Page 76 of The Most Eligible Viscount in London
“The lemon. That is my favorite.”
He selected lemon for her and chocolate for himself, and instead of sitting with their friends, he found a bench under an ornamental tree. “What about other foods?”
She had a contemplative look as she ate her ice. “Roasted lamb. My father does not like it, therefore we rarely have it.” Fortunately, he liked lamb as well. “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yes.” She set the ice cup down. “What is your favorite food?”
“I don’t have one, yet.” Although, his favorite taste might very well be her lips, her neck, her—God! He had to stop this. “I shall tell you when I do.”
“Hmm.” She stared at him for a few moments, then rose. “Let us look around a bit more. We still must find our hostesses.”
“Ah, yes. The fish.” Even though he was more than happy to have her hand on his arm as they ambled through the gardens, he tried to think of a way he could get her back into the woods in order to kiss her. The Fates, however, were not on his side. By the time they managed to hunt down either Lady Turner or Mrs. Fitzwalter, Littleton and Adeline joined them. “I take it that you wish to go home?”
“The fish,” Georgie said.
“What is wrong with the fish?” Adeline asked, clearly confused.
“Some of the gentlemen made a wager that they could provide enough fish for one of the meals without informing either Mary or Amanda,” Georgie explained. “We must tell one of them.”
“I believe they already know,” Frits said. “At least I know that Turner is aware of the wager.”
“Well, then.” Georgie shrugged. “That relieves us of any responsibility.”
“Would you like to remain here?” Adeline asked. “We can send the curricle for you.”
Gavin said a brief prayer that she would agree.
“No. I am ready to leave.” She gave a wicked grin. “Aside from that, we took samples of the seed cake and some of the other sweets. I am hoping that your cook will be able to figure out what is in them.”
“The seed cake?” Adeline’s eyes widened. “I would dearly love to have that recipe.”
All Gavin’s hopes of getting Georgie alone again sank. “We still must find one of the ladies and tell them we are departing.”
“We already did,” Adeline said. “And Frits called for the carriage. It should be in the drive by the time we gain the front door.”
Hell and damnation!
So much for that. Once they arrived at Littlewood, he’d have no reason to remain. Unless . . . “Do you plan to dine this evening?”
Littleton shook his head. “We will only have a cold collation. If you want more, you’ll have to dine at m’mother’s.”
That was exactly what Gavin would have to do. Despite all he had eaten, he knew he’d be hungry in a few hours. “I suppose I will.” He glanced at Georgie in the hope that he would see some sort of reaction, but her countenance didn’t reflect her feelings. If he wasn’t going to be able to be alone with her, there was no point in staying. “Shall we go?”
The others nodded their assent. As they strolled around the side of the house to the front, his frustration grew. First Barfleur and now his friends. Georgie wasn’t helping either. She had wanted, expected him to kiss her under the tree, but since then, she acted like nothing had happened or almost happened, and he didn’t know what to do about it.
On the journey back, the ladies discussed the recipes they trusted Cook would discover, and Littleton’s arm lay across his wife’s shoulders as he regarded his wife with a besottedness that was becoming damned irritating. Especially when Gavin had to mind his p’s and q’s with Georgie. There had to be a way to get her alone again where no one would interrupt them. The problem was where? If he even asked to take her for a walk a maid or, more likely, a footman would accompany them. This whole thing would have been much easier if they were actually staying at the Turners’ house. But there was no point in wishing for something that would not occur.
“That would be wonderful. Do you not agree, my lord?” Georgie said.
For a moment he thought she was speaking to Littleton, but he was Frits. Gavin was the only one she called “my lord.” Another thing he wanted to change. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t listening. What would be wonderful?”
“If Cook could discover the ingredients for the seed cake by tomorrow.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” He smiled at her. At least he’d done something right today.
They’d drawn up in front of Littlewood, and he helped her down from the coach. “I shall say a prayer that the secret ingredient is found.”
