“My friends, rejoice! I have the best possible Christmas news. My sister is safely delivered of a son, and all is well.”
Cheers and applause carried everyone toward the glittering dining room, but Genova was mostly struck by the true joy she’d seen on Lord Rothgar’s face. As he’d talked of clockworks, as he’d worked for peace, he must have been pressingly aware that some human events could not be made to work perfectly, no matter how hard one tried.
She sent up a prayer of thanks, and another that the baby thrive, and went on with the rest to the dining room. The table was now long enough for the whole company, and was spread with a splendid feast on platters of china, silver, and even gold.
Lord Rothgar and Lady Arradale sat together this time, in the middle of one side, with the great-aunts bracketing them. Ash and Genova were seated opposite. Unfortunately Miss Myddleton was on Ash’s other side, doubtless ready to try to monopolize his attention, but Genova felt that was a minor threat.
Except that she did envy the heiress’s emerald necklace, probably chosen to match Ash’s ring. Pearls were all very well, but they were unfortunately demure.
Music started, and she realized the musicians, including singers now, were performing in the hall to provide a background for this. Again, the music selectedseemed old, more ethereal than modern compositions, as if designed to carry them all away from reality.
It was still daylight but on a dull day, and hundreds of candles lit the room, sparkling off crystal, gold, and flashing jewelry. Finger bowls by each person stirred perfumes when used.
Genova balanced her attention between Ash and Lord Henry Malloren on her other side. He was a gruff, sinewy man with little to say, though at one point he grumbled that he’d hoped to get Damaris off his hands by now.
“Regular golden peach, she is,” he said, tucking into goose. “Father was a merchant captain. Bit of a privateer, if you ask me. Fell afoul of some pirates in the South China Sea and left me guardian. Imposition, but I’ve done my duty by her.”
“I’m sure you have,” Genova said, feeling a little sorry for Miss Myddleton. She didn’t miss that the heiress was also a sea captain’s daughter. It really was a shame that a man had come between them.
“Thought things might be settled,” Lord Henry added with a scowl at Genova.
“Really?” she said, angling her hand to show the large ring.
He made a sound like a growl and settled back to food.
Poor Damaris, who must have lost both parents, not just one, and found herself in the power of this unpleasant, resentful man. How had that come about? When Genova found herself trying to think of ways to rearrange Miss Myddleton’s life, she suppressed a laugh and attended to her dinner and light conversation all around.
Rich course followed rich course until Genova found herself unable to eat another bite. She contented herself with sipping wine, even though she’d done that too much as well.
As the meal flowed merrily toward its end, darkness fell and she realized there were no lights in the roomexcept firelight and the candles on and above the table. It made the gathering like a bright island in a dark ocean.
Some of the diners were drunk, but no one had slid under the table yet. Conveniences had been arranged in adjoining rooms for ladies and gentlemen. Genova used the ladies’ room at one point, startled to find her balance unreliable when she stood. No more wine, she decided, or heaven knew what she might do.
When she returned, Ash’s fingers twined with hers beneath the table. It seemed completely natural, though she did check that he wasn’t fondling Miss Myddleton’s at the same time. No, his other lay near his glass.
Ash raised her hand and kissed it. “We could probably slide under the table and make love there with no one the wiser.”
She could imagine it so vividly, she tingled. “Have you ever?”
“Yes.”
She giggled, and then she couldn’t stop. He swallowed her laughter in a kiss, a kiss that went on far too long. She knew that when they separated to laughter and bawdy jokes.
Ash broke into song.
Oh, I gave her cakes and I gave her
ale,
And I gave her sack and sherry!
I kissed her once and I kissed her
twice,
And we were wondrous merry.
Knowing the song, Genova clapped her hand over his mouth, but others took it up and finished it in a grand chorus that had her blushing.
