Regency Romances for the Ages

by Grace Fletcher

  Georgiana looked like she wanted to say something but thought better of it. She began to back away, shaking her head.

  “I have to get inside.”

  “Georgiana!”

  But Georgiana had already gone inside.

  ***

  “Richmond?” Richmond felt someone touch his shoulder. “Darling, are you all right?”

  Richmond tore his eyes away from the view. It really was beautiful. He focused his gaze on his mother, who was standing beside him with a concerned frown.

  “Mother.” He sat up. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

  “Obviously.” The duchess went around to the other side of the desk and sat down in the other chair. “What’s wrong with you? You don’t look well.”

  Richmond didn’t feel well. He had barely slept the night before, coming down to drink and watch the fire throughout the night. Eventually, he had fallen asleep on one of the couches, which was where Percival the butler found him a short hour ago.

  Richmond couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. How had he misread Georgiana so much? And why wouldn’t she give him a straight answer.

  “I’m just confused, Mother.” He rubbed at his eyes, which were stinging. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Tell me.”

  She was going to think him silly for over-thinking again. But Richmond was too tired to care.

  “I told Georgiana last night that I loved her. And she…she turned me down.”

  Realization dawned on his mother’s face.

  “Ah.” She sat back. “That would explain why she rushed in and up the stairs without bidding me goodnight.”

  “She said she couldn’t love me. I don’t understand what she meant by that.” Richmond sat forward. “I confessed to something I’ve never said to anyone else, and she says that. Why?”

  “I think she had a very good reason.”

  “What?” Then Richmond saw the duchess’ expression. She knew something. He frowned at her. “Do you know something I don’t, Mother?”

  The dowager duchess laughed and shook her head.

  “You men really are dense. Just like your father. You don’t know what’s going on right in front of your noses.”

  “Don’t play word games with me, Mother. I’m not in the mood. What?”

  The duchess sighed.

  “Georgiana turned you down because she’s loyal to Viola. She didn’t want to hurt her friend.”

  “Hurt Viola? Why would she hurt Viola?”

  The dowager duchess rolled her eyes.

  “Because Viola believes she’s in love with you.”

  Richmond felt like he had been hit over the head. He stared.

  “What?”

  “She’s in love with you. Why do you think she keeps trying to monopolize your time? Fawning over you and interrupting all your conversations with everyone else? She wants to be the next Duchess of Richmond.”

  Richmond had never realized that Viola might even be in love with him. He had put it down to she hadn’t seen him a long time and wanted to spend time with him. They had spent many holidays together and while Richmond saw her as a slight annoyance, she wasn’t that bad.

  “But I…I don’t love Viola like that. She’s not the woman I want to marry.”

  “I know that. But Viola doesn’t. Nor does Georgiana.” His mother sighed. “She thinks you’re going to choose Viola because of the way she’s monopolized your time and she’s going to have nobody.”

  She genuinely thought that. Richmond had had no idea. Then he realized what his mother had said.

  “She would choose her loyalty for her friend over love?”

  “She would.” The dowager duchess gave him a smile. “I’d say Georgiana is in love with you. Has been for years. But she won’t ruin her friend’s happiness.”

  “Even if it means ruining her own?” Richmond hadn’t expected to hear that Georgiana’s feelings of love were returned. He was stopped from asking more when he heard a commotion outside. “What’s going on out there?”

  The duchess tilted her head to one side and listened.

  “Sounds like one of our carriages.”

  No one was going anywhere that day. Which could only mean one thing. Richmond was hurrying out the door when he realized.

  Chapter 8

  Leaving Atwood

  “Y ou should be in bed.” Georgiana scolded her friend.

  Viola rolled her eyes and wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

  “Stop fussing. I’m not going to miss seeing my best friend off, am I?”

  Georgiana was glad to see that Viola was able to get up and walk around. She was certainly looking a much better colour than before. But Georgiana was sad to see her go, even after the problems Viola had created between them.

