Page 44 of Unmasking the Silver Heiress
"I know that, my dear," he assured her. "Sadly for him and many of the other admirers you've already won tonight, you have already been claimed."
"By you?" she responded breathlessly, moistening her lips as a servant leaned over her shoulder to fill her glass of wine.
"By me," he replied, unable to mask the huskiness in his voice, "or don't you recall?"
She pressed her lips together, lowering her lashes and taking three very shallow little breaths. "I remember very well, Nathaniel," she breathed. "And often."
Heat spread within him, his eyes scraping over every delectable inch of her flesh in that gown. "And do you enjoy those memories, my dear?" he whispered. "Did you enjoy being claimed?"
She shivered, her voice little more than a whisper. "Nathaniel, I ..."
The sound of a fork ringing against crystal interrupted her thought, bringing both of their heads up with the sudden realization that they were in mixed company, and keenly observed besides. From across the table, Lady Dempierre was watching them with her eyebrows raised, while Gigi seemed both thrilled and entertained by the spectacle, resting her chin on her fingers with a feline smile on her lips.
He took a steadying breath, forcing his mask of placidity back into place as he turned his head to listen to Lord Dempierre's toast, which might have been the greatest oration ever given or as dull as brass for all he could focus upon it. Mercifully, regardless of the content, it was a short speech, immediately followed by the arrival ofamuse boucheand the commencement of dinner conversation and the clattering of silverware.
"How go the renovations?" Lady Dempierre asked him politely, lifting her wine glass with a hand sporting a large ruby ring, which flashed in the candlelight. "It heartens me so to know Meridian is on the mend."
"We are making rapid progress," Nell replied on his behalf. "I have no doubt it will be a proper home again by spring."
"That's lovely, dear," Lady Dempierre said with a tight smile. "Nathaniel, did you happen to find that painting I mentioned? The portrait of your family? I have thought of it often since we last met and how dearly I should wish to see their faces again."
He considered her, careful to keep his thoughts masked behind manners. "We have found a great deal of the artwork missing, sadly," he said, taking his time with delivering an answer. "Though I cannot imagine a thief taking a family portrait, for what value would it have to sell? I'm certain it will turn up eventually."
She returned his gaze with a shrewdness of her own, as though she were returning every impenetrable tactic to him in a gilt box. "I certainly hope it does."
"Oh, I did find the cellars, however," he added, lifting his fork to his mouth as her eyes widened upon him. He enjoyed taking his time chewing the morsel and reaching for his wine to complete the experience. "You were correct. They are very well stocked."
"With wine?" she asked thinly.
"Among things," Nell said pleasantly, making it clear that she was not ignorant of the machinations at play here. It won her a look of considerably more levity from the elder woman. "We brought you a bottle, of course, as requested."
"Yes," Nathaniel agreed with a little smile. "We hope it is a pleasing vintage."
"Perhaps we can share a glass soon," Nell added, smiling at Gigi rather than bothering to charm the mother. "It is so lovely to have made friends so quickly here in Kent. I hope that we will remain close through the winter."
"Oh, I hope so too!" Gigi replied, her eyes sparkling, though it was difficult to tell whether it was mischief or girlish enthusiasm lurking in them. "We must be regular intimates."
"That would be absolutely wonderful," Nell replied, falling into the rhythm of feminine bonding with the ease of a learned socialite. Nate wondered if she was channeling her dear friend Miss Blakely in this moment, for it certainly sounded that way.
"I so enjoy parties like this one, and I must have more chances to wear my new gowns! Your invitation was just the thing for this one," she continued, "though I was tempted to wear the green one with the feathers, do you recall it?"
"Oh, yes." Gigi nodded sagely, as though she'd never forget something so very important. "That one, I believe, would be better suited for a ball."
"Well, then we must hope someone throws one," Nell said happily, returning her attention to her plate, as though unaware of the sudden interest that Lady Dempierre had taken in this exchange.
"Indeed," Nate added. "Believe it or not, I have not yet had the chance to waltz with my bride."
"Oh,maman," Gigi squeaked, nigh bubbling over with excitement as she turned to touch her mother's arm. "We must have them at the winter masque!"
"Yes, Gigi," Lady Dempierre replied flatly. "It appears we must."
* * *
Nate foundthe bulk of the event to be fairly standard and predictable.
Dinner was indeed exceptional, but if French exiles were accustomed to different post-dinner rituals than the English, they certainly hadn't retained them. The men and women separated for a time, which left him waving away cigar smoke and sipping a particularly robust brandy opposite the type of empty conversation one encounters at every social gathering.
He approached Lord Dempierre to thank him for the invitation, and got the distinct impression that the man had not the faintest clue who he was.
