One Rogue Too Many (14 page)

“Yes, this is perfect,” he said as he nudged the door open with his boot. Golden light from the windows flooded the sitting room. Leaving her just inside the entrance, he crossed to the double glass doors and threw them open. A burst of fresh air sent the gauzy curtains fluttering, and the light scent of honeysuckle clinging to the stone walls outside infused the room. Beyond the doors was a balcony enclosed with rusted wrought iron.

He beckoned to her. She walked into the sunlight, drawn outside by the intricate pattern of the gardens below. She rested her hands on the railing and studied the manicured hedges and varying shades of green.

Anthony took up position beside her, his arm brushing against hers. “Tell me what you see.”

“I see the same thing as you, a garden.”

He turned to face her and leaned back against the railing. “There has to be something more. There always has been with you. What is hidden in the garden?”

Prickly heat invaded her body. She felt self-conscious with him staring at her. She hadn’t come to Kennell Place to sketch, and yet she couldn’t help viewing the garden through her artist’s eyes. The hedges curved gracefully, but there were strict limits imposed on nature. She didn’t care for the contrived orderliness.

When she glanced at Anthony, her heart skipped. His eyes were clear and unguarded, as if he were allowing her a view into his soul.

She shook off the silly sentiment and smiled. His intensity didn’t subside.

“When I was a boy, I came to your home to escape from Ellis Hall.”

Part of her had known life at home hadn’t been good for him. On more than one occasion, she had overheard whispers about Lady Ellis and her bad nerves, which required increasing amounts of cordial to calm. It seemed everyone had held sympathy for the countess after her husband and oldest son had drowned, all except Gabby’s mama.

She had never heard her mother speak ill of anyone, but Mama had once come close when she reminded Lady Eldridge that Anthony’s mother still had a son and the countess shouldn’t forget it. Gabby hadn’t understood her mother’s meaning until much later. Anthony had practically lived at their home, because her family was the only one to pay him any notice.

She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said, smiling softly. “You were one of the few people who made everything better.”

“How? I pestered you to no end. You and Drew were always looking for ways to lose me.”

He entwined their fingers; his gaze lowered. “I’ll admit, you were a pest at times, but you helped me, too.”

When he didn’t continue, she gently jerked his hand. “
Tell
me. Don’t leave me guessing.”

His expression softened, the hard lines around his mouth disappearing. “All I had was ugliness in my life, but then you showed me things I was missing. I still can’t see animals in cloud formations, and I don’t notice a blade of grass has more than one color to it, at least not on my own. But you do, and the world becomes more interesting and beautiful through your eyes.”

He drew her closer, their hands still joined in a link she didn’t wish to break.

“I needed you, Gabby,” he said as he smoothed her hair behind her ear. “I still need you.”

Cautiously, she allowed her gaze to travel from their joined hands and up his chest before meeting his bedchamber eyes. Her breath grew shallow. He had looked at her this same way at Ellis Hall that day. And oh, how she wanted to kiss him again.

She tossed her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. His lips slammed against hers as his arms circled her waist. They stumbled back into the room, their lustful urges knocking them off balance. Anthony caught the door frame and spun them around. A soft “oof” escaped her as her back banged against the wall.

He drew back. “Egads! Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. His body held her trapped against the wall, exactly where she wanted to be. With each exhale he took, his warm breath danced along her neck, sending tingles to every part of her.

“You are so beautiful, sweetheart.” He kissed her temple, then her cheek. “Sometimes I can’t believe my good fortune.”

When he shifted his weight to release her, she tightened her grip on his jacket. “Kiss me again.”

Doubt clouded his blue eyes.

“
Please
, Anthony.”

He swayed into her and captured her mouth. Gabby sighed as his lips softly nibbled hers. She had never kissed anyone besides him, and she could be content never kissing anyone but him for the rest of her days.

He urged her lips apart and she welcomed the taste of him. He was mint and chocolate. And heady. Her head was becoming fuzzy like the first time she’d had wine with dinner. His hand splayed over her ribs, his thumb sliding along the underside of her breast.

