Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

" C ould that sparkle I see in your eyes be a result of my presence? Have you truly missed me that much, Your Grace?"

Gabriel shook his head and greeted the man before him with a hearty laugh and a handshake, then gestured towards the plush armchairs.

"My dear friend, it appears your wit has not dulled since our last encounter." He chuckled, a glint in his eyes.

Theodore Notley, the Duke of Thornfield, was the only person outside of the family that Gabriel did not find irritating to be around.

The two Dukes settled into the elegant drawing room, surrounded by the soft sunlight streaming through the large windows.

"Ah, Dunmore, always the collector of oddities." Ever with his teasing nature, Theodore flashed a sly grin, running his eyes over the fresh paintings on the walls.

Gabriel chuckled, knowing the man's penchant for jesting about his eclectic art collection every time he came around.

However, as Theodore continued his critique, Gabriel couldn't help but recall Miss Balfour's words from a couple of days ago. Her piercing remarks lingered, affecting his mood instantly.

With a grunt of frustration, he attempted to put the annoying woman out of his thoughts, as he'd been doing for days. But her image persisted in his mind, leaving him feeling increasingly irritated by the distraction.

"Do tell me, must you always acquire more ghastly portraits to haunt your guests?" Theodore quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice.

At last, his friend's words became coherent once more, and Gabriel shook his head in mock exasperation. "Oh, but a man of refined tastes such as yourself would never understand the allure of such peculiar art," he retorted, allowing a smile to tug at the corners of his lips.

"‘Peculiar' is certainly a kind word to describe all of this," Theodore snorted.

"Did you come here to jest and insult my home, or are we going to discuss business?" Still battling with thoughts of Evelina, there was a tinge of annoyance in Gabriel's voice.

Theodore raised his eyebrows in surprise and wonder at the slight change in atmosphere. But thankfully, he did not ask.

After flashing a wicked wink, he placed the papers on the small table, and they delved into a discussion about their business. Gabriel was glad profits remained stable, and the men managed to hash out the hitches in the day-to-day operations.

"Aside from the waste that is your suggestion to acquire two more carriages to post mail, I think everything is settled," he commented as Theodore shuffled the papers once more.

Theodore let out a chuckle. "You know, Dunmore, your sincerity remains ever a rarity in our circles," he sighed and leaned back into his chair.

"I merely like to be a perfect example—someone certainly has to be."

The men erupted in laughter just as a housemaid quietly entered the drawing room, her footsteps light against the polished wooden floor. She expertly placed a tray laden with delicate pastries on the mahogany table between the Dukes.

Theodore's eyes lit up at the sight of the crumpets, and he wasted no time in snatching one. "In all frankness, this is the reason I do not mind visiting and having to see your devilish face." He grinned, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he took a bite.

Gabriel raised a curious eyebrow and snorted.

"The pastries, of course!" Theodore laughed, waving the crumpet in the air and eyeing the maid.

"Ah, and are you certain it's just the pastries you're sweet on?" Gabriel teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"Hmm." Theodore nodded as he savored another crumpet. "Indeed, my dear friend, you ought to hold on to your cook and all the mares before I whisk them away to Thornfield," he remarked with a grin, his tone light and jovial.

Gabriel let out a loud laugh at this.

Though Theodore was well-known for his fondness for the ladies, he was not a rake, and they both knew it.

Gabriel let out another laugh of disbelief as his friend winked at the maid. "You'd do well to keep our friendly competition away from my staff." As the maid prepared to leave the room, a sudden thought flashed through his mind. "Has Miss Balfour wrapped up today's lesson?"

The question left his mouth nearly immediately, his voice tinged with trepidation.

The thought of Evelina wandering around his home left him on edge. He wondered if it was the idea of her perceptive gaze finding more ammunition to solidify and strengthen her agenda against him. After all, she'd managed to label him neglectful of Eliza merely for his choice of art.

The maid, with a respectful curtsey, replied, "The lesson is still ongoing but will conclude shortly, Your Grace."

Gabriel nodded in acknowledgment, a faint furrow creasing his brow as he considered whether or not to engage with Miss Balfour before she left his house once more.

However, sensing Theodore's curious gaze, he quickly composed himself, shelving the thought and clearing his throat before addressing the maid again. "You may go now."

