On impulse, Dominic turned to his sister. “Incidentally, what are you planning for Christmas?”
Diverted, Bella gave him a clear blue stare. “Christmas?” Then, recovering from her surprise, “I haven’t given it much thought.” She shrugged. “I suppose we’ll go down to Winsmere, as usual.”
“Why not come to Candlewick? You haven’t spent Christmas there since you married. I want to open the house up—just us, but the place needs warming.”
Bella was taken aback by the invitation, but the more she considered it, the more value she could see in the suggestion. While she was very comfortable at Winsmere Lodge, it couldn’t compare with the graciousness of Candlewick. Nothing could. “I’m sure Arthur wouldn’t mind. I’ll speak to him tomorrow.”
Dominic nodded. “What about Georgiana?”
Bella’s brow clouded again. “I’ve already asked, but she seems set on returning to Italy. I’ve tried to talk her out of it, but she’s so stubborn!”
His suspicions confirmed, Dominic, repressing a grin at his sister’s disgruntled tone, said, “Leave it to me. I’ll see what my persuasions can do.”
Big beseeching blue eyes met his. “Oh, Dominic. If you could only persuade her to stay, I just know she’ll make a good match once she gets over this horrible mystery gentleman of hers.” Remembering her brother’s promise, Bella added, “You haven’t found out who he is yet, have you?”
It was Dominic’s turn to frown. Amid the delights of wooing Georgiana, he’d forgotten the existence of her “secret love”. Now, considering the matter carefully, knowing what he did of that young lady, he was hard put to it to credit the notion. If she had ever in truth had a “secret love”, then the man was all but forgotten already. The unwelcome idea that Georgiana’s partiality could vacillate like a darting sunbeam, now here, now there, awoke in his mind. Resolutely he quashed it. Quite simply, he had no intention of allowing her the leeway neccesary to vacillate. Seeing the worry etched in Bella’s face, he yielded to the impulse to reassure her. “Don’t worry your head about your protégée. From all I’ve seen, she’s well on the way to achieving a highly creditable alliance.”
The glow in Bella’s face brought a smile to Dominic’s lips.
“Who? Where…? I haven’t noticed any particular gentleman… Oh, Dominic! Don’t tease! Who is he?”
But Dominic only shook his head, smiling at her chagrin. “Patience, sister, dear. Don’t crowd out the action. Just keep your eyes open and you’ll doubtless see it all. But,” he said, returning to a sterner tone, “believe me, there’s no need for you to worry.”
Bella grimaced up at him.
Dominic’s brows rose, with that faintly supercilious air that warned Bella he was in earnest. Her rejoinder was destined to remain unuttered as Viscount Molesworth approached to claim her for the cotillion just forming.
Free again, Dominic continued his amble, determined to eschew Georgiana’s company until the supper dance provided him with adequate excuse. At the door to the card-room, he was hailed by his brother-in-law.
“Thought you were at home,” Dominic said, strolling up and nodding to Lord Green, standing beside Arthur.
“Finished my last box earlier than I’d thought. You’ve seen Bella?”
Dominic nodded. “She’s dancing with Molesworth.”
“In that case, come and join us.”
“Just a quiet hand,” put in Lord Green with a smile, “but at least more life than you’re likely to find out here.”
The smile on Dominic’s face broadened. “Not tonight. I have other fish to fry.”
“Ah.” Arthur’s pensive eye met his brother-in-law’s bright blue gaze. “And what a shock that must be to the system.”
Dominic’s lips twitched, but he responded calmly. “As you say.”
“Still,” said Arthur, his eyes now on the figure of his wife twirling down the set with Viscount Molesworth, “it’s worth it in the end.”
With a nod and a smile, Dominic moved on. The cotillion had ended, and the dancers were taking their places, with a great deal of noisy laughter, for a set of country dances. His eyes were drawn to where Georgiana was standing, partnered by Julian Ellsmere. Dominic stood unobtrusively between a sofa occupied by two turbaned dowagers and a potted palm and watched the dancers, anticipati
on growing keener by the minute.
Suddenly the irritation of being stared at caused him to lift his eyes and look over the dancers’ heads. Directly opposite, Elaine Changley stood watching him.
She smiled as their eyes made contact. Then, completely ignoring the ladies beside her, she glided across the ballroom in his direction.
It was a bold move. Under his breath, Dominic uttered an oath, completely forgetting the proximity of the elderly dowagers. As he watched her progress between the sets, he allowed himself to examine, as if from a distance, her attractions. Other than as a passing diversion, she had failed to activate his interest. He had never encouraged her to believe otherwise. It amazed him that she could confuse the emotion he felt for the lady he would marry with the fleeting passion he had indulged with her.
Elaine Changley was desperate. Just how desperate, she had not known until she had seen the handsome form of Dominic Ridgeley across the room and realised the smile on his face was caused by the sight of his sister’s protégée. Her present play was a gamble. By the time she reached his side, she realised how dangerous a gamble it was.