  However, Georgiana knew she had to get out of there. After Richmond’s declaration of love and expecting the same in return, she had to leave. It was not fair to Viola for Georgiana to take Richmond’s affection. She would be devastated if she found out.

  It was best that she left. Then Richmond would forget about her and realize that Viola was the perfect woman for his duchess. Then they could be happily married. Georgiana knew that meant she wouldn’t be able to see them again if Richmond was declaring his love for her and she wouldn’t be able to visit as often but it had to be done.

  Viola wanted the Duke of Richmond. Georgiana would let her have it. And, even after everything, she was glad her friend was insistent on seeing her off.

  As the last of Georgiana’s trunks were put onto the back of the carriage, Georgiana turned to Viola. Her throat was clogging up, and she was going to cry in a moment. She had been doing a lot of crying and Georgiana hated it. Viola gave her a sad smile.

  “I’m going to miss you.”

  “And I you.” Georgiana hugged her friend. She did mean that. “Will you be all right?”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m nearly better now.” Viola stepped back and squeezed her hands. “Take care. And write. Let me know how your father is.”

  “I will.”

  Georgiana felt bad about lying but she wasn’t about to tell Viola the reason why. Hopefully, she could leave without the duke finding out. It meant not saying farewell to the dowager duchess, but it had to be done.

  “Georgiana?”

  Georgiana froze. Getting away cleanly wasn’t going to happen anymore. Richmond and his mother were coming out of the front door, hurrying across the courtyard to them. Richmond looked startled as he stared at Georgiana and then the coach.

  “What’s going on?”

  Georgiana took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

  “I’ve got to leave, Your Grace.”

  “You’re leaving?” Richmond looked shocked. “You never gave us any indication.”

  “A letter came this morning form Mother.” Georgiana lied. “Father’s not well, and she wants me home. They’re worried for him.”

  Richmond looked like he didn’t believe her. Georgiana’s father was as fit as a horse, even for a man of fifty. For him to be ill was strange in itself. But the duchess hurried in, blocking Richmond as she kissed Georgiana’s cheek.

  “Of course, my dear. Do what you must.” She squeezed Georgiana’s hand. “Thank you for staying on with us.”

  “It was a pleasure, Your Grace.”

  The dowager duchess patted her hand and urged Viola to join her.

  “Let’s get you inside, Viola. You need to rest some more.”

  They headed inside, Viola giving Georgiana a final wave. Then she realized Richmond hadn’t gone with them. He was still standing close to her staring at her. Swallowing, Georgiana curtsied and backed away from him.

  “Farewell, Your Grace.”

  “Georgiana…”

  But Georgiana jumped into the carriage before he could speak on and slammed the door shut. She huddled on the far side of the carriage as they pulled away, unable to look back and watch the man she loves disappear out of her l
ove.

  ***

  “Georgiana.”

  Georgiana jumped and looked around. A tall, beautiful woman in her early thirties was standing beside her, frowning down at her with her hand on Georgiana’s shoulder. Then she realized where she was.

  “Oh.” She sat up. “My lady.”

  “Are you all right?” The Countess of Chester nodded at the empty stage. “The play’s finished. We’re leaving now.”

  “I’m…” Georgiana had been so engrossed with her thoughts she hadn’t noticed anything. She gave the countess an embarrassed smile, her face getting warm. “Forgive me, my lady. I was off in my own world.”

  The countess’ expression said she understood. Then she smiled and took Georgiana’s hand.

  “Come on. Let’s go and get something to eat. For some reason, there’s something about plays that make me very hungry.”

  That sounded like an idea. Although Georgiana was sure she wouldn’t be able to eat a thing. She hadn’t had much of an appetite lately.

  It had been a month since she had left Atwood House since she had walked out of the Duke of Richmond’s life. And it had been miserable. Georgiana couldn’t focus on anything. Her parents were worried about her, especially when they hosted a dinner party and Georgiana, who normally liked these occasions, excused herself early after hardly speaking to anyone.

