Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

  The past week had been very much like that. Richmond would do things with both Viola and Georgiana with the duchess tagging along. They would go on walks, picnics and even a horse ride through the estate. Viola managed to stick by Richmond’s side for most of it despite the dowager duchess’ best efforts to distract her. Georgiana managed to talk to Richmond, but it was often fleeting; Viola wouldn’t let them be alone.

  She really was determined to have Richmond as her husband. Georgiana felt like she was being pushed away by her best friend. It was hurting to see them together.

  So, at the first opportunity, she escaped to bed. It was the only time she could have a moment or two alone. Her maid filled a bath for her and helped her into her nightgown. She laid the fire and then left her mistress to it, the cook sneaking Georgiana a slice of the cake she had made for afternoon tea that Georgiana had been relishing.

  It was as if everyone knew how pained she was and were looking after her. Georgiana wasn’t about to ask but she wasn’t about to argue, either.

  Georgiana had finished her cake and was reading by the fire when the door opened and Viola came in, not even bothering to knock.

  “Georgiana?”

  Georgiana groaned. She wasn’t in the mood for brightness.

  “Viola, I’m getting ready for bed. I don’t want to start talking again.”

  “Well, you’re not in bed yet.” Viola hopped onto the bed, the mattress bouncing underneath her. “And I can’t wait.”

  “You’ll have to.” Georgiana snapped her book shut with a sharp bang. “You know I like some quiet before bed or I can’t sleep. And I don’t want to talk about the duke again.”

  “How do you know that’s what I wanted to talk about?” Viola looked surprised. “And why not?”

  “Because he’s all you’ve talked about for the past week. I’m getting very bored at listening to the same things over and over again.” Georgiana scowled. “Besides, it doesn’t look like you’re succeeding in getting his interest.”

  Viola shrugged. She didn’t seem to have reacted to Georgiana’s outburst.

  “He’s a stubborn man under that shyness. Often they don’t know what’s in front of their faces.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Really.” Viola flopped back into the bed with a sigh. “He’s going to be my husband before the end of the year. I just know it.”

  Georgiana bit back her frustration but it was too late. She couldn’t stop herself. She stood and stalked over to the bed.

  “And how are you going to do that?” She demanded, standing over her friend. “You haven’t got long until Christmas and I don’t think Richmond is going to be that susceptible to marrying his ward.”

  “So what if I’m his ward?”

  “He’s known you since you were children. As have I. I don’t think he would like the idea of marrying someone he looks at as family.”

  Viola rolled her eyes and flapped her hand, almost in dismissal.

  “He does not see me as his ward. He’s never said that.”

  “He’s mentioned it many times in your presence. And so has his mother.”

  Viola snorted.

  “What would she know? She just doesn’t want us together. Even then, she’s just jealous that she doesn’t have the love of her life anymore.”

  Georgiana gritted her teeth. Viola and the duchess seemed to have got along before but when the previous duke had died and they were meant to be in mourning that was when they started to cross swords. And Georgiana wasn’t about to let a woman she saw as a second mother be spoken about like that.

  “You know, Viola, you’re coming across as a spoiled little girl who doesn’t like being told no. You’ve done nothing but talk about Richmond for more than a week and I’m sick of hearing about him.”

  All through her little speech, Viola’s smile faded. She looked startled at her friend’s outburst. She sat up, suddenly unsure of herself.

  “Oh. I didn’t know.” She mumbled. “You never said.”

  “That’s because you’ve not listened to me this past week.” Georgiana pressed her fingers to her temples. Her head was pounding. “Just…please, just go, Viola. I’ve got a headache.”

  At the look of Viola’s subdued expression, Georgiana felt bad. She didn’t like being unkind to anyone, but Viola had pushed her too much. Viola slid off the bed, smoothing her gown with her hands.

  “All right. I won’t upset you any further.”

  Her exit was silent, carefully closing the door behind him. Georgiana couldn’t hold back any longer. She sagged onto the bed, her face in her hands, and burst into tears.

  Chapter 6

  A Special Moment

  G eorgiana didn’t know when was the last time she slept properly. She felt absolutely awful. Finally, as the birds started tweeting away again in the early dawn, Georgiana rose. She took her time getting dressed before going downstairs. The cook knew when she got up and always had something for her to eat if no one else was awake yet but it was too early even for her.

  As she went downstairs, Georgiana was expecting a few servants to be milling about doing their various jobs. What she wasn’t expecting was for Richmond to be coming along the hall into the foyer as she came down the stairs. He looked like he was still dressed in his clothes from the night before and his raven-black hair was standing up in various places.

  “Good morning, Georgiana.”

  Georgiana stopped. She hadn’t expected him to be awake. The duke was one of the people who didn’t rise early at all. The meeting in the library a week before was one of the very few times Georgiana had seen him awake before half-past eight. What was he doing up now?

  “Good morning.” She couldn’t stop herself from staring. “You’re up early.”

  “I was going to say the same about you.” Richmond responded, his eyes twinkling.

  “You know I always rise early.”

