Lady Georgiana didn’t move. Instead, she lingered, which was a dangerous risk, then reached out her ungloved hand to stroke his cheek. Brilliance’s heart ached, realizing how completely she had assumed he was hers and that she was the only female who had caught his interest.
Lord Hewitt reared back out of reach. “Stop it. If someone comes now, we shall both miss the ball, and you’ll be sent back to London in disgrace.”
Brilliance shook her head. Those were the words he had used when telling her to leave his bedroom. Clamping her hand over her own mouth, she waited.
Lady Georgiana seemed to think that threat enough to finally get moving toward the stairs. She glanced around her once more before speaking. “I would not miss the ball and the opportunity to be in your arms for all the tea in China. Good night, my lord.”
With those words, she went unhurriedly up the stairs with her full skirts swaying suggestively. And Lord Hewitt watched LadyGeorgiana all the way until Brilliance could no longer see her progress. Finally, he went into the conservatory and closed the door.
A part of her still wanted to follow him into that room. It would be a pathetic act, if she did, with Lady Georgiana’s perfume undoubtedly still hanging in the air and her spittle on his mouth. That thought soured Brilliance’s stomach.
It was not her place nor her right to offer a jealous tirade. Worse would be if he tried to calm her with seduction. Regrettably, she could well imagine yielding to his charms and letting him kiss her again.
Straightening, she considered what she was doing, hiding behind a door, spying through a crack. She was Brilliance Diamond, who never behaved in a sneaky fashion.What had come over her?
Yanking open the door, not caring how much noise she made, Brilliance stomped up the stairs and along the women’s wing to her room, slamming the door closed behind her.
Chapter Eleven
The next day was their last full day. In the evening, they would enjoy a grand ball. Brilliance ought to be melancholy over the former and happy at the latter. Instead, she was simply vexed and puzzled.
Martine noticed it over breakfast. “You have barely spoken two words.”
Brilliance sipped her chocolate. “I am sorry for being such poor company.”
Lord Hewitt entered at that moment, followed an instant later by Lady Georgiana, as if they had walked down the stairs together. It was quite possible they had arranged to meet that morning.
Brilliance hunched over her plate of coddled eggs and bacon, as yet untouched.
“Ishethe reason?” Martine asked. “Or is ither?”
Brilliance would not say that it was both of them together that was the problem, so she said nothing. To her amazement, Lady Georgiana came over and drew out a chair beside Brilliance as if they were the best of friends.
“Can you believe we are nearly at an end to this delightful party?” she asked. “I vow the week has flown by.” She pouredherself a cupful from the porcelain teapot. “I don’t know about you, but I shall certainly miss the other guests.”
Brilliance realized that Lady Georgiana was staring across the room to where Lord Hewitt was filling his plate. Her stomach twinged as it had the night before. As if he sensed being watched, he turned, scanned the room, and nodded in their direction. And then he began to walk over, holding his laden plate steadily in one hand.
“Good morning, my lord,” Lady Georgiana was the first to greet him.
“Indeed it is, my lady. We have a practically empty schedule today.”
Lady Georgiana laughed as if that was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Brilliance felt Martine’s leg press against hers, obviously wondering what was unfolding before her eyes.
“Surely the opportunity for last discussions with those whom we have becomeclose,” Lady Georgiana said, batting her lashes at the gentleman, “also makes the day a promising one. Not to mention the ball tonight.”
Lord Hewitt nodded, pouring his coffee and stirring in some crystallized sugar. “And good morning to you, ladies,” he said, taking in both Martine and Brilliance, who had yet to speak.
“Good day,” Martine returned, now tapping her knee against Brilliance’s.
She supposed she must make an effort. “Good morning, my lord. You seem to have a greater appetite for breakfast than usual.”
He glanced at his plate before sending her a handsome grin, which made her curl her toes within her shoes. “I confess I hadn’t realized anyone noticed whether I broke my fast with eggs or with nothing at all. But you are correct, this morning I am famished.”
“What might have brought on this hearty appetite?” Lady Georgiana asked, in a too-familiar, teasing tone.
Brilliance rose to her feet before she knew what she was doing.
“Excuse me,” she said to Martine. “I shall see you ... later.” Without awaiting an answer, or even remembering to wish the others a good day, she strode from the room.
