“Far too long,” he caved.
“How long, precisely?”
“About five years.”
“Precisely since her debut?”
“Precisely.The first time I saw her, I fell for her.”
“Hard not to.She’s precisely a delight.”Mirabelle smiled.
“That she is.”His eyes darted to find her, but they didn’t have to roam far.Tracking her movements had started the second she left his arms on the dance floor.
“What’s she doing now?”Mirabelle repeated her earlier question.
“She hasn’t quite made her way out of the main room.She’s distracted.”He grunted the last word.
“By a man?”
“Yes,” he grumbled.“What the devil is she doing now?Oh my God.”
“What’s happening?”
“She dropped her handkerchief on the floor for the Duke of Thornhaven to pick up.”
“Did he pick it up?”
“No.”He tried and failed to stifle a laugh.“A footman just bent down and handed it back to her, thinking he’s being helpful.”
The two chuckled together.
“How come you’ve never made your move?”
He was in it now, may as well open up to the woman.Perhaps a cousin’s perspective could help him get over his feelings.Or at least manage them better.
“Let’s just say that she’s never dropped a handkerchief for me to pick up.”
“I see.”
“The woman wears her heart on her sleeve, so I know she’s not interested.And I have my pride.”
“Don’t we all.Until we don’t.”
“I’m afraid to know what you mean.”
“How long are you willing to continue on like this?Pining.”
“Ah, yes.That’s what I thought you were hinting at.”He wanted to scratch a nonexistent itch on his chin, but the dancing prohibited it.Instead, he found Lenora again.
“Bollocks.That woman is mad.She’s practically embracing the man she’s standing so near to him, lingering, waiting for a dance invitation.”
“She’ll be waiting a while.Gabriel is a bit clueless.”
“Are you on a first name basis with the duke?”
Mirabelle shrugged.
“Oh my God.She justaccidentallybumped into Gabriel then lifted her hand to stabilize herself.Instead of the duke reaching out to steady her, she knocked into a passing footman who lost his tray of petit fours.That’s sad on so many levels.”
