Page 65 (1/1)

Few people would have envisioned a match between such a delicate creature and a , black-haired Welshest departland, Winterborne was a man of considerable financial power, known for his forceful and decisive nature Since his e, however, Winterborne see with an ease Gabriel hadn’t seen in him before

Gabriel had met Winterborne several tis of a hydraulic equip comatic and decent man, with remarkable intuition and shrewdness in business matters Gabriel liked the Welshman, for all that he lacked polish, but they moved in very different social circles and had never encountered each other outside of business s

Now it seereat deal of each other Not only had they both married into an extraordinarily close-knit family, but Winterborne was a ed and advised Pandora about her board gaaratitude and affection for the lowed at his attention

As Gabriel had seen how coled with an unexpected pang of jealousy The realization appalled him He’d never been jealous or possessive of anyone in his life, having considered himself above such petty emotions But when it came to Pandora, he was no better than a prilance, every touch of her hand, every glint of light on her hair and breath from her lips He was jealous of the air that touched her skin

It didn’t help that Pandora was so detern nation afraid of being conquered and absorbed by a powerful neighbor Every day she added more conditions to her list of marital boundaries, as if she needed to protect herself from him

When Gabriel had discussed it privately with Phoebe, his sister had given hilance and said, "There are items in the meat larder that are older than your relationship with Pandora You can’t expect eternal love and devotion frohed affectionately at his disgruntled expression "Oh, I forgot You’re Gabriel, Lord St Vincent--of course you would expect that"

His thoughts were drawn back to the present as Pandora lifted her face to the cooling breeze

Wondering as going on in her restless brain, Gabriel stroked back a lock of loose hair that clung to her cheek "What are you thinking about?" he asked "The wedding? Your family?"

"A rhombus," Pandora said absently

His brows lifted "You’re referring to the parallelograles?"

"Yes, Cousin West told ht is shaped like a rho that if ‘rholoved hand to her chin, Pandora tapped her fingertips against her lips "It would be rhombuseous"

Gabriel toyed with a tiny silk flower on her hat "Rhoarin Her deep blue eyes became places to frolic and revel in "Rho the exquisite line of her cheek, Gabriel murmured, "I’d like to worship you"

Pandora barely seea, Gabriel kept an arm around her as the stea, they went to a horse-drawn tram which would convey them to the fashionable promenade a mile away In the ed the transfer of luggage from the stea with the lady’s maid

Once they reached the proe ride to the Empire, an opulent seafront hotel situated on a sand beach Thewas equipped with every possiblepackages to all floors, and suites with private bathroo never stayed in a hotel before, Pandora was s She turned in circles to take in every detail of the blue, gold, and white interior, lavishly appointed with marble pillars, hand-painted wallpaper and Italian plasterwork The maître d’hôtel, who could hardly fail to notice Pandora’s interest, offered to give the need couple a personal tour around the public rooan

"We would love that," Pandora exclaihtly on her heels before she recalled herself and went still in a belated attenity Gabriel bit back a smile

Gratified by her enthusiasave her his arh the hotel, while Gabriel followed behind They went first to the picture gallery, where their guide proudly pointed out the fine portraits of the hotel owner’s fa of children and dogs by the Dutch master Jan Steen

Next they visited the hotel’s French restaurant, where Pandora was shocked and delighted to observe that ating ladies to small private rooms The maître d’hôtel assured Pandora that ether in fine hotel restaurants was already the done thing in Paris In a hest confidentiality, he discreetly pointed out a table occupied by an Indian prince and his wife, and another where a renowned Ahters