There was no sign of it here at the hotel, and I was thankful for that.
There was, however, every sign of a party, and I was not thankful for that.
“Thank you,” Aunt Cat said to the driver. “We’ll see ourselves inside in a moment. My niece needs some air. If you could wait a moment, I’d appreciate it.”
I did not need any air, but I didn’t appear to have a say in the matter.
Aunt Cat took my elbow and guided me off to the side to a sheltered area near to a gate that would lead to the garden area. “Whatever is the matter with you, Gabriella? You cannot attend the party in this mood. I’d rather send you home and inform Victoria that you’re unwell.”
“I’m fine,” I repeated, my voice softer this time. “I just—I suppose I do have a headache, but it’s just stress. I’ll be fine as soon as I’m inside.”
“If you’re unwell, you should go home.”
“Please don’t make me continue to tell you that I’m perfectly okay. I—”
She took hold of my hands, and for a moment, she looked so much like Mum like it made my heart clench. It was utterly ridiculous because she wasn’t related to her at all, but it was the kindness in her eyes that threw me for a moment.
“It’s that boy, isn’t it? The one in the garden.”
I laughed quietly and turned away. “He’s not a boy, and you know full well his name is Miles.”
“Ah, see, that’s where I’ve gotten you. There are several young men who work in the gardens, and you merely identified the most obvious subject for your affections.”
“There are no affections, much less subjects for any of them,” I replied. “And you are a horrible woman to do that to me.”
“You say horrible, I say ‘hoh-reeb-ley,’” Aunt Cat returned, the latter in a terrible French accent that wouldn’t be out of place in a Saturday morning cartoon.
“Never say that again. It sounds dreadful.”
She laughed. “What’s the matter, hm? I will send you home unless you tell me.”
“Look, I just want to go inside, have dinner, show my face, then excuse myself with my headache, okay?” I held up my hands. “Please can we go in?”
“Gabi—”
“Please.”
She sighed, but whatever argument she’d attempted to make died on her tongue when she looked at me. Aunt Cat nodded, acquiescing to my request, and she led me inside the hotel.
To my night of hell.
***
Night of hell had been a bit of a dramatic way to explain it. It hadn’t been enjoyable through dinner, since Eva had managed to wrangle Miles onto her table and had spent the entire dinner speaking to him. Adelaide had glanced over at me several times, but after the third time of our eyes meeting, I’d steadfastly ignored the whole thing.
It was fine.
It was completely fine. If Eva and Miles got along and went out, I’d be happy for them. I could be and I would be, even if I didn’t particularly want to see them together. As I’d been telling myself all night, I had no claim to Miles Kingsley.
None at all.
Besides, it wasn’t like I could blame him. Eva was flipping gorgeous, and on nights like tonight where she could glam it up, she really came into her element. Her hair always co-operated, and tonight it fell over one shoulder in loose, thick curves. Her perfectly applied dark red lipstick matched her satin midi cocktail dress almost to the exact shade, and she had the lithe, toned body to pull off such a figure-hugging, unforgiveable dress.
The scoop neck also made her boobs look great.
She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room.
And she was sitting next to her identical twin sister.
Not that Addy looked bad—she didn’t. I was certain it was almost impossible, but even her fancy updo and gorgeous, shiny green wraparound dress that showed off her slightly curvier frame couldn’t compete with the modern-day Jessica Rabbit that was her sister.
“Ah, that’s the last of the plates cleared away,” Daddy said, reaching for his whiskey. “If you’ll excuse me, I see Lord Whitney over by the bar. I must discuss his latest investment with him. I’m rather interested myself. Would you like anything?”
Aunt Cat finished her champagne. “I’ll have some more champagne sent over.”
He acknowledged her and looked to me.
“No, thank you. I still have some wine left.” I picked up my glass. “I’m actually going to step outside for some air in a moment, so if you don’t see me, I’m outside.”
“As long as you don’t get lost in the gardens again.” He smiled. “Very well. I’ll speak to you soon.” He turned and wove his way through the crowd that was forming now that dinner was over, and people were leaving their seats.
“Funny headache you’ve got,” Aunt Cat observed. “One that can be cured by wine.” She made a point of looking over at Eva’s table. “Nothing to do with Miles over there, is it? He does look jolly handsome in that suit.”
I swallowed, daring a glance in his direction. He looked up at the exact second I did and, for the briefest of moments, our eyes met.
Someone walked in front of my table, cutting the moment.
“Don’t you think so?” Aunt Cat prodded, looking curiously at me. “You can’t blame Eva for—”
“Stop it. I know what you’re doing, and you need to stop it. Right now.” I pushed my chair back from the table but leaned into her without getting up. “You know full well what the matter is, but instead of asking me, you’re beating around the bush. You know this is making me uncomfortable and you know why. Stop winding me up.”
I swept my glass from the table and gathered my skirt to one side so I could walk through all the people and the tables without accidentally ruining it.
Now, I really did need some air.
I’d never been a fan of slinky dresses. I preferred a nice skirt that I could swirl around like a princess, and I usually felt like one.
Not tonight.
I excused myself past the couple talking in the doorway, pausing only to share a greeting with the future Earl and Countess of Pembrokeshire. I’d grown up as good friends with Owain and Pippa, but thankfully, they didn’t stop me.
I clearly looked like a woman on a mission.
I knew this hotel like the back of my hand, so I navigated through the lobby to the hallway that would take me outside. The air had cooled significantly since we’d arrived, and a chill danced across my skin in the form of ten thousand goosebumps.
The garden here was beautiful. The large flagstone patio was as old as the house, and its age showed in the cracks and dents and stains that only added to its allure. Rose bushes that were alive with numerous blooms filled the brick flowerbeds, and given the slope of the immediate gardens, the patio was surrounded by a carefully carved stone wall.
I gently navigated my high heels down the steps to the wall and finally let go of my skirt. It fell to just below my knee, billowing around my legs.
“Gabi?”
I set my glass on the wall.
“Are you all right?” Adelaide asked, coming up behind me. “We haven’t seen you all night, and you came out here as soon as dinner was over.”