He gave a subtle, dismissive nod.

"Hmm…"

Before Theodore could question him, he cleared his throat once more, a quick glint in his eyes as he deftly steered the conversation in a different direction.

"So, do you happen to know how long Cedric continues to plan to be away? It seems like an eternity already, does it not?" His tone was lighthearted and teasing, aimed to lighten the mood.

Theodore shrugged. "I have no clue where the man has disappeared to this time." He threw his hands in the air. "He had been gallivanting in the west, and last I heard, he'd made a turn towards the south."

Gabriel's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Well, he is your cousin, after all. One would think you'd be the first one to have some news on his travels." He paused for effect. "Or are you suggesting that he does not continuously regale you with tales of his escapades?"

Theodore, feigning offense, scoffed and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I am not the Earl of St. Vincent's paramour for him to send me frequent missives."

Gabriel chuckled at his remark. "Seems to me that you are not abiding by the law of being your brother's keeper," he snorted. "Or in this case, your cousin's keeper." Pointing an accusatory finger at him, he added, "Which certainly does not absolve you. I will have you know, that's just as sinful."

Theodore barked out a laugh. "Well, prepare yourself for holy damnation as well then, Duke." When Gabriel raised an inquisitive eyebrow, he gasped playfully. "Do not tell me you did not realize."

Gabriel raised his eyebrow higher.

"You're just as much a brother to Cedric as I am, Dunmore."

The statement, though lighthearted, carried a sense of genuine affection and sincerity.

"Hmm." The warm smile on Gabriel's face mirrored Theodore's.

For a moment, they seemed to dwell on the sweet sentiment—seen as brothers by the heavens.

However, the moment was interrupted as Theodore's smile widened into a grin. He cleared his throat and tapped his nose nonchalantly. "Or cousin, relative—whichever the holy trinity deems fit, to be frank."

"Ah, certainly, of course." Gabriel cleared his throat and nodded. "One must remain truthful with these things lest they be struck dead, is it not?"

The two men shared a grin before bursting into laughter. In the ensuing quiet, a warmth enveloped the room once more, their bond and mutual respect palpable in the air.

Gabriel let out a contented sigh, finding himself somewhat grateful for their friendship. He let his eyes shift to the comforting artwork on the wall nearest to them.

When he heard his friend shifted in his chair however, his gaze returned to meet Theodore with a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaning close as he suddenly made his inquiry. "So, who's this new tutor for dear Eliza, and why does the mere mention of her name irritate you so?"

Gabriel, feeling the weight of the question, paused. He knew this conversation was inevitable. He pouted, debating whether to answer or not.

After a moment of contemplation, he sighed heavily, releasing his pent-up frustration. "Her name is Miss Evelina Balfour, the Viscount Elderglen's eldest daughter."

As he continued to speak about Miss Balfour, he revealed that she was a surprisingly well-regarded spinster among the ton, responsible for her younger sisters and apparently making strides in Eliza's education.

However, beneath the praise, his apprehension colored his speech, hinting at his unease and doubt about the tutor's true intentions and character.

With a cluck of his tongue, he hesitated, his demeanor now clearly betraying his jitters and troubles.

Theodore, noticing the shift in tone, raised a curious eyebrow. "Well, Miss Balfour seems quite all right, from all you've said," he remarked cautiously.

"But she is not. The woman is infuriating !" Gabriel hissed, his frustration mounting again. Before Theodore could finish his sentence, Gabriel interjected abruptly, his frustrations mounting as he declared in a sharp, hushed tone.

"That lady likes to bicker, practically derives all her daily joy from it," continuing in his quick hushed tone, he confided, "She looks innocent and even breakable, but she has a fire like none I've ever seen!"

His voice carried a mix of his awe and frustration as he struggled to articulate the paradox that was his daughter's tutor.

As he continued sharing, the intensity in his voice grew, a quiet seethe evident in his words, "I can't get a word out around her. She seems to find me the devil or something similar. She's almost frighteningly quick and sharp with her responses."

Through gritted teeth, he expressed his struggle, "I've never seen anything like it."

