Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amelia felt as though she were floating several inches above the ballroom floor.
The orchestra played a graceful waltz as Gabriel guided her through the steps with effortless confidence, one gloved hand resting lightly against hers while the other settled at her waist. Every movement felt dangerously easy.
His evening attire suited him far too well.
The dark tailcoat fitted his broad shoulders perfectly, the crisp white cravat accentuating the strong line of his throat, and the candlelight caught in his dark hair whenever he turned his head.
Amelia had never understood why women sighed over handsome men before.
I understand it entirely now.
She immediately regretted that realization.
“You appear troubled,” Gabriel observed, guiding her through a graceful turn as his gaze settled on her face.
“I am not troubled,” Amelia replied, lifting her chin and refusing to look away.
“No?” One dark eyebrow rose as he steered her effortlessly through the next step.
“No.” She offered a bright smile. “Merely attempting not to step on Your Grace,” she added, tightening her fingers around his hand.
Gabriel’s mouth twitched. “A noble goal,” he said dryly, drawing her slightly closer as the dance demanded. “Though so far, you have failed to injure me.”
“How disappointing,” Amelia murmured, tilting her head.
“I am certain you’ll find another opportunity,” he replied, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Amelia laughed despite herself. The sound seemed to surprise them both. For a moment, she forgot how nervous she was. Then Gabriel’s hand tightened slightly against hers as the dance carried them closer again. And suddenly, she remembered. Very vividly.
Good heavens. Why does the man have to smell so pleasant?
The faint scent of sandalwood and clean linen drifted toward her every time he moved.
Combined with those infuriating grey eyes and that dangerously calm voice, it was entirely unfair.
Amelia forced herself to focus on safer topics before she made a complete fool of herself.
Preferably topics that did not involve his hands, his shoulders, or the fact that every unmarried woman in the room seemed determined to stare at him.
“This is a wonderful ball,” she said, glancing around the crowded room before returning her gaze to him.
Gabriel followed her gaze briefly. “It has only just begun,” he replied with a faint shrug.
“I know,” Amelia said, smiling. “But Valerie looks magnificent.” She nodded discreetly towards the edge of the room.
“She does,” Gabriel agreed, looking toward his niece.
“She will be a success,” Amelia said firmly.
“You sound very certain,” he remarked, returning his attention to her.
“I am.” She lifted her chin again.
Gabriel studied her for a moment. “She is fortunate to have learned your confidence,” he said quietly.
The simple statement warmed her more than it should have. She looked away before he noticed. The orchestra shifted into another sequence of steps.
Around them, gowns swept across polished floors while candlelight glittered against crystal chandeliers overhead.
Laughter echoed through the ballroom. Servants moved gracefully among the guests, carrying trays of champagne and wine.
Yet somehow none of it felt nearly as important as the man standing before her.
Which was alarming. Deeply alarming.
“I should probably check on Valerie,” Amelia said, smoothing a nervous hand down her skirts.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Already attempting to abandon me?” he asked, guiding her through another turn.
“I am performing my duties,” she replied primly, though the corners of her mouth threatened to betray her.
Gabriel guided her through another turn with effortless precision, his expression remaining maddeningly composed.
“You are dancing,” he pointed out, as though stating an undeniable fact.
Amelia resisted the urge to laugh. “I can perform duties while dancing,” she said, fighting a smile as she met his gaze.
One dark eyebrow lifted. “I fear that sounds dangerous,” Gabriel said solemnly.
She smiled despite herself. There was something absurdly entertaining about the way he delivered such ridiculous remarks with complete seriousness.
“Everything sounds dangerous when you say it.”
A flicker of amusement appeared in his eyes. “An unfortunate burden I carry,” he replied, pressing a hand dramatically against his chest.
The gesture was so unexpected that Amelia nearly missed a step. Amelia rolled her eyes. “You truly are impossible,” she informed him.
“So I’ve been told,” he said with a slight inclination of his head.
The orchestra swelled around them as they continued across the floor, moving in perfect time with the music.
For a brief moment, Amelia forgot to be self-conscious.
She forgot the crowded ballroom, the watching guests, and the countless reasons she ought to maintain a sensible distance from the Duke.
Unfortunately, the realization returned almost immediately.
And with it came the uncomfortable awareness that she was enjoying herself far more than she should have.
