Page 35 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“Very well then.” Priscilla leaned back with a smile, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “Show him in, Gibbs. We would be delighted to take tea with him. Please ask Annie to provide a selection of cakes and sandwiches as well as the tea itself.”
Arabella didn’t move a muscle until the butler was well out of the room.
“What are you doing, Grandmother?” she asked in a hurried whisper. She patted down her hair in blind panic, pinching her cheeks to add a touch of rouge.
Priscilla giggled. “Arabella dear, anyone would think you find the man attractive. Is that the case?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Arabella snapped, but in truth, she was horrified that her grandmother had already noticed.
“I see.” Priscilla nodded, watching her granddaughter with interest. “I don’t suppose you met this young man at The Haven the other day, did you?”
“What makes you think such a thing?” Arabella asked, affronted that she was so very easy to read.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Priscilla giggled again. “Just something in your reaction. I may be old, dear girl, but I am not yet senile.”
Arabella wanted to retort, but before she could, Gibbs had returned with Sebastian in tow.
“The Duke of Ravenswood.”
The butler stepped away, seeping into the background, and Sebastian stepped forward. Arabella’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she looked at him. He was more handsome than ever, with his hair carefully combed and the brass buttons on his tailcoat highly polished.
Priscilla struggled out of her chair then bowed her head to the duke. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. I am Priscilla Sinclair, Dowager Duchess here at Westment. I understand you have already had the good fortune of meeting Lady Arabella.”
The duke glanced over at Arabella, an amused smile gracing his lips. “I most certainly have,” he said, his eyes upon hers. “Good afternoon, My Lady. I am pleased to see you again.”
“And I, you, Your Grace,” Arabella replied, her eyes firmly on the table in front of her. She couldn’t look at him, just couldn’t, because if she did, she would be bombarded with thoughts and images, all of them inappropriate and all of them delicious.
“Please, take a seat,” Priscilla said, indicating the free seat at the other side of the table. “I have ordered tea. It shouldn’t be long.”
“That is most kind of you,” Sebastian replied. “I do hope I am not disturbing your day.”
Priscilla let out a girlish giggle and waved her hand in the air. “Goodness no. I was just teaching Arabella here how to play whist. Are you a card player, Your Grace?”
He glanced again at Arabella, and again, she could not bring herself to look at him.
“Don’t you know how to play whist?” he asked in surprise. “I thought it was a popular pastime for ladies in your position.”
“I’ve always preferred books to socializing, Your Grace,” she replied. Even to her own ears, her voice was weak and small.
“Speak up, Arabella dear. There’s no need to be shy now.”
Embarrassment overwhelmed her. As she felt his eyes on her face, she was certain he, too, was replaying the memories of The Haven. She was certain he could picture her naked breasts, her wanton yearning. She could see it in his knowing smile.
“I can’t say I’m much of a card player, either,” Sebastian replied.
With blessed relief, he turned his attention to Priscilla again. Arabella blew up her face to cool her burning cheeks.
“Whatareyour pastimes, Your Grace?”
Annie entered with a tray of tea things and a cake stand laden with tiny sandwiches and bite-sized sweet treats. Arabella busied herself with picking bits to eat while the maid poured each of them a cup of tea in turn—their guest first, followed by Priscilla, and finally Arabella herself.
“I must say I likewise have a soft spot for reading, though I rather enjoy fencing, too. I suppose words and swords sum me up.”
“I see. And you have just returned to London? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
Priscilla beamed at him as she stirred sugar into her tea, the spoon loud against the porcelain. Arabella wanted the world to swallow her up. Her grandmother had never before fawned over a man like this, and she couldn’t decide whether the old woman was attracted to him for Arabella or herself!
Sebastian nodded. “That is indeed the case. My late father was something of a recluse, and I spent most of my childhood on the continent. I’m afraid I haven’t had much opportunity to explore London.”