  Deciding she needed time to recuperate elsewhere, her parents had sent her to London to stay with family friends, the Earl and Countess of Chester. The earl spent more time in London than he did at his estate and they had known Georgiana since they were children. Now happily married, the couple took Georgiana into their home and tried to cheer her up. With practically everything they could think of, but Georgiana couldn’t get any enthusiasm.

  It wasn’t easy trying to mend a broken heart alone. She hadn’t said a word about it to anyone. Her parents had been surprised at why she came home so quickly but hadn’t questioned her beyond a few queries. Georgiana wouldn’t talk to anyone about it, not even her brothers.

  It was lonely suffering like this, but Georgiana didn’t want anyone to think she was a fool.

  Now, as she sat with the countess in the restaurant while Lady Chester ate her dessert, Georgiana wished she wasn’t being such a fool about something out of her control.

  “Georgiana.” Lady Chester nodded at Georgiana’s full plate. “You haven’t eaten.”

  Georgiana managed a smile and pushed the plate away.

  “I guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought.”

  The countess gave her a searching look. Then she lowered her fork and shook her head.

  “Oh, darling, you can’t mope all your life.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not stupid, Georgiana. I know the look on your face. There was a time when I was in your position myself.” The countess gave her a kind smile. “You’re suffering from a broken heart.”

  Georgiana wasn’t about to deny that. She couldn’t. Lady Chester had been so kind to her. They were friends and Georgiana was glad that she hadn’t asked any probing questions. But she couldn’t avoid Lady Chester for much longer.

  “So, who’s the lucky man?”

  Georgiana couldn’t deny it. She had to tell someone. She sighed heavily.

  “The Duke of Richmond.”

  “Richmond?” Lady Chester blinked. “What’s he done to break your heart?”

  “He didn’t break my heart. I did that on my own.”

  The countess had that knowing look. She sat forward.

  “Oh. That changes it all. Did he reject you? Because I’ll have his hide if he hurt you.”

  “It wasn’t him that rejected me.” Georgiana said hurriedly. “I rejected him.”

  And then it all came out. She told Lady Chester about Viola confessing her love for the duke and how she was determined to become his duchess. Georgiana couldn’t stop herself once she started. Lady Chester wouldn’t tell anyone, she was certain of that. Shrewd and protective, the countess was good at keeping her word when it came to secrets.

  “I just wanted Viola to be happy.” Georgiana said lamely, staring down at the uneaten slice of cake.

  “And what about your own happiness?” Lady Chester demanded. “Does that get chucked by the wayside due to your loyalty?”

  “As long as Viola’s happy, I’m happy.”

  If only Georgiana could be firm about that. She didn’t feel happy at all and she didn’t know how long it would take for her broken heart to be mended, if it happened at all.

  ***

  Richmond was missing Georgiana. She seemed to make his day better just by being in the room. He hadn’t really noticed that until she left. And she wasn’t returning any letters he wrote. They all got returned unopened.

  It was as if she didn’t want him to exist at all.

  The month without her had Richmond in a foul mood. He snapped at the servants, who kept out of his way and he snapped at Viola, who wisely stopped her fawning over him. Richmond even snapped at his mother, the dowager duchess scolding him for his attitude. It was this scolding that had Richmond snapping out of his depression. He shouldn’t be taking it out on everyone else.

  If Georgiana wanted nothing more to do with him, she would have to tell him to her face.

  But finding her was easier said than done. His contacts said she was no longer at her parents’ estate and no one would say where she had gone. They finally managed to get the boot boy to admit that Georgiana had gone to stay with the Earl and Countess of Chester in London for a while. Richmond remembered they were family friends of the Spencer family and he knew both the earl and his wife, a loving, nice couple.

