Page 124 of The Wallflower Takes All

A flicker of pleasure moved through her.

It was immediately followed by irritation. Wanting her was not the same as choosing her. She had learned that lesson well enough.

“Do sit down,” Lady Viva said. “Mr. Loxley is attempting not to expire until after luncheon, which gives us time for introductions.”

“I did not say after luncheon,” Mr. Loxley murmured.

“No, sweetie, but you accepted a second slice of cake, and one must allow digestion a reasonable interval.”

Caldermere bowed over Lady Viva’s hand with admirable composure. “Lady Montague.”

“Lord Caldermere,” Mama said. “You are excessively handsome. I hope it has not spoiled you.”

“Only moderately, my lady.”

Mama looked pleased. “Good. Moderation is dull in excess, but useful in small doses.”

“I agree,” said Count Bellarosa, puffing out his velvet-covered chest.

Caldermere’s gaze returned to Poppy. They settled near the tea table, Bea placing herself with strategic precision, Gabriel remaining nearer the windows than Poppy would have preferred. Caldermere asked after the household with tact enough to make concern sound courteous rather than investigative. He did not dominate the room. He did not speak to Poppy as though her youth made her foolish or her circumstances made her pitiable. When she answered, he listened.

It was terribly inconvenient.

If he had been vain, cruel, or visibly appalled by Mama, Poppy could have dismissed him with a clean conscience and gone about packing things for the cottage. Instead, the marquess offered no obvious reason to hesitate. She had just met the man. She could hardly declare herself in love with him. But he was certainly the sort of man she might grow to admire. Someday. Given the correct conditions. Besides, she was not about to dismiss him after Bea had obviously gone to so much trouble to present him. Leave it to Bea to find the one eligible gentleman who fulfilled every requirement and was also eager to wed for some reason.

Despite Poppy’s best intentions, her gaze continued to return to Gabriel. She wasn’t entirely certain why he had remained. Unless he merely wanted to witness her interactions with Lord Caldermere, which seemed unnecessary.

Gabriel said little. He did not need to say much. His presence altered the room for her. Whenever Caldermere leaned nearer, Gabriel grew more still. Whenever Caldermere made her smile, something unreadable passed across Gabriel’s face before restraint concealed it again.

Once, Caldermere asked whether she would miss London if she were required to spend part of the year in Kent.

Before Poppy answered, her gaze moved toward Gabriel. His eyes met hers.

A look was not a promise either. It could not keep rain from a cottage roof, make a creditor retreat, or provide Mama with a permanent home. Still, the force of it made Poppy’s pulse quicken.

She turned back to Caldermere. “I think I could be content in the country if London were not entirely forbidden to me.”

“It would not be,” he said. “I spend several months of each year in town.”

Precisely right. Another mark in his favor.

Poppy had begun to suspect Lord Caldermere never gave an answer without considering its proper shape first.

Gabriel did the same.

The comparison arrived unbidden. Caldermere’s restraint felt effortless, the polished ease of command long practiced and rarely challenged. Gabriel’s restraint cost him. Poppy had felt the cost beneath her hands, tasted it in his kiss, seen it in the moment he stepped back from the sofa, as though wanting her and deserving her had become separate questions.

It was unfair to compare them…but she could not stop.

At last Caldermere set aside his teacup. “I hope you will forgive another plain question, Miss Montfort.”

Poppy smiled faintly. “I begin to suspect forgiveness may become a regular requirement of our acquaintance.”

“I shall attempt to earn it.” He glanced toward Lady Viva, who had persuaded Count Bellarosa to describe the exact shade of the Bay of Naples while she corrected him whenever the color lacked sufficient drama. “Would Lady Montague remain with you after marriage?”

Poppy felt Gabriel’s attention sharpen from across the room.

“Yes,” she said. “Or near enough that I may ensure she is comfortable.”