belonged to Kilworth. So, she had to put all thoughts of Hart out of her head.
She had to remain cool and detached from him—there was just no other way.
“Please take my arm … it would save a lot of trouble between you and Mallory.”
“Mallory and I have numerous disagreements to our credit. It will not matter either way, if we have yet a few more arguments. If we didn’t have at least one tiff a day Mallory would think I was ill,” she explained, catching the slightly beseeching look in his gorgeous eyes.
She eyed his arm warily. If she took it, it would serve as a sign of submission to Mallory. But if she didn’t take it he’d probably goad her more than if she did.
Decisions, decisions.
Against her better judgment, she took his arm. She couldn’t believe how right it felt. Shaking her head, she allowed him to guide her into the music room. Mallory and Elizabeth sat cuddled together on the sofa. She snorted. She could see that Mallory was trying to give her a sign by telling her that he was going to covet Elizabeth’s attention for the entire night, leaving her without anyone to talk to.
Hart led her over to the sofa that sat opposite Mallory and Elizabeth. She would have rather taken up charge on one of the King Louis styled chairs, but yet again, Hart was trying to plan her every movement out for her.
“We shall have to hold a grand ball to announce your impending nuptials,
Gemma. That way, you and Hart can dance the fandango together to announce your commitment to each other.” Mallory smiled, glancing lovingly at Elizabeth.
“Oh, I do wish I could give that dance the credit it deserves.” Elizabeth sighed.
“Alas, I’m much better with a simple quadrille or waltz. The Spanish dances have always eluded me.”
“You are even better giving a vocal performance my love, those Italian Operatic pieces you are so talented at quite simply take my breath away,” Mallory breathed, giving her a look of completely devoted admiration.
“Ah, if only I’d remained in London, I could be living it up at Vauxhall Gardens or Claridges,” Gemma lamented.
“Yes, and then you could listen to that claque that surrounds your Kilworth’s HIS LADY’S KEEPER Marly Mathews 33
sister. I swear I don’t know what she has that has given her such a little following of rabid supporters. It makes me sick to my stomach. That girl is as stupid as a badger and has the temperament to match!” Mallory snorted in obvious disgust. “That girl wasn’t blessed with the brains of a twat.”
“Mallory, you are just trying to goad my temper. I will not have it … I’m
determined to act like a genteel lady tonight.”
“Genteel?” Hart chuckled. “From what I’ve witnessed so far, you always behave like a lady of your class.”
“I agree with Gemma. I do so wish for a peaceful evening,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Your wish is my command.” Mallory squeezed her hand.
Gemma sighed, pursing her lips. “Yes, indeed, dear brother. You are an ever-faithful servant of your wife. It is quite a refreshing change in you, since you were so self-centered before you married.” She resisted the urge to smile, and inched away from Hart placing as much distance between them as she possibly could.
“Your Grace, the evening meal is ready to be served.”
They all looked up at the butler’s announcement.
“Well, then, I must say I am ready to tuck in to some of Mrs. Grant’s heavenly concoctions,” Gemma said, sighing.
Elizabeth looked startled. “I didn’t know you weren’t aware about tonight’s change of plans concerning the meal. I managed to convince Mrs. Grant to take the evening off … Seamus has prepared our meal.”
“Seamus?” Her heart fell. “You can’t be serious. You let that excuse for a cook into the kitchen?”
“Mrs. Grant was hesitant at first, but the financial bonus I offered her for taking the night off proved to be quite an incentive to her. She said she hadn’t had a night off in
She had to remain cool and detached from him—there was just no other way.
“Please take my arm … it would save a lot of trouble between you and Mallory.”
“Mallory and I have numerous disagreements to our credit. It will not matter either way, if we have yet a few more arguments. If we didn’t have at least one tiff a day Mallory would think I was ill,” she explained, catching the slightly beseeching look in his gorgeous eyes.
She eyed his arm warily. If she took it, it would serve as a sign of submission to Mallory. But if she didn’t take it he’d probably goad her more than if she did.
Decisions, decisions.
Against her better judgment, she took his arm. She couldn’t believe how right it felt. Shaking her head, she allowed him to guide her into the music room. Mallory and Elizabeth sat cuddled together on the sofa. She snorted. She could see that Mallory was trying to give her a sign by telling her that he was going to covet Elizabeth’s attention for the entire night, leaving her without anyone to talk to.
Hart led her over to the sofa that sat opposite Mallory and Elizabeth. She would have rather taken up charge on one of the King Louis styled chairs, but yet again, Hart was trying to plan her every movement out for her.
“We shall have to hold a grand ball to announce your impending nuptials,
Gemma. That way, you and Hart can dance the fandango together to announce your commitment to each other.” Mallory smiled, glancing lovingly at Elizabeth.
“Oh, I do wish I could give that dance the credit it deserves.” Elizabeth sighed.
“Alas, I’m much better with a simple quadrille or waltz. The Spanish dances have always eluded me.”
“You are even better giving a vocal performance my love, those Italian Operatic pieces you are so talented at quite simply take my breath away,” Mallory breathed, giving her a look of completely devoted admiration.
“Ah, if only I’d remained in London, I could be living it up at Vauxhall Gardens or Claridges,” Gemma lamented.
“Yes, and then you could listen to that claque that surrounds your Kilworth’s HIS LADY’S KEEPER Marly Mathews 33
sister. I swear I don’t know what she has that has given her such a little following of rabid supporters. It makes me sick to my stomach. That girl is as stupid as a badger and has the temperament to match!” Mallory snorted in obvious disgust. “That girl wasn’t blessed with the brains of a twat.”
“Mallory, you are just trying to goad my temper. I will not have it … I’m
determined to act like a genteel lady tonight.”
“Genteel?” Hart chuckled. “From what I’ve witnessed so far, you always behave like a lady of your class.”
“I agree with Gemma. I do so wish for a peaceful evening,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Your wish is my command.” Mallory squeezed her hand.
Gemma sighed, pursing her lips. “Yes, indeed, dear brother. You are an ever-faithful servant of your wife. It is quite a refreshing change in you, since you were so self-centered before you married.” She resisted the urge to smile, and inched away from Hart placing as much distance between them as she possibly could.
“Your Grace, the evening meal is ready to be served.”
They all looked up at the butler’s announcement.
“Well, then, I must say I am ready to tuck in to some of Mrs. Grant’s heavenly concoctions,” Gemma said, sighing.
Elizabeth looked startled. “I didn’t know you weren’t aware about tonight’s change of plans concerning the meal. I managed to convince Mrs. Grant to take the evening off … Seamus has prepared our meal.”
“Seamus?” Her heart fell. “You can’t be serious. You let that excuse for a cook into the kitchen?”
“Mrs. Grant was hesitant at first, but the financial bonus I offered her for taking the night off proved to be quite an incentive to her. She said she hadn’t had a night off in
Similar Books
