by Sue London
His hand paused in motion for a moment. “We’ll address that later. Then the next morning your brother James took me riding in the countryside. Did you know there is a house for lease not far from where your family lives?”
She pulled back far enough to look him in the eye. She couldn’t divine what he was thinking. “Why does that matter?”
“I thought you might want to be closer to them.”
The incredulous snort was involuntary. “No.”
“They’re quite nice. Sarah misses you, you know.”
George finally softened a bit. “How is the brat?”
“Wondering why her sister didn’t write back to her all these months.”
“Write back? I didn’t receive any letters from Sarah.” After a moment’s hesitation she hissed, “Robert.”
Casimir’s tone, when he spoke again, was as harsh as she’d ever heard it. “Is there no end to the trouble that man will cause?”
She sat up, a bit disoriented about the time and day. “Why would he withhold Sarah’s letters?”
He continued to touch her, running his hand over her hip, down her arm. Why did his touch have to be so perfect? Finally he said, “Your mother is quite ill.”
*
Gini’s face was nearly expressionless as she admitted, “Jack said as much.”
He sat up as well, pulling her back against his chest. “Why haven’t you gone to visit her?”
“As long as they think I’m in Scotland I don’t have to.”
“I told your father that you’re here in London.”
She pulled away and stood up. “Why did you do that?”
“He’s worried about you, Georgiana.”
She stared at him. “You’ve never called me that before.”
He shrugged. “I thought I’d try it.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“All right, then we won’t go.” Technically her father had asked them not to, but it pained Casimir to think that Gini wouldn’t have a chance to truly say goodbye to her mother, as he hadn’t had a chance to see his father one last time. Even when relationships were difficult, they were worthwhile. He didn’t want his wife to have regrets.
She was fussing about their suite now, rearranging the supplies that were scattered everywhere.
“Gini?”
“Yes?” she asked, distracted.
“Did you miss me?”
She set aside the papers she was holding, her attention drawn back to him. “Yes,” she said softly.
He held out a hand. “Come here and show me.”
“Did you miss me?”
“More than you can imagine.”
She crossed the room and crawled into his lap on the bed. Her kiss was fevered at first, desperate, but he soothed her with his mouth, his touch. By the time they sank down to the coverlet their kisses had turned soft and dreamy. They removed each other’s clothes slowly, stopping often to kiss again. He loved her. He loved being with her. This time was as slow and sweet as their first time had been rushed and passionate.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Casimir was a bit surprised that the earl had asked him to meet in the study before supper. Even more surprised when he was greeted with vodka already poured.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Please, call me Gideon.”
“Thank you, Gideon. Call me Casimir.”
The earl settled into one of the leather chairs. “Well, now that’s out of the way. The girls will be so pleased we’re becoming friends.”
Casimir’s laughter almost made him choke on his sip of the cold, clear liquor. “Is that what we’re doing?”
Gideon shrugged. “To the best of their knowledge. And perhaps.”
“Perhaps we would be more convincing if we took up a hobby together.”
Gideon held his glass up. “If you were my friend you would know that this is one of my hobbies.”
“Fair enough.”
“Typically I work more than play now, but we could go riding some morning. I would take you down to Gentleman Jackson’s but I tend to think you would be off of boxing for the nonce. What about you? What are your hobbies?”
“Whatever my host is interested in.”
“Your hobby is being a guest, then?”
Casimir couldn’t help himself from smirking. “It’s more like my work.” Again, more honesty than the situation warranted. He looked down into his vodka glass. Were the earl’s spirits even stronger than he realized?
“Well,” the earl said, interrupting Casimir’s wayward thoughts, “that makes our wedding gift to you seem even more apropos.”
“How so, my l-Gideon?”
“I am freeing you from your role of guest.”
“Oh! Of course we’ll leave as soon as you like.”
“You misunderstand me, Casimir. As a wedding gift we would like to give you and George the use of our second London townhouse until you decide on some other address.”
“I-you have a second London townhouse?”
“Yes. My mother lived there.”
“I see.”
“Since she passed I’ve leased it out from time to time, but it currently stands empty. Perfect for a young couple just starting out in Town.”
“That is beyond gracious. Thank you. If you would like for us to pay a lease-”
Gideon waved him off, pouring more vodka for each of them. “Then it wouldn’t be a gift.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You already said it. And you’re welcome.”
“If there is ever any way I can repay you for your kindness, please let me know.”
The earl looked at him keenly. “What are your talents?”
Casimir blinked. The man sounded serious. What should he say? “Talents?”
“You know, abilities at which you particularly excel.”
“Ah.” Casimir looked away for a moment. It would probably be best not to mention stealing from noblemen, or really much of anything from the first fourteen years of his life.“People seem to like me. You could say that’s my trade now.”
“Being likeable?”
Casimir nodded.
“Does it pay well?”
