“All I can do is send the invitation.” She opened her mouth to ask when the card would be sent, but before she could say a word, Aunt continued. “Which I shall do immediately. I suggest you call for Vickers and take a bath. That should calm you down.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth bussed her aunt’s cheek, and repaired to her room.
Sooner than she had expected, her bath was set up and filled with warm water. She forced herself to remain in the tub until the water cooled. She tried to forget her aunt had sent Harrington an invitation to dinner, yet it didn’t work.
Was he coming to care for her? Did he wish to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him? She had so many questions and precious few answers.
If only someone would tell her if he was joining them for dinner!
“Miss, it’s time to dry off and dress.” Vickers’s pragmatic tone helped to soothe Elizabeth’s still-frayed nerves.
Her aunt was right. All this speculating and worrying was doing her no good at all. She stepped out of the bath and took the towel her maid handed to her. After donning her chemise, stockings, stays, and petticoats, she sat while Vickers combed her hair and rearranged it.
Elizabeth paid no attention to her hair or the gown her maid chose. It was clear that Harrington was not coming. She would see him at the ball, but, clearly, despite almost kissing her today and spending time with her at the Park, he did not care enough to dine with her.
“I’ve never seen you so out of sorts,” Vickers said. “One minute in alt and the next cast down in despair.”
Elizabeth had never felt like this before. And she did not like it at all. She would tell her brother she wished to go home. Or if Papa would not have her, she’d speak to her aunt.
Several minutes later, her mind made up to leave Town, she strolled into the drawing room, and her heart stopped. Harrington was there, splendid in a dark blue jacket and breeches. His neckcloth was so artfully arranged, it must have taken ages and many cravats. How long had it taken to achieve such a masterpiece? Good Lord, she was acting like a feather-brained ninny.
Then he was with her. “Good evening.”
“You came.” She could have bitten her tongue off. What a stupid thing to say. “I mean—”
“I could not stay away.” He kissed the palms of her hands, closing her fingers around them. “Please tell me you are delighted to see me.”
“I am. Very pleased to see you.” Her heart felt like it would burst out of her breast, and she had trouble forming sentences. “You look fine.”
“It was kind of your aunt to invite me.” He continued to hold her hands as he gazed down at her.
“I am glad she did.” She would have been even happier ifanyonehad told her he would be here. For the love of Heaven. She did not even know what she was wearing. One of her pink gowns, but which one? Not that it mattered. It was too late now to change. Still, she did wish to look well to him.
Chapter Thirteen
“You are a vision.” From the moment Elizabeth had seemed to float into the room, Geoff couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her pale pink gown sparkled in the candlelight, the skirt hinting at the curves beneath it. Aquamarine-tipped pins peeped out from her curls. The same stones dangled from her ears, and a large tear-shaped aquamarine hovered between her lush breasts.
The very ones he wished to touch. He would dress her in sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and pearls.
Kissing her palms was not enough; he had to touch her. He did not think he had ever wanted a woman as much as he wanted her. Best of all, she seemed to want him as well.
The pulse at the base of her neck had quickened when he’d touched her hands. Her scent mixed with her usual lavender and lemon intoxicated him. Would she taste sweet or tart? He could imagine her lips softening under his and her body heating as he kissed first her neck, then her breasts. God! He was obsessed with her breasts.
Drat it all. If he kept this up, he’d spill before he even kissed her.
“I would like to arrange a party for the theater. What plays do you like the best?”
She gazed up at him, her lips slightly parted. Her eyes had grown darker. “I prefer comedies.”
“Shall I organize it?” Geoff wished he could take her alone without chaperones. “Your aunt, brother, you, and I.”
Elizabeth’s lips tipped up at the ends. “I should enjoy that immensely. I have not attended the theater.”
“In that case, we must go. One cannot visit Town and not see a play.”
The sounds of her aunt and brother talking reached them and they sprang apart. Elizabeth went to a side table where a crystal decanter set. “Would you like a glass of claret?”
“Yes, please.” What he needed was a cold dip in a lake. He took the glass of wine from her. “Everyman in His Humouris playing at the Theater Royal. Perhaps we could attend tomorrow evening.”
