“Lord Kelkirk has called, your Grace,” Wernham said, re-entering the room minutes later.
Daniel nodded. At least Simon would take his mind off his wife. In truth, he knew his grandmother would never harm Eva, but he felt protective of her - too protective, he thought with a wry smile. The problem was, she occupied far too much of his thoughts. Over the past two weeks they seemed to have grown comfortable with each other and at night when he came to her bed, she was heaven in his arms. She was open and honest in what she felt, her responses to him were unguarded and she had him hotter than hell in seconds.
“That smile at best could be called licentious.”
Daniel grunted, then climbed to his feet to shake the hand of his friend.
“How does Eva fair, Daniel?”
“If my grandmother does not force her to flee London then I am sure you will see her soon.”
“You let your grandmother get her hands on her?” Simon had astonishment written all over his face. “Dear God, she’s only been in London two weeks. What the hell were you thinking?”
Normally Daniel would have come to his grandmother’s defense in the face of such an obvious insult, but Simon had firsthand knowledge of her acid tongue. The Dowager Duchess of Stratton usually took him to task whenever the opportunity presented itself.
“I should never have left her alone.” Daniel dropped his head into his hands.
“I was not earnest, Daniel. While your grandmother may strike the fear of God into me, I know she never means any harm. Well, nearly never means any harm.”
Daniel climbed to his feet and began to pace, his grey eyes becoming cloudier with each step. “She is not used to the ways of society, Simon.”
“I came by to tell you there is talk. Eva has been in London for over two weeks, yet no one has actually seen her. It’s time for her to make her appearance, my friend, before the rumors escalate.”
“Who’s talking about her?” Daniel lowered his brows. “And what are they saying?
“That your duchess has an eye on her forehead and ten fingers on one hand.” Simon sat back, watching his friend pace.
“I should have realized society would conjure up several nasty inflictions for her if she didn’t make an appearance straightaway.”
“So you will go to the next ball?”
“I believe so.” Daniel moved to the window and looked down at the street below.
“A carriage has arrived, your Grace,” Wernham said, bringing a tray into the room.
“About bloody time!” Daniel declared, stalking from the room, leaving Simon behind, grinning.
Daniel saw Eva leaning on the now closed door with her eyes shut as he reached the front entranceway. “Did she upset you?”
Opening her eyes, she watched him approach.#p#分页标题#e#
“I am fine. Just tired, Daniel.”
“You must have been terrified when she demanded you accompany her. Old Besom. I’ve always said the English were not using their strongest weapon against the French.”
She tried not to laugh but her eyes twinkled. Daniel looked her over, just to check she was in one piece.
“It would be untruthful of me to lie so I will say that your grandmother was initially terrifying, yet I did enjoy myself once we established a few rules.”
“Rules?” Daniel took the three packages she held against her chest and then, slipping a hand around her waist, he guided her toward the stairs.
“I realized straightaway that if you don’t stand up to your grandmother, she will stomp all over you.”
He laughed at that.
“She told me she would not clothe her servant in my dress.”
Looking her over again, Daniel disagreed. The pale blue was perfect with her dark hair and creamy complexion.
“Simon has called.” Daniel directed Eva into the front parlor where Simon was seated, or rather, lounging, in a comfortable chair. In one hand he held a cup of tea and in the other a huge piece of cake.
“Make yourself at home, Kelkirk,” Daniel drawled, lowering his wife into a seat before taking the place beside her.
“Always have excellent cake here,” Simon said. “Hello, Duchess, you are looking fetching today.”
“Thank you, Simon.”
They drank and talked and Eva told Simon about Reggie going away to school and what they had seen since she arrived in London.
“So London is not the horrible city you envisaged it to be, Duchess?”
“I shall reserve judgment until I meet some of its inhabitants.”
“Fair enough,” Simon said, standing. “And now I am full, I shall leave you. Goodbye, Duchess.” He gave Eva a kiss on the cheek, which made her blush.