Eva had never spoken to him so openly and it warmed him to his toes.#p#分页标题#e#
“Thank you for my gifts” Standing on her toes, she brushed a kiss over his lips, then ran a hand over his chest, which made him suck in a deep breath. “The music box, Daniel, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.”
“I saw it and thought of you.” His eyes roamed her face.
They stood toe to toe, both her hands in his, pressed against his chest, their eyes focused solely upon each other.
“Are you scared, Duchess? Are your knees quaking beneath that lovely gown?”
“Not now, standing in your arms. All my fears flee when you are near.”
“Then I will make sure to stay close.” His kiss was soft and achingly sweet and left them both breathless.
“The first guests have arrived, your Grace.”
With reluctance, Daniel placed one last kiss on his wife’s lips before turning to face his grandmother’s butler.
“Come, love, let us greet our guests.”
Daniel felt Eva stiffen as he led her forward. “All will go well, sweetheart. I am here at your side, as is your staunchest ally.”
“Our grandmother really is sweet, you know, Daniel.”
“If you say so, my love.”
Minutes later, they stood beside the Dowager Duchess, who was dressed in a stunning shade of emerald with a turban to match. Around her wrists and neck, she wore rubies.
“Grandmother, you look beautiful,” Eva said, slipping into a curtsy, then kissing her cheek.
“As do you, child,” the Dowager Duchess said, examining her granddaughter.
“The Countess of Braithwaite!”
Daniel tucked Eva in between himself and his grandmother so she was flanked on both sides. Then, squeezing her hand, he turned to greet their first guests.
“My cheeks hurt,” Eva whispered some time later.
“Scowl for a while, then,” Daniel said out the side of his mouth.
“Oh, look, Daniel, it is Simon. Surely he will not mind if I do not offer him a brilliant smile.”
“I heard that,” Simon said, hugging Eva, which was totally inappropriate but made her laugh. “How are your cheeks?”
“Sore.”
“Dear God, must I shake your grandmother’s hand? I fear she’ll bite me,” Simon whispered.
“I do not bite, Kelkirk!”
“Be nice to him, Grandmother, he is very dear to Daniel and I,” Eva admonished as the Dowager Duchess lowered her brows.
“If you insist,” the elderly lady said with ill grace. Offering Simon a smile through her clenched teeth, she then sank into a curtsy.
Daniel coughed a couple of times to stop himself from laughing at his friend’s surprised look. “Come, Duchess, I believe we may now join our guests.”
“Really, Daniel?” Eva looked relieved.
“Really,” he added, taking her hand and placing it on his arm.
They circled the ballroom, talking along the way, and then as the music started, Daniel led Eva onto the dance floor.
Everything around her stopped as she moved into Daniel’s arms. Eva knew other couples were taking the floor for the first waltz, but all she could see or feel was her husband.
“If you keep looking at me like that, love, I will disgrace us both,” Daniel growled.
Eva just smiled and blew him a kiss. When the waltz finished, he reluctantly handed her into Simon’s care.
Daniel had looked everywhere for Huxley but the man had vanished. He and Simon had chased every lead and run down everyone associated with him but still they had not found him. Simon believed he had left London but Daniel didn’t. Huxley had tried to kill him to get at Eva. Those were not the actions of a man who would simply walk away from what he wanted. Eva was not safe until Lord Gilbert Huxley resurfaced.#p#分页标题#e#
He had advised her to stay near people she knew when possible this evening, and his grandmother’s staff had been given strict instructions to watch over her. Huxley was not to be allowed into the house under any circumstances; however even with these precautions in place, Daniel was still going to be vigilant.
Walking through the crush of bodies, Daniel took the time to study the room. Eva and his grandmother had done a wonderful job - the room was exquisitely decorated. Huge wreaths of fabric decorated the walls and fresh flowers stood in large vases, sending a sweet scent to mingle in the air with the perfumed guests. Servants in emerald green and black uniforms were scurrying around with trays of champagne. From the size of the crowd, Daniel gathered everyone had accepted the invitation. It would be a success and Eva would be launched officially in the eyes of society, and he was pleased for her. He knew she would always retain her innocence and enthusiasm for everything new, yet she would soon be one of the powerful ladies of the ton, someone many would try to emulate. Looking over several heads, he located his grandmother seated with her friends and headed that way.