Puzzled, Alathea watched him go, then turned back to Gabriel and the twins.
The next dance was a waltz.
Without so much as a by-your-leave, Gabriel, his temper sorely tried by the twins, closed his hand about Alathea's and drew her onto the floor. His arm came around her, holding her close. Their gazes met.
She grinned, but said not a word. She relaxed, following his lead without conscious effort. Scanning the room as they twirled, she saw no indicaiton of any problem; their ball was in full swing and all was well.
She was about to refocus on Gabriel's face when Lady Osbaldestone's flashed past. The gleeful expression in her ladyship's old eyes reminded Alathea of the approval of Lady Jersey, Princess Esterhazy, and the others. How many more had had their eyes opened tonight, their censorious minds alerted?
"This is dangerous-you and me." She looked at Gabriel. "We're going to end as a high treat for the scandalmongers."
"Nonsense. Who's been disapproving?"
No one. Alathea pressed her lips together. After a moment, she said, "I'm too old. The entire ton is expecting you to marry-they won't approve of your marrying me."
"Why not? It's not as if you're in your dotage, for heaven's sake."
"I'm twenty-nine."
"So? If that doesn't worry me, and you know damned well it doesn't, why should it concern anyone else?"
"Bachelors of thirty do not customarily marry spinsters of twenty-nine."
"Probably because most spinsters of twenty-nine are that for good reason." Gabriel caught her eye. "You're that for a completely different reason-a reason that is no longer valid. You've done what you needed to do-you've set your family back on their feet. You've held the fort until Charlie can take over, and trained him to do it." His voice lowered. "Now it's time to let go and live the life you should have lived. With me."
Alathea remained silent, not sure she could trust her voice.
He continued, "I haven't detected the slightest hint of disapproval-quite the opposite. The senior hostesses all knew your mother-they're thrilled at the thought of you m
arrying at last. Along with the rest of the ton, they've never understood why you didn't marry. To them, the notion of your marrying me is highly romantic."
Alathea managed a sniff. After a minute, she risked a glance up.
Gabriel's gaze was gently ruthless. "They'll cheer the announcement, when you consent to let me make it. They're not standing in my way."
Only she was. Alathea looked away. There was, it seemed, to be no help from any quarter. She was swimming against a flood tide.
In the nearby card room, Devil Cynster, Duke of St. Ives, strolled up to the earl of Chillingworth, who was standing by a wall watching a hand of piquet.
"Amazing. I never thought to see you pull in your horns." Devil glanced pointedly toward the ballroom. "I find it difficult to believe there are no possibilities in there. If you don't look quick, you'll be cold tonight. I, at least, have a warm bed to hie home to."
Chillingworth looked amused. "And what makes you think I haven't? The only difference between you and me, dear boy, is that your bed will be the same tomorrow night, while mine has at least a chance of being different."
"On the other hand, there's something to be said for consistently high standards."
"At present, I'll settle for variety. That aside, to what do I owe this questionable pleasure?"
"Just checking on your current interest."
"To make certain we don't cross bows? Pull the other one."
Devil settled his shoulders against the wall. "Purely altruistic, on my part."
Chillingworth hid a smile. "Altruistic? Tell me, is it me you're interested in keeping whole, or another more nearly related?"
Devil studied the crowd in the ballroom through the arch directly before them. "Let's just say that I've no wish to see any misunderstanding cloud the otherwise congenial relationship between your family and mine."
Chillingworth said nothing for several minutes, also staring at the figures jostling in the ballroom. Then he shifted. "If I was to say that I have no intention of disrupting the harmony currently reigning between our houses, would you do me one favor?"