A Secret Love (Cynster 5)

She limited her response to a sniff; prolonging such a conversation would do nothing for her serenity. The nagging observation that she enjoyed waltzing with him, enjoyed the feel of his hand burning through the silk at her back, enjoyed the sense of being captive to his strength, whirled so effortlessly around the room, was more than distracting enough.

That her pleasure in life was increasingly dependent on him was a thought she wished she'd never had.

After the dance, they once more meandered through the crowd, chatting with acquaintances. They were leaving one group when Gerrard Debbington hailed Gabriel. Gabriel stopped; sidestepping this way, then that, Gerrard eventually reached them.

He smiled vaguely at Alathea.

She smiled brightly back, completely forgetting that she hadn't met him in the receiving line. "Hello."

Gabriel pinched her fingers and introduced them. Alathea continued to smile as if she commonly spoke to gentlemen she'd never met. Gerrard, thankfully, was too well brought up to comment.

He looked at Gabriel. "If I could have a word… there's something you should know."

Gabriel gestured to Alathea. "Thea knows of my interests-she knows of Crowley. You can speak freely."

"Oh." Gerrard's smile hid his surprise. "In that case… I was leaving Tattersalls yesterday when I literally bumped into Crowley. He was with a gentleman Vane said was Lord Douglas. Unfortunately, Vane and Patience were right behind me, and Patience spoke. From what she said, it was obvious she was my sister." He grimaced. "Only a sister would say something like that. As she was on Vane's arm, it wouldn't need any great intelligence to guess the connection. Vane said I should tell you and ask what you think."

"I think," Gabriel said, "that we should discuss the possibilities with Vane." He looked over the sea of heads. "Where is he?"

"Far left," Gerrard said, craning his head. "Close by the wall. Patience was with him."

Alathea spotted the purple plume Patience Cynster wore in her hair. "There-by the second mirror."

They headed that way but in tacking through the crowd, Gerrard forged ahead. Gabriel drew Alathea closer. "I need to talk to Vane about this-Gerrard could be in danger."

Alathea glanced at him, concern in her eyes. "From Crowley?"

"Yes. I need you to distract Patience while I talk to Vane."

"Why can't you talk about the matter in front of Patience? Gerrard is her brother, after all."

"That's why. And in case it's escaped your notice, Patience is increasing, so Vane will certainly not want her worrying over a threat to Gerrard that we're going to ensure never materializes."

"So you want me to distract her? To connive at keeping her in the dark over something she has a perfect right to know-" Alathea broke off, another idea overriding all thought of Patience's sisterly rights. "Tell me-if there was any threat to Charlie or Jeremy, would you tell me, or make sure I never heard of it?"

The way Gabriel's lips sealed into a thin line was answer enough. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Men! Why on earth you imagine-"

"Just tell me-who wants Crowley stopped?"

Alathea blinked. "I do."

"And who did you ask to stop him?"

"You."

"I vaguely recall stipulating that you had to obey my orders."

"Yes, but-"

"Thea, stop arguing. I need to talk to Vane and I don't want Patience unnecessarily upset."

Put like that… "Oh, very well." She threw him a stern look. "But I don't approve."

They drew free of the crowd and advanced on Vane and Patience. With an assured smile, Alathea drew Patience aside; Gabriel hid a smile as he overheard her ask after Patience's condition. The perfect topic, the perfect excuse to exclude the menfolk from their councils.

The males in question quickly formed their own huddle.

"What do you think?" Vane asked.