His gaze lingered on her face longer than it should have, long enough for her pulse to stumble. The room suddenly felt very warm. Gabriel cleared his throat first.
“I agree that you should check on Valerie,” he said, looking away briefly, as though forcing himself to return his attention to more practical matters.
Amelia blinked. For a moment, she simply stared at him, surprised by the lack of argument.
“That sounded surprisingly reasonable,” she remarked.
One corner of Gabriel’s mouth lifted. “Do not become accustomed to it,” he replied.
“I shall treasure the memory,” she said with exaggerated sincerity.
A quiet huff of amusement escaped him. His eyes sparkled briefly, the candlelight catching in them. For an instant, the familiar teasing ease returned between them, making her forget the crowded ballroom and the dozens of watching guests.
Then his expression became more serious. “However,” he said quietly, guiding her through another turn, “I hope you will save another dance for me before the evening ends.”
Amelia’s breath caught. “Oh?” she asked, looking up at him.
“There is something I wish to discuss with you,” he said, holding her gaze.
Immediately, her stomach tightened.
Something important? Something dreadful? Something involving her departure?
“Discuss?” she asked carefully, moistening suddenly dry lips.
Gabriel nodded. “Yes.”
The single word did nothing to ease her growing unease. If anything, it only made her more curious.
“What sort of discussion?” she pressed, searching his face for some clue.
His mouth curved slightly, as though he knew exactly how much he was frustrating her. “If I tell you now,” he said, leaning closer, “it rather defeats the purpose.”
Amelia suppressed a sigh. The man was impossible when he chose to be.
“That is terribly inconvenient,” she complained.
“I have been told I excel at inconvenience,” he replied, sounding entirely unapologetic.
A reluctant smile tugged at her lips despite her irritation. “You excel at many things,” she blurted before she could stop herself.
Gabriel looked almost startled. Amelia wanted the floor to swallow her whole. Fortunately, the music ended before either of them could recover. The dancers began applauding politely. Gabriel released her hand slowly. Far too slowly.
Then he escorted her across the ballroom toward Valerie, who waited near the refreshments table, looking both elegant and terrified.
Her pale pink gown shimmered beneath the candlelight while pearls decorated her carefully arranged hair.
To anyone else, she probably appeared perfectly composed. Amelia knew better.
Valerie looks ready to faint.
Despite the elegance of her appearance, Amelia could see the strain around her eyes and the way her fingers kept tightening around her dance card. To anyone else, Valerie might have appeared calm and composed. Amelia knew she was only moments away from complete panic.
“Lady Valerie,” Amelia said warmly as Gabriel stepped away, “how are you faring?”
Valerie groaned and pressed a hand dramatically against her forehead. “I am dying.”
“You look remarkably healthy for someone dying,” Amelia replied, fighting a smile.
“I assure you it is a tragic decline,” Valerie declared, letting her hand fall.
Amelia laughed. The familiar dramatics eased some of her concern. If Valerie still possessed enough spirit to exaggerate her suffering, she could not be entirely overwhelmed.
Valerie glanced down at the dance card hanging from her wrist.
“It is full,” she said mournfully, staring down at the crowded dance card as though it contained a list of impending disasters.
“That is good,” Amelia replied, folding her hands in front of her.
“It is horrifying.” Valerie looked up with genuine distress in her eyes.
“That is less good.”
Valerie sighed dramatically and let her arm fall to her side. “Everyone expects me to dance.”
“Because it is a ball,” Amelia pointed out, unable to suppress a smile.
“I dislike that explanation.”
Amelia squeezed her arm gently, hoping to steady some of her nerves. “You will be wonderful.”
“You are biased,” Valerie accused, though a reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
“Entirely,” Amelia admitted, smiling back at her. For all Valerie’s complaints, she already looked far more confident than she had only a few weeks ago, and Amelia could not help feeling proud of her.
Valerie’s expression softened. Before Amelia could continue reassuring her, she spotted Dr. John Hunt crossing the ballroom with a glass in his hand. An idea immediately formed. A terrible idea. Which generally meant it was an excellent one.
“Dr. Hunt,” she called brightly, stepping directly into his path.
John looked wary. The easy smile vanished from his face as he slowed to a halt.
“That tone concerns me,” he said, stopping in his tracks and eyeing her with open suspicion.
Amelia smiled sweetly, which only seemed to deepen his concern. “I require medical assistance.”