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“Their lordships will see you now.” The liveried footman was all that was correct and courteous, without being friendly. Her Grace swept by Je
“Happy Christmas, Your Grace!”
“Charlotte! Happy Christmas!” The ladies touched cheeks, linked arms, and Je
“Lady Genevieve, welcome. Elijah has told me much about you, and I confess I am most curious. Thomas, we’ll be having tea and a tray, please.”
As the ladies strolled into a roomy, paneled parlor, the marchioness bent her head close to Her Grace’s. “Did you like the portrait of His Grace? I am dying to see it. Moreland has such presence, much like Flint.”
Je
So very handsome.
“Ladies, welcome.” An older fellow advanced, one who had Elijah’s eyes and chin. He bowed over Her Grace’s hand with old-fashioned courtliness, and still Elijah did not move from his spot by the window.
“And you must be Lady Genevieve. Elijah would no doubt enjoy showing you our portrait gallery, though we keep it chilly this time of year to discourage impromptu athletic competitions—to no avail, I might add.” Lord Flint cleared his throat. “Elijah?”
“Yes, Elijah,” the marchioness added. “The tea will take a moment, given the state of the kitchen of late. Show Lady Genevieve the portraits.”
Elijah held out his hand, and Je
Still he did not smile. Je
“I should not have come.”
“I’m so glad to see you.”
They’d spoken at the same time, which caused Je
Elijah glanced around. “My brothers are playing skittles in the portrait gallery, and it’s bound to be freezing. Come. We’ll have only a moment, and there are things I need to say to you.” He took her hand in his and tugged her into a room near the end of the corridor.
And Je
More even than she needed to keep a promise extracted by a wily, if mortally ailing, brother.
Elijah closed the door behind them quietly, and Je
“There’s no red,” Elijah said.
“That’s what you wanted to say to me?” Though he was right. The room sported neither red nor pink, even.
“This is my mother’s parlor, and it has no red. But that is not what I wanted to say. What I wanted to say—”
He went to the door and locked it, which could presage either difficult words or—
He took her in his arms and brushed his mouth across hers. “We haven’t any mistletoe, Genevieve, and I know you’ll soon be on your way, but—”
Je
Hang Paris. She wanted to hang Paris, and yet she might still end up there. Je
His cheek rested on her hair. “That is your version of a holiday greeting now? I’ll not be introducing you to my brothers, if that’s the case.”
Je
“I don’t need any tokens from you, Genevieve.”
He also apparently did not need to let her go, which was a fine thing indeed. Je
“I need to offer this to you anyway, Elijah.”
He joined his hands behind his back, the same gesture His Grace had made when Je
She put her fingers to his lips. “My gift is a question. I want to give you a question.”
He took her hand in his, his expression grave. “Ask, Genevieve. With me, you have ever only to ask.”
His fingers were warm around Je
“Will you come to Paris with me?” That wasn’t what she’d wanted to ask, but it was close.
Elijah’s expression didn’t change. “Paris stinks, it’s full of Frenchmen, and they have addled notions of chivalry. Why do you want to go to Paris, Genevieve?”
He hadn’t said no. Je
“Do you want a travel companion, Genevieve? If that’s what you’re asking, then I must refuse the honor.”
Pain threatened to buckle Je
“Somebody to paint with and appreciate art?”
“Not that either.” Because she would set aside her artistic aspirations happily in favor of creating a life with him.
“Good, because as much as I admire your talent and dedication, as much as I would enjoy seeing all the great capitals and treasures of the Continent—of the world—with you, I would decline that invitation too.”
It dawned on Je
“What invitation would you accept? Tell me, Elijah, and I will extend it.”
He took a step closer. “You already have. You have invited me to love you, and I do, Genevieve. I love your heart, I love your gentleness and determination, I love your concern for all around you, and I love your kisses.”
He kissed her, a quick punctuation mark at the end of a lovely little list.
“But you won’t travel with me?”
“I’ve seen the wonders of the Continent, Genevieve. Stared at them for so long I was blind to much else, such as the wonders of a loving family and a welcoming home. Marry me, and I will happily explore those more impressive wonders with you, regardless of what country we find ourselves in.”
Marry me. The question she hadn’t known how to ask him. Je
In the small parlor curiously devoid of pink or red, Elijah held her close, which was very good indeed, because Je
“We can make Paris our wedding journey,” Elijah said, kissing her cheek. “Though I’d spare you a winter crossing if I could.”
She aimed for his mouth and ended up kissing his chin. “A New Year’s crossing, please.”
His hand slid down her back to cup her derriere and draw her closer. “I can’t wait a year.”
“This New Year.”