Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ a fur-lined cloak over one arm, her free hand gripping the bannister. Perhaps it had not been wise to have a second glass of liqueur, but the idea of seducing her husband was rather alarming, and she felt in need of a little sustenance.

      A footman jumped to open the drawing-room door for her and as she entered she had to resist the urge to pull up her low décolletage. Gideon was standing by the sideboard, pouring himself a glass of wine, but the rustle of her skirts alerted him. He glanced up.

      Dominique experienced no little satisfaction as his eyes widened and the hand pouring the wine shook, spilling a few drops on to the white tray cloth. Gideon cleared his throat and bent a searching look upon her.

      ‘Is that a new gown?’

      ‘No, sir. I wore it to the Graysons’.’

      There was a fine pier glass fixed atop the walnut console table and Dominique stopped before it to consider her appearance. The last time she had donned this gown she had put on a demure white-satin petticoat with puff sleeves and a wide lace edging that had discreetly covered her bosom. Now she wore one of the shifts from the trunk. The effect was quite startling. Instead of tiny white sleeves covering her shoulders the muslin was so fine it was almost transparent and the delicate lace around the neck merely drew the eye to the low neckline and the deep valley between her breasts.

      Gideon came to stand behind her and she met his eyes in the mirror.

      ‘The colour suits you,’ he said. ‘And the way you have of dressing your hair.’ He raised his hand to touch the solitary ringlet hanging down and as his fingers grazed her skin she drew in a sharp breath. His hand moved from the curl to her neck. ‘Dominique—’

      The soft knock on the door made them jump apart.

      ‘Sir, madam. Your carriage is at the door.’

      Dominique noted Gideon’s blank look and it was a full minute before he could respond.

      ‘Ahem, yes, of course.’ Gideon drank down his wine, then picked up her cloak and placed it about her shoulders. ‘I could almost wish we were not going out this evening.’

      The quiet words sent a delicious thrill running down her spine. So far her plan was working admirably. She peeped up at him through her lashes.

      ‘We need not stay for supper.’

      Gideon was silent as he accompanied her to the door and a glance showed her that he was looking quite bemused. He said, when they were seated together in the coach, ‘Has anything occurred today, my dear? A visitor, perhaps? You seem...different.’

      ‘No, I have been at home alone all day.’ She tucked her hand in his arm. ‘That is why I am glad of your company tonight.’

      * * *

      Gideon said nothing, but he did not disengage himself and when they arrived in Grosvenor Square he helped her down and kept his hand firmly over hers as he accompanied her into the house. Lady Ribblestone’s brows rose when she saw them, but a number of other guests had already arrived, so there was no opportunity to speak privately then or during dinner. It was not until the ladies retired that Gwen managed to draw Dominique aside.

      ‘My dear, I have not seen that muslin on you before. It is outrageously revealing. What are you planning, you naughty puss?’

      ‘I am fighting for my husband, Gwen.’

      ‘If you are not careful, you will be fighting off everyone else’s,’ said Gwen frankly. She added, with the ghost of a sigh, ‘Even Ribblestone could not take his eyes off you tonight.’

      Dominique spread her fan.

      ‘I have no interest in other men. I do not want to make my husband jealous, I just want him to notice me.’

      ‘Well, you will, love, you mark my words,’ retorted Gwen. ‘Gideon must be made of stone if he doesn’t realise that every man is looking at you tonight.’

      * * *

      If he had heard his sister’s words, Gideon could have assured her that he was feeling anything but stonelike. The sight of Dominique in that red gown was teasing him to distraction. He found it difficult to converse and even when the ladies had retired he wondered what she was doing in the drawing room, if she was thinking of him. He had frequently found her looking at him during dinner, although every time their eyes met she would blush adorably and glance away. Damnation, he wanted her so badly he could hardly sit still! And he wasn’t the only one to notice her. Every man in the room looked her way at some point—even old Mr Severn, who was seventy if he was a day, had raised his quizzing glass and positively ogled her.

      And yet it could not be said that Dominique flaunted herself. She behaved with great modesty and charm all evening, but however frequently her eyes alighted on Gideon, he found it was not enough. He wanted to steal her away and keep her to himself.

       Chapter Sixteen

      ‘Your wife is looking particularly well this evening,’ remarked Anthony, when at last they made their way to the drawing room. ‘Motherhood agrees with her.’

      Gideon let his eyes rest upon his wife, who was sitting beside Gwen, laughing at something Lord Grayson was saying to her. Was this the same unhappy lady he had seen at breakfast? The sparkle in her eyes, the alluring tilt to her mouth, was captivating. Motherhood had certainly developed her figure, which looked truly delectable. The swell of her breasts rose from the low décolletage and the creamy tones of her skin were complemented by the vivid colour of her gown. But he could not forget the droop of her mouth this morning and her slightly sad, distracted air. A tiny worm of jealousy gnawed at him. He said suddenly, ‘Do you think she has a lover?’

      To his immense relief, Lord Ribblestone laughed.

      ‘No, I do not. I believe this is all for you.’ He clapped his hand on Gideon’s shoulder. ‘If Gwendoline tried such tactics with me, my friend, I should consider myself a very lucky man. I should certainly not be wasting my time chasing some lightskirt in Green Park.’ Gideon’s head came up and Ribblestone nodded. ‘I saw you there this morning. You know I often walk in the park when I need to think things out before a difficult cabinet meeting.’

      ‘It was not—that is, it is not what it seems.’

      ‘No?’

      ‘As a matter of fact I was there to learn something to my wife’s advantage.’

      ‘I have heard some excuses in my time—’

      ‘It is not an excuse,’ Gideon muttered furiously. ‘The woman has evidence that Martlesham is trying to defraud Dominique of her inheritance.’

      ‘So Dominique knows of this meeting?’

      ‘Well, no.’

      ‘And are you going to tell her?’

      ‘Yes, of course, eventually. I don’t want to raise her hopes, in case it all proves a hum.’

      For once there was no smile in Anthony’s eyes as he regarded him.

      ‘I СКАЧАТЬ