When they reached the heavy oak door of his study, Livia knocked with confident familiarity before entering at his invitation. Devon stood behind his massive desk, resplendent in a coat of deep blue colour that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the aristocratic elegance of his bearing.
Yet it was not his sartorial perfection that captured Arabella's attention, but rather the way his dark eyes immediately sought hers across the room with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. For just a moment, she glimpsed something raw and vulnerable in his gaze before he schooled his expression into polite neutrality.
"Dearest," he said warmly, moving around his desk to embrace his sister with obvious affection. "Mrs. Henderson mentioned that the morning post brought considerable correspondence. I trust it was of an agreeable nature?"
"Oh, Devon, the most wonderful news!" Livia exclaimed, pulling back from his embrace with sparkling eyes. "I have received more invitations than I can possibly accept, including, you will not believe it, a voucher for Almack's from Lady Jersey herself!"
Devon's expression transformed with genuine pleasure at his sister's obvious delight, and Arabella felt her heart clench with tender emotion at this evidence of his devotion to Livia'shappiness.
"Lady Jersey, you say?" he murmured, taking the precious voucher from Livia's trembling fingers to examine it with suitable gravity. "My dear girl, this represents the highest possible recognition of your social success. I could not be more proud of your accomplishments."
"But it is not my accomplishment alone," Livia protested with characteristic generosity. "I owe so much to Arabella's excellent guidance. She has taught me to value authenticity over artifice, to trust in my own worth rather than seeking constant approval from others."
Devon's gaze moved to Arabella with an expression that held both gratitude and something far more complex; an awareness of all that lay unspoken between them, of the emotional intimacy they had shared mere hours before.
"Miss Greystone's influence has indeed been invaluable," he said quietly, his voice carrying undertones that only she could fully interpret. "I find myself in her debt more deeply than I can adequately express."
The weighted words sent shivers of awareness racing down Arabella's spine, though she forced herself to maintain an expression of professional satisfaction.
"Lady Livia's success is entirely her own achievement," she replied with careful formality. "I have merely encouraged her to recognise qualities that were always present."
"How diplomatically phrased," Devon observed with a slightsmile that did not quite reach his eyes. "Though I suspect you underestimate the extent of your contribution to this household's well-being."
Before Arabella could formulate a response to this loaded comment, Livia intervened with the sort of innocent enthusiasm that suggested she remained oblivious to the charged undercurrents flowing between her brother and her companion.
"We must decide which invitations to accept," she said eagerly, spreading the elegant cards across Devon's desk with obvious delight. "I confess myself quite overwhelmed by the abundance of choices."
Devon moved to examine the invitations with the sort of careful attention he might have devoted to matters of state, his head bent over the elegant script as he considered each offering.
"Lady Huxley's musical evening," he mused, though something in his tone suggested he found the prospect less than appealing. "I believe we might safely decline that particular entertainment. Her daughter's performances are... trying to even the most charitable ear."
"Devon!" Livia protested with a laugh. "You are being most unkind. I am certain Miss Huxley has improved considerably since last season."
"One can only hope," Devon replied dryly. "Though I confess myself reluctant to risk my hearing on such optimistic assumptions."
His easy banter with his sister created an atmosphere ofdomestic intimacy that both warmed and pained Arabella's heart. Here was yet another facet of the complex man she had come to love; the devoted brother whose gentle teasing could coax smiles from even his shy sister.
"What of Mrs. Worthington's literary salon?" she ventured, hoping to contribute something useful to the discussion whilst avoiding Devon's penetrating gaze.
"An excellent suggestion," Devon said with genuine enthusiasm. "Eleanor Worthington maintains one of the most intellectually stimulating gatherings in London. You would find the conversation both educational and entertaining, dearest."
"And you, Arabella?" Livia asked with obvious hope. "Surely you would accompany me to such an event? I should feel so much more confident with your support."
The request placed Arabella in an awkward position, as she remained uncertain about her proper role in Livia's social activities. Was she meant to attend as a companion, hovering discretely in the background, or might she participate more actively in the intellectual discourse such salons encouraged?
"If His Grace believes my presence would be appropriate," she said carefully, not daring to meet Devon's eyes despite her acute awareness of his attention.
"Your presence would be more than appropriate," Devon said with quiet intensity. "It would be essential. Your intellectual contributions would enhance any gathering, whilst your companionship would provide Livia with the confidence she requires."
The warmth in his voice when he spoke of her abilities sent heat flooding through Arabella's entire being.
"Then I should be honoured to attend," she managed, her voice slightly breathless despite her best efforts.
"Wonderful!" Livia exclaimed, clapping her hands together with obvious delight. "We shall make such a splendid impression; I am certain of it."
As they continued to review the various invitations, Arabella found herself stealing glances at Devon when she thought he was occupied with other matters. Yet invariably, she discovered that he was watching her with equal intensity, their eyes meeting across the desk with the sort of charged awareness that made the very air seem to shimmer with possibility.
"There is one matter we must discuss," Devon said eventually, his tone growing more serious as he set aside the last of the invitations. "The increasing attention you have both been receiving has not gone unnoticed by the gossips. I have heard rumours that concern me."
