A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) (11 page)

“I’ve heard about the woman’s skill. She was all the conversation,” Gabby said.

“In Paris?” Lady Sauvage inquired innocently.

“Yes, my lady.” Paris was a big city, and it was less easy to connect Gabby to her title and estate than pretending she was from the country.

“I’m not sure if we’ll be attending.” Gwyneth interrupted any further questions. “But once Miss Bonnington has assisted Lady Gigot in her wardrobe, she’ll be in society.”

“Then I hope Miss Bonnington will be speedy in her assistance,” Lord Weston droned as he tilted to one side in an affected manner.

Lady Sauvage’s thin lips flattened into a hyphen of displeasure. “But Miss Bonnington, you told me you had no time to consult on my wardrobe.”

“Oh, please do not scold Miss Bonnington. I should be the one to receive your reprimand,” Gwyneth tittered. “I’ve imposed on Miss Bonnington’s good nature to help our dear family friend.”

Gabby suppressed her urge to turn and stare at this incarnation of the icy Lady Gwyneth. Having only seen Gwyneth interact with family and friends, Gabby realized her new friend was polished and very adept at handling prying members of “polite society.”

Amelia interrupted. “I’ve already explained to Lady Sauvage that I’ve very little time for fashion because of my upcoming wedding.”

“Good wishes are in order, Miss Bonnington. Lord Brinsley is a very fortunate man.” Lord Weston bowed again.

Gabby found his bobbing up and down quite distracting.

Miss Amelia smiled and curtsied. “Thank you, Lord Weston.”

“Miss Bonnington, Lord Kendal was at Lady Roscoe’s soiree last night—quite unfortunate that you and the gentleman couldn’t come to an agreement. Such a charming man.”

Lady Sauvage looked directly at Gabby. “He is also recently arrived from France. Did you by chance meet the very dashing gentleman when you were in Paris, Mademoiselle Gigot?”

Amelia’s face turned a blotchy crimson.

“I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman yet. But since he is a relative by marriage to Lady Gwyneth, I’m sure I’ll have the privilege soon.”

Gabby felt Gwyneth stiffen next to her before Gwyneth brought her glass to her lips. After sipping her champagne, she said in an unrushed and languid tone, “Of course, we are all well pleased by his safe return. I will have to inform my brother of your kindness in mentioning Lord Kendal.”

The conversation swirled around Gabby like a fast eddy and wasn’t much different than in French drawing rooms, but she never before had to maintain a false identity. Did Lady Sauvage suspect that Gabby was hiding something, or was it the usual social banter in hopes of finding a scandal? And there was no doubt in Gabby’s mind that Lady Sauvage would create a scandal if she discovered Gabby’s travelling companion.

“Come, Cedric.” The lady took the gentleman’s arm. “We must not be late for Lady Billingsworth’s at home.”

Lord Weston bowed again with a great flourish. “I will look forward to seeing you at the opera, my lady.” He took out his handkerchief and patted his sweating forehead, probably from the exertion of endless bowing. “A gentleman lives to hope.”

Did Gwyneth just snort? Gabby kept her face placid, but she did want to giggle. Perhaps the champagne
was
having its effect.

Amelia’s face still showed patches of color on her high cheekbones. After the guests had departed, Amelia reached for her champagne flute. “Of all the nerve for that woman to imply that I was a jilted woman.”

Gwyneth snickered. “You really must not care what that vindictive woman believes. She did it for spite because you’re not helping with her gowns.”

“You’re absolutely right, but I don’t want her to spread rumors that Derrick wasn’t my first choice to marry.”

Now Gwyneth laughed heartily, with her mouth wide open in loud guffaws. “Derrick knows that you absolutely adore him.”

“I’m sure you think I’m silly, Gabby. I was never in love with Michael. I confused our friendship with love until I met Derrick. But everyone believed we would make a match. There were unkind rumors of why we didn’t become engaged. But you must know, Michael never was interested in me that way. We were friends and still are.”

