Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 4

The next day Gabrielle said goodbye to her sister and left the mansion with a trunk full of gowns, jewels and pin money. It was still early but she wanted to talk to Emma alone and she knew that her friend was an early riser. Upon her arrival, she asked to be directed to the room that Lady Emma was currently in. The stone faced butler led her to the library. She was pleasantly surprised to find Emma in the company of Mr Brandon. She thought that he was a nice man who loved her friend, if he ever decided to pursue her, she would be the first in line to help him. Despite the fact that Brandon was a stranger, she decided to open up to him. She wanted to be the first one to deepen their friendship.

"I am really sorry for coming this early, I just wanted to talk to you without interruption." She looked at Emma meaningfully.

"I will take that as my cue to leave, it was a pleasure ladies." Brandon stood to leave but Gabrielle quickly waved him to sit down.

"No, stay. I need a man's opinion too and I will not ask Lord William or that Duke." At Duke she felt herself sneering and quickly tried to school her features into more pleasant ones but her companions had already seen it.

"He has that kind of affect on upstanding fair maidens." Brandon told her with a smirk and the smile on Emma's face grew. The nervousness that she had been feeling left her, she was among friends and she felt like she belonged.

She told them of her fears regarding London. Brandon told kept on telling herthat she would be just fine. Emma agreed with her that half of London was full of rogues and dandies. George joined them after some time but she was distracted. Their discussion was taking a violent turn when George interrupted them and informed them of her suspicions regarding William interest in herself. Gabrielle was so surprised by her clueless behaviour that she was speechless. Brandon spoke before his two companions could

"Why do you think so?" Brandon asker in a blunt manner that only a man can.

"A woman's intuition?" George asked instead of answering. Gabrielle felt at that moment that George had more than just a hunch.

"Are you in love with him?" He asked after some thinking. Gabrielle wanted to clap Brandon on the back for his direct questions. It was obvious George did not want to answer them.

"Who talks about feelings Brady? Are you a woman?"A disheveled Max emerged from some unknown recess of the library, it looked as if he never made it to his room the prior evening as he was wearing the same clothes that he wore to dinner and was massaging his temple, like he was hungover.

"If she loves him then....." Brady started passionately but Max decided to cut in.

"Then bad for her. Men like me and Will don't love, I'm a rogue and he is the responsible one. I'm sure that he won't marry because he has so much to do, so many people to take care of and Emma's kid will be the heir. " Max turned his bloodshot eyes towards George and asked seriously "If you are dying to know how he feels, I'll help you but can you take a rejection? Or are you too involved?"

Gabrielle wanted to strangle Lord Maximillian. He was blind, anyone could see Lady George and Lord William were in love. It looked as if he himself didn't want the match. Gabrielle swore that if the infuriating man tried anything stupid, she would strangle him.

"I want to know." George replied firmly.

"Then stop worrying, you have me. I can make anyone confess anything they are too embarrassed to say in public." With a wink, Max left before anyone else could add anything or ask a question. Gabrielle wanted to follow the arrogant bastard and kiss him senseless.

Wait! She did not want to kiss him.

Or did she?

After an uncomfortable silence, Gabrielle started talking about London again, she wanted to forget Max. George thought that the poor girl was obsessed with London, William was right. She would need all the support she could get, her nervousness was obvious in every gesture.

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When everyone sat at lunch, Max made a point of sitting near George, he also made sure that Gabrielle was sitting next to Will. Gabrielle glared at him with such a passion that an average man would have crumbled. Max, being himself, completely ignored her. All through lunch he flirted with George. Gabrielle could see her discomfort and William's raising temper. She wanted to warn Max but the stupid man was intend on digging his grave.

"What is the meaning of this? Do you want to be thrashed or thrown out? Leave George alone. As long as she is in my care, you cannot talk to her like that." William glared at his friend for the desired effect, instead of appearing contrite, Max looked like a cat who swallowed a canary. Gabrielle wanted to hurt the infuriating man.

"Ah ha! That means I can do whatever I want with Miss Gabrielle and you will not do anything about it." Max answered triumphantly while looking at Gabrielle. Gabrielle felt the full effect of his words and felt sick.

"What gave you such an absurb idea? Are you still drunk?" William asked incredulously.

"You did! Don't act so self-righteous. Last night when I was flirting with Miss Gabrielle you said to behave myself and nothing about thrashing or throwing. Now you either want George for yourself or you don't care about Gaby, which one is it?" Max again finished with flourish.

"Don't call me Gaby, it's Gabrielle." Gabrielle heatedly replied. Gaby bought back so many bad memories. Their was a reason why her sister called her Ella, not Gaby. No one paid any attention to her, they were all looking at William, like they were expecting an explanation.

William knew that Max was playing some kind of game. Playing with people was his favorite game. He did not understand who the intended victim was, Gabrielle, George or William himself. William contemplated telling the truth, that he felt possessive but he was not sure how his declaration would be received. It would also put George in a compromising position. To make his feelings known and so publicly would be rash, so he did the only thing that was logically acceptable, he lie.

"I know that you won't hurt Miss Gabrielle as she is your responsibility as much as she is mine but George is my responsibility alone and I will not let anything happen to her on my watch. Stop twisting my words to give them different meaning." William said in an emotionless manner.

Gabrielle watched as George wilted before her eyes. She tried to save the situation that His Grace had, with his tact less behavior, created.

"I'm positive that you care about Lady Georgiana more, after all, she has been in your care longer than me." Gabrielle tried to sound as if she was stating a fact, which she was. She had no illusions related to her importance. She knew that William was in love with George and she would always come first.

William fearing that all his convincing might go to waste and Miss Gabrielle might say no to a season because he did not care enough for her said hastily,

"You are every bit as important as George is, you two are the same for me, do not undermine your importance in this household." William said earnestly, he wanted her to trust him.

Gabrielle watched as her new friend turn pale and swore to seek Lord Maximillian out.

Something that was missing from pretty amy coming up in next chapter. A confrontation between these two. Remember to vote and comment😊