  Richmond’s smile widened. Then he beckoned her to follow him.

  “Come into my study. I’ve got something I want your advice on.”

  “Dare I ask what?”

  Georgiana was surprised she could give a quip when her insides felt like she was housing butterflies. Richmond chuckled and held out a hand.

  “Come and find out.”

  Georgiana paused. Should she torture herself more? But she slipped her hand into his warm palm and tried to not think about how much her arm was tingling just from this contact. They went down the hallway to Richmond’s study, Richmond ushering her in first.

  Georgiana had been in the study numerous times and she liked the warm, cosy feel. Richmond spent much of his time in there and while he liked to be alone, he welcomed anyone.

  But it was different. The furniture was in different places. The couches were at different angles by the fire, the desk had been moved to another part of the study and the bookcases were against different walls.

  “What do you think?”

  Richmond stood by the door as Georgiana inspected the room. He looked very pleased with himself.

  “It looks good but…why would you do that?”

  Richmond shrugged.

  “I just wanted something different. I feel it gets boring seeing it in the same place. I couldn’t sleep last night so I spent most of the night moving the furniture about.” Richmond was looking at her expectantly. “What do you think?”

  Georgiana gave the room a second look. Richmond was clearly wanting her opinion on the place and was very eager to hear it.

  “I like what you’ve done with the couches. It’s cosier and you can get warmer on a cold evening.” Georgiana pointed at the drinks cabinet, which was hiding around a corner. “The drinks cabinet is a bit out of the way, though, so moving it to a place where it can be more accessible would be better.” Then she turned to the desk. “And I think the desk would be better with you looking out than with your back to the window.”

  “You think so?” Richmond came up beside her. Georgiana could feel the heat of
his body and they weren’t even touching. “I always thought having the light behind you helped you to see what you were doing better.”

  Georgiana smiled and approached the desk. It was a huge, ornate thing that she admired. Richmond did have an eye for good furniture.

  “That’s may be true,” She said, “But my father has his desk facing out so he can look out of the window. That way, he said, if he gets bored or needs to rest his eyes, he can look out over the gardens. And you’ve got a lovely view out the grounds.”

  And he certainly had. It was a beautiful sight with a lovely view of the lake and the rolling hills behind it. Richmond would be wasting it if he sat with his back to it.

  “I’ll get the footmen to help me move it later. I nearly did my back in moving it alone earlier.”

  Richmond was still looking at her strangely. Georgiana coughed and went to the window.

  “What does your mother think about it?”

  “She’s not come down yet. You’re the first one to see it.”

  Why did that make Georgiana feel pleased she had seen his study first? She looked back at the study.

  “I think she’ll like it as well. She does take pride in her garden being the best in the county so for you to see it would make her very pleased.”

  “That she does.” Richmond chuckled. He leant against his desk, arms folded. “How are you holding up? Are you feeling better?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “You said yesterday that you were coming down with something, which was why you were watery-eyed quite a bit yesterday.”

  Then Georgiana remembered. She had spent time crying on her own, finding moments where she could burst into tears. Seeing Richmond and Viola together was tearing her apart. But she couldn’t let anyone know about it. She nodded.

  “I’m fine. It was nothing. I don’t think I’m good in summer. The pollen, you know.”

  “You’ve been fine before. It’s never bothered you like this.”

  Georgiana gulped. Did he really know her that well?

  “People change.” She said stiffly.

  Richmond looked like he didn’t believe that. He approached her slowly.

  “Georgiana…”

  He was interrupted by the door opening and the duchess hurrying in. She was still in her nightgown and robe, her hair loose about her shoulders. She sighed in relief when she saw Georgiana.

  “There you are, Georgiana. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Could you come quickly? You’re needed.”

  It was the worried look in her eyes and the way she said it that had Georgiana hurrying to her. Had something happened?

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Viola’s maid went into her just now and found her on the floor. She’s unconscious and burning up.” The dowager duchess’ worry deepened. “I’ve sent for the doctor, but I want you there as well.”

  Georgiana didn’t even need to respond. She was hurrying towards the door before the duchess had even finished speaking.

  ***

  Viola was ill. Richmond felt awful. She was suffering from a fever that had taken her by surprise. The doctor said it was just influenza and she would be able to recover soon. Viola was young and strong; she would be up and walking about in a week if that.

  But that meant that Georgiana was with her all the time. She sat at Viola’s bedside, reading to her or just sitting there as Viola slept. She refused to leave even for meals, only leaving Viola alone to go to bed while a maid took vigil by the bedside.

  Richmond admired her loyalty and concern for her friend but that meant he had barely seen her for the past three days. He had been looking forward to a chance to talk to Georgiana without Viola hovering nearby to interject or starting a conversation of her own. His telling her off didn’t seem to have made an effect; it was like it had gone over Viola’s head.

  The only chance he could get to talk to her had been taken away. And Richmond was determined to get her alone. He had something important to say to her, something he should have said a long time ago before Viola interjected into his life.

  But it wasn’t going to be easy. Richmond would have to wait until he had an opportune moment. That hadn’t arisen yet.

