Page 86 of Why Do Rogues Fall in Love?

“And if the law protects only animals considered valuable property, those most in need of protection may still suffer.”

George smiled. “You have grasped the heart of the matter, Cori.”

Her answering smile warmed him, and their discussion continued, with Katherine gradually contributing her own thoughtful observations. George found himself enjoying a political conversation more engaging than many he had endured among gentlemen who considered such subjects unsuitable for ladies.

Cordelia particularly enchanted him. Her compassion had moved him earlier that afternoon, but now her intelligence, the conviction behind her questions, and the effortless pleasure of her company held him enthralled. He had known women whose beauty stirred his desire, yet never one whose conversation made him wish an evening might never end.

And how dangerously easy it was becoming to imagine many such evenings with her.

But what if she never gave him the chance to court her? To love her?

The thought jolted him. Love? His heart gave a violent thud. Yet the prospect of loving Cordelia, of cherishing her for the rest of his days, inspired neither alarm nor distaste. Instead, anticipation and a fierce, almost aching longing swept through him.

For the first time, he could imagine surrendering his heart to a woman without the slightest regret. What frightened him was the possibility that he might devote himself entirely to winning hers and discover that, despite his every effort, she could never bring herself to trust him with it.

When a footman entered carrying a cake upon a silver salver, Cordelia's face brightened immediately, and George smiled into his wineglass. He was coming to know that unmistakable expression of pleasure which stole across her features whenever she encountered something she particularly loved.

“Oh!” she exclaimed as the footman set the cake upon the sideboard. “Is that vanilla cake with lemon icing?”

“It is,” George replied, thoroughly pleased by the astonishment in her chocolate-brown eyes when she turned toward him.

“You remembered?”

“I make a habit of remembering matters of considerable importance.”

She laughed. “And you consider cake a matter of considerable importance?”

“Your enjoyment of it, certainly.”

A faint flush colored her cheeks, and he felt an absurd degree of satisfaction. Indeed, he suspected he might spend the remainder of his life finding new ways to coax that lovely color into her face and never tire of the endeavor. The footman served the cake, and Cordelia accepted a generous slice before requesting another.

George watched with amusement as she arranged both portions upon her plate. “Two slices?”

“I thought it prudent to secure a second before you discovered how very delicious it is and demanded the remainder for yourself,” she replied, a mischievous smile touching her lips.

“A sensible precaution. I believe I shall do the same.”

Lady Katherine set down her spoon. “Cordelia, perhaps you ought to exercise a little restraint. You know how readily you put on weight.”

The words were spoken quietly, but their effect was immediate. The brightness in Cordelia's eyes faltered, her smile faded, and a flush crept into her cheeks that had nothing whatsoever to do with delight. She glanced at her plate, looking for one unhappy moment as though she might return the second slice, and George felt a sharp surge of displeasure.

He recalled how, when he had teased that her prettiness must have her fending off suitors with her parasol, she had casually remarked that few gentlemen were inclined to court plump ladies with limps. She had deftly changed the subject afterward, but he had not missed the shadows that briefly darkened her eyes, nor the painful truth concealed beneath her lighthearted words.

George had not expected her own sister to touch upon those insecurities over something so trivial as a piece of cake. Setting down his glass, he gave Lady Katherine a smile of studied innocence.

“On the contrary, Lady Katherine,” he drawled, “I should be most distressed if Miss Maubry were to deny herself a single mouthful of something she finds so delectable.”

Lady Katherine regarded him in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”

“Your sister possesses a most stunning figure. I assure you, I have no wish to see her lose so much as an inch of it.”

Silence descended upon the table as Cordelia's eyes flew to his and the color in her cheeks deepened spectacularly.

Lady Katherine gave an audible gasp. “Lord Templeton! That is an exceedingly improper observation. You cannot possibly believe it appropriate to comment upon a lady's figure in such a manner.”

George considered the matter with exaggerated gravity. “I suppose I ought to have been more circumspect.”

“Indeed, you ought!”