[Victoria Alexander] The Virgin's Secret (Harringt(BookZZ.org) (18 page)

Sterling grimaced.

“In deference to him, we rarely stay very long.”

“This year we shall stay longer,” Reggie announced. Sterling cast her an annoyed glance. “Well, it‟s a ball. A grand ball, and I am quite looking forward to it.”

“I have always enjoyed the Antiquities Society Ball,” Gabriella said with a smile. “My brother and I and Miss Henry have attended every year since I have been old enough to do so.”

“Have you? And yet I have never noticed you.” His mother winced. “Forgive me, that sounded dreadful.”

Gabriella laughed. “Not at all, Lady Wyldewood. The ball is a huge crush, and as you don‟t stay very long, it‟s not at all surprising that our paths have never crossed.”

“Every year, hmm. Imagine that. And right under my very nose.” Mother studied Gabriella

thoughtfully. “We shall save our talk about your mother for another time, then. A few more days will scarcely matter.”

Gabriella smiled. “I shall look forward to it.”

The remainder of the meal was uneventful, and the feeling Nate had had earlier—that his family was trying to glean information from Gabriella—did not recur. Dinner concluded without major incidents, disclosure, or arguments. The ladies retired for the evening, leaving Nate to follow his brothers onto the back terrace for cigars.

The moment they stepped through the doors, Nate turned to Quint.

“What on earth were you thinking?”

“I probably wasn‟t.” Quint took a cigar from the humidor Andrews placed on a table on the

terrace every evening. Cigar smoke was not allowed in the house when Mother was in residence.

“What, precisely, are you talking about?”

“I‟m talking about your comments about Enrico Montini.”

Quint trimmed his cigar. “Why shouldn‟t we talk about Montini?”

“Because I don‟t think Miss Montini is aware of the type of man he was.”

Sterling selected a cigar. “What kind of man was he?”

“Montini was…” Nate chose his words with care. “Not well liked.”

“He was cold, callous,” Quint said, lighting his cigar. “Merciless, as it were, when it came to acquiring what he wanted. My reputation may have once—”

Nate snorted.

“—been „questionable,‟ but no one has ever suspected me of resorting to whatever means

possible to get what I wanted.”

“Whatever means possible?” Sterling said slowly.

Quint nodded, a grim look in his eye. “If this seal was stolen from anyone else, and the alleged owner were dead, Montini would be at the top of my list as a suspect. For theft and murder.”

Sterling studied his youngest brother. “Why do you think she isn‟t aware of her brother‟s

nature?”

“I don‟t know.” Nate plucked a cigar from the humidor. “There‟s something about the way she talks about him. She adored him—idolized him, I think—and she will do whatever necessary to restore his professional reputation.” He shook his head. “I can‟t imagine she would feel the same if she knew the type of man he was.”

“And yet we don‟t know she isn‟t exactly like him,” Sterling said mildly, lighting his own cigar.

“She isn‟t the least bit like him,” Nate said staunchly.

Quint and Sterling traded glances. Sterling chose his words with care. “Still, we really know nothing about her.”

“Mother knew her mother,” Nate said quickly, ignoring the fact that he had already come to the same conclusion and was taking steps to learn more about the intriguing stranger in their midst.

Quint lit Nate‟s cigar. “And yet Mother has said nothing more about that. Don‟t you find that odd?”

“She is up to something.” Sterling‟s eyes narrowed. “She has been preoccupied since Miss

Montini arrived. And she studies her with a look in her eye that is most curious.”

“As interesting as that is, it‟s of no concern at the moment,” Nate said firmly. “I would prefer, and request, that there be no more discussion of Miss Montini‟s brother in her presence.”

Quint leaned against the terrace balustrade and blew a perfect smoke ring. “You honestly believe she doesn‟t know what kind of man her brother was?”

“I do.” Nate ignored the niggling thought that he might be wrong. He might be wrong regarding any number of things about the lovely Gabriella. There was a reserve around her that she carried like a shield. Even so, there was something about the woman that called to something deep inside him. From the moment he met her, he had the oddest feeling of inevitability, of anticipation perhaps. The vague sense that something extraordinary and unique and wonderful had stepped into his life. It was an absurd idea with nothing whatsoever to base it on save the ridiculous feeling that washed through him when he so much as thought of her.