The younger man shrugged. “So far today I’ve been given my favorite drink and a townhouse.”
Gideon chuckled. “And would you say that today is above or below your average pay?”
“Well, we need to adjust for the fact that the townhouse is really due to my wife’s relationship with yours. After that I’d say that it’s not a bad day, but certainly not among my best.”
“And at what else do you excel?”
“I did well in my study of the law, but most of it isn’t applicable here.”
“On the contrary, that indicates a disciplined mind.”
“If you say so.”
The earl chuckled again. “No?”
“Memorizing tremendous amounts of information and constructing a better argument than your opponent? That isn’t particularly difficult. But my knowledge of law is specific to Prussia.” Casimir hadn’t realized he’d finished another glass of vodka until he saw the earl pouring more.
“Learn British law.”
“Would it be worth it? I’m not sure how long I will be here.”
“Do you have any interest in business?”
Casimir shrugged. The vodka was definitely relaxing him. “I haven’t thought much about it.”
“What I need is someone good at building relationships, but also an aptitude for wise and insightful decisions. Not easy to find.”
“I’m sure it isn’t. Are you offering me a position?”
“I’d like to know about your decision making.”
“What can I tell you, Gideon?” Casimir asked with a grin. “I’m the sort of man who will drink three glasses of vodka before realizing he’s being considered for a position.”
“You are likeable, aren’t you?”
�
��I warned you. And no,” he said, holding out a hand to forestall the earl, “I do not wish for a fourth glass, thank you.”
“Let me be forthright with you, Casimir. The last few years have been difficult and I’m tired. I’ve lost the stewards at four of my major properties and haven’t had a proper man of business for a venture that I built from the ground over the last few years. All while actively serving in the Parliament, where I have only recently found a suitable clerk.”
“Are you trying to make me sympathetic for you, or inform me that you’re a rotten bastard to work for?”
“Beg pardon?” The earl genuinely looked confused.
“A man who can’t keep good help is usually difficult to work for.”
“Oh. No. Two of the stewards retired and I sent two on special assignments.”
“Then you are finally looking for someone to help with this business venture?”
“Yes. I find that marriage requires more time than I anticipated.”
Now it was Casimir’s turn to chuckle. “Does your wife know that’s how you refer to it? Marriage requires more time than I anticipated?”
“She knows me well enough that she could guess.”
The way the earl phrased it made Cas maudlin for a moment. Did Gini know him well enough that she could guess at how he would describe their relationship?
“At any rate,” the earl continued, “would you be willing to consider learning the business? It would require quite a bit of study on your part. British law, especially as it pertained to real estate and investment. Then the actual market itself, in addition to building relationships.”
“I’ll need to talk to my wife about whether she wants us to stay in England.”
The earl finished his third glass of vodka. “That’s acceptable.”
“And as you know, I wouldn’t stay forever. I have my own agenda to follow.”
“I know, but not right now. You didn’t ask after my talents, Casimir. I excel at identifying and exploiting opportunities.”
“I represent an opportunity?”
“Everyone represents an opportunity. Remember that.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
George still didn’t want to leave her rooms, but felt like she was going to climb the walls. Casimir had gone downstairs some time ago at the earl’s summons. Supper was going to be soon and she had already dressed. A knock at the door brought her up short.
“Yes?” she called out.
“Georgie? It’s me, Jack.”
“Come in.” She opened the door and waved her friend inside.
“Has Casimir come back yet?”
“No, why?”
Jack looked as though she might dance with excitement and grabbed George’s hands. “Gideon is offering you the use of a townhouse so that you can set up a home here in London!”
“Does he just have townhouses lying about?”
“Gideon?” Jack rolled her eyes. “Actually he does.” The countess was distracted when she saw the canvas set up near the window. “Oh Georgie. George, this is magnificent.”
“I thought it came out well.”
“Can I hang it here in the bedroom?”
“No, I think… I think I want to keep it.”
“Of course. Something to hang in your new home!”
The idea of setting up their home made George regret not being more traditional in approach to her marriage. Hopefully her father would still be inclined to settle a dowry on her as she had no reason to believe that Casimir had the funds to support them. Shouldn’t she know that more definitely? Undoubtedly the knowledge resided in that thin file at Robert’s desk.
“I’m sorry, Jack, were you saying something?”
The countess held George’s cheeks and looked down into her eyes. “I was hopeful that painting something would help you feel better, but I’m suspicious that you’re even worse off now than you were.”
“No, I’m fine. There are just some things I need to do.”
“Yes, well, the first thing you need to do is come down to supper. Sabre and Quince will be here this evening.”
George groaned and rolled her eyes.
Jack laughed. “You ungrateful wretch! Imagine how many people wish they could count the Duke and Duchess of Beloin among their closest friends.”
“Sabre is going to nag me about having a wedding.”
