Page 59 of The Baron Takes a Bet
When had he become so desperate for her? Surely his uncle hadn’t known that a woman of her quality would be nearly everything he had ever privately desired? She was thoughtful and bright, kind and caring. Beautiful and gentle, but with a spine of steel that didn’t even cower to Aunt Marnie.
Gavin smirked as he removed his shirt and climbed into bed. He had a wife who was fearless and cared for him and who was just as desperate to go to bed with him as he was to keep her there. But he wouldn’t have her forever.
Perhaps she might only need to be persuaded to seeing how well they suit. Their evident physical attraction to one another was palpable and even that was secondary to how easily they interacted with one another. It was as if every part of him responded to every part of her, from intellectual, to practical, to sexual. They were two halves of the same coin.
Now he only needed to explain it to her. But how?
It was a question that plagued him all night and well into the following morning. Sleep had once again evaded him through the night and he was eager to be awake and out of the house before Holly woke. He needed time to consider his argument.
He spent the majority of his day out, only returning to Bairnsdale Terrace that evening to change into his formal wear to attend the dinner party Combe was hosting.
Unfortunately, upon entering, he ran into Aunt Marnie.
“We’re to be late!” she squawked the moment he entered the foyer. “What the devil kept you all day?”
“I didn’t think you were attending,” he said mildly, ignoring her questioning as he handed his coat to the footman.
“Of course I’m coming. Combe said family, didn’t he?”
Gavin sighed as he walked past her. Climbing the steps two at a time as he reached the stairs, he called over his shoulder to reassure her.
“I’ll be ready in just a few moments.”
Hurrying towards his room, he heard the muffled voices of Holly and her sister in the baroness’s room as he passed. He wondered bitterly if she would insist on wearing one of her mourning gowns as he entered his room, finding his formal wear all ready for him.
Dressing quickly, he tried to focus on the fact that he would be amongst friends tonight. Perhaps Combe and Trembley could offer him some advice on how to handle the situation he was in with Holly, even though he doubted he’d be able to explain it. Still, once his cravat was tied, he left his room, hurried down the stairs and found all three women, wrapped in formal fur lined coats, waiting for him.
“Shall we?” he said with a nod, stretching out his arm for Holly.
She took it, albeit gently, as they led the way to the carriage. Blessingly, no one seemed much in the mood to speak during the ride to Combes, which was really only a few short minutes away.
By the time they arrived to the four-story white stone house, a strange atmosphere had settled over their company. It seemed everyone was emanating a sort of excitement. Even Aunt Marnie’s usual scowl seemed lessened, most like because the Duke of Combe’s London residence was one of the finest in all the city. Though Gavin had been there a number of times, it stillheld a wild fascination for most of the ton, including the ladies. But while Holly, Katrina and Marnie stared out of the carriage window, a pit seemed to grow in Gavin’s stomach. Somehow he sensed that this night would not be the easy gathering of friends that he expected.
The carriage door opened and they filtered out one by one. Holly took Gavin’s arm again, and he escorted her in through the glossy black door of the manse. They were greeted by a butler, who took each of their coats and wraps before leading the way to the parlor.
When Holly pulled back her hood and turned her back to the butler so that he might take her heavy coat, Gavin expected to see her usual black frock, but to his surprise, she was wearing the most brilliant emerald-green gown that made him lose all concentration.
Gold leaves had been embroidered under the bust and up around the short, slightly puffed sleeves. The neckline was low, edged with some gauzy gold trim that barely hid the roundness of the top of her breasts, making it appear as if she were showing more than she was. Tiny, shimmering beads were scattered across the fabric, making her appear as though she were some garden queen. Emerald and pearl pins adorned her walnut hair that had been styled with the majority pulled back into a chignon, with several curled pieces framing her face.
His absorption in his wife must have been noted, for Holly appeared uncomfortable after a moment or so. Clearing her throat, she came forward and spoke, unsurely.
“Is it… is it not to your liking?” she asked quietly, so that Aunt Marnie and Katrina did not hear.
“Excuse me?” he asked, his voice husky.
“The dress, I mean.”
“No, it’s… it’s very much to my liking.” He paused as his eyes roamed over her. “I didn’t not think you could have a dress made so quickly.”
She smiled.
“It wasn’t made for me, actually. Miss Piedmont had a number of gowns finished for another lady who left London rather unexpectedly. So, she had a number of dresses, just my size, as it were.” Holly’s cheeks turned slightly pink. “They were cheaper, since they were already made and I confess, that is why I bought them as the colors are darker than what I prefer, but I quite liked this one.” Her hands moved down to her hips and she gently gripped her skirts, as if to display them.
“It’s stunning. You’re stunning,” he said softly. “But I told you, you needn’t worry about spending money on clothes.”
“And you needn’t worry about going to the poor house because of my spending,” she countered with a grin.
She took his arm and Gavin’s mind slowly began to work again. He turned to follow the butler as the heat of Holly’s fingers coursed down his forearm.
