A Curious Heart (Love Vine: A Regency Series) by Diane Davis White

Author:Diane Davis White [White, Diane Davis]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HeartSent Books
Published: 2012-02-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

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"So glad you could join us, Countess. It has been ages since our home has been adorned with such grace and charm as you possess." Sir Gordon handed his best friend's mother into a comfortable chair.

"I am sure that Lady Alana and my sister Allie will be joining us in a few moments. Being a woman, you must know how they are primping and agonizing over their toilette."

"Yes, all for you thankless males." Countess Rothburn gave each of the three men in the room an arch look, even her son.

"Griffin, I do hope you appreciate what Allie has been through on your behalf. Bear in mind our previous chat regarding your manners."

As his mother's elder sister, Countess Rothburn took the role of parent and admonished the boy in spades. She and her sister had married the George brothers, thus the earl and Griffin were double cousins.

Satisfied she'd put the fear into him, she had done her usual and reverted to benevolence and sweet gentility. Lady Susan was an eccentric, to be sure, yet a lively and interesting one. No one ever censured her or left her presence with anything but good feelings.

"Who else is in company tonight?" Rothburn, noting his friend's slight edginess, thought a mysterious guest might be the cause. Surely he was not still agonizing over Allie and Griffin.

"Just us, I'm afraid. But I promise you, it will not be a dull evening." Sir Gordon's frayed nerves were indeed due to the upcoming meeting of the two youngest members of the party. He could only smile distractedly at his little joke. "Anyone for a drink? Countess Rothburn?"

"We shall have sherry, I think, Gordon" Lady Alana's voice drifted to them from the corridor as she and her charge came into the room. "Allie is quite old enough, I believe, to join us as well."

She swept forward in a breathtaking display of gracious beauty. Rothburn became very still as he watched her cross the room to his mother. Her dark hair, piled high in an elaborate chignon, left her graceful white neck bare. He longed to put his lips to that spot on her nape where the hair grew into a small swirl.

"Is that agreeable to you My Lady?" She reached the older woman and stood before her, sketching a graceful curtsey and bent to take up the elder's proffered hand in both of hers. "You really should have been a duchess. It would seem so natural to kiss your ducal ring."

Alana grinned and her ladyship grinned in response. The pair, it would seem, were becoming fast friends.

Allie, hovering at the door, drew a deep breath and gathered her courage as she stepped forward into the room. Her eyes were trained on the Countess as she dared not look around and see Griffin. Her chin lifted in the haughty manner of a incomparable—for tonight Allie felt like a diamond of the first water as she crossed the room in imitation of her aunt's sweeping movements.

The effect she had on the males was astounding as her graceful dress of deep sea green swirled around her.

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