  Until now. The dowager duchess had managed to urge Georgiana out of Viola’s room to have dinner with them. Viola’s fever had broken and now she was just sleeping it off. There was no need to keep a vigil on her. Georgiana had eventually come downstairs and had barely eaten. Whether it was from nerves or she was coming down with something herself, Richmond didn’t know. But she looked exhausted.

  Richmond hoped to put a smile on her face.

  As they were finishing up and about to go into the library, Richmond laid a hand on Georgiana’s arm, slowing her as he turned to his mother.

  “I’m going to have a walk around the gardens.” He announced. “Get some air, Mother.” He turned to Georgiana. “Would you like to accompany me?”

  Georgiana floundered. She bit her lip and looked like she was lost for words. The duchess smiled and nodded encouragingly.

  “Go on, dear. You haven’t been out in two days. Viola’s asleep and you need some air.”

  Chapter 7

  She Can’t

  G eorgiana looked as though she wanted to protest but didn’t. She fell into step beside him, hand on his arm. Richmond felt his heart swell with pride when this happened. Georgiana had barely touched him, much less held his arm. Viola had always taken that spot. It was a good feeling.

  If Richmond hadn’t made his mind up already, he had now.

  “How is Viola?” He asked as they stepped onto the terrace.

  “She’s better.” Georgiana said quietly. “She’s slept most of it off, which was what she needed.”

  “It’s startling that something like that can knock a person down so fast.”

  “I know.” Georgiana sat on the edge of the wall, laying her hands in her lap. “Viola’s so full of life. This is just unsettling.”

  “I can imagine.”

  Richmond watched as Georgiana tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She sighed and looked out over the gardens. The sun was lower in the sky, nowhere near sunset but it was still casting a beautiful orange shadow across the lake.

  Richmond was glad Georgiana liked his estate. Once he had finished what he had to say, she could have it all. If she wished it.

  He knelt before her and took her hands. Georgiana started, but she didn’t take her hands away.

  “Georgiana, there is something I wanted to tell you.” Richmond ran his thumbs across her knuckles. “I wanted to tell you a while ago, but I’ve not had a chance to speak to you alone.”

  “Really?” Georgiana squeaked. She swallowed, her voice going back to normal. “What is it?”

  “I…”

  This was when Richmond’s nerves decided to take over. He had been very determined about what he was going to say but now, with Georgiana looking at her, his confidence was leaving him. He scoffed at himself.

  “This is ridiculous. I had a whole speech laid out in my head and now I can’t seem to use it. I’m at a loss for words.”

  Georgiana smiled.

  “You’ve never been at a loss for words around me.”

  “I know. I work very hard at it.” He returned her smile. “Because around you, I get tongue-tied.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Then maybe you’ll understand this.”

  Richmond knew this was crossing the line, but he didn’t care. He wanted to show Georgiana the truth. Rising up, he gently took Georgiana’s chin in his hand and he kissed her. Georgiana gasped, but she didn’t move away. Richmond kept the kiss light, wishing he could kiss her more. But he wasn’t about to put Georgiana’s reputation on the line, even though there was no one around to worry about. He eased back and saw Georgiana’s startled expression.

  “What was that for?”

  “Because I’ve been trying to show you since the Midsummer Ball how I feel about you. Haven’t y
ou seen it?”

  “Seen what?”

  Georgiana looked like she had been caught in the candlelight. Richmond kissed her knuckles, never taking his eyes off her.

  “I’ve fallen for you, Georgiana. Seeing you at the Midsummer Ball was like a punch in the chest. I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. I’ve never felt like this before and I had to tell you. Being around you and not being able to say that I love you is driving me mad.”

  Richmond was startled at himself. He had managed to get all of that out without stuttering. And now all he had to do was wait for Georgiana’s response. He was sure from the way she looked at him, how they were around each other, that she felt the same way. But he began to have his doubts when Georgiana’s eyes widened, her face going white. She looked shocked and frightened.

  “Georgiana?” Richmond rose up on his knees. “Are you well? You’ve gone pale.”

  “I…” Georgiana closed her eyes for a moment. Then he saw the tears falling. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I’m so sorry, Your Grace, but I can’t love you.”

  Richmond sat back. She didn’t return his affection? And he had been so sure. Then he realized what she had just said.

  “What do you mean, you can’t?”

  “Because I made a promise.” Georgiana swiped at her cheeks, but the tears still fell. “I can’t love you.” Then she stood suddenly, almost knocking Richmond over. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but I have to get inside.”

  She started hurrying towards the house, but Richmond was quicker. He hurried after her, grabbing her arm. Georgiana flinched and he let go.

  “Answer me, Georgiana? What do you mean that you can’t love me? Are you promised to someone else?”

  Georgiana’s face went even whiter.

  “I’m not promised to anyone.” She protested. “I’ve not had any proposals or promises.”

  “Then why can’t you love me? Is it because you’ve known me since we were children?”

  Georgiana shook her head.

  “It’s not that. I promised someone. They’re more deserving of you than me.”

  “What are you talking about?”