Page 70 (1/1)

During dinner, Gabriel was an entertaining co her with an endless supply of stories He illing to discuss any subject, and encouraged her to speak frankly and ask as many questions as she liked Whenever she july unrelated one, it didn’t appear to bother him It see to accept her for who she was, and who she was not

At the end of the meal, the house stewards would return to re tiny cups of Turkish coffee, a plate of French cheese, and a tray of bottled liqueurs Pandora loved the jewel-colored liqueurs, which were served in lasses shaped like thi, as she discovered one evening when shethree different kinds As she tried to rise froerously, and Gabriel quickly reached out to pull her into his lap

"My balance is off," she said in befuddlelass of Crèlance at the half-filled glass of almond cream liqueur "But I didn’t even finish it" With effort, she leaned over to grasp it, downed the rest in a gulp, and set the elass on the table "There, that’s better," she said in satisfaction Spying Gabriel’s liqueur, which he had barely sipped froan to reach for that one as well, but he hauled her back with a sh

"No, sweet, you don’t want a headache in the "

Pandora looped her arms around his neck and stared at him with owlish concern "Have I had too an to reply, she interrupted him with her mouth and wrapped herself around hi, she aith a hazy s with him on the chairclothes had been discarded or pulled to the sideand at so on his lap while savaging him with kissesoh, she wanted to die of embarrass her discoh his lass of pepper for her, the moment she awakened After she downed the medicine, he put her in a war rue while she rested her head back against the rim of the tub "The Germans call it katzenja after an evening of drinking Translated, it htly, keeping her eyes closed "I would be wailing, if I thought it would make me feel any better"

"I should have stopped you after the second glass But I overestimated your tolerance"

"Lady Berwick says a lady always takes wine or spirits within a sober limit She would be disappointed that I behaved badly"

She felt Gabriel lean over her, his lips brushing her water-speckled cheek "Let’s not tell her, then," he whispered "Because you’re so delightful when you behave badly"

After her bath, he wrapped her in a thick flannel towel and carried her into the bedroo on the bed with her, he carefully pulled out the tortoiseshell combs that anchored her hair Pandora turned onto her front and rested her head on his chest as he began tosent a delicious tingly sensation down the back of her neck But she couldn’t let herself enjoy it fully

"What’s worrying you?" Gabriel asked, his fingertips especially gentle around her bad ear

"Part of o back to London," she ad?"

"As soon as we return, we’ll have to send out wedding cards to let people know they can call on us, and pay calls in return, and I’ll have to learn the servants’ names and the domestic expenses, and make certain the larder inventory ive a dinner party"

"Is that bad?" he asked syuillotined"

Gabriel eased her up higher on his chest and began to s cards until you feel more settled People can wait to call until you’re ready As for the servants--they won’t expect you to know everything straight off Moreover, the housekeeper has ed the household efficiently for years, and if you don’t wish to involve yourself in the details, she’ll proceed as usual unless you tell her to change soht pattern over her bare upper back, eliciting a pleasant shiver "You’ll feel better when you ae, driver, and personal footo wherever you like"

"Thank you," Pandora said, pleased "Although there’s no need to hire an extra footman I’ll have the second footman accompany me when necessary, the way Kathleen does"

"I’d prefer to hire a special footman, for your convenience and --he’s vigilant, capable, and trustworthy, and in need of a new position"