There was lust, of course. With the fire in her blue eyes and the fervor to right what she considered a grievous wrong, one couldn‟t help but wonder what other passions might lie just beneath the surface. He had known lust before, but this was tempered with something as yet unknown. And whereas she would do whatever she had to do to recover the seal, he would do

whatever necessary to protect her from harm. Besides, he had given his word.

“It scarcely matters, the man is dead now and we have promised to help her.” Nate pinned Quint with a hard look. “The lady has been through a lot this past year. I do not wish to upset her further by discussion of her brother‟s character.”

“Or lack of it,” Quint muttered.

“I do have to wonder, though…” Sterling blew a stream of blue smoke then met his youngest

brother‟s gaze. “…why you are so vehement about this. You scarcely know the woman.”

“I was wondering the very same thing.” Quint studied Nate, then snorted back a laugh. “You want her! I should have known.”

Nate‟s jaw clenched. “That‟s enough, Quint.”

“You devil.” Quint grinned “You want her in your bed.”

“I—” Quint had done this to him most of his life. Bait him until he inevitably blurted out whatever truth he was trying to conceal. He had long ago learned there was only one way to handle Quint‟s teasing. He forced a wicked grin to his face. “Wouldn‟t you?”

“No, not at all.” Quint shook his head. “She‟s pretty enough, with those deep blue eyes of hers and that luscious figure and that seductive hint of an accent—”

Nate narrowed his eyes.

“—but she‟s too bloody damn smart for me. God save me from an intelligent woman. She‟d do

for you, though.” Quint‟s eyes widened. “Good God you don‟t just want her—you like her!”

“She‟s very…nice.” Nate tried and failed to hide the defensive note in his voice. “She‟s quite easy to like.”

“Really?” Sterling murmured. “I haven‟t found her particularly easy to like.”

“I have spent a great deal of time with her,” Nate said. “I have come to know her better than anyone else.”

“She‟s stubborn and independent and has a streak of larceny in her,” Quint said. “No man in his right mind would „like‟ her.” He laughed. “Want her, definitely, but not like her.”

“And yet I do,” Nate said defiantly, and glanced at Sterling. “You don‟t think it‟s too fast, do you? To like her, that is?”

“Admittedly, you still know little about her.” Sterling puffed on his cigar thoughtfully. “So yes, in a rational sense it may well be too soon. However, I suspect rational thought has little influence here. I would, however, be cautious if I were you until you know more.”

“I would say it all depends on what you have in mind.” Quint studied his younger brother.

“Seduction and a short but passionate affair is one thing. I know you are familiar with that concept.”

Nate gestured with his cigar. “Go on.”

“It‟s quite another if you have in mind something that will last the rest of your life.”

Sterling scoffed. “Nonsense.”

Nate nodded, the oddest sinking sensation settling around his heart. His brothers were right, of course. “And it‟s entirely too soon for that.”

“In my opinion…” Quint paused for a moment. “…it‟s just the opposite.”

Sterling stared. “You can‟t mean that.”

“Oh, but I do.” Quint nodded. “I have long suspected that if I ever meet the right woman, a woman I would be content to spend the rest of my days with, I will be struck with the certain knowledge that she is right with the efficiency and speed of a bolt of lightning.” He met

Sterling‟s gaze. “You know what I mean.”

Sterling paused, then nodded.

Abruptly, Quint grinned. “Although I admit it is a somewhat trite and overly romantic idea.”

“And unbelievable as well, given its source,” Sterling said.

Quint shrugged.

“Take care, little brother.” Sterling‟s gaze met Nate‟s. “Miss Montini might not be as you see her.”

“But then again she might be.” Quint blew another smoke ring. “And if so, yes, I think she‟d do nicely for you.”

“Well, I‟m not looking for anyone to do for me,” Nate said quickly. “Not at the moment.”

“Of course not,” Sterling said without an ounce of conviction, and changed the subject. “Have you noticed, by the way, the number of bouquets that have arrived for Reggie in recent days?”

Quint chuckled. “She has certainly made an impression on the eligible young men of society.

