Enchanting Pleasures by Eloisa James Read Free Book Online Page A

public in such a state.” His eyes skittered over his future wife’s ruined clothing once again.
“I can’t think what Codswallop was about,” Peter went on, finally meeting Gabby’s eyes. “He is not, in general, a butterfingered fool.” His tone warmed as he thought about the agony Gabby must be suffering. Indeed, her face looked pinched and rather white. “One of Mother’s chairs is quite ruined. Although the chair’s demise is nothing compared to the affront offered Miss Jerningham.”
Quill turned toward Gabby, but she looked away. She couldn’t admit to being the butterfingered fool she actually was, not in front of her elegant betrothed. Even though Quill’s horrid grin implied that she was acting like a naughty five-year-old by remaining silent.
Peter rang the bell cord. “I shall summon your lady’s maid to escort you to your chamber. If you feel too discomposed to join us for dinner, please know that my feelings are with you. Should this insufferable accident have happened to me on my first visit to England—nay, at any time!—I should take at least a day to regain my spirits.”
He made another elegant leg to Gabby.
Gabby gasped and bobbed a curtsy. She felt incapable of responding to anything Peter was saying. This couldn’t be Peter. Well, it was Peter. Now that the shock was over, she could see that the lines of his face approximately followed those of the portrait. But this restless, elegant, shrill…popinjay! He was scented. She smelled it when she grasped his hand.
Gabby swallowed. She was very close to tears. She had never felt like such a loutish gawky girl in her life, and her life had been generously adorned with such moments.
Then someone took her hand. Gabby gulped and looked up. Through her slightly blurred eyes, she suddenly saw the Peter of her portrait. He smiled down at her kindly.
“I am so sorry that your arrival in our house was dampened by Codswallop’s unfortunate accident, Miss Jerningham.”
She smiled a bit shyly at the handsome young man before her. “Will you call me Gabby, please? Since we are to be married?” She had to say it out loud. Peter appeared to be viewing her as a mere visitor.
Peter seemed to stiffen all over, but he nodded.
For the first time, Gabby considered the possibility that Peter was not entirely happy with their proposed marriage. She herself had been so pleased to escape from her father’s household, and so delighted with the portrait of Peter, that she had not given a second’s thought to her betrothed’s feelings on the matter.
“Shall I escort Gabby to her chambers? I believe that Mother had the Blue Room prepared.” Quill looked down at his wilted future sister-in-law. She had a strained expression in her eyes that made him want to give his brother a facer.
“Absolutely not,” Peter broke in sharply. “May I remind you, Quill, that Miss Jerningham is a gently bred young lady? Under no account will you escort her to the upper reaches of the house. We shall summon her maid immediately. I must say it seems remarkably odd that your father allowed you to travel without a lady’s companion, Miss Jerningham!”
“My father didn’t believe in lady’s maids or companions. He said that—”
But Quill interrupted what he sensed was a flood of information about Gabby’s unconventional father. He didn’t think that Peter would be able to take any more revelations.
“I am soon to be a member of Gabby’s family, Peter. There can be no hint of impropriety if I escort my sister-in-law to her chamber.”
“She’s not yet your sister-in-law!” Peter snapped.
Gabby’s heart sank. Peter didn’t want to marry her. That was clear. She shook off the hand Quill had slipped under her arm.
“Do you not wish to marry me, sir?” Her voice was huskier than normal, due to the tears that were backing up her throat.
Peter gaped.
Lucien put Phoebe on her feet and they soundlessly retreated together to the other side of the chamber. Phoebe might be a