To Capture a Duke's Heart (19 page)

For Penny, her second week in London proved to be much the same as the first, and wholly unaccustomed to having such an inordinate amount of idle time upon her hands, she found herself becoming increasingly restless. Thus, it was both to her surprise as well as her utter delight when near the end of that same week Gabriel informed her that they would be attending the theatre the following evening. 

The current production of
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
, as he’d informed her, was drawing to its imminent close at the Royal Theatre and with its declining attendance would serve as an ideal setting for their first public outing.  And while she was unquestionably excited to attend her first theatre performance, especially as
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
was by far her favorite Shakespearean comedy, she was apprehensive as well.  For despite the
unofficial
start of the Season still a fortnight away, like Gabriel and his brothers, not each and every exhaled member of London Society was absent from the city and the gossip surrounding her and Gabriel’s shocking marriage was sure to be on the tip of every last one of their tongues.  Just as
she
was sure to illicit a host of curious stares and a frenzy of whispered comments from those who chanced to witness her impending debut on Gabriel’s arm.  As such, she knew that it was imperative that she appear both confident and composed as she faced the scrutiny of their peers, despite whatever inner insecurities she might have. 

Therefore, not only was she resolved to put on a brave face, she was determined to look her absolute best for the night ahead.  Fortuitously, in addition to the obligatory pastels and varying shades of white considered appropriate for a young, unmarried woman entering into Society, her Aunt Catherine, who’d always had a keen eye for fashion, had insisted that the French modiste include several gowns from a selection of slightly more daring fabrics and colors to supplement her wardrobe.  Thus, it was in a beautiful gown of shimmering, gold silk taffeta that she stood now, the warm, rich color pleasantly offsetting her ivory skin and reddish-brown tresses, whilst the sophisticated cut displayed her feminine curves to perfection.

Standing behind Penny as she surveyed her appearance in the mirror, Meg’s eyes were wide with wonder.  “Oh, Your Grace, how beautiful you look,” she proclaimed.

“No small thanks to you, Meg,” Penny replied with a gracious smile.  It was true, for Meg had done a remarkable job with her mass of riotous curls, styling them into a profusion of beautifully intertwined loops and coils atop her head and pinning them into place with the set of diamond studded hairpins that had belonged to her mother, the tiny jewels glinting and sparkling as they caught the light with each tiny movement of her head.  The only thing her appearance lacked, she noted, was something a bit more eye catching to have at her throat than the simple gold ribbon she’d had Meg fasten around her neck.  For despite having inherited the bulk of her mother’s jewelry, Miranda had been especially partial to sapphires and rubies, and none of the pieces in her collection had seemed entirely fitting when paired with the somewhat unusual color of her gown.  But even so, the color of the ribbon precisely matched her gown, for it had been cut from the very same fabric as her gown, and the simple yet modish adornment would likely appear a deliberate choice rather than one made of necessity. 

As Gabriel stood near the open doors of the front parlor, a tumbler of brandy in hand as he waited for Penelope to make her way downstairs, he found himself silently contemplating the events of the past weeks.  Much as he’d expected, the news of his sudden marriage had sent shock waves rippling through the city, only to spread with remarkable swiftness across the entire country; as it seemed that nearly everyone he encountered, whether currently in residence or newly arrived to Town, knew of his recent nuptials and was indubitably speculating as to its cause as they offered their felicitations.

What he hadn’t expected, however, was the seemingly effortless introduction of his new bride to the confines of his home. For much to his surprise, as he’d purposefully offered little in the way of assistance, admittedly casting her into the water to either sink or swim, so to speak, Penelope had assumed her role as his wife and mistress of his household with remarkable ease and a shocking display of expertise.  Within days his staff had adjusted to the sudden transition, and with astonishingly good form, graciously accommodating the presence of his new duchess and acquiescing to her direction with an unqualified lack of resistance that, quite frankly, astounded him.  And while he was loath to afford his unsolicited spouse even the slightest approbation, he could hardly deny that he was secretly impressed. 

Lifting his glass, he downed the remaining liquid and was about to pour himself another drink when he heard the faint, yet unmistakable tapping of heels upon the stairs outside.  So setting the glass aside he proceeded into the front hall instead, moving to the foot of the staircase to collect his wife for their first evening out.  Glancing upward, he spied her on the stairs just a few steps above the marble floor upon which he stood momentarily arrested by the stunning vision Penelope presented.  She was exquisitely lovely; there was simply no denying it, he acknowledged.  And as she hesitated there, looking down upon him as she stood resplendent in her strikingly-colored evening gown, much like a glorious, golden goddess, he felt his traitorous cock twitch in response. 

Damn it man, get hold of
yourself
, he silently commanded in the next second, forcibly reminding himself that her extraordinary beauty, compelling as it was, was only skin deep.  Nevertheless, mindful of Thompkins and the young footman standing at attention in the hall, he affixed an admiring smile upon his face and held out his hand as she stepped down onto the marble floor.  “My dear, you are quite simply breathtaking,” he professed as she slipped her white-gloved hand into his.  “But alas, you present such an enchanting vision that tonight’s performers will undoubtedly find themselves vexed by your attendance, for surely all eyes will be upon you rather than the stage.”

Though she knew that his words were strictly for the benefit of the servant’s ears, Penny felt a tiny flutter in her chest at the effusive compliment and the glorious, heart-stopping smile Gabriel bestowed upon her.  “Thank you,” she said, smiling softly.

“Enjoy you evening, Your Graces,” Thompkins intoned as Gabriel slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and then guided her to the front door and out onto the walkway.

