“I say, why don’t you join us for some tea, Evelyn?” Stuart said, nodding and smiling politely as he and his bridge partner forfeited their game to their extremely worthy opponents.
“Yes, that would be terribly nice.” Evelyn said, smiling. For a moment she looked about her for any sign of Amelia.
“Well, just have tea with us for a moment, and then you can while away the rest of the afternoon in non-stop gossip with your old friend.” Stuart said, and gently took her elbow and led her to a small arrangement of a couch and two chairs. It was close enough to the fire to be pleasing, yet not so close as to be overpowering.
“Evelyn, please do allow me to introduce my great friend to you.” Stuart began, the moment they had reached their seat. “This is Gabriel Farrington.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, at last, Lady Godfrey.” Gabriel said, and bowed expansively, never once taking his eyes from hers.
Evelyn felt her mouth go a little dry and was quite unable to look away from him. Whilst he was extremely handsome, he was not classically so. Indeed, her cousin’s friend was rather unusually handsome. His hair was a rather rare shade of blonde, being almost the gray of an old man’s. However, it was certainly not gray, but unusual nonetheless. His eyes were also very pale, in fact, such a pale blue that they were almost gray. And yet, despite the paleness of his hair and eyes, his complexion was a very pleasing contrast of tanned and smooth skin.
Evelyn could not help but think that his fairness was very much more interesting and appealing than that of her fiancé.
“And I am very pleased to meet you too, Mr……” Evelyn faltered, suddenly recognizing the name. “I do beg your pardon, it is Duke, is it not?” Her slight error did not disturb her in any way, for Stuart Penhaligon had not entirely introduced the man correctly. It was rather unlike Stuart to make such a mistake, and something about it rather prodded at her suspicions.
“Indeed it is, my dear lady.” Gabriel Farrington spoke in a wonderfully deep and resonant way, and yet his voice was not at all loud. He was, in fact, rather quiet. “I am the Duke of Calgarth.” And once again, he bowed.
“I believe I saw you, Sir, at the wedding of Lord and Lady Borden’s daughter.” Evelyn said, beginning to realize why he was quite so familiar to her.
She had seen him from afar at the event but had noticed him most particularly because she had the deepest sensation that he was, on occasion, staring at her. Of course, good manners would prevent her from asking him about it.
“Indeed, I do remember seeing you there also. You have rather an unusual shade of hair. Quite unforgettable, in fact.” He smiled, and Evelyn felt herself suddenly a little warm. He really did have the most intense gaze, and Evelyn could not tell if she felt disturbed by it, or rather drawn to it.
“As do you, Sir.” Evelyn said, and raised her eyebrows a little as she smiled at him.
“Tell me, Evelyn, how are you enjoying life in the world at the moment? It must be almost a year since I last saw you.” Stuart said, using a chastising tone, almost as if the rarity of their shared company was somehow her fault.
“I am well, Stuart, and pleased to see that you look to be also,” Evelyn said and meant it. “But you can hardly prod at me for my lack of company, Sir, since you know where I live as much as I know where you live.”
“Very well said, Lady Godfrey.” The Duke said, and once again she looked up to find him staring right at her. “You are right not to allow him sharp comments of any kind.” And with that, he laughed.
Evelyn looked at him for a moment and found herself pausing just long enough to enjoy the deep rumble of his laugh. It was at such a wonderfully low and deep pitch that she felt she could almost sense it in the walls of her chest.
“You will be pleased to know, Sir, that whilst I do not see my second cousin very often, when I do see him, I let him away with nothing.” She smiled, looking from the Duke to her cousin and back again.
“It’s all perfectly true.” Stuart said, shaking his head humorously. “She is a terror.”
“Oh, Stuart!” Evelyn said, and looked up to see Amelia striding towards them. “Oh, here comes dear Amelia.”
“Might I join you all?” Amelia said, beaming. “I really must have some time with Evelyn.”
As Amelia sat with them and a maid brought a tray of tea things over to the little group, Evelyn found herself very much enjoying her afternoon. Whilst direct conversation with the Duke of Calgarth was minimal, Evelyn maintained a curious perception that he did, indeed, spend the entire time looking right at her.
Chapter 5
“I am so pleased that you could come today, Evelyn. Having seen you last week at Amelia’s, I began to realize that we really do not see enough of each other. Are we not family, after all?” Stuart said, greeting Evelyn warmly as she attended his house for afternoon tea.
“You are quite right, Stuart. And I must say, I really have missed your rather silly company. You do so make me laugh.”
Gabriel sat in the dark and oddly comforting drawing room at Harbury Hall. As he stared into the flames of the fire, he listened intently to the exchange between Stuart and Lady Evelyn outside in the entrance hall.
He had to admit himself, he rather liked the sound of her voice. So many young ladies these days had shrill voices and seemed to laugh at everything in such a high pitch. However, Lady Evelyn spoke in a somewhat deeper tone, and there was something warm and almost liquid about it.