  So, Richmond had packed up and gone to his house in London. Nobody would be expecting him, and he was quiet enough that nobody would see him prowling around. Georgiana was acting like she didn’t want to be found but Richmond wanted answers. He wasn’t leaving until he heard them from Georgiana herself and found out what was really going on.

  His mother said Georgiana loved him. He wanted to believe that. And he had to see Georgiana one last time, if he could.

  Chapter 9

  One Last Time

  R ichmond almost found her as well. He heard about the countess going to the theatre with a companion and guessed that was Georgiana; she did love a good play. But when he saw them in a nearby restaurant afterwards, Georgiana saw him as well. She had turned white and managed to get the countess to hustle her out. By the time Richmond got outside, they had gone.

  Richmond wasn’t about to give up that easily. So, he had spoken to the countess who was fiercely protective of her young friend. Lady Chester hadn’t been too happy with the situation but, at heart, she was an old romantic.

  All that needed to do was for him and Georgiana to meet. The next day was perfect.

  Lady Chester and Georgiana always took a walk in Regents’ Park. It was a big place with a nice trail along the lake. Lady Chester always went that way and there were many places for Richmond to wait.

  And that’s where Richmond waited the next morning, impatiently waiting for the two ladies to come along. He hadn’t spoken to Georgiana for a month and it was eating him up. He wanted to see her again even if it meant the last time. Georgiana had edged into his heart more than he realized and he knew it would take something big to get rid of her.

  After what seemed like an age, Richmond finally saw Georgiana and Lady Chester walking along. They stopped by the edge of the lake to watch the ducks. While Georgiana was distracted, Lady Chester looked around. Their eyes met, and the countess nodded. She slipped away and Richmond stepped out from behind the tree. Georgiana still hadn’t noticed her friend had gone.

  “Georgiana.”

  Georgiana froze. And then she turned. Her eyes widened when she saw him.

  “Your Grace. What are you doing here?”

  It was all Richmond could do not to pull her into his arms and not let her go.

  “I’m here to talk to you.�
��

  Georgiana stared at him. Then realization dawned, and she groaned.

  “Lady Chester set me up, didn’t she? I wondered why she was so eager for a walk this morning when her son’s come down with the influenza.”

  “Only on my behalf. I talked her into it.” Richmond spread his hands. “She thinks we need to talk, and she’s right. There are a lot of misunderstanding that we need to clear up between us.”

  Georgiana shook her head. She was starting to get more composed, folding her hands in front of her. She looked like she had lost some weight and she didn’t look at all well. Richmond’s heart ached for her.

  “There’s nothing to clear up, Your Grace.” Georgiana said stiffly. “You say you love me, but I can’t go against Viola.”

  “You mean you believe because Viola’s in love with me that you can’t feel the same.”

  “She is determined to become your duchess. She’s beautiful, witty and the perfect hostess when she gets her mind on it.” Georgiana swallowed. “Viola is a much better choice.”

  Richmond couldn’t believe she would think anyone was better than her. He reached for her hand.

  “That’s not what I think. You’re a perfect choice to be the duchess. For me.”

  Georgiana snatched her hand away.

  “I don’t think I am.”

  “I beg to differ.” Richmond tried a different approach. Georgiana was still firm in her loyalty. “Besides, even if Viola was in love with me, I’m not in love with her. She’s like my little sister. You should know that, of all people.”

  He felt like he wanted to shake some sense into her. She was taking Viola into consideration but what about him. Wouldn’t she want him to be happy?

  “What do you mean, if she was in love with you?” Georgiana snapped. “Do you doubt me?”

  “Not you.” Richmond rubbed his hands over his face. “I believe Viola thought she was in love with me at the Midsummer’s ball. But she’s due to be married now.”

  Georgiana gasped. She went even paler.

  “What?”

  “A young man she met at a country dance two weeks ago. An earl. He’s a bit awkward, but he’s a nice young boy. Viola’s besotted with him and they balance each other out. They’re a good match and I’ve already given my blessing if they wish to marry.”