Page 67 of An Earl Like You
“That’s why I wanted you to myself,” he murmured.
“You have only ever to ask,” she promised him with a little laugh, while her heart sang.
He touched her nose, his smile lingering. “I plan to more often.”
And Eliza felt that she would never know more happiness than she did in that moment.
Chapter 25
The evening of the Montgomery ball began splendidly, with no inkling of how badly it would end.
Eliza wore one of her new gowns, of deep burgundy silk. She had always liked rich colors and finally felt at liberty to wear them in public. Georgiana had enthusiastically encouraged her to order this style as well, even though it was lower cut than usual and featured an extravagant amount of beading on the bodice.
“Eliza!” gasped Henrietta when she went downstairs. “Your gown!”
Her steps slowed before she determinedly kept going. What was wrong with her gown? Oh dear—she would make them all late if she had to change... “Yes?” She pinned on a bright smile and hoped it didn’t look anxious. “What about it?”
“It’s magnificent!” Eyes wide, Henrietta circled her. “It sparkles when you move.”
Eliza smoothed one hand down the bodice. Was sparkling a bad thing? Perhaps she hadn’t grasped the intricacies oftonfashion. She glanced at Edith, who also looked startled. “Is it too much?”
“No, no,” Edith replied in surprise. “I intend to copy it on my next gown, if Mama will allow it.”
“Once she sees how beautiful it looks on Eliza, I’m sure she will.” Henrietta looked up. Like her sister, she wore a lovely dress, in a shade of pastel pink Georgiana had once termed “virginal blush.” “Mama, have you seen Eliza’s gown?”
“Oh my, no,” said the dowager as she emerged from the morning room. Like her daughters, she regarded Eliza with fascination. “It’s marvelous.”
Eliza blushed with delight under their admiration. “Thank you. I didn’t want to be an embarrassment to anyone tonight.”
“Goodness.” The dowager laughed lightly. “You outshine us all, my dear!”
She knew that was not true. The dowager was still a beautiful woman, and her sage gown suited her fair coloring. Henrietta’s pink dress set off her dark hair, and Edith was as beautiful as an angel in her white gown, her golden curls fashionably arranged and a coral bracelet around her wrist. And—to her surprise—the ivory fan Eliza had given her.
Startled, she met Edith’s eyes. The younger girl blushed, but obligingly spread open the fan. “How does it suit me? I’ve been waiting for a chance to carry it.”
Edith had accepted the gift with quiet thanks, but never used it. Eliza realized she had unconsciously been looking for it every time her sister-in-law went out, and to see it on her wrist tonight made her heart soar. It felt like proof that she was truly part of the family.
“It complements your gown perfectly,” Eliza told her. Edith’s smile was grateful.
She barely heard the footsteps on the stairs behind her before Hugh appeared at her side. “I apologize for keeping you waiting,” he said, still tugging on his gloves. “I’ll be the envy of every man there, arriving with four lovely ladies.” Then he turned to face Eliza.
Never before had she seen that expression on a man’s face when he looked at her—a startled amazement that rapidly gave way to something hot and lustful. She blushed under it, but not from shame.
“Come, girls,” said the dowager behind her. “The carriage.”
Eliza barely heard them bustle out, the butler and footman in attendance. Hugh reached for her hand and pressed his lips to her wrist. “My Lady Hastings,” he murmured, “you’ll cause a riot tonight.”
Instead of giggling nervously and protesting, she arched her brows. “Do you think so? Oh dear. I only wanted to catch one man’s eye.”
“Fortunate fellow.” His hand slid around her waist, urging her toward him. “What did you plan to do with him, once he was thoroughly bewitched?”
“Dance with him. Perhaps go in to supper with him. Cause a small scandal by watching him all night.” She touched his cravat, straightening the pearl pin stuck through it. “Then take him home with me and make love to him until he can’t stand.”
Sophie had told her it wasn’t wrong to say lustful, wicked things to her husband. Sophie’s advice was once again proven absolutely right when Hugh inhaled unevenly and lowered his head until his lips brushed her ear. “Temptress,” he whispered. “Precisely what I hoped you’d say, and now the thought of it shall torment me all night long.” The smell of him swamped her senses; his hand on her back slid down to linger a moment on her bottom. “I suppose we cannot beg off the ball and go directly to the lovemaking.”
She smiled even though her heart was pounding, and her body had reacted to his touch. It ought to be a crime, the way he could reduce her to a wanton creature just by looking at her with hot, dark eyes. “Your mother and sisters are waiting,” she said breathlessly.
“Which has nothing to do with my question.” Slowly he released her. “I shall hold you to that promise... to dance with me.”