They moved on in silence, neither of them making further comment as they proceeded toward the waiting coach.  However, as the footman swung the door open and Gabriel moved to hand her into the vehicle, he paused, his gaze drifting downward from her face where for a moment it seemed to linger consideringly. 
Oh dear.
  Was something wrong?  Was it her gown?  Did he think it inappropriate somehow, despite what he’d said in the hall, she wondered?  It
was
rather low-cut, and the sophisticated design not something that a young lady of her tender years would normally wear, she supposed.  But even so, she would hardly consider the gown the slightest bit vulgar or indecorous, especially as she
was
a married woman now.   Nonetheless, she asked hesitantly.  “Is something amiss?”

Gabriel’s eyes abruptly shifted upward, back to her face.  “No, nothing at all,” he assured her as he motioned for her to continue into the vehicle.  “I merely need to have a brief word with the driver before we get underway.”

Despite his assertion to the contrary, Penny dipped her head and cast an uneasy glance upon the bodice of her gown and the exposed portion of her bosom, and then quickly, before Gabriel chanced to return, gave the taut fabric several firm, yet ultimately ineffective upward tugs.  There was little else she could do, however, as Gabriel joined her in the coach just a few moments later and shortly thereafter the horses were set in motion and moving in the direction of Drury Lane.

Much to Penny’s surprise, however, they had only been traveling for a brief period of time when the driver pulled the horse to an unexpected stop before an elegant, brick townhouse just a few short blocks away.  Was someone joining them, she wondered in confusion, for Gabriel had made no mention of anyone accompanying them to the theatre?

“My apologies,” Gabriel imparted as Penny eyed him curiously from across the coach’s interior.  “But I am afraid that I’ve need to make a brief stop before we continue on to the theatre.”  And before she could chance to reply or inquire as to the reason, the door swung open and he stepped from the coach. 

As Gabriel hastened up the front walk, he could only hope that the owner of the residence and the man whose services he required was presently at home.  Arriving upon the doorstep a moment later, he reached to ring the bell.  His hand was arrested in mid-motion, however, as the front door swung open to reveal the imposing figure of the Gagarin’s fearsome-looking butler in that very same instant, a hulking giant of a man who more closely resembled a heavyweight prizefighter than a domestic manservant, despite his uniformed attire.

“Please excuse the lateness of the hour,” he stated, handing the butler his card, “but I have a rather pressing need to speak with your employer.”

His employer was Alexi Gagarin, a Russian immigrant and highly gifted artisan, who had arrived in London with his impoverished parents and four younger siblings some forty years earlier; a man who despite his humble origins had worked with intrepid resolve and determination to hone his notable artistic talent and establish himself as a premier designer of high-end jewelry.  And now, after years of hard work and unerring dedication to his craft, Alexi Gagarin was hailed as one of London’s finest and most celebrated jewelers.

Although Gabriel had been to the Gagarin residence on two previous occasions, though never without prior arrangement or at such an unusual hour, the stony-faced butler made a point of looking down to read the name imprinted upon the card, before returning his gaze upward.  “If you will follow me into the drawing room, Your Grace, I will see if Mr. Gagarin is at home.”

“Of course.” 

Following a few steps behind the butler, Gabriel didn’t fail to note the two burly footmen, both armed no doubt, standing at attention in the hall, their formidable presence like that of the butler’s, necessitated by the fact that many of Alexi’s singular and most expensive pieces of jewelry were not displayed within his shop on Bond Street, but kept locked away here at his home, an exclusive collection reserved for the sole viewing and consideration of his most exclusive clientele.

After being deposited in the drawing room, Gabriel was left waiting for only a few short minutes before Alexi himself appeared at the door.  “Your Grace,” he greeted warmly, his distinctive Russian accent still discernable despite having spent the greater part of his life in England.  “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“Forgive me, Alexi, for stopping by unannounced,” Gabriel replied apologetically,” but I find myself in sudden need of your services.”

“Oh?”

“Indeed.  For as it happens, my wife and I were on route to the theatre just moments ago, when I happened to note that her lovely throat was adorned with only a modest gold ribbon,” he stated with a look of exaggerated contriteness.

Alexi’s expression grew animated.  “Ah yes,” he exclaimed, bobbing his head enthusiastically. “Please allow me to offer my congratulations, Your Grace, for I’d heard that you were recently wed.”

“And thus eagerly awaiting my inevitable visit, no doubt,” Gabriel responded good-naturedly.

“But of course,” Alex acknowledged with a grin. 

Gabriel smiled back.  “Though I certainly hadn’t intended to arrive upon your doorstep unannounced, as I have this evening, Alexi, as I mentioned before, I have a rather sudden and desperate need of your assistance.”

“Yes, of course,” he replied with an understanding nod.  “On route to the theatre and your new bride with only a ribbon around her neck,” he continued, clucking his tongue in dismay.  “But no, surely that will not do, not for the new Duchess of Ainsworth.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Gabriel affirmed. “And as the lady in question is presently awaiting me in the carriage outside, I am in need of a suitable replacement posthaste.”

“Come, come,” Alexi urged, motioning for Gabriel to follow him.  “We shall hasten to my studio and select a much more fitting adornment for your duchess’ throat from amongst my many treasures.”

“Splendid.  I knew that I could count on you, Alexi,” Gabriel professed as they quickly made their way to the rear of the house.  “And we shall need topazes I think, for my lovely wife is wearing a rather striking shade of gold this evening.”

Fortunately not more than a quarter of an hour had passed since the time they’d stopped before the Gagarin residence to the moment Gabriel reentered the waiting coach with a magnificent strand of intermingled diamonds and topazes tucked securely within the pocket of his coat front. And though she was undoubtedly curious, surprisingly Penelope made no inquiries as to the reason for their stop as the vehicle was promptly set back into motion.

It wasn’t until they were nearing the theatre, however, that he said, “I have something for you, something I’d like to give to you before we arrive.”