctorily polite.
Elizabeth had taken not two steps into the room when her eyes were instantly drawn to one man, the dark, deceptive Duke of Clarence, as though there was a magnet that captured her gaze in its grip. Despite the fact the room was filled with people, all she could see was him. Why, oh why, did it have to be so? She didn’t want to feel anything for Gabriel. She didn’t want to be inexplicably attracted to him, to long to feel his arms around her and his lips upon hers once more. But she couldn’t help her yearning any more than she could keep from breathing.
Which was why, she determined as she tore her gaze away to peruse the rest of the room, she would stay far, far away from him.
*
It was as though he had traveled back in time.
For when Elizabeth walked into the room, Gabriel was reminded of the moment, years ago now, when he had first seen her in her womanly form as she had entered that party that had forever changed them both. Tonight, as she walked into her parents’ receiving room on the arm of her grandmother, Gabriel was once again instantly captivated.
He had hardly been able to rid her from his mind since he had kissed her at the bank those few months ago now. He had attempted to call upon her, but he had received her message clearly—she wanted nothing to do with him. She was a woman with a long memory, one who may have forgiven, but had not forgotten.
Gabriel had long ago accepted the fact that he had ruined any opportunity he would ever have with her, and had moved on. Or so he thought.
Seeing her here now, he was reminded of why she outshone any and every other woman he met.
It wasn’t as though she was a stunning beauty. She was pretty, graceful, and had an elegance the likes of which he had never before seen in another. But it was the knowledge of who she was, all she had accomplished, and the confidence with which she carried herself that was unmatched. She walked with the air of a woman who cared not of what others thought, though he was aware that this was truly not the case. Elizabeth cared. Gabriel knew because he had seen the true woman underneath the air of unconcern. He could tell as her unsettling violet gaze surveyed the room that she didn’t particularly care to be here, and would likely rather be anywhere else—particularly the bank, he assumed.
This, however, was her parents’ party, and she couldn’t very well avoid attending—which was why he had chosen to accept tonight’s invitation from Lord and Lady Shannon.
He could practically feel when Elizabeth’s gaze passed over him, and as much as he knew she had seen him, he could tell she was attempting to pretend she had not. So she was not yet ready to see beyond their past. Very well.
Gabriel had told himself it was probably better that way. How would a woman like Elizabeth, with her position and her disapproval of most within society, fit into his life, anyway?
At one point in time, she had, he reminded himself but shook his head to toss away the thought.
“Clarence.” Gabriel turned behind him to see who it was greeting him, pleased to find two of his closest friends, David Redmond, as well as Jeffrey Worthington, Marquess of Berkley.
“Gentlemen,” he said. “A pleasure to see you here this evening.”
“Who did Shannon and his wife not invite?” Jeffrey asked with a raised eyebrow. “It seems as though half of the ton has gathered in this room.”
He was right. The Moreland family had a substantial home within London, though nothing at all like Gabriel’s own.
“Are they not still in mourning?” Redmond asked, and Gabriel shrugged. “It has been a few months, it is true, and Lady Shannon continues to wear black.”
“Still…”
“Each to their own, I suppose,” Berkley said, and Gabriel nodded. As far as he was aware, Lady Shannon hadn’t been particularly close to her father in recent years.
“Even Clarke’s wife is here!” Redmond continued on, clearly unable to process the fact that the family had disregarded some of the mourning procedures.
“Thomas Clarke was an interesting character,” said Gabriel, smiling as he remembered one of his many conversations with the man. “He felt that after the death of someone one truly loved, life should be celebrated. He hated the idea of wearing black, of keeping oneself from any type of merriment. I assume his wife holds similar ideals.”
“Interesting,” Berkley said, while Redmond raised his eyebrows, clearly still somewhat confused.
“Is your wife in attendance tonight, Berkley?” he asked, to which the man nodded. “Of course. She wouldn’t miss this. Far too much to write about—ah, that is, write to Lady Julia about. In letters.”
Gabriel smiled. While he was well aware of Lady Phoebe’s activities as publisher of The Women’s Weekly—one of England’s few publications written entirely for women, which often questioned the very ideals of society—Redmond had no such knowledge, and nor would Berkley be wanting to share that information.
“There she is now,” Berkley continued. “With Miss Jones. Lady Elizabeth is now joining them.”
Gabriel was surprised to see that Elizabeth did not remain with them long, but was soon moving about the room, greeting those who had gathered. So, she was taking her responsibilities as senior partner much more seriously than even he had expected. Good for her, he thought, a strange pride filling his chest. Which was ridiculous. He had no reason to be proud of her. He was simply an acquaintance, and she was her own woman, which she had made very clear.
