Before she could assimilate her scattered thoughts, a footman opened the carriage door and announced, 'We have arrived at Bradford Hall.'
Chapter 13
It took every ounce of Robert's concentration and will to act normally as he escorted Allie to the massive oak doors. With six softly spoken words she'd literally knocked him sideways.
He simultaneously cursed and blessed the fact that they'd arrived just then-cursed it for preventing him from reaching for her and taking her up on her offer right then and there. Yet blessed it for saving him from saying or doing the wrong thing, granting him a reprieve to gather his thoughts-which would surely be easier once his brain commenced functioning again.
God knew he wanted to be her lover. But he wanted much more than that. The fact that she'd suggested such an arrangement both pleased and aroused him-almost unbearably. Yet it also somehow left him with a distinctly uneasy feeling he could not identify. The irony of the situation hit him full force, and he shook his head. He'd paced a ditch in the floor last night, then sat for five hours in that bloody carriage trying his damnedest to think of a way to get her to want him, only to discover that she did. He stifled a frustrated groan. If only she'd voiced her heart- stopping suggestion five hours earlier…
The doors opened, and they entered the foyer. 'Good afternoon, Lord Robert, Mrs. Brown,' Fenton said with a bow. 'Everyone has been anxiously awaiting your arrival.'
'All is well with the duchess, I trust?' Robert asked, handing his hat to the stately butler.
'Yes, sir. The duchess's… pains,' he colored slightly, 'started this morning. The last report sent down indicated all is moving along nicely. Her Grace is most robust.'
'Ah. So the babe will most likely make its appearance today. Excellent news. And the duke?'
A slight wince creased Fenton's thin face. 'About as well as can be expected, sir.'
Amusement lifted Robert's lips. 'Ranting, raving, pacing, and scowling at the clock, is he?'
'That sums it up nicely, sir.'
'His hair?'
'Quite standing on end.'
'Cravat?'
'A disaster. Kingsbury is most distraught.'
Robert leaned toward Allie. 'Kingsbury is Austin's valet. The man simply cannot abide untidy neckwear. What about everyone else?'
'Lord William departed yesterday to oversee a business matter in Brighton for His Grace. Lady William and their daughter accompanied him,' Fenton reported, taking Allie's bonnet and spencer.
Robert laughed. 'Managed to escape, did they?'
'Yes, sir. The children are napping in the nursery, and your mother and Lord and Lady Eddington are in the drawing room'-he coughed discreetly into his hand-'with His Grace.'
'Egad. How long have they been stuck in there with him?'
Fenton consulted his timepiece. 'One hour and thirty-eight minutes.'
'Good lord, they deserve a medal.' He turned to Allie. 'Would you like to freshen up, or simply jump into the fray?'
'I'd like to meet everyone first… unless I look in dire need of repair?'
His gaze traveled slowly downward, then back up to her face. 'You look lovely.'
A delicate blush colored her cheeks. 'Then by all means, on with the introductions.'
'Lead the way, Fenton.' He extended his arm to Allie and bludgeoned away the image of them, naked, entwined in each other's arms. 'You can meet the family and help rescue them all in one fell swoop.'
She curved her hand around his arm, and he clenched his teeth, banishing another heated image of them in his bed. Maintaining his outward composure was going to be a challenge indeed. He could not recall the last time he'd felt so unsettled and frustrated.
Damn. How long before he'd be able to get her alone again? To finish their interrupted conversation? He did not know, but first he had to greet his family. Perhaps seeing them would distract his thoughts from Allie.
'Lord Robert and Mrs. Brown,' Fenton intoned at the entrance to the drawing room.
Allie stepped over the threshold into the spacious, brightly lit room. Two women and a gentleman, all wearing unmistakable expressions of relief, rose from the brocade sofa near the fireplace and made their way toward them. Another gentleman, with badly mussed dark hair and his cravat horribly askew, stood near the French windows on the far side of the vast room.
Allie slid her hand from Robert's arm and stepped away from him, drawing in a much-needed deep breath. It was nearly impossible to concentrate when she touched him, stood close enough to breathe in his heavenly scent of masculine soap and freshly laundered clothing. As much as she wanted to see Elizabeth and meet her family, she wished their arrival could have been delayed just a few more minutes. What had Robert been about to say? Had he been about to accept her offer? Reject it? Nothing in his demeanor or expression since the footman had opened the carriage door had provided a clue.
How could she hope to act normally in front of these people when her thoughts churned in such turmoil?
A beautiful, regal woman with pale golden hair and dark blue eyes extended her hands to Robert. 'Darling, I'm so glad you've arrived.'
Robert bent and kissed both of her cheeks. 'Mother, you look'-he straightened, a smile dancing around the corners of his mouth-'stunning, as always. Certainly much too young to once again hover on the brink of grandmotherhood.'
Her eyes twinkled at him. 'Which, of course, I am.'
'Mother, may I present Mrs. Brown. My mother, the dowager duchess of Bradford.'
She turned to Allie and offered her a welcoming smile. 'Mrs. Brown. I am very happy to make your acquaintance. Elizabeth has told us so much about you, I feel I know you already.'
Allie bobbed into what she hoped was an acceptable curtsy. 'A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.'
A smiling, younger version of Robert's mother joined the group, followed by a handsome, dark-haired man.
'My sister and brother-in-law, Lord and Lady Eddington,' Robert said.
The petite blonde waggled her fingers at Robert, murmuring under her breath, 'We thought you'd never get here, brother dear.' She then grasped both of Allie's hands. 'Mother is absolutely correct. We all feel as if we know you already.'
'Thank you, Lady Eddington.'
'Piffle. You must call me Caroline.'
'I am honored. And please, call me Allie.' She smiled at Caroline's husband and offered a curtsy. 'A pleasure, Lord Eddington.'
He smiled and two deep dimples creased his cheeks. 'Likewise, Mrs. Brown.' He nodded toward Robert, then said in an undertone, 'Your presence is most welcome. I've been unable to engage him. Perhaps you can before he wears a hole in the carpet.'
Robert's glance flicked toward the approaching duke. 'Do I detect a note of desperation in everyone's voice?'
Before anyone could answer, the duke joined the group. Robert extended his hand. As the two men shook hands, Allie took measure of the man who had won Elizabeth's heart. He was, in a word, breathtaking. Tall, handsome, compelling. And clearly in such a state of near panic her heart went out to him. He turned to her and she was struck by his resemblance to Robert. Except that this man's eyes were gray. And worried.
Dropping into a curtsy, she said, 'It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. Thank you for your generous
