residence this spring.”
“Yes, and imagine my surprise to learn that this young lady seemed to know more about the artists than I did. We had quite a stimulating conversation that afternoon.”
“And imagine
“Shocking, I’m sure,” Colin muttered. The thought of them sharing such “stimulating” conversations did not sit well with him. He wanted to be the one doing the stimulating when it came to Beatrice. “Well, as an art collector, you must be eager to take a look around, Captain.”
“Oh, indeed you must be,” Beatrice exclaimed. “It is a thousand times better than I had even imagined. And I haven’t even seen the royal portrait yet.”
The captain extended his arm, his eyebrows raised in question. “Shall we go see it together? I’m sure Sir Colin must have all sorts of duties that we are keeping him from.”
Beatrice blinked and looked around them, as if just noticing the newcomers trickling in. “Oh, goodness, I wasn’t thinking. Of course we’ll allow you to get back to your duties.”
“No, it’s fine, really—”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve taken up far too much of your time already.” She accepted Curry’s arm before turning back to Colin. “Perhaps later, when things have settled down a bit, we could discuss the newest painting.”
The way she emphasized “newest” was subtle, but Colin knew she must be referring to the portrait she was painting of him. Good—he wanted her thinking of the portrait and the kisses they had shared during the sittings. And at that exact moment in time, he didn’t care how juvenile such a thought might be.
He dipped his head in agreement and watched them as they headed toward the far end of the gallery, where the royal portrait was displayed. Well, that was a different experience. He couldn’t remember a single other time in his life when the uncomfortable rub of jealousy had been felt quite so keenly.
Squaring his shoulders, he turned to resume his duties, only to catch Lord Raleigh’s eye. The earl smiled and raised his glass, an odd toast of sorts, before turning his attention back to the Devonshire piece his wife was observing.
What was that about? Had he been watching the exchange? As private a person as Colin was, the thought rankled a bit. When he spoke with Beatrice later, he’d have to keep in mind how many curious gazes might be settled on them.
Gritting his teeth into smilelike proportions, he welcomed the older couple closest to him. He had so much he wanted to say to Beatrice, now more than ever, but first he had to get through the next few hours.
The evening was long, but one of the more pleasant Beatrice had ever spent. Surrounded by Sir Frederick’s paintings, speaking with many who actually cared about art, and best of all, being so close to Colin as to be able to sneak glances all night had combined to give her a near dizzy sort of pleasure. It wasn’t unlike the effect of a glass or two of champagne, making everything a little more exciting and enhancing the giddiness she felt every time her eyes landed on Colin’s dark form.
Captain Curry had departed not long after Prinny’s arrival, which had caused the usual hubbub. Mama had left more than an hour earlier with the twins and an exhausted Jane, but Richard volunteered to stay with her as long as she liked. She knew he was her favorite brother for a reason. Now that the royal party had moved on, only a smattering of guests remained. With Richard engaged in a lively conversation with one of his friends from his club, Beatrice finally made her way over to where Colin stood beside Lord Northup’s painting.
His smile was the perfect greeting, quiet and sincere. “At last, I find my treasure.”
She would never stop loving the way her stomach flipped when his Scottish-flavored words caressed her ears. “Did you ever lose it?”
“No, I doona think as I did. Though one can never trust a treasure around a pirate.”
She laughed lightly, shaking her head at him. “You’re forgetting that he’s more gentleman than pirate . . . and I’m your
She’d shocked him. Actually, she’d shocked both of them. Perhaps the negus was stronger than she realized. Not that she minded—it was rather exciting to say such naughty things in such a public place, even if her voice had been much too low for anyone but Colin to hear.
And Colin did hear it. There was no denying the sudden intake of breath or the widening of his pupils. “I doona think I’ve ever heard more pleasing words in my entire life,” he said, keeping his tone casual even as his gaze turned to an alluring smoky gray.
“Does that make you happy, then?”
“More than I could express in a roomful of people. Especially since it so thoroughly echoes the way I feel.”
Warmth bubbled up within her, spreading from her fingertips to her cheeks. Seeing him in his element tonight, surrounded by the works of his father, looked to with respect and listened to with interest, she couldn’t help but feel that no one else could possibly suit her better. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, with its cupid’s bow upper lip and perfectly proportioned lower. She’d studied those lips, drawn and painted them, and explored them with her own.
“Then perhaps you’d like to come by Granville House this week. I may be busy,” she said, licking her own lips with sudden nervousness for what she was about to say, “but my brother should be home. I’m quite certain he’d be happy to speak to you, if you were struck by such a desire.”
“Desire” was the perfect word to describe the almost molten quality of his gaze. He knew exactly what she was implying. A wave of anxiety almost made her lose her nerve, but something in that heated look made her stand her ground. He was silent for a moment, his chest rising and falling in shallow succession, before swallowing and taking a small step closer. “Beatrice, is that truly your wish?”
“Yes.” The single word was breathless, raw in a way that couldn’t be mistaken.
He reached forward and slid his hand beneath hers, bringing it to his lips without ever breaking eye contact. “Allow me to bid you good evening, my lady. I look forward to seeing you again
“Sir Colin Tate, my lord.”
At the butler’s introduction, the earl, seated in an oversized brown leather chair behind the large dark desk, came to his feet, holding a hand out to Colin.
“Come in. Come in. Have a seat, my good man. May I offer you a fine scotch?” Raleigh seemed to be in exceptionally high spirits, not at all the imposing force Colin half expected. It was a bit jarring, actually, especially given the dark and imposing quality of the study. Warm browns and rich reds filled the space from floor to ceiling, relieved only by the uncovered windows at the back of the room.
The butler shut the door behind him, and taking a fortifying breath, Colin nodded. “Yes, thank you.” He settled into one of the chairs facing the massive desk, his spine rigid despite the earl’s greeting. He’d waited all of a day before coming. Amazing he had lasted even that long. The night of the gallery opening, he had been debating how best to move forward.
He could have never imagined Beatrice would be the one to do the job for him. Just like that, looking up into his eyes with her fiery, intimate gaze, suggesting that he speak to her brother. It was as if she had waved a wand, granting his greatest wish.
At the credenza, Raleigh filled two crystal tumblers, then handed one to Colin before taking a seat behind the desk. Taking a hearty swig, he leaned back. “I thought I might see you here this week.”
“Did you?”
“Absolutely. I have eyes, after all,” he said, his lips tipped up in an easy grin. “All right then. Acting on behalf of my absentee father, allow me to ask of you, Sir Colin, what is your business here today?”
Colin’s throat tightened and he cleared it, surprised at the force of his nerves. “I’m here today to request