Touch
me
, she silently pleaded. She wanted to feel the rush of excitement coursing through her veins as she had months ago. The words hovered on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn’t gather the nerve to say them.

Laughter from the corridor floated into the room, still far away. Anthony slowly broke their kiss and rested his forehead against hers with his eyes closed. “Blast,” he mumbled.

“I don’t want to stop.”

“You are doing nothing for my willpower, darling.” He chuckled, but it sounded strained. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the list Lady Norwick’s servants had distributed. “We should at least try to find one or two items, or Drew will wonder what we have been doing.”

She frowned. “Surely nothing he hasn’t done already. He is a hypocrite.”

Anthony stole one more kiss, then gently patted her derriere. “Don’t be too hard on him. He only wants to protect you.”

She knew he was correct, but her brother was still annoying beyond the pale.

Snagging the list from Anthony, she studied it. “Well, I know where to find Cupid’s arrow. I spotted it in the garden.”

“You saw an arrow in the garden?”

“Didn’t you? It’s part of the sundial.”

Anthony shrugged sheepishly. “I had a more pleasing view distracting me.”

***

Gabby and Anthony had found a little less than half the list when Lady Norwick called time. Arm in arm, they strolled outside to find tables had been carried onto the lawn and lanterns strung. Music drifted from the terrace where a string quartet had been set up. The Norwicks’ garden reminded Gabby of a miniature version of Vauxhall Gardens.

“Would you like a glass of lemonade, my lady?” Anthony asked.

“That would be lovely.” She was parched after traipsing around the east wing all afternoon, and she wasn’t too proud to admit she was ravenous as well.

While Anthony went in search of a drink, she tried to locate her family, but they weren’t in sight. She wandered to an empty garden bench away from the crowd to wait for Anthony when a touch at her elbow made her jump. A shadow fell over her.

Lord Thorne grinned. “I wasn’t certain you were in attendance, Lady Gabrielle. Do you mind if I join you?”

Her gaze darted toward the queue where Anthony was stuck behind four people waiting for refreshments. She gave a brief nod and Thorne dropped down beside her.

“I have decided to accept Lord Ellis’s proposal when he asks,” she said, unable to meet his eyes.

“Hmm…”

“You see, Lord Ellis and I have known each other a long time, and I believe we are well suited. I hope you won’t hold it against me. I’m truly sorry.”

Thorne pressed his lips tightly together and a worry line formed at his eyebrow. “I fear you’re making an unwise choice. Ellis is not everything he seems.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The man did not easily surrender. “Be that as it may, I believe I know Lord Ellis better than you. I trust him.”

“Then you misplace your trust.”

Gabby was taken aback by his direct manner. “What do you mean? What has you making such bold judgments?”

His dark gaze shot around the area, perhaps in search of Anthony. “He has secrets involving his daughter.”

“I’m already aware Lord Ellis has a child from his first marriage.”

“The girl isn’t from his marriage.” Even though he had been speaking quietly, he lowered his voice even more. “She is his by-blow.”

Gabby crossed her arms with a huff. “Really, my lord. Who has been feeding you this nonsense?”

“It isn’t nonsense. You must know I would never spread rumors. I’m only telling you this to save you from heartache. I investigated the claim myself, and it’s true.”

“Investigated how? Have you any skills?”

A corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ve been told I have. I know how to ask questions, to be sure, and seeing the girl put any doubts I had to rest.”

“Well, I don’t know what you think you were able to deduce from catching a glimpse of the girl. I hardly think you would be able to determine her parentage from a look.” She hopped up from the bench, tempted to shake her finger in his face. “And you shouldn’t go around goggling young girls. People will start talking about
you
.”

She intended to march away, but his hand at her wrist halted her. Thorne gazed up at her with his fathomless brown eyes. “Please, ask him about his daughter. You should know the truth before you pledge fidelity to him.”

Her stomach took a dive. He appeared sincere.

“What does her parentage matter?” she asked in a soft voice.

