Page 4 of Her Rogue for Christmas
“Ah,” Elena said.“I had wondered…” Her voice trailed off as her eyes glazed over as if she was lost in thought.This girl was quite naive.Much like Elena had once been.Back when she believed in love, and had willingly given her heart away.That young girl she’d once been no longer existed.She snapped out of it and met Lady Gabriella’s gaze.She couldn’t allow herself to revisit her past.It would not aid her now.“He pays attention to you.”
“I doubt that.”She nibbled on her bottom lip.Lady Gabriella doubted a man as handsome and titled as Eli wouldn’t want her.Why was that?
“Oh, trust me, he does.”Elena tapped her fingers lightly on the arm of her chair.“He is subtle about it, but I know him better than anyone.He’s interested in you.”She leaned a little closer.“Would you like to know him better?”She had to entice the young woman into accepting her help.Somehow she would bring the two of them together.
“Why would you be willing to aid me in this?”Lady Gabriella scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion.“Isn’t he your friend?”Elena could tell her about the wager, but she doubted that she’d understand.She might even be offended by it.That was not the most optimal way to handle this situation.
“That is precisely why,” she said, and flipped her hand dismissively.“I don’t expect you to understand.Eli—Savorton,” Elena corrected herself.“And I have been friends since we were children.He’s been struggling for sometime now to keep his family estates together, and now that he has succeeded he fears everything will somehow be snatched away from him.He’s miserable and doesn’t even realize it.”She tilted her head to the side.“He doesn’t notice women.They are not worth his attention when everything else is at stake, but you, my dear, are different.I want to encourage that if it is possible.”
“You’re only seeking his happiness?”Lady Gabriella’s voice held a hint of skepticism in it.Elena couldn’t fault her for not believing her.In her place she’d question it all as well.For that she respected the woman a whole lot more.That showed she had some intelligence, and Elena appreciated that more than anything.
“Exactly,” Elena said.“And I do think you might make him happy.”At least she hoped she would… Happiness could be elusive and fleeting.No one knew that better than Elena did.Her happiness had been far too brief, and painful to remember even now.
“I might not make him happy,” Lady Gabriella told her.“You can’t force something that is not there.”Truer words had never been spoken before… Nothing could be forced.Well that wasn’t exactly the truth was it?Her father had forced her into a marriage.True love and happiness couldn’t be though.That was what Elena wanted for Eli.
“Are you telling me that it would take some effort on your part to feel something for the marquess?”Elena lifted a brow.“Because I’ve seen you watching him, too.You’re not even sly about it as he has been.”Lady Gabriella didn’t fool her.She was attracted to Eli, and that attraction was completely understandable.
“I cannot do it,” Lady Gabriella told her.“I won’t scheme for any reason, and I don’t need to.”
Lady Dryden’s smile grew.She didn’t want her to scheme.All she wanted from Lady Gabriella was for her to be open to the possibility of something with Eli.That wasn’t too much to ask.At least she did not think it was… “I like you.You’ll do.”
Elena didn’t elaborate on that because right then Eli entered the room with the one man she’d been avoiding for years.He was as handsome as she remembered.His dark hair curled a little against his nape and those eyes of his… She had always been drawn to those beautiful blue eyes.She tore her gaze away from him and turned her attention to Eli.She glared at him.How could he have done this to her?He knew how she felt about the Earl of Northfield.Her smile faded as she turned and met the earl’s gaze and fought the urge to flee.He couldn’t really be there.Standing next to Eli and staring at her as if he still loved her.It couldn’t be possible...God help her, she couldn’t handle this.Pain shot through her and stabbed directly through her aching heart.She was not prepared for this.
Three
Eli stood in the entryway with the Earl of Northfield at his side.Elena stared at them, unable to form words.Her throat went dry, and all coherent thought fled.Her mind blanked as dread filled her.This couldn’t be happening.Itcould notbe happening.But it was.He was here, standing next to her closest friend as if this were not a monumental occasion.As if no time had passed and it was perfectly acceptable for him to arrive at Lady Winston’s house party—as if they had never meant anything to each other, and she had never loved him with all the innocence of youth.
