Page 13 of Invitation to Pleasure
He sat up and leaned against the headboard conscious he was very naked under the sheets and although his sister had seen him in the flesh many times as they grew up, he was now a grown man.
“Sister dear, can we not have this conversation once I am dressed and have at least some food in my stomach. I want to see the horse before Georgiana gets here—if she is not here already.”
“She’s here.”
If he wasn’t naked he’d have jumped out of bed. “Don’t blame her. It was her groom that hit me. Besides, I believe she has a claim to Apollo. Her grandfather gifted the colt to her.”
“She couldn’t have come and told us that?”
He briefly closed his eyes. “I remember not so long ago a young lady who trusted no one. So much so it almost got her killed. Sound familiar? Georgiana’s upbringing has not allowed her to trust.”
Rheda shrugged her shoulders as if she had forgotten her past. “Still, her groom might have killed you. I’m not sure I can forgive that.”
He leaned forward and took her hand. “You will because you know what it is like for a woman on her own to fight for her livelihood. And because you have a big heart.”
Rheda sniffed but did not remove her hand from his. “Her fatherisa complete arse. He reminds me of our father. Poor girl.” She suddenly leaned and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I like the girl. She reminds me of me.”
He sat back and laughed. “Of course she does.”
“Then I feel I am in a position to give you some advice.”
His laugh faded. “Advice on what exactly.”
This time his sister gave a knowing smile. “On how to win her heart of course.”
Daniel scuttled back until his back hugged the headboard. “Oh, no. I’m too young to be married.”
“Don’t be silly. Age has nothing to do with finding the one—finding your soul mate.”
His mouth hung open because he could not refute her logic. Was Georgiana the one? He gave a wry smile. “Pretty hard to woo a lady who trusts no man.”
“Then you have to earn her trust and the only way to do that is to be truthful. Don’t keep secrets or try to out smart her. Simply tell her and your pride be damned.”
He slapped his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that? Just because I know I’m being truthful doesn’t mean she does.”
Rheda stood and moved to the door of his bedchamber. “Trust is earned through actions. It’s Christmas. What do you think she’d love as a present?”
He had already decided to give Apollo back to Georgiana but what he was trying to figure out was how he could keep her father from stealing it from her once again.
“If you marry her you can keep both Georgiana and the horse safe.” Just before she left his room Rheda added, “And I’d sort it out soon before she does something stupid.”
As she shut the door he yelled after her, “Like you did.”
But his sister was right. Billy spoke of a plan. He threw back the bedcovers calling for his valet.
Chapter 6
The day was bitterlycold and Georgiana hugged Apollo simply to warm herself up from her ride over to the Hascombe estate. She’d already visited with Colton and noticed his limp was still there but he at least could stand on the leg.
Apollo seemed to be happy here and for that she was grateful. She smiled to herself. Michael, Lord Hascombe’s head groom, was not letting her out of his sight.
“Did you miss me, my beautiful boy?” Georgiana said as she stroked Apollo's nose.
“That's a leading question,” a masculine voice said as Daniel walked out of the shadows and came to stand next to her at Apollo's stall.
“It wasn't a question aimed at you.”
“Well, you can hardly expect Apollo to answer,” Daniel replied with a cheeky grin. A grin she was becoming far too enamored with.
