Arthur walked in. One glance was sufficient for everyone to see he was displeased. He nodded a wordless greeting to his brother-in-law, then fixed his wife with a stern eye. “Bella, what’s the meaning of this?”
Small hands fluttering, Bella went quickly to his side. “Arthur, you’re frozen.” When her husband’s gaze did not waver, she hurriedly explained, “But really, you must see. If I hadn’t come, Georgiana would have been alone here with Dominic.”
“My dear, your brother is perfectly capable of managing his own affairs. You’re my affair, and I cannot condone your careering across the countryside in this fashion. Not in your condition.”
For the second time that evening, Bella was struck dumb.
Before she could recover her wits, Dominic smoothly intervened. “I suggest you let Mrs Landy take you upstairs, Bella. You should get to bed immediately.”
“Quite so,” agreed Arthur, turning to nod to Mrs Landy, still standing by the door. “My lady is expecting and needs to rest.”
Abruptly Bella found her voice. “Whatever do you mean? I’m not—”
“Yes, you are!” said two male voices in emphatic unison.
Bella blinked. Then, as the truth dawned, she smiled beatifically. “Oh,” she said.
“Arthur,” pleaded Dominic, in a tone of desperation, “take her away. Please?” Arthur smiled.
Mrs Landy took her cue and bustled forward. “Now if you’ll just come along, Miss Bella, we’ll get you nicely settled…”
Within a minute, an unresisting Bella had been borne away.
“I’m sure Duckett can organise some dinner for you,” said Dominic to Arthur.
Arthur nodded. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take a tray upstairs with Bella. But first I think I’ll go and find some of that excellent brandy you keep in your library.” The shrewd grey gaze came to rest on Georgiana’s face. “I’m glad to see you’ve come to your senses, Georgiana. You belong here, my dear.” With a smile and a nod to each of them, he left.
“Now where were we?” asked Dominic, as he came to stand once more in front of Georgiana and drew her back into his arms.
Georgiana stared up into his face, her eyes alight with love and laughter. “Did you really plan to compromise me?”
From under heavy lids, Dominic’s blue eyes watched her. He smiled, slowly, knowing what it did to her. “Mm-hm,” he assented, nodding solemnly. “After all, you did beg me not to offer for you. If I couldn’t get you to agree any other way, then I was quite prepared to compromise you shamelessly.”
Returning the smile, his golden angel turned into a golden siren and wound her arms about his neck. “Shamelessly?”
It was the last word Georgiana uttered for quite some time. A log crashing into the stillness of the room finally broke the spell that held them. Dominic raised his head and glanced around to make sure the log had not rolled from the hearth. Turning back, he surprised an impish smile on his love’s face. One dark brow rose in question.
Georgiana saw it. She hesitated, then, her smile broadening, she explained, “I was remembering the first time I saw the Fragonard.” She inclined her head in the direction of the masterpiece above the fireplace. “I wondered then what sort of man would hang such a painting in such a place.”
A rakish smile lit his face. “The same sort of man who has two other Fragonards.”
Her golden eyes begged the invitation.
“Would you like to see the other two?”
“Mm-hm,” Georgiana murmured, one tiny fingertip tracing the line of his jaw. “Where are they?”
“Upstairs,” Dominic said, in between dropping tantalising little kisses along her lips. “In the master bedroom.”
“Ah,” said Georgiana, far more interested in his kisses than in any painting. After a moment she moved closer and asked, “Does that matter?”
With mock-seriousness, Dominic considered the point. One brow rose sternly. “It occurs to me, my lov
e, that, as you have yet to formally accept my offer, such an excursion would be highly improper.”
Georgiana smiled, letting her fingertip wander to trace the line of his lips. She glanced up at him through her lashes. “And if I were to accept your offer?”
The blue eyes gleamed. “That, of course, would cast an entirely different light on the matter.”