"What?"
"Don't tell Gabriel."
Devil turned his head. "Why?"
His lips quirking wryly, Chillingworth pushed away from the wall. "Because it's entertaining watching him rise to my bait, and," he murmured, just loud enough for Devil to hear as he moved away, "I consider that fitting consolation."
Chapter 18
Their ball had been held on Monday night. Alathea did not set eyes on Gabriel again until Wednesday. Ambling in the park behind his sisters and hers, closely escorted by Lord Esher and Mr. Carstairs, she was deep in disturbing thoughts of Crowley and the Central East Africa Gold Company when she heard her name called. Looking up, she saw the group ahead looking back at her. Heather Cynster pointed to the nearby carriageway-to where her brother held his team of restless bays, stamping impatiently. As she lengthened her stride, Alathea got the distinct impression that the horses were merely reflecting their master's state.
"Good morning." Tipping her head up, she looked into his face, some way above her, courtesy of his high perch phaeton. The carriage held the interest of the girls and their beaux, leaving her to deal with its driver.
He beckoned. "Come up. I'll take you for a tool around the avenue."
She smiled. "No, thank you."
He stared at her.
The others had heard.
"Go on, Allie! You'll enjoy it."
"We'll be safe enough."
"It'll just be for a few minutes."
"Carstairs and I will engage to watch over your charges in your stead, Lady Alathea."
Alathea kept her gaze steady on Gabriel's face. "When last did you drive a lady in the park?"
He studied her for an instant longer, then his lips thinned. "Hold 'em, Biggs." His groom leaped from the back and ran to the horses' heads. Gabriel tied off the reins and jumped down.
Without a word, he took her arm and waved the others on. Absorbed with their own concerns, the girls were happy to comply. By mutual accord, she and Gabriel waited until the group was far enough ahead so they could talk without being overheard, then set out in their wake.
"There's no reason you couldn't let me drive you about the park."
"I have no intention of letting you declare your hand in such a public fashion." She shot him a reproving glance. "I'm not going to be swayed by such manuevers."
"More fool you. How did you know, anyway?"
"Your mama is always full of your doings-yours, Lucifer's, and the rest of your cousins. The fact that none of you drive ladies in the park-ladies other than your wives-is well known to all, I gather."
Gabriel had been counting on it. "How does Gretna Green strike you? We could be there in two days."
"At present, I have matters to deal with here. As soon as those matters are settled, I intend retiring to the country once again."
"Don't wager your mother's pearls on it."
"Humph! Anyway, what have you learned? I take it you got my note last night?"
"Yes, but not until this morning. Last night I was busy trying to prise information from certain African dignitaries."
"What did they say?"
"Enough to unofficially confirm that at least four of Crowley's claims of governmental approvals and permissions are false. I'm working on turning unofficial into official, but no government bureacracy works quickly. We won't have any official support for our petition by the time we have to lodge it."
"And when's that?"