Celia trailed behind her mother as they stepped into the grand, barrel-vaulted foyer of Beaumont, the Ravenswood ancestral home.

“Ah, there you are! At last!” The Countess of Ravenswood swept forward, embracing Lady Darby and Celia in turn. “I do hope your journey was a pleasant one?”

“Not a single raincloud marred the skies during our trip,” Lady Darby replied. “I wish Lord Darby could have accompanied us, but with his health, it just was not wise to venture so far from the estate.”

Celia remained silent as the conversation carried on without her. Glancing around, she recognized a few guests who’d come to greet them. She smiled at Lady Sara Bentley, then stiffened when she saw the huge form of the man she’d studiously avoided over the past few months.

Gabriel Rose shouldered his way through the small crowd and positioned himself in a doorway, leaning against the doorjamb as if he owned it and the world. His eyes caught hers, and although she blushed at the scrutiny of his gaze, Celia did not look away. Instead, her chin lifted, and she glared back, her cheeks heating to a faint pink.

The last time she’d seen this man, he’d non-too gently rescued her from a precarious situation, marching her to safety in silence. The scowl on his face that night had suggested he found her slightly distasteful.

It was a thoroughly humiliating experience. Made more so by the fact she had required his help and been grateful for it. Only to have that gratitude snubbed when he unceremoniously left her outside Lady Sutter’s ballroom. He stalked away without even so much as a glance over his shoulder.

Ivy’s turquoise eyes rounded with sympathy. “Oh, my dear Lady Darby. I hope the earl is not unwell.”

Lady Darby waved her hand. “No need to fret. He’s much better since our son’s marriage. Longleigh and Violet send their gratitude for your attendance at the wedding.”

“We are so happy for the couple. Violet is such a lovely girl. Celia? I heard you recently visited the new couple. How are they?”

“Disgustingly happy and content with one another.”

Lady Darby frowned at her daughter’s flippant reply while Ivy laughed with delight. “How wonderful for them! I know you are most relieved, seeing how close you and Violet are as friends.”

“Much like yourself and the earl, Lady Ravenswood, my dear brother and his new wife are perfect examples of a successful union.” Celia sighed as if troubled with the heaviest burdens. “I can only hope I am similarly blessed one day. But it appears one must wade through a veritable sea of frogs before finding a prince, and so far, my luck has proved abysmal.”

Celia could see Gabriel Rose’s reaction to her rash declaration. The man’s lips twitched with something that might have been the beginnings of a grin. Hard, golden-brown eyes assessed her, searching for a chink in her armor.

Celia’s jaw tilted higher. He could look, but he would not find one. She would not allow it.