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All lustful thoughts disappeared when Gabriel walked into the library to confront Sebastian.

“I don’t need to know what you were doing,” Sebastian started as soon as Gabriel entered the room.

“I’d like to know what you were doing,” Gabriel retorted. “I’m assuming that you left the ball to go in search of Eleanor.

“Perhaps a good thing that I did,” he said.

“Was it?” Gabriel stood just inside the library door, while Sebastian took up a position near the center of the room. “What were your intentions when you left the hall to search for Lady Eleanor?”

“My intentions were to ensure she was well,” Sebastian claimed. “I could not find her in the hall, and her mother didn’t know where she went. I assumed she was sick.”

“So, you went looking for her by yourself without any thought of a chaperone.”

“And I found her alone with you without a chaperone,” Sebastian snapped.

“I am overseeing her Season,” Gabriel reasoned, knowing that it was a flimsy excuse.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Sebastian said. “We don’t need to talk about what you did with Lady Eleanor in the room back there, but we both know that something happened, and actions have consequences.”

“And what are the consequences of my actions?” Gabriel asked. “I know you like her, Fairfax.”

“I like a lot of things in life,” Sebastian claimed. “Lady Eleanor is one of them, but she is not the only one I like. I don’t like how complicated her relationships have become, and that was before today happened. I have made my intentions clear, and she has made it clear that my intentions are not entirely to her liking.”

“So, where does this leave us?” Gabriel asked.

“I admire you, Your Grace,” Sebastian said. “And I respect Lady Eleanor. I wouldn’t do anything to tarnish her reputation. If this comes out, that is what will happen. But if the news is broken, it won’t come from me. You have my word on that.”

“I appreciate that, Fairfax,” Gabriel said. “And I need you to know that I take your words to heart. You are a friend and a gentleman.”

Sebastian fell silent. He clasped his hands behind his back and took a couple of steps toward Gabriel. He nodded slowly, pursing his lips.

“Do you plan to do what I think you’re going to do?” Sebastian asked.

“It is the only honorable thing to do,” Gabriel replied. “I should not have let things get so out of hand, but I did, and it must be done.”

“So, you mean to…?” Sebastian asked.

“I will marry Lady Eleanor,” Gabriel said.

CHAPTER 24

Eleanor didn’t feel the same anonymity as she had before. She stood with her mother on the side of the dance floor, and as far as her mother knew, nothing had changed. Margaret hadn’t even asked where Eleanor had been.

“Lord Westcott has asked me to dance, and I almost told him that my dance card was too full,” Margaret told her daughter.

“Hmm?” Eleanor was sure the redness of her cheeks showed beneath her mask, shining like a beacon to everyone around her. She was sure that everyone knew.

“He is ever so handsome,” Margaret continued, oblivious to anything that might be wrong with Eleanor.

Her mother wasn’t a good gauge of what was noticeable around her. Even if she saw Eleanor’s pink cheeks, she still might not question it.

“I feel tongue-tied whenever he speaks to me, but he does speak to me, Eleanor, and he could speak to any woman here tonight or in the ton—well, with the exception of the younger eligible women who are here to meet husbands and start a family. Lord Westcott has done all of that already, the same as me.”

How could Eleanor concentrate when she could still feel his touch on her, the warmth of his touch lingering on her inner thighs as he almost…

Eleanor realized she was biting her lip as she looked out at the dance floor. Her lips tingled with the memory of his kisses, and even though no one else would ever know, she was forever changed.

Some would claim she had been tainted by him, but she had been changed.