And now that woman was coming their way.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” she said with a nod as she joined them. “I am so pleased to see you this evening.”
She was a vision. She wore a dress of gray so light it was nearly white, and all he could see was the red of her hair and the violet of her eyes.
“Good evening, Lady Elizabeth,” said Berkley. “You look lovely. I have not seen you since the death of your grandfather so I would like to offer my condolences. I hear you are doing well taking his place at Clarke & Co.”
“I do not believe anyone can take his place with the same excellence to which he always kept the bank,” she said demurely. “But thank you for your kind words.”
“I’m surprised to see your grandmother here,” Redmond said, and Gabriel wanted to roll his eyes at the man, who had a tendency to say things that weren’t particularly fitting for the moment.
Elizabeth, however, ever polite, smiled prettily at him. “My grandmother feels my grandfather would want her to continue to enjoy life. She still mourns him very deeply, I can assu
re you.”
Redmond colored, having been chastened appropriately.
“My apologies, Lady Elizabeth, I never meant—”
“Not to worry,” she said. “I would far prefer the question to be asked of me directly than to be spoken of behind my back.”
“Fair enough,” Redmond said, his wide, well-known charming smile breaking out over his face. Gabriel wished he wouldn’t look at Elizabeth with such admiration.
“Would you care to dance, Lady Elizabeth?” Gabriel asked, finally finding his voice.
“I’m not sure…” she said, looking around, clearly wanting to do anything but dance with him.
“Just one dance,” he said smoothly, and he saw the hesitation on her face, but he could tell by the slight panic that passed over her eyes that she could not think of an excuse.
“Very well,” she mumbled, and then offered her hand to him.
Chapter Twelve
Elizabeth slowly placed her gloved hand in Gabriel’s. So much for her plan to avoid him. But she could hardly have passed by these three gentlemen—one the husband of one of her closest friends, another a bank partner—when she was greeting everyone else in the room.
Gabriel gave her a warm smile, one she would have labeled seductive, but she knew far better than that. It was the look he gave every woman he met and almost all fell for it—with a few exceptions, if his encounters with Julia had proven anything.
Elizabeth vowed she wouldn’t give in. The only way around that was to not meet his gaze. She looked straight ahead at the other couples who surrounded them on the dance floor. It was a waltz, of course. She could hardly have worse luck.
Gabriel turned her and took her waist in one hand, capturing her other gloved hand in one of his own. He was dressed beautifully tonight, as he always was. He wore a cobalt blue tailcoat with fawn trousers, perfectly fitted over a white shirt and waistcoat. His hair was expertly coiffed, his dark chestnut curls the envy of most women, including Elizabeth herself.
“You look lovely tonight,” he murmured in her ear, and his smoky voice against her neck sent tremors down her spine. Elizabeth was a tall woman, but he was the perfect height beside her—tall enough himself, but not so much so that he dwarfed her. His chin could rest almost exactly on the top of her head if he so chose to tilt it forward.
“Thank you,” she said softly, unable to find any witty words to throw at him at this moment. He was being polite, and she would be the same. They could do that, could they not? Be acquaintances, partners of the same business? “You look fine yourself, as always.”
“Ah, do you think so, then?” he asked, and she could practically hear his mouth curving into a smile, though she refused to look up at him to see. For then she would be lost in his deep blue eyes, and all of her vows to keep herself from falling for him once more would be forgotten.
“Everyone believes so,” she answered deftly. “Tell me, have you been keeping well?”
“I have,” he said. “And you?”
“I suppose I have as well. Though it has been a… busy time.”
Apparently, he read more into her words, words that were so carefully cultivated within this artificial conversation that was becoming rather ridiculous. When would this dance be over, so that she could continue on her way and take care of her necessary business?
“Have you been having any difficulties with partners and clients?”
“The partners seem to be split about equally on their thoughts of me,” she said, not betraying how much it hurt that they would doubt her so, as expected as it was. “I believe they would all come around, were it not for Henry. He has been doing all he can to stir doubt in their minds as to my capabilities as well as the bank’s reputation with a woman at the helm. While fortunately, the interrogation into the will’s validity proved all was credible, it did create some doubts as to the bank’s future, another obstacle to now overcome. I also visited Mr. Mortimer, and he could not remember signing over his share to Henry. Though his wife does recall Henry coming to visit, she was not in the room with the two of them. Mr. Mortimer also had no recollection of who I was. His memory is fading fast, but his family has no wish to discuss it. So much so, that they will not come forward and deny Henry’s claim, despite their anger at his treachery.”
