Herhusband.
“Georgie?”
She found herself blinking. Good heavens, her body was humming again, stealing her concentration. And he sat so close, his legs long enough to rest alongside hers. How could legs be so warm? How could they makeherso warm?
She coughed, struggling to pull her thoughts back into order. If she couldn’t keep her mind away from those pictures Grandmama had painted, she would never even make it through the carriage ride.
“Then what is our destination?” she asked, her voice just a bit hoarse.
Grey didn’t seem to notice. “Rob has a little cottage along Putney Heath he said we could use. He sent word to the housekeeper.”
She frowned. “A cottage? Who usually lives there? Please tell me it is not hischer amie.”
Grey’s laughter was delighted. “Absolutely not. Believe it or not, our Rob is a bit of a birder. According to him, the Heath abounds in migratory fowl, not to mention butterflies and the like.”
“I imagine it does. I’m simply trying to envision our Rob sitting still long enough not to startle flocks of pigeons. And giving silent thanks we’re not invading a love nest of some sort. That would be just a bit uncomfortable.”
“A very polite way of putting it,” he retorted. “Vile places.”
She couldn’t help gigging him a bit. “So, you have never had apied-a-terreof your own?”
She surprised a smile out of him. “Would have been a waste. I spent the last ten years trotting around the world after the Beau. Besides, I have suffered other men’s ideas of cozy retreats. Spindly furniture no man over ten stone could keep from shattering, and the overwhelming stink of perfume that’s been sprinkled over the place like holy water from a Papist. And I cannot believe I’m even discussing this with you.”
“It is nigh impossible to avoid the less proper side of society with so many males in the family. But I have a more important question.” She was almost afraid to ask. “You have a sensitive nose?”
His scowl was even more endearing than his smile. Blast him, he was making her body humagain. “I’m afraid I do. Oddly enough for one in my profession. But there are some things I simply cannot tolerate. The use of perfume, for instance...”
“To cover up an unwashed body!”
He looked surprised, especially, Georgie suspected, by her enthusiasm. “Well, yes. The season is unbearable for me. All those closed-in spaces with too many people and not enough air.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Especially routs. Too many people crammed into small rooms that get far too hot, and not being able to so much as move. And if Prinny is there, you cannot even open a window. It is absolute torture!”
His eyes lit. “I personally thanked Brummell for bringing bathing into fashion.”
She laughed, delighted. “I kissed his hand! You have no idea how difficult it is for a lady to withstand the assault on her sensibilities when dancing. And we are forced to do it! One refusal and we sit out the entire night. And I adore dancing! Do you know the convoluted tactics I have had to employ to avoid certain gentlemen?”
“Too popular,” he mourned with a shake of his head. “Such a trial.”
She was distracted again. His fingers were stroking the leather seatback behind him. His long, elegant, strong fingers.
If only Grandmama hadn’t destroyed her peace of mind. The bloody thing was wandering places it had no business being. Especially when she was also battling an odd exhilaration just from knowing they shared such an odd prejudice.
“Oh, I am not that popular,” she said. “More the duty dance type. Well, except for the young ones just out of university who consider me safe training ground.”
That brought an eyebrow up.
She huffed. “In perfecting the social arts, you perverse man. They love to flirt with someone they know won’t take them seriously.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “It might be the fact that I am well known for refusing the unmitigated delight of accompanying certain people of the male persuasion out onto a balcony. Or a library. Or anyplace more evocative than the dinner room.” She grinned. “I am also known for my deadly aim with a fan and the heel of my shoe.” She shrugged. “And if absolutely necessary, my knee.”
He flinched a bit. “And you enjoy this?”
“Defending myself from encroaching men?” She let go another quick grin. “I’m afraid so. Especially their astonished looks.”
“You terrify me, Wife.”
