Page 17 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“Pearls, let me see…” Harold bent down and brought up a case and set it on the counter.
“coque de perleearrings?” He removed two earrings and set them on a velvet cloth on the counter. The earrings were large, with oval-shaped pearls forming a sort of delicate cluster that dangled from the posts.
“Coque de perle?” Martin had never heard that term before.
“It is French. They are cut from East Indian nautilus shells similar to pearls. It’s actually a shell rather than a regular pearl. But they look just like pearls. More unique, you see, and quite popular in France at the moment.”
Martin held up the earrings, marveling at the beautiful gold backings and their relative light weight. It would look stunning, yet not too extravagant, nor would they be too heavy on Livvy’s ears.
“And this to complement?” Harold held up a single strand of lustrous pearls held together by a gold clasp. “Elegant, refined, but exquisite in taste.”
Martin lifted the pearl necklace, brushing his thumb over the rounded pearls, feeling the silky textures.
“Yes, I shall take them.”
“Excellent. I’ll box them up for you and put them on your account.” Harold quickly took the jewels and velvet pouches and placed them in sleek black boxes.
“The lady is very lucky,” he said, handing them over.
“She is.” Martin chuckled, but he also felt lucky to have such a sweet woman who belonged only to him. He left the jewelers with a spring in his step. Tonight they would have a quiet dinner together, and then he would begin his seduction. Slow as he needed to be until she was begging to be taken to bed. For the first time in months, he couldn’t stop smiling.
6
Livvy was curled up in a chair in the library readingGlenarvonand enjoying every deliciously scandalous page when she heard Martin return. She couldn’t help but wonder what other errands he had seen to after he had taken her back to the townhouse. She closed her book and left her chair, creeping up to the library door. It was only open a crack, and she could hear Martin speaking.
“Everything go well this afternoon?” Harris inquired.
“Yes, perfect. I’ve an excellent mare at my disposal now, and a bit of jewelry should ease her temper a bit.”
Livvy winced. He truly thought so little of her that he would liken her to a broodmare? And jewelry was supposed to appease her? She balled her fists.
“Where is she, by the way?” Martin asked.
Sparking mad, Livvy shoved the library door open and eyed Martin coldly.
“You’re broodmare is right here.”
Martin blinked and then burst out laughing. He couldn’t evenpretendto be embarrassed for being caught saying such things? She almost slapped him.
He walked up to her and cupped her chin, still smiling. She tried to pull away.
“Youweren’t the mare I was referring to. I bought a horse for you and had every intention of making it a surprise until I saw how upset you were just now.”
“You bought me a horse?” Embarrassment blossomed across her face. She’d been almost shouting at him while his butler was still present, ready to rail about how perfectly dreadful he was. Shame dug its claws into her, and she wanted to vanish somewhere until the feeling passed.
“Yes, I bought one from a friend. Viscount Sheridan has been breeding Arabians with thoroughbreds. The mare is…well, I will let you see her tomorrow, and you may share your thoughts then.”
“I… I’m sorry. My outburst was misguided and inexcusable—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “You need not apologize. I’m quite deserving of your anger and suspicion given how we met and…”
Though she did not say it, she knew he was thinking about how shebelongedto him. It only added to her already conflicted feelings.
Martin removed a pocket watch from his waistcoat and examined the time.
“An hour until dinner Why don’t you change and meet me in the dining room at seven?” His blue eyes were soft and kind, too kind. She wanted to hate him, and yet she couldn’t.
She nodded and rushed up the stairs. Shame still prickled beneath her skin. Mellie was in the hallway carrying some of Livvy’s new clothes, freshly pressed.