“Do they not want to ensure the partnership stays within the family, despite what that could mean?”
“His wife and two currently unwed daughters have no wish for anything to do with the bank,” Elizabeth explained. “They likely would have forfeited the partnership back to the bank, so they are not angry enough to actually take any action. In fact, one of the daughters is not so much angry now, but hopes that Henry might ask for her hand, and then the partnership would be retained within the family anyway.”
“Has Henry any inclination to marry the girl?” Gabriel asked, surprise in his tone, and Elizabeth smiled ruefully.
“Likely not. I suspect that he has begun a flirtation in order to win the family to his side, but I cannot prove anything. All I can do now, if I choose, is to deny his partnership, but I’m not sure how the other partners would react.”
“Please know that I am happy to help you in any way that I can.”
“I appreciate that, Gab—your grace, I do, but this is something I must do on my own.”
“You are a remarkable woman, Elizabeth.”
She wished he wouldn’t say such things to her. It softened her resolve toward him, one that needed to be built up.
“I am only doing what must be done,” she said. “What my grandfather would have wanted.”
“But is this what you want?”
She looked up at him finally, then, as she thought on his words and tried to determine just how to best answer them. His eyes met hers, probing deeply, and she felt that connection they had once shared—the ability to talk to him about things that actually mattered, to be able to share her innermost thoughts. She had to be careful, however, for he could now use those words against her.
“It is what I want,” she finally answered as she thought of her role with the bank, the fulfillment it provided her. “I enjoy having purpose and, if I am being honest, the power that comes with such a role. It is somewhat frightening, I suppose, to know that decisions I make could so greatly affect many others—especially those who have their entire life savings with us, for however big or small that might be, it is a fortune to each of them. And yet… I do not trust anyone else with such decisions. I must remember that my grandfather asked this of me, and it is important that I follow through.”
“So you are happy then?”
“I am. Or, I will be once I feel surer of myself, more at ease that this will not all be wrenched away from me.”
“This doubt, this fight,” he said, “You must know it will never completely disappear. There have been women in banking before, it is true, but not many. This is an industry controlled by men—”
“Aren’t they all?” she interrupted, but he continued.
“—And there will always be men who feel threatened by you, who will not want to see you succeed. Are you prepared to fight that battle for the rest of your life?”
“Are you attempting to dissuade me?” she asked, pulling back from him. “Do you still doubt me?”
“I do not doubt you,” he said. “Not at all. I am aware of your abilities. And yet, I wonder if this will be a happy life, always fighting to prove your worth.”
“Whether it is a happy life or not, I cannot answer that, not at the moment,” she said, looking back at his chest instead of into his face. “But it is a life that matters, and one that I will not give up on just because there are those who doubt me and want to see to my downfall. In fact, that is all the more reason to fight on.”
“Then I offer you my support as well as my admiration once more,” he said. “For it will not be easy, but if anyone can do this, it is you.”
She nodded, unsure of how she felt about his words. Was he purposefully trying to goad her,
or was he seriously unsure of whether she was able to handle this or not?
As if reading her thoughts, he lowered his head so that his mouth brushed against her ear ever so slightly. “I do not doubt you, Elizabeth, never think that. I never have.”
Elizabeth nodded, wondering how much longer she had to continue waltzing within his embrace. For she could no longer deny just how attracted to him she was. Yet, how could that be, that she would still want a man who had treated her so poorly years ago? Not only that, but he clearly had conflicting thoughts about her current role. She knew if she were ever to marry—particularly a man like the Duke, though of course not this duke—she may have to relinquish much to him, for all of her income would become his. Thanks to her grandfather’s wording within the will, the shares and the inheritance would remain hers, but everything else could never be—anything she further earned would be his, as was the law, the injustice of which Phoebe was always fighting against with her paper. Elizabeth didn’t want to be another woman who left everything she held important to her for a man, no matter who that man was.
But why did Gabriel have to be not only so devastatingly handsome but also so witty, so intelligent? She had never felt this way about another man and she likely never would again. She reminded herself that for all of his redeeming qualities, he could also be annoyingly infuriating.
At last the final chords of the song sounded, and Elizabeth stepped away from Gabriel as quickly as she could.
“So eager to be rid of me?” he quipped with a raised eyebrow, and she felt her cheeks redden.
“I must see to the other guests. It is important that they all come to know me.”
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