Gabby now felt her cheeks getting warm, and, fair-skinned like Amelia, her face became blotchy with embarrassment. “Lord Kendal and I are no more than acquaintances. I owe him a great deal for his assistance in my escape. But do you believe the lady knows about our trip together?”

Gwyneth reached for the champagne bottle to refill their glasses. “I did find Lady Sauvage’s comments most interesting. I’m beginning to wonder if she purposefully came to meet Gabby.”

“You’re right.” Amelia put her glass out for Gwyneth to refill. “I had already told her I didn’t have time to consult. Why did she appear in the shop today? She didn’t have an appointment with Elodie. And no one knew I was meeting you here. And her dress, although very beautiful, wasn’t done by Elodie but by Madame Gaillard.”

“All very suspicious. Now, I do believe we must make a point of going to the opera, don’t you?” Gwyneth mused.

Gabby was surprised by Gwyneth’s reaction. She assumed that Gwyneth would want to confer with her husband.

“I agree. It might be helpful to talk further with the inquisitive lady.” Amelia nodded.

“It means we’ve got to pick fabric. Amelia, get to work.”

“Yes, my lady.” Amelia batted her eyelashes. “Why do I feel we’re about to embark on an adventure?”

With French champagne and fine fashion, it seemed all in great fun, but Gabby knew how brutal and dangerous Napoleon’s men could be. Intrusive English ladies didn’t frighten her in the least. But the idea of returning as a prisoner to France constricted her throat in panic.

Chapter Thirteen

Gabby’s fingers rushed over the keys, pouring her fear and worries into the melancholic melody. Afraid she might splinter and never regain her composure, she spent hours playing the piano, allowing herself a way to express her feelings.

She took a slow breath, trying to come back to herself after the intense outpouring of raw emotions.

Morley, a hefty man with a square chin and crooked nose, knocked then entered the music room. The Ashworth butler was unlike Gaston, their butler at home, who was the epitome of grace and refinement associated with servants in the estate of a French marquis. England was turning out to be a refreshing change from French snobbishness and pomposity.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Lord Kendal said he was expected.”

Gabby’s stomach fluttered at the announcement of Michael’s surprise visit. His beloved, animated face would be a welcome change from her lonely isolation. Did he have more news of her brother? There was no reason for his visit, since he had provided the news of her brother’s duel and the solicitor’s information that she had requested.

“Thank you, Morley. I was expecting Lord Kendal,” Gabby lied as she stood and walked to the settee. Being seated would help her not rush into his arms. She straightened her dress around her ankles, keeping her hands busy and feeling like a debutante about to receive her first suitor.

“Shall I bring tea, my lady? And shall I summon Lady Gwyneth?” Morley, likely an ex-soldier, was well trained in his role as butler.

“Tea would be lovely, but don’t bother interrupting Lady Gwyneth. Lord Kendal won’t be staying long.”

Morley bowed. “Yes, my lady.”

Pouring tea and observing the social ritual would help her cope if he brought bad news.

Gabby secured the pins holding the top knot of her curls and tugged on Lady Gwyneth’s day dress that pulled too tightly across her chest. Although Gwyneth was taller, Gabby was endowed with the full bosom of her Grandmamma Bonnet. Gabby had the wrong shape for the slim lines that Josephine de Beauharnais had brought into style.

“Mademoiselle Gabrielle.” Michael bowed.

He was dressed in a blue fitted coat and buff pantaloons that emphasized his strong, lean legs. The perfect gentleman’s attire for an earl. Although dressed appropriately, he looked as if had been pulling on his collar, and his hair was windswept, not fixed with pomade like other gentlemen. The close-fitted tailoring of his clothes looked too constraining for his exuberant energy.

“Lord Kendal, a pleasure.” It
was
a pleasure to bask in his warm, beaming smile. “Please, will you join me?” Gabby pointed to a chair across from the settee. “Thank you, Morley.”

The butler nodded and closed the door.

