Velvet Embrace

"I don't believe there's any question that he's attracted to Brie, but whether he will marry her is a different matter entirely. He's always had a particular aversion to marriage."

"But why?" Caroline persisted. "I can't believe that he simply hates women, not with all the affairs he is said to have had."

"No, he doesn't hate women. He just won't allow himself to trust them. I suppose it might have something to do with his mother."

"What about his mother?"

"To tell the truth, I'm not really sure. Normally Dom won't talk about her. But as I understand it, she deserted him when he was quite young—just walked out one day, leaving her husband and son behind. Shortly afterward Dominic lost his father, too."

"Oh, how sad! Was it an accident?"

Julian shook his head. "Dominic's father was a French count who owned a large part of Burgundy—Valdois, I think the place was called. The comte was sentenced to death for murdering a woman who lived on the neighboring estate.

"Murder!" Caroline exclaimed in horror. "Was he guilty?"

"Lord, I have no idea. Dom certainly doesn't think so, but he only told me the barest details."

"Surely there had to be proof of some kind."

"Caroline, it happened during that bloody revolution of theirs, when the French beheaded their own king. They delighted in chopping off the heads of anyone with blue blood, most particularly loyal royalists. I doubt if the Comte de Valdois was even accorded a trial. If so, it would have been a farce. Dominic is still bitter about it—and about his mother's

desertion. To this day he refuses to see her or speak to her, and he won't acknowledge her existence if they meet in public."

"I can certainly understand why!"

"Well, the whole thing seems a little odd to me. I met Lady Harriet last year, and while I'd never say this to Dominic, I thought her a lovely, kind lady. She didn't strike me as being the type of woman to abandon her family for no reason at all. She's remarried now, and she appeared to be quite content with her husband."

When Caroline chewed thoughtfully at her lower lip, Julian leaned toward her and pulled one of her curls. "What are you thinking now, minx?"

"Lord Stanton simply must marry Brie. She will be miserable without him."

"Well, I warn you, there'll be no use trying to hurry him. Dominic has never been in love before. He'll be very cautious—and slow. He probably doesn't even realize that he's in deep water now."

"But what if he never realizes it?" Caroline asked, gazing up at Julian expectantly.

Julian settled back in his chair. "That is entirely possible. We'll just have to see what happens, won't we?"

It was several days later when they all left for London—Brie, Caroline, Katherine, Julian, and a number of servants. Two carriages were required to accommodate them and their vast array of luggage.

As they pulled away from Greenwood, Brie tried to remain calm, but there were butterflies in her stomach brought on by nervous excitement. Caroline, too, was in high spirits, and Julian could be heard whistling cheerfully as he rode beside the coach.

Only Katherine stared out of the carriage window, not sharing in the general mood of anticipation.

Chapter Twelve

The hour was late when Dominic's coach reached London and pulled up before his townhouse in Berkeley Square, but he lost no time in sending a message to Jason. Some half hour later, the Marquess of Effing was ushered into the library.

Dominic offered his friend a brandy, and when they were both settled before the blazing fire, he raised his glass in salute. "I take it congratulations are in order? You certainly look less hag-ridden than when I last saw you."

/> Jason laughed. "I tell you, Dom, I've been through some harrowing experiences before, but nothing quite as frightening as childbirth. The doctor assured me Lauren had an easy time, but it scared the devil out of me. I was amazed at how calm she was. The pain she must have suffered! We may dub woman the weaker sex, but courage and determination aren't only male traits."

Dominic shifted restlessly in his chair. Odd, but he had been having similar thoughts of late. Brie had shown . . . but that would have to wait. Driving away thoughts of her, he returned to the subject. "And the babe, a girl, did you say?"

"Yes, a beautiful daughter. No, don't grin at me. She is beautiful, and so incredibly small. I expect she'll have Lauren's eyes."

Jason continued in the same vein for several minutes before he recalled the purpose of his visit. "You have mellowed, old friend," he said with a chuckle. "My raptures have been boring you to flinders and you haven't once interrupted me. You want to know about Germain? Actually there's been no change since I last wrote you. He has recovered enough to talk, but so far he hasn't been inclined to divulge any secrets. I can take you to see him tomorrow, if you wish."

Nodding in agreement, Dominic then told Jason about Boulter and the recent events of the past weeks, though he avoided mention of Brie's part in the affair.