Chapter Six

Serena cleaned her hands on a towel, bringing her mind to the present. “I think we should stop. I will let you look at it if you like. You have been an exemplary model. Please sit where you are. I will tie a band around your eyes so you don’t peek. When I remove it, you can look at the sketch I hold before you. Are you game?”

“I am game for anything you want to do, Serena.”

“Do you practice your seductive voice?” she asked. “I would wager you come by it with ease.”

“Should I consider that remark a compliment?” His smile added to the sunlight streaming into the room.

Serena located a kerchief, walked to him and placed it over his eyes.

He took both his hands and seized hers.

There were no words spoken, but the touch scorched like molten lava. She gasped, her body tightened.

“Please release me,” she said. “I need to show you the sketch and cannot do so.”

His hands relinquished control.

She stood in front of him, holding the sketch. “Please remove your blindfold. I do hope you like it. Remember, I will need more sittings to reflect your personality.”

“Perhaps you should paint me nude.” He grinned.

She shook her head. “I trust you are not serious, your Grace.”

“No one has ever painted me naked. I wonder how long it would take for you to finish a life-sized portrait. I have several ideas on how we can pleasure ourselves during sittings.”

She was tantalized by his sensual voice. “Do not elaborate, but allow me to guess.”

Geoffrey raised his hands and removed the blindfold. For a number of moments, he didn’t speak.

Did the drawing not please him? Her cheeks heated as she waited.

“For a first drawing, mostly shades of grey, I do believe you have captured my essence. You have depicted me as handsome by glamorizing my scar, made my smile warm and kind.”

Geoffrey paused then added, “I wish I was as you portrayed me, Serena. The sketch is marvelous. You have a specific artistic ability. Why do you not pursue it?”

“The talent was born of a love of the arts, and then it became an escape from my pain. Henry would not approve of me exposing my meager attempts at creation.”

“Did Henry know the beast to whom you were married?”

“No, I did not want to involve him in such a delicate situation. He might have attempted to kill Trystan. Henry and Trystan were close friends and he urged me to marry him. To disclose my brother’s error in judgment would reflect poorly on him among his peers.”

Geoffrey’s face tightened while his fists balled at his sides. “Henry should have protected you. It was his duty.” He paced to the farthest window and back.

“Do not shame me with your pity, Geoffrey. I am strong, but in this society I am just a woman without influence.” She placed her hand on his arm, felt his muscle ripple.

He swept her into his arms and embraced her. “I would never bring shame to you, sweet Serena.” He released her and stepped back.

Geoffrey cleared his throat. “Enough of this talk. Shall we turn our thoughts to the evening ahead?”

“Henry told me he would send the footman in the phaeton to drive you back. I can hitch Solomon to it, if you wish me to wait while you dress.” He touched his fingers to her cheek. “Wear something special…for me alone. It would please me.”

“I would like to please you.” She rang for Emma who came immediately.

“Pour Lord Austen a glass of cognac, Emma. Then come and assist me.”

Serena departed to her bedroom.

Something within her tingled at the thought of selecting a gown to wear just for him. It escalated into happiness as her fingers moved the hangers until she found the absolute right dress in her armoire.

Wear something special for me alone, he’d said.

She wondered if the dark red dress might be too bold. Because of him, she played the merry widow. It was in fact, her reality. Her mirror reflected a woman who was…

Beautiful.

Desirable.

Exotic.

Wanton.

New emotions, all of them wondrous, made her head whirl with delight.

Geoffrey had awakened pleasures long dormant. Her life was renewed by his presence. She looked forward to the future. Could it be a sin to be happy?

“Emma, please get the rouge dress out of the armoire. I will wear my hair loose tonight with the sides pulled back, held by my jeweled combs.”

Emma brushed Serena’s shining locks. “My lady, his Grace is such a handsome gentleman. Forgive me, but I would trade all I have for the likes of him.” She hid her grin behind her hand.

Serena held Emma’s gaze in the mirror over the dressing table. “I did that once, and that one time turned tragic. I cannot, will not, give my heart to another man, even if he does make me want to enjoy all he offers.”

Would one time be enough with a man such as he?

“Beneath his façade, he is a good man,” Serena told Emma. All she’d known about bed-sport brought her pain. Would he compare her to other women if she succumbed to his charms?

If he were to see her nude, would her scars disgust him? Would he cringe from her?

“I say to follow your heart, but what do I know? I have nothing.”

“Do not say that, Emma. You have me. I will always take care of you. You do know that?”

“My lady, I do not deserve such consideration.”

“Yes, you do. You are a wonderful friend who deserves a good man, and I shall see to it. You are loyal and have helped heal the wounds to both my body and my soul. I will never desert you. I have established a trust which will hold well for your future.”

Emma fell to her knees. “I would do anything for you, mistress.”

“You have done all I ever asked of you, except my hair is still askew.” She gifted her maid with a soft humorous smile as she lifted her to stand.

Emma returned to the task of arranging Serena’s curls. “You already are taken with him, aren’t you?” Emma ventured.

“Yes, far more than I care to admit. Fear is not my constant companion when I am with him, yet I remember the ways of my husband before we married. Afterward, he was not so cavalier. I have learned to fight on my own terms.”

If she gave her heart to Geoffrey, it would be with full knowledge that he would break it when he left her.

And leave, she knew he would. Rakes never fell in love.