Still, I suspect Reggie is in no hurry to select a husband. Although I suppose we—and when I say

„we,‟ I really mean Sterling—should keep a close eye…”

The conversation between the brothers droned on until late in the night. Nate told them what little he and Gabriella had thus far uncovered. Usually, they would have joined the ladies when they had finished their cigars. Tonight, however, Mother had said she wished to retire early, and both Gabriella and Reggie had taken that as their cue to do the same. Regretfully so. He had hoped to again escort Gabriella to her room.

In spite of the absorbing nature of the discussion, ranging from Reggie‟s potential suitors to the current state of politics to the latest scandals, his thoughts returned again and again to Quint‟s comments about knowing the right woman at once when she came along. He couldn‟t help but

wonder if—as odd as it might seem at first glance, and given the unusual circumstances they found themselves in—Gabriella might well be the right woman for him.

Or if she was very, very wrong.

Twelve

Gabriella perched nervously on the edge of a red velvet sofa. Nathanial stood beside the fireplace looking substantially less apprehensive than she felt. And why not? He at least knew Lady

Rathbourne.

The parlor they had been shown into was, if possible, even more elegant than the Harringtons‟.

Whereas their home had a feeling of warmth to it, this house seemed cold and unwelcoming. The parlor was perfectly appointed, in the height of fashion, but it struck her as rather more like a stage setting than a place where living people resided. It was far and away too, well, perfect. The temperature was warm, but a chill shot through her.

“Nathanial Harrington.” A tall woman glided into the room and held her hand out to Nathanial.

“You were just a boy when last I saw you.”

He chuckled and raised her hand to his lips. “Lady Rathbourne, you are as beautiful as ever.”

She was indeed beautiful, startlingly so. Lady Rathbourne might well have been the loveliest creature Gabriella ever seen. She was nearly as tall as Nate, her blond hair meticulously styled, an air of grace and elegance lingering about her. Her gown was in shades of red, the latest in French fashion, and Gabriella had the most absurd feeling that it had been selected to

compliment the room.

“Am I?” Lady Rathbourne tilted her head in a manner that might have appeared artificial with anyone else yet was completely natural to her, and studied Nate. “How very kind of you to say so.”

Lady Rathbourne was, all in all, perfect. Gabriella didn‟t like her one bit, and liked even less the way she stared into Nathanial‟s eyes and held onto his hand. Gabriella rose to her feet and, although she‟d never considered herself clumsy, wished she could have done so with a bit more grace.

“Not at all,” Nathanial said in a gallant manner. “You have not changed one bit. You are exactly as I remember you.”

“Well, you have most definitely changed. You have become quite charming, no doubt

dangerously so.” Lady Rathbourne studied him for a moment. “You are very nearly a foot taller than when we last we met. Indeed, the boy I remember has become quite a handsome man. You

very much resemble…” A shadow crossed her face so quickly Gabriella thought she might have been mistaken, “And how is that rascal of a brother of yours, Quinton?”

Nathanial smiled. “Quinton too does not change.”

“And…the rest of the family? Your mother and Regina? Regina must be grown as well.”

“And just launched upon the seas of society.” Nathanial shook his head. “One must fear for those hapless unmarried men who have not been forewarned.”

“I can well imagine.” Lady Rathbourne laughed. It struck Gabriella very much like a laugh not well used, but then this room too seemed like a place that had heard little laughter.

She cleared her throat softly.

“And this is?” Lady Rathbourne smiled at her.

“My apologies,” Nathanial said quickly. “Lady Rathbourne—”

“You used to call me Olivia,” she chided.

“I was an impertinent scamp.” Nathanial grinned. “Olivia, allow me to introduce Miss Gabriella Montini.”

Gabriella nodded. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Rathbourne.”

“Do call me Olivia.” To Gabriella‟s surprise, genuine warmth colored the lady‟s green eyes, warmth at odds with the surroundings. At once she decided that she liked Lady Rathbourne after all. “I don‟t receive many callers, especially not old friends. I have known Nathanial‟s family for much of my life, although I have not seen any of them for some time.” She waved at the sofa.

“Please sit down. I have requested tea for us, it should be here any moment.”

“Thank you.” Gabriella retook her seat on the sofa. In this room, with this woman, her

serviceable blue gown and practical hat seemed both out of place and rather shabby. In the back of her mind she resolved to purchase some new clothes.

Olivia joined her on the sofa and waved Nathanial to a nearby chair. “Now then, your note said you had a matter of some importance to discuss.”