“You will not play such a game, my lady.” His growl was a warning for her and the gentlemen silently vying for the opportunity to be either the one whose lap Celia’s head rested or the one striking her.

“You do not have to take part, Mister Rose. I imagine that striking a woman, even in jest, does not interest you.” The jab she inflicted referred directly to the incident in the forest.

Gabriel’s eyes flared with a blaze of heat over the reminder. His fists clenched at his side, and for a moment, Celia feared he might do the unthinkable. He might plop down, haul her across his sturdy knee, and spank her until she cried for mercy.

Just the idea of such a thing sent a flush of embarrassed arousal through her entire body. Despite that, she managed to retain her defiance.

“You are free to leave, Mister Rose,” Robert drawled. “As you are not a member of the ton, I imagine our ideas of amusement are quite foreign to you.” He reached past Gabriel and took Celia’s hand, drawing her up to her feet. “Choose me as the lap, Lady Celia.”

“If you wish to keep that hand, Lord Harvey, I suggest you remove it from Lady Celia’s person.” Gabriel’s possessiveness radiated from that simple statement. He was publicly laying claim, and Celia gaped at him in shock.

“You do not dictate who may touch me, Mister Rose. You forget yourself.”

“Celia…” His growl was another warning as was the dropping of her title.

She was in grave danger. But instead of frightening her, the knowledge sent a wave of terrified desire coursing through Celia’s veins.

“Mister Rose,” she answered as calmly as possible.

In a flash, he had her arm, tugging her free of Robert’s loose grip.

“A word in private, my lady.”

“What do you think you are doing, Rose?” Robert objected angrily. “You cannot just drag her away.”

“Will any one of you stop me?” Gabriel shot back, his eyes hard and his jaw clenched. He ignored the stares of the other guests and dragged Celia closer alongside his body.

Celia allowed it, although she wasn’t quite sure why. She should not go anywhere with this man, not when he practically vibrated with frustration over the deliberate attempt at making him jealous. She’d hoped for some reaction but perhaps she’d pushed a bit too far.

“Leave us. Now.” Gabriel’s command was as quiet and as deadly as that of any king. Rather than question the authority in his voice, the others obeyed. Even Robert, grumbling beneath his breath over this commoner’s audacity, did as Gabriel demanded.

In a matter of seconds, Celia was alone with Gabriel. A very precarious place to be when she melted like ice thrown into a fire the moment he dared touch her.

He hauled her against him until her toes barely touched the ground. Held against his chest like some sort of coveted prize as he glared down at her.