“We’re not interrupting, are we?”Eli asked, attempting to appear nonchalant.Elena was not fooled.She saw through his pretense.They would have words later, and he would not like what she had to say.
“Not at all,” Elena replied, narrowing her gaze and studying Eli shrewdly.She smiled slyly and added, “Please, join us.”Her tone conveyed what she had left unsaid.Good.He ought to be wary.
Lord Northfield took the chair closest to Elena.Her breath caught.He was so close.Too close.She couldn’t very well demand that he remove himself and find somewhere else to sit; that would be the height of rudeness.Not that she was above being rude on occasion, but she required averygood reason to act in such a manner.
Eli glanced at the remaining open seat, which was on the settee next to Lady Gabriella.Without looking in Lady Gabriella’s direction, he focused his attention on Elena.“Lord Northfield is interested in doing business with Savorton Shipping.We have been discussing the possibility since his arrival earlier today.”
“How wonderful for him,” Elena replied coolly, pointedly avoiding looking in the earl’s direction.She was doing her best to pretend she didn’t know him, though he surely knew better.She had caught Theo looking at her with a hint of longing in those striking blue eyes of his.She could not allow him to realize his effect on her.“I trust your discussion is going well.”Somehow, she managed to keep all emotion from her voice.
“It is,” Northfield replied.“Lady Dryden,” he said softly.Reluctantly, Elena looked at him.“I trust you are well.”Damn him…Why did he still have to be so blessedly kind—and so handsome?Painfully handsome, in fact, as it hurt to look at him.
“Is there any reason I wouldn’t be?”she replied, her tone verging on petulance.Without waiting for an answer, she turned to Lady Gabriella.“Do you play cards, dear?”She had to keep her distance from the earl.Somehow, she would remain aloof.
“I cannot say I have any skill at card games,” Lady Gabriella admitted.“I have had no reason to learn.”
“Then we shall rectify that.”Elena grinned.“We have enough here for a game of Faro.”She turned to the earl.“Are you willing to join us, my lord?”Then she glanced at Eli.“He’ll play.He can never turn down a game of cards.”What in heaven’s name was she doing?This was an invitation she shouldn’t have extended.Clearly, she was losing her senses.Now, she would have to spend an evening playing Faro with the earl, Eli, and Lady Gabriella.
“You’re implying I am a consummate gambler, darling.”Eli shook his head with a mock frown.“What will they think of me?”
“They’ll think that you enjoy cards.”Elena shrugged.Eli did enjoy cards; they both did, and they were both skilled.“That doesn’t mean you have a dreadful gambling habit.”Her lips twitched as she allowed herself a grin.“Besides, a good gamble can be quite enjoyable when done correctly.”She meant it as a reminder of their wager.
Eli turned his attention to Lady Gabriella.“Do you wish to learn how to play Faro?”Good.He was focusing on the lady who had caught his interest.She might have foolishly arranged this card game, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t use it to her advantage.She would push Eli toward Lady Gabriella and simultaneously do her best to pretend she wasn’t still affected by the Earl of Northfield.
Lady Gabriella tilted her head thoughtfully before answering.“I wouldn’t mind if you’re willing to teach me.”
“I’m sure we’ll all be happy to assist until you grasp the basics.Besides,” Eli added, “this will be for fun only.There’s no reason to risk gambling with a novice.That would hardly be fair.”
“Then let’s play,” Lady Gabriella said, sounding as though she truly wished to learn.Excellent.Elena suppressed a smile.
“Perfect,” Elena said in an agreeable tone.“We shall meet in the game room in an hour.I’ll see to refreshments and ensure we have a proper deck of cards.”She stood and turned to Lady Gabriella.“Don’t worry, dear.You’re in excellent hands with me.”She winked, catching Eli’s glare.He knew her too well not to realize she was up to something.Well, he’d best be prepared.
