‘I am fighting for my husband, Gwen.’
‘If you are not careful, you will be fighting off everyone else’s,’ said Gwen frankly. She added, with the ghost of a sigh, ‘Even Ribblestone could not take his eyes off you tonight.’
Dominique spread her fan.
‘I have no interest in other men. I do not want to make my husband jealous, I just want him to notice me.’
‘Well, you will, love, you mark my words,’ retorted Gwen. ‘Gideon must be made of stone if he doesn’t realise that every man is looking at you tonight.’
* * *
If he had heard his sister’s words, Gideon could have assured her that he was feeling anything but stonelike. The sight of Dominique in that red gown was teasing him to distraction. He found it difficult to converse and even when the ladies had retired he wondered what she was doing in the drawing room, if she was thinking of him. He had frequently found her looking at him during dinner, although every time their eyes met she would blush adorably and glance away. Damnation, he wanted her so badly he could hardly sit still! And he wasn’t the only one to notice her. Every man in the room looked her way at some point—even old Mr Severn, who was seventy if he was a day, had raised his quizzing glass and positively ogled her.
And yet it could not be said that Dominique flaunted herself. She behaved with great modesty and charm all evening, but however frequently her eyes alighted on Gideon, he found it was not enough. He wanted to steal her away and keep her to himself.
‘Your wife is looking particularly well this evening,’ remarked Anthony, when at last they made their way to the drawing room. ‘Motherhood agrees with her.’
Gideon let his eyes rest upon his wife, who was sitting beside Gwen, laughing at something Lord Grayson was saying to her. Was this the same unhappy lady he had seen at breakfast? The sparkle in her eyes, the alluring tilt to her mouth, was captivating. Motherhood had certainly developed her figure, which looked truly delectable. The swell of her breasts rose from the low décolletage and the creamy tones of her skin were complemented by the vivid colour of her gown. But he could not forget the droop of her mouth this morning and her slightly sad, distracted air. A tiny worm of jealousy gnawed at him. He said suddenly, ‘Do you think she has a lover?’
To his immense relief, Lord Ribblestone laughed.
‘No, I do not. I believe this is all for you.’ He clapped his hand on Gideon’s shoulder. ‘If Gwendoline tried such tactics with me, my friend, I should consider myself a very lucky man. I should certainly not be wasting my time chasing some lightskirt in Green Park.’ Gideon’s head came up and Ribblestone nodded. ‘I saw you there this morning. You know I often walk in the park when I need to think things out before a difficult cabinet meeting.’
‘It was not—that is, it is not what it seems.’
‘No?’
‘As a matter of fact I was there to learn something to my wife’s advantage.’
‘I have heard some excuses in my time—’
‘It is not an excuse,’ Gideon muttered furiously. ‘The woman has evidence that Martlesham is trying to defraud Dominique of her inheritance.’
‘So Dominique knows of this meeting?’
‘Well, no.’
‘And are you going to tell her?’
‘Yes, of course, eventually. I don’t want to raise her hopes, in case it all proves a hum.’
For once there was no smile in Anthony’s eyes as he regarded him.
‘I think you are playing with fire,’ he said at last. ‘But then, that is the way with the Alburys. They have no notion of how fortunate they are in their partners.’
* * *
From the sofa on the far side of the room, Dominique and Gwendoline watched this exchange.
‘If I am not mistaken, you are causing my brother considerable consternation this evening,’ Gwendoline murmured. ‘He does not know what to make of you.’ She slanted a glance at Dominique. ‘That is what you wanted, is it not?’
‘I think so.’
Dominique clasped her hands tightly together in her lap. Gwen reached over and gave them a squeeze.
‘Do not lose your nerve now, my dear. Gideon is quite besotted with you tonight.’
She went off to mingle with her other guests and Dominique was left alone with her thoughts, but not for long—Mr Severn was making his way towards her. With a sad want of manners Gideon slipped past him and sat down beside her. The old man stopped in his tracks, then turned and moved off, muttering. Dominique felt a smile bubbling up.
‘You show scant respect for your elders, Gideon.’
‘Would you prefer that elderly roué’s company to mine?’
His voice wrapped about her, deep and rich as warm velvet, and the glow in his eyes sent a frisson of excitement through her. Dominique spread her fan and peeped at him over the top.
‘It would be most unfashionable of me to agree, sir.’
‘And who says we must be slaves to fashion?’ He leaned closer. ‘Shall we make our excuses now? I want to take you home.’
Her heart leaped at his words. It began to thud erratically against her ribs—surely he must hear it? She could feel the hot blush in her cheeks and kept her fan raised as she tried to answer demurely.
‘It is a long drive to Chalcots.’
He turned to look at her, resting one arm along the back of the sofa. She could feel his fingers resting lightly on the nape of her neck, a gentle, sensual touch that bewitched her.
‘If we stay to supper we shall be damnably late.’
Swallowing, she struggled to match his indifferent tone.
‘G-Gwen promised us cards later. Are you sure you do not want to stay and play a hand?’
‘There is only one hand I want to play tonight, my dear,’ he murmured provocatively. ‘Shall we go?’
She could only nod. Her eyes were fixed on his mouth, the finely sculpted lips which curved now into a smile so devastating she thought she might melt. The feeling intensified when he raised her hand to his lips.
‘I shall go now and ask Anthony to order our carriage.’
‘What excuse will you give him?’
She was suddenly anxious and was only partly relieved by Gideon’s wicked grin.
‘No excuse will be necessary.’
* * *
Gwen saw her husband on the landing and stepped out to join him. He was staring down into the empty hall, a little smile on his lips. She reached out and touched his arm.
‘I cannot find Dominique or Gideon.’
‘He has taken her home.’
‘Really?’ She clapped her hands in delight. ‘She was looking particularly delightful tonight.’
‘Ravishing.’
Her smile slipped a little.
‘Yes. All the men were looking at her. Including you.’
He turned towards her, a look she could not interpret in his grey eyes.
‘I am surprised you noticed, since you were busy flirting with Arndale.’
‘Sir Desmond?’ She fluttered her fan.