Georgianna held out her hand for the list, breathing a sigh of relief that they were simple yet elegant dishes—smoked salmon and cucumber cups were easy enough, as were caramelized mushroom tartlets, and though the crab tartines would take a little longer to cook, they were all possible to quickly prepare. “I will have everything ready within the hour. Keep serving the strawberry tarts, spice rum cake, and shrimp canapés.”
The friendly, talented, and supportive staff went to work while she pulled on her apron, set her chef’s hat atop her head, and hurried to make the earl’s mistress her canapes, dismissing the way her heart had raced from that unknown gentleman’s provocative regard.
…
“Oh, Stannis, howdelightfulit has been. I declare you could not have prepared a better gift for me.Everyonewill speak about this birthday ball aboard your yacht for months…I daresay years!” Lady Johanna Wimpole squealed, rushing over to drop her delicate weight into Daniel’s lap.
“Even Duke Beswick complimented my jewelry, and you know that handsome devil hardly gives out anything as nice asthese.”
Johanna watched his expression, no doubt seeking to flatter her vanity by any show of jealousy and possessiveness on his part. As Daniel did not rise to her lure, she pouted prettily and touched the diamond necklace clasped around her throat.
“Your taste is impeccable as always, my darling; of course the duke could not help admiring me…and the necklace. His Grace even danced with me twice.”
“You are beautiful. He could not help it, of course,” Daniel murmured, pressing a kiss to the side of her throat, nipping the soft flesh above her pulse.
His lover obligingly arched her slender neck, sighing her pleasure and squirming to get closer to him. “I cannot tarry,” he murmured fondly. “I have business to attend.”
She swatted his shoulder teasingly. “Now, Daniel, never say it is truly so! Not after the most exciting ending I’ve planned for us.”
He shifted her weight, easing her from his lap. “I’ve investment opportunities to discuss with Beswick and Moncrieff.”
His friends were awaiting his presence before the discussion started, and even if some derided his illicit pursuits and the exorbitant way Daniel spent money, he never placed pleasure before his business interests. Despite all the gossip about him, that was a fact only those close to him knew about. After being his lover for almost a year, this was something Johanna should know.
“Surely it can wait,” she said, tossing her mane of blond hair and peeking at him from below her thick, long lashes. “The duke was very occupied when I came down, and the marquess mentioned the meeting is in the morning!”
“I have some market reports to read,” he said, amused with her pouting.
“It isbarelyafter midnight, and the guests are still dancing under the stars. I wanted you to take me into your arms for every dance, and you’ve already disappointed me there.”
“Have some pity for my feet,” he drawled. “You knew my limit was one dance.”
Johanna trailed a perfectly manicured finger across his jawline. “You’ll miss out on the treat I planned for you. It isverywicked.”
“Oh?” Daniel said, noting the sultriness of her tone and the gleam in her light blue eyes.
She pressed her mouth close to his ear. “Lady Bonnie and Lady Delilah will join us soon.”
His cock, which had been wrung dry by his lover’s delightful mouth only a few hours earlier, twitched. “You have my attention, my sweet.”
His lover giggled, the sound airy and twinkling. “Will I have it for the night?”
“An hour at most.”
She sighed but slinked off his lap. “I know your appetite, my darling. I shall have no less than two hours.”
Though he smiled, Daniel made no commitment, watching her with lazy, carnal intent. She sashayed toward the door, knowing his eyes would follow the provocative sway of her lush rump.
Johanna glanced over her shoulder, her lips quirking. “I have ordered the chef to send up some of those titbits that you like with a decanter of whiskey. You must positively try some spiced cake, which is all the rage with our guests. I’m told the secret ingredient is rum. I will…summon my ladies. Await us on the bed…preferably naked.”
Daniel lifted a brow, and she tossed him a grin before sauntering from the room, deliberately rolling her hips. He smiled, fond of her antics, the cutting tongue, and the intelligence she often used to flay those who displeased her. Daniel stood and started to remove his clothes, anticipation curling through him at the sexual play he envisioned. He wondered which of his guests were Lady Delilah and Lady Bonnie. Perhaps all stage names or they were some of the elite ladies of thehaut tonwho chose to wear a masquerade mask aboard his yacht for the few days of fun and decadence.
Casually dropping his clothes on the ground, he made his way to the private bath area that had been installed with a convenient shower. He turned the knob and stepped under the spray of the icy water. The music and the laughter drifted through the wood-paneled walls from a nearby cabin, along with a squeal of delight, then a muffled moan. A smile tipped Daniel’s mouth as he imagined the nature of that sound and what the scandal rags would print in a few days, given that he seemed to be one of their favorite subjects to speculate on and dissect.
Slicking the soap off his skin, he closed his eyes, staying under the water even as his flesh grew numb, cleaning the sweat of the day and the myriad perfumes from his body. The thoughts of his duties once he returned to town rose in the forefront of his mind. His grandmother’s birthday was in only a few weeks—or Nana as he fondly called her. She was one of his greatest loves, and while he could not give her what she had been demanding of late, great-grandchildren to dote on, Daniel wanted to plan a birthday celebration that would please her—the best food, a private operatic performance, élite guests, and perhaps even dance with the lady she had been implying would be perfect to be his countess.
A hiss of annoyance left him whenever he thought about the incessant push from his nana and mother to select a bride soon. It befuddled him that they found it so necessary for him to select a wife at eight and twenty. Daniel would not rush into matrimony because it was expected but planned to enjoy his bachelorhood without remonstrances and knowing his duty would see himself settled by forty.
Not a damn year earlier.
