A Perfect Groom by Samantha James

Author:Samantha James [James, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical, Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9780060502799
Google: 0FzlzT7Sy88C
Amazon: 0060502797
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2004-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

The seating arrangements at dinner were the same as the previous evening, with the exception of McElroy’s absence. Afterward, the gentlemen gathered for port and cigars, and the women retired to the drawing room. Arabella, however, was restless. She and Georgiana walked outside for a time, and when they returned to the house, they stopped to inspect the heavy, gilt-framed paintings in the portrait gallery. One by one they paused before the generations of Sterlings. In truth, Arabella paid scant attention to Georgiana’s idle chatter. Her mind was elsewhere. But suddenly Georgiana exclaimed, "Why, look, it’s Sebastian, Justin and Julianna!"

Her attention piqued, Arabella leaned closer. The three Sterling siblings were easily recognizable, as they had changed but little since childhood.

"My word, but look at Justin! The likeness to his mother is amazing."

Arabella caught her breath. Georgiana was right. Their mother was truly a vision. It was clear Justin had inherited his looks from her. Each possessed the same fine-boned elegance, the same dramatically gleaming dark hair, the same exquisite plane of perfect, symmetrical features. But it was the mother’s eyes that captured Arabella’s notice the longest. Bright, startlingly vivid green, long-lashed, and spectacular, particularly in contrast with her hair... it was like peering into Justin’s eyes.

But their father, the previous marquess... A chill swept over her. He was thin-lipped and austere, and she took an instant dislike to him.

"Good evening, ladies."

So engrossed were they in the portrait that they both jumped.

It was Justin, garbed in black evening clothes, so dashingly handsome he nearly stole her breath. His gaze rested for a disturbingly long moment on Arabella, then slid to Georgiana. He inclined his head. "Miss Larwood, your presence has been requested in the drawing room. Something about a game of charades."

Georgiana clapped her hands together. "Oh, but I do love charades!" She started off, only to stop an instant later. "Arabella, what about you?"

Arabella gave a slight shake of her head. "Perhaps later." Her gaze returned to Justin. She frowned, rather puzzled. He had been charming and light and teasing during dinner. But the warmth he’d displayed throughout the day was gone. He seemed suddenly distant. Almost cold.

She struggled for something to say, feeling suddenly awkward. "Georgiana and I were just commenting how much you resemble your mother."

"Yes, I’m quite aware of that. But we all have our curses, don’t we?"

His tone was no less than icy, his expression drawn in cold, frigid lines. He regarded the portrait unsmilingly.

Arabella floundered. "I’m sorry. Georgiana and I, we didn’t mean to intrude where we should not — "

"Don’t be silly. The gallery is hardly off-limits to guests." He drew his shoulders up tensely, then released a breath.

"I’m sorry, Arabella. I have a particular aversion to this portrait. Sebastian thinks it belongs here. Family and duty and all that." He grimaced. "My father had it removed when we were young. It was painted just before the scandal and he couldn’t stand the sight of it."

Arabella frowned. "The scandal?"

"Oh, come. You don’t have to be polite and pretend you don’t know how my mother ran off with her lover.

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