Divine by Nichole van

liquidish?
    Regardless, somehow, some way, he would become that for her.
    She glanced his way while being introduced to the newly arrived callers. Georgiana was already acquainted with Lady Michael and her daughters as they all had met in London several years previously.
    A smile tugged at her lips as the ladies all pretended to be delighted by her sudden reappearance.
    They weren’t.
    Lady Michael and her daughters sank onto a long divan, all seated primly in a row. Lady Ambrosia with Mr. Snickers availed herself of a chair by the fireplace where Sebastian and Phillips stood. Marianne sat in the chair opposite Lady Ambrosia, a hand draped across her swelling belly, Arthur standing beside with a hand on her shoulder. Georgiana sank into a smaller chaise opposite Lady Michael.
    “Indeed, we are all most heartily thankful for Miss Knight’s recovery.” Sebastian beamed at her and took the opportunity to seat himself at Georgiana’s side on the chaise. Not so close as to imply anything improper, but most certainly close enough to show interest. He gave her his most doting smile.
    No sense in hiding his intentions.
    Naturally, no one in the room misunderstood what was going on.
    Lady Michael swallowed loudly.
    “Miss Knight, how fortunate we are to find you so recovered.” Her tone so very, very dry.
    Georgiana flashed her renowned smile. “I am most relieved to be here, Lady Michael.”
    An awkward silence ensued.
    Lady Ambrosia cleared her throat and turned to Marianne. “Is your brother in residence, Mrs. Knight?” she asked, turning her shoulders to expose even more of her bosom.
    Marianne’s brother—Timothy, Viscount Linwood—resided at the family seat nearby, Sebastian recalled. He had come to know Lord Linwood over the past few months, being nearly the same age and working together in the House of Lords.
    From what Sebastian recollected, Linwood had opposed his sister’s marriage to Arthur Knight. Linwood had found Arthur’s prospects, as a younger son, lacking. However, somehow Marianne had convinced her brother to relent and support her marriage.
    It was said that Linwood had not taken James Knight’s early demise too hard, despite their long acquaintance as near neighbors. James’ death meant that the substantial Knight estate had passed to Arthur, making him a man of decided consequence and more worthy of Marianne’s hand.
    Of course, that was not why Lady Ambrosia had inquired after Linwood. After Sebastian himself, Lord Linwood was one of the most sought after bachelors of the ton .
    Marianne smiled wanly, not missing Lady Ambrosia’s intent. “Why, yes, Timothy will be at Kinningsley all autumn.”
    Instantly, all the Miss Burbanks went profoundly still.
    Like a pride of lions, all jerking to attention and turning their heads toward that irresistible prey: an unmarried man of consequence.
    “Oh, how delightful, Mrs. Knight. I was unaware your brother lived so close.” Lady Michael’s hands fluttered against her chest, her eyes instantly glassy with delight. “We shall have to make a point to call upon him, shall we not, my dears? It will not do to have poor Lord Linwood languishing without female company.”
    All of her daughters nodded their heads in unison.
    Sebastian almost felt sorry for the man. But anything that tempered Lady Michael’s enthusiasm for him was a welcome diversion.
    He glanced at Georgiana, catching her stifled smile. He held her gaze for a moment, basking in the humor that sparkled between them.
    Mr. Snickers wiggled off of Lady Ambrosia’s lap and began to sniff his way around the room, bearing a striking resemblance to a lumbering bumblebee with his tail wagging above his yellow and black striped tunic. The little dog paused at the lamb and roses quilled work basket near the fireplace.
    “What an interesting basket. Is this your work, Miss Knight?” asked one of the Miss Burbanks, turning to Georgiana. Mica, he thought. Or was it Michaelina?
    Sebastian watched as