Much apart from wanting to orchestrate the first piece of vengeance of his very own making upon the Cunningham family, Gabriel had to admit that he did find himself rather attracted to Lady Evelyn.
“Do come in, I have already sent for tea,” Stuart said, ushering her into the room. “And, of course, you have already met my dear friend Gabriel.” Stuart spoke in such a nonchalant manner that Gabriel almost laughed. The more discreet he tried to be, the more obvious he sounded.
“Indeed, I have,” Evelyn said, in a trailing voice which suggested suspicion. “Good afternoon to you, Duke.” She said, eyeing him keenly.
“And good afternoon to you too, Lady Godfrey. How very nice to see you again.” Once again, he bowed deeply and was careful not to take his eyes of hers throughout. It was a maneuver which had worked well for him over the years, and Gabriel thought he would do well to change nothing about his approach.
“I must say, I am rather surprised to see you here,” Evelyn said, and Gabriel thought that he could still detect a suspicious tone in her voice. “After all, Stuart hadn’t mentioned that you would be coming.”
“No, I am afraid I turned up rather without invitation,” Gabriel said in the most nonchalant manner he could summon. “Your cousin and I have been great friends for many years, Lady Godfrey, and I often turn up unannounced to see if he is free to offer me tea or sherry, or something similar.” He gave a little laugh, and Stuart joined in.
“And how long have you known my cousin, Sir?” Gabriel wondered. Evelyn realized quite how interrogative her tone was.
As she spoke, she sat down in the chair opposite him, and absently untied the ribbons of an extraordinarily pretty little bonnet she was wearing. For a moment, Gabriel could hardly answer the question she had asked him, for something about the act of her removing her bonnet and her beautiful hair coming into view had rather affected him.
“We have known each other since school, my lady.” Gabriel said, keen to answer her questions without seeming to give in to her.
“Oh, then you went to Eton.” She said, and made her question a perfect statement.
“Indeed I did.”
“Then I would say you are acquainted with my fiancé, Sir?”
“Your fiancé?” Gabriel said, holding her gaze steadily. He was suddenly aware that Evelyn Godfrey was watching him closely for a reaction. Not only was she extremely beautiful, but she was also a rather skilled and admirable adversary. She became more interesting by the second.
“Yes, Gabriel, my cousin is set to marr
y Lord Richard Cunningham.” Stuart said and pulled a face.
“Oh, so you are aware of my engagement, Stuart?” Evelyn said, her eyebrows knitting together in thought. “I hadn’t realized you had seen my father of late.” Now it was Stuart’s turn to be gently questioned.
“I have not seen the dear old Earl of Gorton for longer than I care to think about. But I do not live behind sealed walls, my dear. There are many in society who know well of your engagement, and I am as privy to gossip as the next heart-breakingly handsome Earl.” Stuart said, and laughed.
“Yes, I should have remembered,” Evelyn said, and laughed also. “As I recall, you have always been rather partial to a little gossip, Stuart.”
“He certainly was at school, my lady.” Gabriel joined in, rather keen to get her on his side. As much as her sharp intellect interested him, Gabriel did not want her to be overly suspicious. After all, if she had any idea what he was doing, the young lady would most certainly leave.
“Tell me, Sir, did my cousin ever concentrate whilst he was at Eton?”
“Not for a moment.” Gabriel smiled at her, and when she suddenly burst out laughing, he found himself mesmerized.
Evelyn Godfrey threw her head back and laughed in a most unguarded manner. It was a genuine laugh, nothing like the perfunctory little laugh she had given Richard Cunningham at the wedding, and had taken Gabriel entirely by surprise. And, as unguarded at her laughter was, it was still most ladylike and appealing. As she continued to laugh, her generous rosy lips revealed white and straight teeth. She really did have the most wonderful smile.
“I rather suspected as much.” Evelyn said, as her laughter began to subside.
“I say, you’re both being awfully rough on me.” Stuart complained, and Evelyn and Gabriel looked at each other and laughed again.
Gabriel was so caught up in the moment that he had almost forgotten his very reason for trying so hard to make her his own. It was almost as if the attraction were enough in itself.
However, Gabriel was keen not to lose sight of his main intention, nor do or say anything that would disturb his plan and dishonor his father’s memory.
“Well, I shall leave you to discuss me whilst my back is turned, my dear guests.” Stuart said and began to rise. As Evelyn looked up at him with a little concern, Gabriel was keen that she should not think the whole thing a plot.
“I say, you’re not a terribly good host,” Gabriel said, and laughed. “What is so important that you need to leave Lady Godfrey and I without your company?”
“I am afraid that I am having my Aunt Agatha to dinner tonight.” He said, and looked at Evelyn. “You know her well, of course.” He said, with a grimace.
“Indeed, I do.” Said Evelyn, also pulling a face.
“And I have just realized that I have not given the cook my ideas for the menu. I must just dash out for a few moments and do that, for you know what Aunt Agatha is like, and how very hard to please she is.”
“Indeed, I do, cousin. I wish you luck of it.” Evelyn said and shook her head from side to side.
