“We will do that.” What would living with her be like?
They continued and took a turn around the Park, accepting congratulatory remarks from their acquaintances that had not been at Lady Jersey’s ball last night. When he pulled up to Elizabeth’s house, he remembered that she had not accepted his invitation to have luncheon with him. “Shall I come for you just before one o’clock tomorrow?”
Her smile was as bright as the sun, and he knew she remembered the time he’d forgot to press her for a commitment. “Yes, please.”
When he returned home he was informed that his grandmother was in her rooms and wished to see him.
That would give him an opportunity to ask about his bedchamber. “Thank you, Gibson. I shall go directly.”
Moments later, Apollonia admitted Geoff to Grandmamma’s apartments. “I had almost expected you to still be here when we returned.” She motioned to the table. “Please join us for tea.”
He bussed her cheek. “Elizabeth and I made plans to drive in the Park.”
“Yes, my dear, I am well aware of that, but I had thought—” She pulled a face. That was odd. “Well, I’ve probably said too much.”
Too much about what? What was she up to? “By the way, I assume Mama decorated the one bedchamber in green. It is her favorite color, but who used red and gold in my bedchamber?”
His grandmother gave him such an innocent look, he knew something was going on. “Did you not like it, my dear?”
“It is rather . . . rather . . .” How did one explain to one’s grandmother that the bedchamber reminded him of a brothel?
“Enticing?” A wicked look appeared in her eyes. “Did you know that in some ancient cultures, decorating the sleeping chambers to encourage marital relations, including erotic wall murals, was considered to be entirely appropriate, and even desired?”
What the devil? Geoff felt his face getting hot. He hadn’t blushed in years. “I know nothing of the sort.” He really did not want to have this conversation with hisgrandmother!“Who would have told you such a thing in the first place?”
She waved her fingers in an airy fashion, and said, “Your grandfather had a wide range of friends.” As if that explained it. “Nevertheless, I know you and Miss Turley have not been acquainted with each other long.” Grandmamma smiled benignly. “And I thought it would help.”
“Well, it didn’t. She was shocked by it.” That ought to teach her not to interfere.
“I have to admit I had not thought of that.” Grandmamma knitted her brows for a moment before smiling again. “I am sure you will be able to overcome any fears she may have.”
“Sounds like Henry.”Squawk, squawk.“Sounds like Henry.”
“That is quite enough from you, Nelson.” She turned her attention back to Geoff. “Now, as I was about to say, I regret that poor Miss Turley was taken aback, but I am greatly surprised you were not able to calm her.”
Henry? His grandfather Henry? “What did that dratted bird mean by I sound like Henry?”
“Sounds like Henry.”
“Apollonia, please cover the admiral’s cage. I cannot have him interrupting when he’s in one of his moods.”
“I shall have to fetch it from the morning room,” his cousin said, quitting the room.
“Kiss me here, lovey. Kiss me here. That feels good.”
What the devil? He pulled his attention from the bird and focused on its owner. “Grandmother, please answer my question.”
“Yes, well.” Her lips formed a moue. “You have always reminded me of your dear grandfather.”
There was more to it than that. “I am quite sure Elizabeth and I can figure out our relations.”
“I merely wished to help you along.” His grandmother shrugged. “It worked for your grandfather.”
Worked for—“I thought you had an arranged match.”
“And so we did.” She set the cup down. “Or so he thought,” she added in an undervoice.
He almost asked what Grandmamma had meant by that last bit, but decided he didn’t want to know.
