Gabriel pressed his thumb against the bridge of his nose. He needed to reconfirm his priorities. Someone had threatened Prinny. His duty was to find out who it was and to prevent them from making another attempt on the man’s life. The weight of keeping Prinny safe and the safety of his people were heavy on his shoulders. He refused to allow anyone else to be killed on his watch. The last thing he should be thinking about was the taste of his wife’s lips and the feel of her bottom as he held her against him.
At least there had been one benefit to her sitting for Manning. Their subsequent argument had led to that kiss—the kiss that he’d initiated and she’d participated in.
Gabriel closed his eyes. The taste of her lips had opened a floodgate of memories of what it felt like to be inside her. It had been so long since he’d had a woman—since he’d had Olivia. His thoughts drifted to one of his favourite memories, which included a warm bath and firelight. All of his attention now was firmly fixed on the image in his head. The letter in his hands fell to his desk.
* * *
Olivia was enjoying a ‘ladies’ dinner’, as her hostess liked to call them. Periodically Katrina, the Duchess of Lyonsdale, would invite a few female friends to dine at her home in London while her husband would make himself scarce for the evening. This evening she’d invited Olivia, Victoria and Sarah Forrester, the daughter of the American Minister. Olivia found she looked forward to these ladies-only dinner parties where the conversations were often boisterous and they did not have to wait for the men to finish their port after the meal was over.
Tonight, Olivia stood next to her sister, staring up at the enormous portrait of Katrina, which hung above the fireplace in the library of Lyonsdale House. In the painting, Katrina sat in an elegant bergère chair with a book dangling gracefully from her long fingers and staring directly at the viewer. Manning had perfectly captured the hint of amusement that often crossed her face, and he had done a spectacular job with the shining folds of her ice-blue silk gown. Off to the side of Katrina’s chair, an old globe sat on a small table, a silent nod to the fact the Duchess of Lyonsdale came from the United States.
‘It arrived this morning,’ Katrina said, looking up at the portrait. ‘I did not anticipate it being so grand.’
The serious expression on Katrina’s face while she studied the painting made Olivia smile. ‘You are an English Duchess now. It should be grand to reflect your station.’
‘I know, but it’s just so...so...’
‘Enormous,’ Sarah added helpfully, placing her fingertips over her lips to stop from laughing. ‘You’re fortunate there was enough room to hold a life-size portrait of you.’
‘Sarah, I’ve only just begun carrying this child.’
‘I was simply referring to the size of the wall, not your size. Even you admitted it’s rather large. It’s as if there are two of you,’ Sarah continued, looking between the portrait and Katrina. ‘Although it is a beautiful likeness of you, I think I’m relieved I will not be immortalised as such.’
‘I’m relieved as well,’ came the voice of the Earl of Hartwick as he swaggered into the room alongside Lyonsdale and tossed a lock of his shiny black hair out of his eyes. ‘One of you is more than sufficient in this world,’ he drawled.
He was sinfully handsome, with a strong athletic build and the finest blue eyes God had ever placed in a man. Olivia had heard his name spoken quite often by women of her age. Delicious and virile were words that were frequently used in those conversations.
‘It truly does amaze me that the women of this town find you so alluring, Hartwick,’ Sarah said. ‘I believe it will remain one of life’s mysteries.’
‘Perhaps it’s because you are rarely in my company.’
‘No, I am certain familiarity would not clear the reasoning.’
Lyonsdale came to stand beside his wife and kissed her hand. Witnessing the love they shared always filled Olivia with regret—regret that she had not found a man who loved her even just a little.
‘We are off to White’s,’ Lyonsdale said, looking up at the painting. ‘However, I wanted to show Hart your portrait.’ The pride was evident in his voice. ‘I told you that gown was the best choice.’
‘You said you wanted me to wear the gown I was wearing the night we met. Fortunately for you, it is one of my favourites.’
‘I envisioned you in it for so long, it will always be my favourite.’
Sarah and Hartwick rolled their eyes in unison while standing next to each other. Then the Earl walked closer to the portrait and took in the work with his hands fixed on his hips. He tilted his head a number of times before turning around and nodding to Katrina.
‘He is right,’ Hartwick said. ‘The artist has captured you perfectly. Now be a good duchess and bear a child that looks more like you than it does my friend.’
Olivia thought the child would do well resembling either parent and wondered if she would ever conceive another. Gabriel’s kiss today confused her. Instinctively her hand went to her stomach.
‘You looked a bit pale, Sister. Some fresh air might do you wonders,’ Victoria said, taking Olivia’s arm. ‘Would you mind if we went outside for just a bit?’ she asked Katrina.
‘By all means, there is a door to the terrace just down the hall,’ Katrina replied with a sympathetic smile. ‘We shall be returning to the Crimson Drawing Room shortly. Why don’t you take your time and meet us there.’
Victoria guided Olivia into the portrait gallery outside the library and Olivia pulled her to a stop. ‘What are you about?’ Olivia demanded quietly. ‘Now Katrina will think I couldn’t bear to witness the affection she shares with Lyonsdale and you were trying to spare me the pain.’
‘Nonsense,’ Victoria said, tugging Olivia to begin walking. She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I have wanted to get you alone and couldn’t wait another minute. How is it that I hear of surprising actions of yours from Lyonsdale’s grandmother and not from you, my own sister? Don’t look at me like that. You had to know there would be talk of your unusual stroll down Bond Street with Winter. She mentioned it before we went in for dinner.’
Olivia’s stomach dipped uncomfortably, recalling the last time she and Gabriel were the topic of ton gossip. ‘If that mundane fact has people talking, they aren’t paying close enough attention to the scandals around them. I cannot believe a simple walk between a husband and wife is cause for discussion.’
‘When those two people act as polite strangers for years, I’d say that is cause for gossip. And how is it you did not see fit to tell me?’
‘I did not think it noteworthy.’
Victoria looked about ready to stamp her foot on the parquet floor. ‘How could you say that? A few days ago you wanted your cook to roast him for the inconsiderate way he delayed Nicholas’s breeching. Now you are walking with him down a main thoroughfare and he is buying you jewels. Something is going on and I demand you tell me what it is.’
‘Jewels? He did not buy me any jewels.’ Olivia opened the door to the unoccupied terrace and stepped outside. The scent of rain was heavy in the air and thick clouds moved swiftly in the moonlight. ‘I was sitting for Manning in his studio when Gabriel arrived quite unexpectedly. He said he was attending to matters close by and decided to accompany me home.’
‘Why would he care to escort you home? You barely speak with one another.’
Olivia shrugged and rolled her eyes. ‘The man is a mystery and always has been. As to be expected, on our way home we had a disagreement. The only reason he dragged me into