Page 106 of Lady Gambit
She smiled, hoping it looked sincere. “May I speak openly?”
“By all means.” He gestured for her to continue.
“Dorian is the best of men. If you want his love and respect, you’ll have to fight to earn it.” She imagined the earl in Aaron’s pit and had to bite back a grin. “If that is beyond your capabilities, then you should leave. Dorian has suffered enough.”
The earl arched a bushy brow. “Are you always this frank, madam?”
“Time is precious. Why waste it on ambiguity?”
The earl’s amused snort surprised her.
“If you cannot raise a toast to your son on his wedding day, there’s no hope of a reconciliation. If you agree, I shall fetch my husband.” She prayed Dorian wasn’t angry and the earl didn’t spoil this golden opportunity to make amends.
“I agree, though do not wish to ruin his wedding day.”
“I’m certain you won’t.” She curtsied again before adding, “Let us be clear. Hurt him, and I shall make you suffer in ways you cannot begin to imagine. The men in my life are loving and loyal. I pray you won’t disappoint.”
She left the earl pondering that thought and went in search of Dorian. As soon as she entered the drawing room, Mrs Maloney’s companion took to staring at her strangely again.
Dorian spotted her and drew her aside. “I missed you.” His hand at her elbow sent a tingle down her spine. “Give me fair warning next time you sneak out of the room. We might have an interlude in the understairs cupboard.”
“I’m sure we will spend endless days exploring all the hidden corners in this house.” She swallowed past her nerves, hoping he wouldn’t be angry. “I have some important news to share. You may be furious, but consider it a wedding gift that keeps on giving.”
He drew his thumb across his bottom lip. “Now I’m intrigued.”
“Don’t raise your hopes.” Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the elderly gentleman gawping. Maybe he was desperate for her approval, too. “I invited your father to spend a few hours with us. I left him waiting in the library in case you disapprove and wish to throw him out, though he seems amiable.”
Dorian straightened, his shock short-lived because his gaze moved to Mrs Maloney’s male companion. “I know I’m supposed to be the most important man in your life, particularly on ourwedding day, but I fear someone else deserves your attention today.”
Confused, she followed his gaze to the white-haired fellow with a penchant for grinning. “You speak of Mrs Maloney’s companion? Why would?—”
“That man is your grandfather. He stayed with Mrs Maloney last night. He wouldn’t let me tell you because he didn’t want his arrival to overshadow our celebrations. Aaron went to fetch him from Chichester. It seems your brother insists on vetting every man in your life.”
Delphine froze.
She turned slowly, but her grandfather’s beaming smile suddenly made everything right. Now she knew why he hadn’t stopped shaking Aaron’s hand, why he had spent time alone with all her brothers.
Her throat tightened. It was like having her parents with her on her wedding day. A comforting feeling of unity and enduring love enveloped her.
“Go to him,” Dorian whispered. “He has been waiting hours to speak to you.” His hand skimmed her hip, a sensual caress that carried the promise of something illicit. “I’ll attempt to be civil to my father, though I shall be counting the minutes until we’re alone tonight.”
She cupped his cheek and kissed him quickly. “Meet me in the orangery at eight. I’ll be waiting.”
He moistened his lips. “I’ll bring the champagne.”
It was nine o’clock when their guests left and they had the house to themselves. Her sisters-in-law had decorated the orangery. They’d draped chiffon around the windows and had Kingsley bring the chaise from the library. Lit candles glowed in hanging lanterns, giving an ethereal charm. The warmth of the summer night and the sweet scent of garden roses cast a seductive spell over the room.
She watched Dorian descend the terrace steps, her stomach doing somersaults because she would never tire of making love to him. Wearing loose black trousers, an open white shirt and nothing on his feet, he looked utterly sinful tonight.
He entered the orangery, took one look at her pale pink nightgown and nearly dropped the bottle of champagne. “And they say once you’ve exchanged vows, married life is a downward spiral.”
Suppressing a grin was impossible. “I used to hide behind clothes until I met you. Now I feel free to express my true self.”
Dorian swallowed as his gaze slid over the diaphanous material that left little to the imagination. “You’ve never hidden yourself from me. The first time we met, you revealed more than your bare shoulders. I saw everything.”
“Everything?” Keen to learn more, she moved towards him at a slow, sensual pace. “What exactly did you see?”
It wasn’t just her nightgown that was transparent. From the needy purr in her voice, surely he knew how badly she desired him.