Once the door was closed, Michael rushed to the settee and seated himself close to her. He took her hands into his, ignoring all rules of her proper behavior and all manners of propriety. “Gabby, I’ve been so worried about you. I couldn’t stay away.”

She tried not to respond, but the heat of his strong, calloused palms seeped into her and his fresh, out-of-doors scent soothed her jagged, lonely feelings.

There could be no secret visits between them after today, now that she was going into society. For one brief moment, she would enjoy the safety of his touch. She squeezed his hands back before she released them. “Lord Kendal. I hope you are well.”

His words came out dashed and impatient. “How can I be well when all I can think about is you and what you must be enduring?”

Gabby couldn’t breathe. She wanted to lean into him and pour her heart out. She wanted to be held and comforted by him. She wanted to go back to their time in France and enjoy the moments of simple pleasure when her future was hopeful and anything was possible between them. She stared at him, wanting him to feel the love and affection she felt.

“I want to help you. Protect you from any distress from your incredible loss.”

Of course he wanted to help. He was a good man, but she wasn’t his responsibility. It was only a slight chance of fate that brought them together. She couldn’t allow herself these feelings. It was too dangerous. And although she would never admit it—too dangerous for her fragile heart.

“You have more news of my brother?”

“Oh, Gabby, please don’t shut me out, not when we’re alone like this.”

She regretted pulling away; he was a dear friend and much more to her. But anyone close to her could be in danger. Napoleon and his men didn’t care who they hurt. She didn’t want Michael or his family harmed. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to the people he loved.

“But that’s the point, we aren’t supposed to be alone like this.”

She watched his hopeful look fade.

“Please, only this brief moment. After this visit, we must separate and keep the charade up in society. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your safety.”

Gabby felt the stinging burn behind her eyes. He was as bereft as she, victims of their forced separation and the roles they must play. She couldn’t pretend she didn’t know how alone and sad she would be after losing his companionship. She couldn’t look away from his fervent stare.

“For one moment, I want us to be the two simple people who unexpectedly came together in France, before I must play my role in keeping you protected. Once this terrible time is finished and we know you’re safe, I plan to court you openly and outrageously so that all of London knows of our connection.” His eyes gleamed with that wicked, devilish amusement.

She shook her head, but her heart bounded into a lively vivace Bach tempo. She opened her mouth to speak, but Michael placed his finger on her lips.

“Shhh. I’m not expecting you to pledge your feelings to me.” His passionate stare held her trapped.

She placed her hand over his fingers. Happy to touch him again. When he was ill, she had become familiar with every part of his face, his bronzed arms, his strong hands. “It’s only because of my brother… You feel responsible for me.”

Michael pressed his lips to her palm. “Responsibility is not what I feel for you, dearest Gabby. I feel responsible for my sister, my brother, my uncle, and now for most of England. But what I feel for you isn’t a responsibility. It’s much more.”

Gabby shook her head. “I…”

“Please say nothing. I know I have no claim on your feelings. But I want you to know that I will always be your friend, and much more if you let me. I will stand by you always as a friend if that is all you desire.”

She couldn’t stop the tremble in her voice or the joy bubbling up. “Thank you. I am grateful for your offer of friendship, since I have so few friends in England.”

“Once you come out into society, you’ll have more gentlemen friends than you could possibly wish for. It is going to be very difficult to see you in society and hide my feelings, but I promise I will be a man of judicious behavior and manner.”

And then the charming, boyish smile, lethal to all ladies, crossed his face.

“Can you achieve such a thing?” she teased. “Judicious behavior? I’ve only witnessed outrageous behavior.”

It felt good to joke and laugh together again. He made her forget the gravity of her circumstances and her grief. She loved his open nature. She loved his lightheartedness, despite his title and wealth. She loved him. She’d fallen in love with his
joie de vivre
during their escape from Paris.

No matter how she tried to deny her feelings, he would always own her heart. But, like him, she must make the choice to protect him, because she cared too.