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“And the moment you returned to London, you came to a ball, when you never attend balls. A ball at which you no doubt knew, as your daughter was to be here with your aunt to chaperone her, that her good friend Lily Tremayne would also be in attendance.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “I am curious as to whatyouare doing here, when you never attend balls either.”
Hellsmere grimaced. “I called at St. Albans House earlier this evening. Imagine my surprise when your butler informed me you had accompanied Chloe and her great-aunt to the Landers’s ball.”
Gabriel had no wish to imagine any such thing. “What my butler would not have been able to tell you is that I parted from Jacobson as soon as we returned to London so that I could spend two hours reporting my findings to Prinny. I was only able to return to my home late this afternoon.”
“Is Brinton innocent or guilty of any wrongdoing?”
“Innocent.” A nerve pulsed in Gabriel’s jaw. “Perhaps you would now like to tell me why, after learning I was not at home when you called, you then felt it necessary to seek me out here?”
The other man shrugged. “I was curious about your sudden interest in attending one of the balls you have always claimed you abhor. I realized the reason the moment I entered the ballroom and saw you conversing, rather heatedly, I might add, with Lily Tremayne.”
Gabriel tensed. “Your point being?” he challenged.
“My point being that by singling her out in that way, you are making her an object of speculation, possibly ridicule, regarding what the Duke of St. Albans’s intentions might be toward her.”
“I do not have any intentions toward her.” Gabriel felt a dark scowl creasing his brow.
“No?”
“No!”
Hellsmere grimaced. “Then you are lying to yourself as well as to me.”
Gabriel’s hands clenched into fists. “Men have been called out for less.”
“And you are perfectly at liberty to do so if you feel the situation warrants it,” his friend invited calmly. “I will enjoy kicking your arse in both the boxing ring and with sword.”
“And I will outshoot you every time.”
“Indeed.” The other man nodded. “But as I am speaking out of concern for both you and Lady Tremayne, I am trusting none of those scenarios will prove necessary.”
“That will depend upon the reason for you having voiced that ‘concern.’”
Hellsmere sighed. “I am worried in case this situation should in any way be similar to the one involving Clara.”
Gabriel stilled. He and Hellsmere had known each other for almost three decades. As children, then as youths, and now as adults. Which was why Hellsmere was fully aware of Gabriel’s infatuation with the dairy maid all those years ago. The other man also knew of the violent outcome of that situation.
Hellsmere grimaced at Gabriel’s continued silence. “Lily is obviously a different sort of woman to the dairy maid.”
“I should hope so.”
The other man nodded. “From what I observed of Lady Tremayne’s blushes a week ago—also unlike Clara, who never blushed because she preferred the rougher company of stable boys—it would seem Lady Tremayne reciprocates the attraction you feel toward her.”
Lord, Gabriel hoped that was the case! “Your point being?”
“That I should not like that lady to become in any way…alarmed by the depth of your interest in her.”
Gabriel gave a humorless chuckle before sobering. “You are correct in saying that Lily is nothing like Clara. She is the opposite to her in looks and is in every way a lady. But she is also an outspoken one. Which is why I have absolutely no doubt that Lily will bluntly tell me when or if she wishes anyinterestin her on my part to cease.” She certainly seemed to have no trouble speaking her mind to him on other subjects.
The other man studied him for several long moments before nodding. “Very well.” He brightened. “Shall we now depart this hellish ball and instead enjoy a bottle of brandy together at our club?”
“An excellent idea,” Gabriel agreed.
In truth, Gabriel was relieved that, for now, the subject of Lily had been dropped.
By Hellsmere, at least.