Page 75 of Scandalous Heiress
The countess did look rather pale.Her daughter, whom Ada had met many times over the years, appeared jittery.Having paid their respects to their hostesses, they glided along and greeted others whom they knew.Jessica said she would join Lily and her in a few minutes.
“I think we shall get acquainted with a few guests, don’t you?”Lily said with a quick glance toward the garden doors.
In a group in the corner stood four men.There was Edgecombe, Ezzie’s gentleman and beside him stood tall, debonair, ginger-haired Lord Victor Cole.Ada could look no further when his turquoise eyes caught hers.His gaze lingered on her lips, exciting her as she’d not been since last she saw him days and days ago.
Lily went toward them.“Good afternoon, Lord Edgecombe.It’s good to see you here.”
“Your Grace.”He bowed low over Lily’s hand.
“And Lord Victor,” Lily continued.“How good to see you again.”
“Your Grace.I am delighted.”He inclined his head, then asked if he might introduce his friends.“Sir Arnold Meachum.Lord Billings.”The jolly looking bald man was Meachum.The tall, dark-haired fellow with a jovial smile was Billings.
“Lord Billings, Sir Arnold, my sister, Miss Hanniford.”
“A pleasant surprise,” Ada said to all.
With her heart beating like a drum, she tried to concentrate on the conversations.But the magnetic pull of Victor’s intent regard was irresistible.She could find nothing to say.Nothing to add.Nothing…
Billings and Meachum told Lily of their interest in her dispensaries on Julian’s estates.Lily organized and stocked medical cottages at all of Julian’s estates.She’d even built one on his land in Ireland.“Everyone deserves proper care and medicine, sir.”
“I wonder if you’d advise me on creating one for my own estate?”Billings asked.
Lady Jessica joined the group.“Has Lord Billings decided to bend your ear about a dispensary for his people, Your Grace?”
“He has and I’m honored to help.”
“Her Grace,” said Jessica with pride, “has every herb and powder you might need, Billings.I think she could pull a tooth or deliver a baby, if she were required.”
“Let’s not exaggerate, my friend,” Lily warned.
“And I need no instructions of dentistry or midwifery,” added Billings.
Victor leaned close to Ada.“Will you come talk with me?”
Her knees went to water.If he hadn’t taken her arm, she might have evaporated.Irritated at her fascination with him, she sought refuge in chatter.“Lily will talk his ears off about serums and herbs.What’s fake and what’s helpful.”
She led the way to two chairs in one corner.As she sank to her chair, a footman approached with a tray for the card table between them.He poured tea and left them.
“I’m pleased to see you,” she said admiring the cut of his emerald satin waistcoat and ivory cravat.How had she forgotten the high arch of his cheekbones or the clean line of his nose?The way his hair swept over the crown of his head…
“And I to see that you wear my gift.”
She touched a finger to the white jade comb that held tight her elaborate chignon.It had arrived the morning after their ride in the park and she’d hidden it away to treasure it.“It is magnificent.”
“Matched only by your own lustre.”
Her cheeks turned hot with a blush.“You must not be too eloquent.”
“I don’t know how to be other.”
“Of course you do,” she challenged him.“You could just say, you wear it well.”
“I knew you’d wear it well.”He took up his tea and drank.“I have more to send you.”
What she wanted from him, she dare not name.That would be so…intimate So…indecent.
“Silks,” he whispered.“Pearls.”
