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“Lud, he doesn’t know I’m alive, Frances. Business and politics fill his every waking moment. He monopolizes Mr. Savage to such a degree, our acquaintance is still in the flirtation stage, I vow.”
“Not for long, if I know you, you wicked girl.” Lady Jersey shuddered delicately and again her voice dropped to a whisper. “Every woman in London fancies taming the beast. He’s only been here five minutes and already he has the reputation of a rake.”
“Roz, let me show you the conservatory,” Tony suggested to change the subject, but Georgiana and Frances still gnawed on both ends of the same bone.
“I heard a rumor that he’s interested in politics.”
“He must be,” drawled Tony, “he’s had every Whig society matron in London up to his bedchamber this morning.”
Georgiana looked decidedly piqued; Tony knew a moment’s joy.
Roz didn’t follow Frances and Georgiana into the conservatory. Instead she took Antonia’s arm. “Tony, that was blatant innuendo. Whatever were you thinking of?”
“He’s an out-and-out womanizer. He entertains titled ladies in Half-Moon Street every day and frequents brothels every night.” Her eyes filled with unexpected tears and her grandmother stared in disbelief.
“Oh, darling, you fancy yourself in love with him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Tony said gruffly.
Roz whispered, “You wouldn’t be acting this way if you didn’t fancy yourself in love.”
Tony sniffed. “It’s the house … Edenwood. I’ve fallen in love with his house.”
“You and a hundred other women,” Roz said dryly.
“That’s the bloody problem, isn’t it?” Tony said, angrily wiping away all trace of the telltale tears on the sleeve of her jacket.
“If you go on this way, he’ll discover you’re not Anthony.”
Tony pulled herself together instantly. She kissed Roz on the temple. “Stop worrying. I admit he drives me mad, but I shan’t have hysterics. I’ll save it all up for my journal.” She grimaced at her grandmother and led her forward into the conservatory.
It was like entering another world. The air was warm and moist and heavily perfumed by the fragrance of exotic blooms. The ceiling was a huge glass dome tinted green and beneath was a small replica of the Ceylon jungle. Everywhere grew flowering vines amid palm, bamboo, and banana. More than thirty varieties of orchid bloomed in exotic profusion, from pale vanilla to the darkly beautiful black, veined with scarlet and gold. Brilliant butterflies flitted from petal to pistil.
Amid the lush greenery Kirinda sat upon the ledge of a fountain where gold and black striped fishes darted beneath water-lily pads. In her seductively soft, musical voice she was explaining the names of the various exotic orchids to Lady Jersey and the Duchess of Devonshire. Tony felt another stab of jealousy pierce her heart as she saw Lotus Blossom’s dark loveliness.
A deep voice came from the entrance. “Everything in Ceylon intoxicates the senses.” The moment was pure magic. Every female in the conservatory was mesmerized. The spell was suddenly broken by Rupee, who was being allowed to fly free. He swooped onto Savage’s shoulder and screeched, “Hellbait! Repent!”
“Oh, how utterly droll,” cried Georgiana. “Adam darling, I must have him!”
Tony held her breath as Adam gave her a solemn wink. “This bird cost a king’s ransom,” he told Georgiana. “I’ll never part with Rupee.” Suddenly Tony felt better. She didn’t know why. He’d just confirmed he was a liar. When she added that to smuggling and whoring the portrait was alarmingly sinister.
Roz said, “Edenwood is magnificent, Mr. Savage. I’ve never seen its equal.”
For once Lady Jersey was in agreement with her friend. “It is evident every detail has been chosen with loving care.”
“Lord Lamb deserves most of your praise. It was he who made suggestions to Wyatt when Edenwood was being built and then he chose most of the furnishings. Even this conservatory was his idea.”
Tony flushed but was warmed inside by the praise.
Georgiana looked at him with speculative eyes. “I’ve decided to redo both the house at Bath and the villa at Chiswick. Tony, you will lend me your expert advice, won’t you?”
Tony would rather eat mud. Suddenly she looked at Savage and gave him back his wink. “Chinoiserie! I predict Chinese-style furnishings will be the next rage of the ton.”
“Well,” Georgiana said grudgingly, “His Highness is doing his Brighton Paviliond Vorientaleand everyone knows George has impeccable taste.”
Lady Jersey, an archrival of Georgiana, said sweetly, “His Highness didn’t accompany you today. A little bird told me he was off to Richmond again.”
Georgiana threw Frances a smug little look. “He entrusted me with a message for you, Adam darling. He’ll be here tomorrow to see Edenwood and discuss a business matter.”