Jack patted her friend’s shoulder. “Oh, she won’t nag you. I think she’s already been planning, so she will simply inform you.”
“Even better!”
Jack threaded her arm through George’s and steered her towards the door. “You know this is how Sabre shows her love.”
“You’re just delighted that she’s focused on me right now, but your turn will come again.”
“Perhaps after this we will get lucky and they will have scads of children to distract her.”
“I’m sorry, Jack, but Sabre will always love you enough to interfere in your life.”
The two friends descended the steps laughing, knowing that George was undoubtedly correct.
*
Sabre had already been planning the wedding. The duchess arrived that evening with a draft of the wedding announcement, a proposed date, three choices of location, and recommendations on whom to invite. George was quite used to Sabre’s tendency to approach life like a general taking the field, but felt sorry for her husband while the duchess ran through the list of things she wanted them to do. Thus they found themselves now, just over a fortnight later, preparing for their second wedding ceremony, this one in the Church of England. They had chosen the smallest of the three churches Sabre had proposed, to ensure that the guest list would remain small. Although George’s father had sent his regrets that he couldn’t travel while his wife was so sick, he had sent along James and Sarah to attend George at the church, which was why she now heard screeching in the Harrington’s hallway. George rolled her eyes.
Casimir chuckled as he tightened the laces of her corset. “Do you want me to go ask them to stop?”
“Based on your report of last night’s drinking, I have a feeling that Gideon will loom up on them soon with that request.”
“The earl does have the height to be intimidating.”
“And manner. I fear you would be far too pleasant to convince them to do anything.”
He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Are you telling me that I can’t be intimidating?”
She giggled. “It doesn’t seem to be your forte, no.”
Nipping her neck, he said, “We’ll have to discuss that tonight.”
She closed her eyes, trying to keep her mind from turning to Robert’s damnable file again. She had yet to ask Casimir about his past, and he had yet to mention anything about it. He had posted a letter to his mother and sister, but hadn’t mentioned precisely where they were, or even really described them in any detail. When she asked if he wanted to change the date of this wedding so that his family could travel to attend he had only laughed and said that perhaps they would have another wedding in Poland. Today after the wedding they would officially move into their new townhouse together. How was she even letting this happen? Sooner rather than later Robert would force the truth upon her. Certainly she wanted to face it on her own? Tonight. Once they were alone in their townhouse she would… she would find out the truth. And then what? Find out that this had all been a useless fantasy?
If it was a fantasy, though, it seemed that Casimir was loathe to give it up as well. Or he still wanted something from her, something she wasn’t seeing. She wished that she could talk to Sabre. Sabre, who could be so clear-sighted and logical. She would be able to assess whether Casimir was hiding something, whether he truly had feelings for his wife or was only manipulating her for his own ends.
“Are you all right?” His voice broke into her thoughts, making her start guiltily.
“Of course.”
“I’ll go quiet James and Sarah.” He kissed her shoulder. She could see his expression in
the mirror, a mixture of concern and humor. Her husband was almost unfailingly in a good mood. Hopefully her exasperating siblings wouldn’t compromise that today.
Although she didn’t hear anymore screeching and giggling in the hallway, neither did Casimir return. Then the Haberdashers descended upon her to complete her toilette before the wedding. After a bit, Sarah came in to help as well.
“Where’s Casimir?” George asked her sister.
Sarah grinned. “They’ve already taken him to the church. Didn’t you know that he isn’t supposed to see you before the wedding?”
Jack chuckled. “George isn’t one for traditions.”
Sabre paused in straightening lace on George’s gown. “That’s why we’re here.”
“I knew this was all a bad idea,” George said, rolling her eyes.
“Well, I like traditions,” Sarah said. “When I marry I will follow all the traditions.”
George gave her sister a wicked grin. “Even all the medieval ones?”
The duchess interrupted, cupping the younger girl’s chin in her hand. “Of course you’ll follow all the traditions. And at the rate you’re growing, we’ll be doing this for you soon.”
“You’ll be at my wedding?”
“Of course we will, duckling. But right now we need to finish dressing George and have her down the aisle before she finds a window to escape out of.”
Sarah giggled and George gave a long suffering sigh while her friends continued to fuss over her.
*
As Casimir’s group approached the church he noticed a man leaning against the wall reading a newspaper, but didn’t think much of it until the man folded the paper down and began to walk toward him. Even out of the corner of his eye he recognized the form and movement. For a moment he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Wladek?”
The younger man smiled and the two embraced, kissing cheeks in the Polish way of greeting.
“Why are you here? How did you find me?” Casimir asked rapidly in Polish
Wladek chuckled. “I knew that you left in too much of a hurry to be sure what I should do, książę.” He pointed to a nearby carriage. “So I packed your things and came to London. When I saw a wedding announcement for Casimir Rokiczana I knew it had to be you.”