“You are not fond of your Aunt Agatha, Lady Godfrey?” Gabriel immediately engaged in conversation, hoping that he would take her mind off the fact that they were being left alone suddenly.
“I’m afraid not. But please do forgive me, I should not speak so.”
“Oh please, I rather like hearing people’s frustrations at their relatives. I have tiresome aunts enough of my own. In fact, I rather think I have enough to share. Tell me, Lady Godfrey, would you like another one, or is Aunt Agatha enough?”
“Oh, I say!” And, once again, Evelyn threw her head back and laughed. “That really is terribly funny. It is also very naughty of you.”
“I rather think a little naughtiness is not such a bad thing, my lady.” He said, and smiled again. Despite the fact that she smiled back, Gabriel sensed an unease and did not want to ruin things. He really needed to play this very carefully. She was engaged, after all, and it would be no easy thing to steal her away, even if she finally did find him more attractive and appealing than the prospect she was currently saddled with.
“I must say, Lady Godfrey.” Gabriel went on, suddenly keen to put their conversation on a more comfortable tone. “That I really am terribly sorry to have intruded on your afternoon tea with your cousin. He did tell me once I arrived that you were coming, and I insisted I leave you both to your afternoon. However, I daresay you know Stuart well enough to know that he would not hear of it. As always, Stuart takes everything in his stride and finds every stitch of company arriving at his door as rather fun.”
“Indeed, he does, Sir.” Evelyn said, and Gabriel was relieved to see that her equilibrium had returned. “My family and Stuart’s are perhaps not quite as close as they might be, but I have always found Stuart himself to be very easy company. He has a wonderfully light heart and a distinct lack of seriousness that I find rather refreshing. It is a quality that I think is very much lacking in Society today.”
“Indeed it is, my lady, because everybody is so concerned with appearances. For instance, tell me your thoughts on the food that Lord and Lady Borden provided for the wedding guests.” Suddenly Gabriel was truly keen to know Evelyn’s opinion.
“I think such obvious waste is a disgrace, Sir. It was by no means over-calculation. Rather it was a statement for all to see. There are too many poor and hungry in this country alone for such a display to be anything other than an offense.”
“I agree. What angers me is that much of it is done to gain the approval of any Dukes in the room. I do not find I approve at all, either of the waste or the sycophantic behavior.”
“Is a Duke not but a man, after all?” Evelyn said and smiled at him.
“I am glad that you think so,” Gabriel said, and paused to think for a moment before continuing. “I do not imagine that you would be so easily impressed. By a man’s title and home, I mean.”
“Well, it is rather decent of you to say such a thing, especially when I am engaged to be married to a Duke.” She said and laughed. “And I daresay there are many who would not agree with you. Of course, any young lady betrothed to a man of such a title is rather exposed to the suspicion and whispered comments of others.”
“Perhaps others who would wish themselves in your position?”
“Sometimes.” She said, thoughtfully. “But others are perhaps simply cynical. And perhaps they have a point to make, in truth.”
“How so?”
“It is rather hard to put into words. I suppose what I am trying to say is that it is likely to be clear to all that I would not have chosen Lord Cunningham for myself. It is the way of things. My father’s Earldom suffers bad fortune which means that I, in turn, lose my right to choose my own life. I am not complaining, you understand, but rather I understand the cynicism. It is unlikely that I shall ever be in love with my husband. But that is the way of most marriages, is it not?” Evelyn suddenly flushed, as if she realized that she had said a little too much.
“And it being the way of things, I rather think the whispers and the cynicism rather hard. After all, the nay-sayers will undoubtedly know you have no control over it all, yet still, they persist. It is rather low of them.” Gabriel found himself a little up-ended. In just a few brief sentences, he found himself suddenly wanting to protect Evelyn. Not just from the people who would whisper and pour jealous scorn upon her upcoming nuptials, but from the nuptials themselves. So smart and beautiful a woman was not to be wasted on a man as lacking in personage as Richard Cunningham.
“And yet I have no doubt you might have thought something similar yourself.” Evelyn was staring at him intently as if studying him for his reaction. Gabriel knew it would do him no good to lie. She would know it and he could not bear to be lessened in her eyes.
“Having seen you together only once, I must admit I would never imagine that you had fallen in love with Cunningham, nor would I ever imagine you could, not even with familiarity and the passage of time.�
�� He bowed his head a little, as if in apology for his words.
“I thank you for your honesty.” Evelyn’s bright blue eyes were fixed upon his own. Gabriel felt helpless to look away and briefly thought of all the times he had held others captive in his own gaze. He had even tried it upon Evelyn.
“I found I dared not risk a lie, even a placating one.” He smiled at her. “For I think you would have known it immediately.”
“I thank you for the compliment. Most men do not care for skill and intellect in a woman.”
“Well, I do. I should rather spend a lifetime with a smart woman who argues with me rather than a week with a woman who agrees with my every movement.”
“Indeed?” Evelyn said, and cocked her head to one side as she regarded him. “Then you truly are a most unique sort of a man, Sir.”
Regency Romance Collection Page 29