* * *
Georgiana had never enjoyed an evening as much as the one she spent in Julian’s company.
Not only because she took advantage of every opportunity she could to touch or smile at him as they ate their meal and chatted.But also because Julian treated her as an equal during those conversations.As if, unlike her own father, Julian considered her opinions to be as valid as his own, if not more so in some cases.
The latter, she knew, was partly because of the scars Annabel Sotherby had inflicted upon Julian’s heart and his ability to believe anyone could love him.
Georgiana loved him.
Deeply.
She loved the care and attention Julian showed toward his servants, tenants, and their families, all of whom he knew well enough to inquire about by name.An affection which was obviously returned by all of them.
She already knew his friends in London, primarily the Dukes of St.Albans and Hellsmere, held him in high regard.Just as she knew how difficult it was to attain the respect of those two toplofty gentlemen.
She loved the attentive way Julian always listened to anything she had to say.Not always to agree with her, but he at least heard her opinion before concurring or explaining why he held a different view.
Previously, Georgiana’s only real example of conversation between a man and a woman had been what she had seen take place between her mother and father.Occasions when her father would announce his opinions to her mother, and that dear lady would only listen and never dare voice an opinion of her own.The earl’s three daughters, Georgiana amongst them, had not been allowed to join in the conversation at all unless expressly invited to do so by their father.Something the earl never did.
In stark contrast, Julian encouraged her input and opinions on every subject.From the mutual acquaintances they had in London, to her curiosity about the people living within Moreland Park and his tenants living on the surrounding land and in the nearby small village.All part of the Moreland estate.
His single-minded attention caused Georgiana’s words and actions to grow bolder as the evening progressed.The two glasses of wine she had consumed with her meal also helped her to dismiss any doubts she might otherwise have felt about touching Julian at every opportunity.
Besides, she only had to see the way in which the pupils of Julian’s eyes expanded to consume the iris—a sure sign of his arousal—every time she laid her hand on his arm to emphasize a point, to know that he was as affected by their growing intimacy as she was.
“That will be all, Dalton,” Julian dismissed the butler gruffly once the last of their used plates had been taken away and a decanter of brandy and two glasses, at Julian’s request, had been placed in the center of the table.“You may all retire for the evening.And thank Cook for such a delicious meal.”
“Very good, Your Grace.Lady Stapleton.”The butler bowed before exiting the dining room.
Georgiana chuckled the moment she and Julian were left alone together.“What do you think he and the other servants make of our…living arrangement?My impression this evening is that Dalton, at least, is pleased to see you behaving more like old yourself again.Or am I presuming too much with that comment?”she ventured.
Julian placed one of his hands on top of hers as it rested on the table.“You are not presuming too much.I have never before felt this comfortable in a woman’s company and conversation.Yet at the same time, I feel as if all my emotions are so heightened, they are balanced on a razor’s edge.”
Georgiana studied his flushed features.“Is that a bad thing?”
“Indeed, it is not.”He chuckled.“I have never before felt as alive as I do this evening.”
“I am glad.”
He held up the decanter in invitation.“Would you care to join me in a glass of brandy?”
“Yes, please.”She had never drunk brandy before, but she believed she might need alittleDutch courage to proceed with her seduction.
Making a statement as to that being her intention was one thing; having the courage to carry out that plan was something else entirely.But she believed she had made a good start.Tasting brandy for the first time would certainly not be amiss.
Except it was…
“Oh.My.God!”Georgiana managed to choke out after swallowing her first sip.
Her mouth and throat felt as if they were on fire.That fire exploded in her abdomen when it reached her stomach, tears stinging her eyes as she continued to gasp for breath.
“Is there anything I can do?”Julian prompted as she continued to wheeze.
She glared at him as she placed the glass carefully on the table.“Why on earth does anyone drink such an abomination?”She eyed the glass as if it had personally affronted her.Which, in her opinion, it had.“It is disgusting!”she added with a grimace of distaste, her throat continuing to burn.
Julian poured her a glass of water and held it out.“Drink this instead?”
She eyed him accusingly as she took the glass and sipped the cool water.It made her throat burn even more for a couple of seconds before soothing the rawness left by the brandy.“I repeat,” she stated as she placed the empty water glass on the table, “why on earth would anyone voluntarily drink something so disgusting?”She glared at the rest of the alcohol still left in her brandy glass.