With a shake of his head, he delved deeper into his conflicting emotions, revealing, "Nearly every moment we spend in each other's presence, I find myself lowering to argue and banter with her."

He continued in his complaints, his admission hinting at the growing fascination and a subtle attraction that he was yet to fully comprehend.

Theodore however, did not look oblivious to this. And to Gabriel's dismay, his amusement at his words was obvious in his smirk.

The duke slowly leaned forward, cutting Gabriel short as he humorously questioned, "Tell me, are you that frightened of the woman overhearing you speak this ill of her to share in such a quiet manner?"

"Pardon?" Caught off guard by his friend's teasing, Gabriel felt a mix of surprise and offense at the implication.

With a scoff, he leaned away from the man, who sported a mischievous grin. "Of-Of course not!"

Sputtering slightly, he attempted to deny any concern, managing to assert, "In no certain terms am I bothered about-" His attempt to brush off the jest fell short as his tone instinctively quietened once more, "I am not concerned about what that woman thinks."

As Theodore's teasing brow raised in triumph, Gabriel's realization and irritation grew, evident in the way his features twisted in annoyance. He scoffed again and turned his head away.

Having caught himself, he questioned internally why he had been speaking in hushed tones.

It wasn't fear that drove him to whisper; it was the desire to keep his thoughts about the woman private, to prevent her from feeling she was important enough a topic of complaint between himself and a friend.

He tried to convince himself that all this was merely a passing interest, nothing more.

Despite his attempts to rationalize his thoughts, however, his mind betrayed him, reminding him of Evelina's growing presence in his daily contemplations.

A small audible snort escaped his lips as he grappled with the realization. He could no longer deny that she occupied his mind. His inner turmoil deepened as he battled with his growing attraction towards her, unable to comprehend why she captivated him so.

Every encounter with her, or even just watching her tutor Eliza, only intensified his inner conflict. His gaze lingered on her far longer than necessary, inexplicably drawn to her audacity and boldness.

He found himself ensnared in a web of intrigue and attraction, each interaction with her stirring emotions he couldn't quite grasp. It was as though she'd cast a spell on him.

Theodore had momentarily fallen silent, the weight of his friend's reaction sinking in. Then, he let out a disbelieving chuckle, drawing Gabriel's attention back to the conversation.

"I must say, Dunmore, in all eight years I've known you, I have never seen you react quite like this," he remarked, his tone a mix of wonder and caution. His laughter grew as he continued, "Especially not because of a woman."

The words hung in the air, adding to the awkward tension that enveloped the room.

"And?" Gabriel prompted, hesitantly raising an eyebrow. "What exactly are you implying?"

Theodore let out a short breath. "Although Miss Balfour and Anna seem to share similarities, you never harbored such feelings for Anna, did you?" he asked in a measured voice.

The question lingered in the air, a subtle challenge.

Theodore opened his mouth once more when Gabriel admitted in a stern, dark tone, "They are certainly nothing alike."

The sharp edge to his voice revealed the depth of his discomfort and the ever-raw emotions tied to discussing his late wife. Theodore's expression shifted, realizing he had crossed the line, the tension in the room escalating as Gabriel eyed him as he attempted to speak again.

Theodore hesitated for a moment, realizing he had crossed the line. "All I'm saying, Dunmore, is that Miss Balfour's spirit reminds me a lot of Anna, and?—"

"Watch your words, Thornfield," Gabriel growled. He clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with anger.

But his reaction only elicited a cautious smile from Theodore. "Merely speaking simple truths, my friend. Do you not see the resemblance?" He let out an awkward laugh before continuing. "The way Miss Balfour carries herself, it's nearly as though you find yourself attracted to a certain type?—"

"I said that's enough, Theodore," Gabriel hissed. His hand tightened around his glass, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain his emotions.

The room fell silent immediately, the implication hanging heavily between them.

"I overstepped. My apologies, Dunmore." Theodore lowered his gaze to the table, but Gabriel continued glaring at him, a silent warning that spoke volumes.

"Let this be the last time we speak of this," he uttered with finality. "The late Duchess's memory is certainly not a subject of amusement."

Theodore looked up at last, sympathy and guilt flickering in his eyes. He nodded, clearly regretting his words. "Certainly. Miss Balfour is only a tutor, that is all."