Page 7 of Invitation to Pleasure
She would never let him win.
Georgiana closedthe door upon exiting her mother’s room and sagged against it stifling a sob by shoving her fist in her mouth. Tears were useless. They would not make her mother whole again. Her mother no longer recognized her. And this was a good day. Other days her mother screamed and ranted like a small child. Her father had done that to her with his constant belittling and abuse. Pain shafted through Georgiana like a spear. She hated the way her mother merely sat rocking in her chair by the fire day after day, as if the world beyond her room had vanished. Georgiana straightened to stand tall, her hands smoothing her gown, and vowed she would never let any man have the power her father had over her mother.
She gathered her warring emotions. She had visitors to greet. She knew she looked stunning. Tessa, her lady’s maid, had made her look like a princess from head to toe. Maybe she could divert Daniel’s attention this evening with a little flirtation. Men were so predictable. A bare shoulder here, a pushed up bosom there, and their brains disappeared. Instead they fell over themselves to please.
She made her way to the drawing room, early, as her father had ordered. He stood by the fire his back to her, a brandy balloon in his hand. He did not stir as she entered. She glided across the room and took a chair directly in the line of sight of the door. She wanted to be the first thing Daniel saw when he entered the room.
Her father finally sensed her presence and turned to face her. His eyes raked over her as if she was one of his prized horses to sell and her skin crawled.
“You will be pleasant and act as a proper young lady this evening, do I make myself clear.”
“Of course, father.”
To her satisfaction her docility angered him. “Don’t play coy with me, girl. I’m warning you. I will not be embarrassed in my own house. It is important that Lord Hascombe is made to feel welcome. I have horses that I wish him to purchase.”
Do not scoff.She knew what her father was doing. She knew everything that went on in those stables. “I’ve heard Lord Hascombe is a very good judge of horseflesh. He accepted Apollo for your rather large debt, after all.”
“And what do you mean by that my girl?” He moved to stand over her. “I hope you are not poking your nose into the workings of the stable. If I learn you have meddled in my business—well, just think of your mother.” The last words were said softly but she understood the venom beneath.
“I have no interest in your stables—not since Apollo was sold.”
Her father leaned in close. “Not one word about Apollo tonight or I’ll send her away tomorrow. I’ve given you all the leeway I’ll allow. I mean it. Our future could hinge on this night.”
She wanted to say ‘don’t you mean your future.’ Her future was rosy, if she had any say in the matter.
Her father stepped back and played with his cravat. She hoped it choked him.
“Baron de Winter is attending too. So I have two possible purchasers. You will use your charms on the young man. Keep him busy while I converse with Hascombe.”
“As you wish, father.” She needed to talk with Daniel anyway. She needed to know what he was going to do. Oh, she understood men. Daniel would want something from her for not turning her into Lord Hascombe. She kept the smile on her face for her father but inside she was a melting pot of anger. Why was it, at every turn, a man held something over her? She longed for that moment when she would be free.
Georgiana needed a drink. Sherry was her drink of choice, she found brandy too potent and she would need her wits about her tonight. She was just about to rise and pour herself a drink when the guests were announced.
It was annoying to note that her heart began to beat faster in her chest, not from fear, but from the fact she was about to see Daniel again.
He was the last person to enter the room and she could not take her eyes from him. Handsome was too tame a word, for the picture of towering masculinity standing just inside the drawing room looking so self-assured it made her worried. He knew he held all the cards.
She barely managed to greet Lord and Lady Hascombe because Daniel filled her mind.
Beautiful. He was beautiful.
She shook her head. No she would not, could not, fall under his spell.Remember what men are really like—devious deceivers.
She had never been attracted to such an arresting man before. Normally she was wary of handsome. Her pulse hitched as she drank in the tall, broad shoulders and narrow hips. The candlelight made his hair look like spun gold, and as he caught her looking at him a smile crept onto his face that made her hands tremble. It was a private smile. The type of smile shared between—lovers, or was that enemies?
The last time she’d seen him, Billy had knocked him unconscious. Would he reveal that here tonight?
Then he was standing before her, bowing over her hand to press a kiss to her gloved fingers. She looked at where her hand lay in his large one. She sensed his inner strength. He could crush her fingers as easily as if they were twigs. He could also crush her by revealing the truth about Apollo.
Could he feel her trembling?
“Lady Georgiana. It is a great pleasure to meet you.”
His deep voice was soft but mocking. She slowly raised her eyes to look into his and her blood ran cold at the message displayed within. He was going to make her pay for his wound. Would he do so now? She hated the waiting. Why did he not simply get it over and done with? Perhaps she should attack rather than be on the offensive.
“You seem to have a problem with your memory. We have already met.” She lifted her head in a silent challenge as if saying ‘do your worst’. She loved the look of confusion on his face but it didn’t last long.
He stepped back ignoring the others staring at them. “You will have to excuse me, my lady. I was recently hit over the head by a would be thief and it may have affected my memory.”