“It’s the reason his first wife ran away. No matter what you think, I care what happens to you, my lady. Don’t play the fool for Ellis.”

But she had played that role many times. She was an expert at it now.

Fifteen

When Anthony returned with refreshments, he found Gabby seated at a table with her family and the Norwicks. Everyone was laughing together except Gabby. She wore a wan smile and picked at the floral tablecloth. Present, but not there.

Anthony sat beside her, passed her the glass of lemonade, and took a sip of his drink.

“Thank you,” she murmured, not looking at him.

She played with her glass as the teasing between Drew, Jake Hillary, and Norwick continued. She had no witty responses when Anthony was drawn into their playful arguments, nor did she have anything to say when the ladies tired of the men’s antics and began a side conversation.

Her lemonade remained untouched until it had likely grown tepid. Nothing appeared out of sorts with her family, so he couldn’t determine the cause of her sudden change in demeanor.

“Would you care to take a turn about the garden?” he asked.

She met his gaze for the first time since he had sat down. Her eyes seemed a cooler shade of gray, duller somehow. She nodded.

Anthony assisted her from the chair and led her away from the crowd. As they moved deeper into the garden, the noise of the gathering became muffled. A thread of music from the quartet carried on the air.

He guided her toward a gazebo at the back of the property. “Something is troubling you.”

“Yes, but I don’t know the reason I’m bothered. It’s a matter of little consequence.”

They entered the gazebo and Gabby dropped his arm. She wandered to the railing to lean her elbows on it. He took the place beside her and mimicked her stance.

“Perhaps it will help to talk about it.”

She pursed her lips and wiggled them side to side as if considering whether to confide in him. It wasn’t like her to be unforthcoming with her thoughts or feelings.

“You may speak freely with me, Gabby.”

“It’s your daughter,” she blurted. She turned to face him. “I heard a rumor about her, and I’m troubled by it, even though God knows it is none of my concern.”

He stiffened, his body arming itself for battle. Annabelle was the only person he loved as much as Gabby. If it came to a choice between Gabby and Annabelle, however, he couldn’t turn his daughter out.

“What did you hear?”

She frowned slightly. “I’m sorry, Anthony. It truly makes no difference to me if your daughter is illegitimate. I can accept her all the same.”

Her words slammed into him, making his head reel. How did anyone know of his daughter’s past? He had done everything in his power to keep the secret hidden.

“Annabelle is my child. She has my
name
.”

Gabby backed up a step. “I didn’t intend to upset you.”

He captured her arm when it appeared she might flee. “I’m not upset with you, but I am going to thrash whoever is spreading rumors about my child.”

She released a breathy laugh. “Oh, thank heavens it’s a lie. I know I said it wasn’t my concern, but I wasn’t completely honest with you. I would be troubled to some degree by her origins. It’s only natural.”

Natural?
Annabelle was an innocent. Why should she bear the stigma of her mother’s infidelity? “Tell me who’s spreading this rumor.”

Gabby’s mouth dropped open, then she snapped it shut.

“Tell me, Gabrielle. I have a right to know.”

She licked her lips. “But you said you plan to thrash him, and I don’t believe he intended any malice. He was concerned when I said I planned to accept your proposal.”

“Thorne,” he bit out. Anthony was going to do more than thrash him. In one swift move, Sebastian Thorne had left Anthony’s life in a precarious place. His daughter’s reputation was at stake, and it was clear Gabby would take issue with his daughter’s parentage once she learned the truth. This wasn’t a game to Anthony.

He released Gabby’s arm to run his fingers through his hair.
Damnation.
He needed time to think.

“I doubt Lord Thorne has told anyone else about Annabelle,” she said, “but I could speak with him. Once he knows the rumor is false, he will forget about it.”

“No,” he snapped. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

The last thing he needed was Thorne’s continued interference. He had to discover the source of the rumors about Annabelle and put a stop to them, then find a way to tell Gabby the truth without losing her.

Another couple was strolling along the pebbled walkway headed in their direction. His discussion with Gabby would require privacy, and they wouldn’t have any at the party.