to defy him with the full brightness of her brown eyes.
There was a time Bret would have met her challenge and taken her in his arms, but that opportunity had been washed away by time and tide.
Gabrielle looked back at him and he stared directly into her eyes. “Ahh, but a beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate woman is always the aristocracy of her sex . . . and forever a lady before all men.” Bret winked at the colored girl. “Now, you remember that, Verna, next time your young beau comes a courtin’.”
Gabrielle drew in a sharp breath and stamped her foot. “The nerve of you, Bret McGowan!” She put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. Verna looked quickly up at Bret and grinned before lowering her head once more. Gabrielle turned away again, a sneer obscuring her beauty. “Goodbye, Liam. It was a pleasure to see you again. I’m glad to see you still display courtesy and manners in the presence of a lady and a young girl.”
Liam accepted the compliment with courteous nod. He had been jealous of her affection for Bret in the past but was now overjoyed to see the tables had turned in his favor. Surely Bret was too old for her now anyway. “Thank you, Gabrielle, and I apologize for our friend. He’s been away too long from the civilizing influence of our fair city. I’m sure our next meeting will be more conducive to genteel conversation.”
Bret bowed his head in a contrite gesture. “Then, please, accept my apologies, Miss Caldwell, for my inconsiderate behavior, and let me make amends to you at the McGowan ball. Your father and you have enjoyed them in the past and it’s been quite a few years since I’ve last had the pleasure of your gracious company.” Bret extended an envelope to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle stared at the envelope for a few moments. She glared at Bret and snatched it from him. She handed the envelope to Verna. Gabrielle snapped her veil back into position. “Come, Verna. We’re going home.” She swirled around, and marched away without saying another word. Verna hurried after her.
Bret watched her step across the street. Lord, but that was one stubborn woman. So be it then. Let her go on blaming him until they were both so old and foolish neither one could remember the reason why. He wouldn’t reproach himself or add more guilt to his burden.
Liam patted the side of the automobile. “It seems two years may not have been time enough for our Miss Caldwell.”
“We all have to get on with our lives. I’m surprised she didn’t marry while I was away.”
“And not for lack of suitors and eligible bachelors.” He adjusted his gold cufflinks. “Even Timothy DeRocha thinks he has a chance with her.”
“DeRocha is a good man, but he tries too hard, as though he’s ashamed of his background.”
“Being half Cuban isn’t his greatest asset, but the main obstacle is Gabrielle’s own heart. She already gave it to one man.”
“And I gave it back to her.” Bret extended his gloved hand to his friend to help him into the vehicle.
Liam pulled back. “I thought you would have tired of your toy by now, like you do your women.”
“A 1900 Panhard et Levassor is no toy, mon ami. She’s a design and engineering marvel, the toast of the continental racing circuit for the last ten years.” Bret blew his breath onto his suede glove and buffed the side of his door. “Caesar and his legions had their chariots, and we will have ours to carry us forth into the new century.”
Liam stepped to the front of the vehicle. “These two brass lanterns ogle me like the eyes of some prehistoric monster ready to pounce.” He walked back to the driver’s side. “And the clattering and clanking coming from the engine sounds like an old civil war bomb about to explode.”
A small chill ran up Bret’s spine. Best to stop by the druggist on the way home. “You sound almost superstitious about a common machine.”
“No, sir. These horseless carriages were more like hearses waiting to drive you to your own funeral.” Liam tapped the thick wooden spokes of rear tire. “I really don’t understand you sometimes. I’ve trusted your business judgment in the past, but this? How could you possibly think these frivolous gadgets will still be around in another year or two? Why would you waste your money on something like this when there’s so many reputable American carriage and buggy companies?”
Bret