Gabriel St. John (Ralston márki) személy
Idézetek
[…] Nick scowled.
„I hate it when you are right.”
Ralston grinned. „As I'm rarely wrong, I imaine it is quite a problem for you.”
345. oldal
Ralston leaned back in his chair.
„I will say that anyone who has ever considered you the good-natured brother will be in for a surprise this evening.”
Nick stood then, irrational anger flaring.
„Then perhaps I shall leave and save you all the trouble of having to suffer my company.”
„Sit down, you ridiculous ass.”
Nick towered over his brother. „Call me that one more time.”
342. oldal
“I’ll pay you whatever you ask.” Ralston laughed at that, drawing a growl from the duke. “What’s so amusing about that?”
“Only the idea that my brother would take payment. I don’t imagine you’ve endeared him to your cause with that offer, Leighton.” The duke scowled.
“You know, Ralston, you were never the twin I preferred.”
“Most people feel that way,”
Gabriel instantly eased into his role, turning a brilliant smile on the girls. “I would be happy to autograph your magazine.” He took the journal and the pen they proffered and said, “You know, I must confess, this is the first time I’ve ever drawn the attention of ladies when in the company of my brother. Ralston has always been considered the more handsome of us.”
“No, Miss Fiori. I am not concerned for your reputation.”
Of course he wasn’t.
“I am concerned for my own.”
The implication that being found with her—being linked to her—could damage his reputation stung, perhaps worse than her hands had earlier in the evening.
She took a deep breath, readying herself for their next verbal battle, when a furious voice sounded from the doorway.
“If you don’t take your hands off of my sister this instant, Leighton, your precious reputation will be the least of your problems.”
Unaware of her thoughts, Ralston stood, ending the conversation with one final thought. “I never thought I would say it, but love is not as bad as I thought it would be. Should it come for you, I hope you will not turn it away out of hand.”
She shook her head. “I hope it will not come for me.”
A smile flashed. “I have heard that before, you know. I’ve said it . . . Nick has said it . . . but, be warned. St. Johns do not seem to be able to avoid it.”
Ralston approached, taking Callie’s hand in his, lifting the fingers to his lips for a brief kiss. “I’ve been looking for you.” He turned to Juliana. “Both of you.”
Callie looked to Ralston. “Tell your sister she’s beautiful.”
He looked surprised. “Of course she’s beautiful. If only she were a touch taller, she’d be perfect.”
She laughed at the feeble joke. She was taller than half the men in London. “A common complaint.”
“Gabriel, I’m serious,” Callie was not going to let either sibling off the hook. “She thinks that she cannot land a husband.”
Her brother’s brows knitted together. “Why not?” he asked his wife.
“I don’t know! Because obstinacy runs in your blood?”
He pretended to consider the frustrated statement. “It’s possible. I am not certain that I could land a husband either.”
Juliana grinned. “It is because you are too tall.”
One side of his mouth kicked up. “Very likely.”
Callie gave a little aggravated sound. “You are both impossible! I have dinner to oversee. You”—she pointed a finger at her husband, then indicated Juliana—“talk some sense into her.”
His words warmed her. She quite liked having a brother. “I do not mean to make trouble.”
He raised a brow.
“Not all the time. Not this afternoon.” Except she had meant to make trouble. Just not the kind he need knowabout. “Not the kind that ends at the bottom of a lake,” she qualified.
He moved to a sideboard and poured himself a scotch, then sat by the fireplace, indicating that she should join him.
When she took the chair opposite his, he said, “No, you mean to make the kind of trouble that ends in setting down half of London society.” She opened her mouth to refute the point, and he continued. “There’s no use in telling me otherwise, Juliana. You think it is only our dark hair and blue eyes that make us siblings? You think I do not know what it is like to have them watch your every move? To have them wait for you to prove that you are every inch what they expect you to be?”
“Perhaps you could explain to me how it is that Leighton came to profess his love to you in the middle of a crowded ballroom?”
The ache returned.
“He was in Yorkshire,” she whispered, hating the sound of the words. Hating the weakness.
Ralston nodded. “And tell me, did he lose his mind there?”
“Gabriel,” Callie said, warning in her tone. “Have a care.”
“Did he touch you?” Everyone stiffened. “Don’t answer. There’s no need. No man behaves in such a way without . . .”