“Oh no,” Georgina said softly, feeling her heart clench painfully on Norham’s behalf. “The Laura you are always talking about?”
Catherine nodded. “My brother was consumed by guilt and grief for so long that he found ways to release it. They were not always healthy, and I was so mad at him for it that I promised myself I would not let him lead you astray. It did not occur to me that he might actually have feelings for you.”
Georgina swallowed, thought of the way Norham had looked at her in his study, and did not know if she could reconcile the two men.
“You do not have to speak to him if you do not wish to,” Catherine told her. “I did not tell you this to guilt you into making a decision. Take some time. There are, however,” she said, her smile more genuine. “Some people who wish to see you.”
“Please,” Georgina said, eager to see her siblings.
She was grateful when they piled in, looking happy and warm, and she could gather them in her arms, remind herself that she hadn’t damaged any of them. Even Helena was smiling and did not seem to resent Georgina for her decision.
“I am sorry I put you all in danger,” she said, once the hugs had subsided. “I should not have done that.”
“What is going to happen to us?” Tom asked. “Jacob said Uncle Red is coming to get us.”
“He is,” Georgina said reluctantly. “I fear we will know soon enough.”
“Actually,” someone said from the doorway, and Georgina was surprised to see Norham standing there. “I believe I may have a solution.”
Georgina could not look away, and though Norham was smiling, it did not reach his eyes.
“Perhaps you children would not mind keeping Edward company outside? Mary and Isabella seem to be causing him mischief and I think he needs a man’s help. Or several men.”
The boys immediately agreed, dragging Helena with them, even though she was a girl, as Tom was keen to remind her. Georgina watched them go with a pained smile, uncomfortable now that she was alone with Norham.
“I owe you an apology,” Norham said immediately, startling Georgina. When he crossed the room to hover at her bedside, she gestured to the chair and he complied, looking as uncomfortable as she felt. “I should have told you that I believe you.”
Georgina’s eyes widened, surprised. “You did not say as much.”
“I know,” Norham said, looking as exhausted as Catherine had. If Catherine was right, and Norham had come after her, he must have been frantic about her state. She could not remember much after getting lost. The children must have been so scared. “I was remiss, and I would ask your forgiveness.”
“In return, I ask yours, for not telling you who I was and why I fled my home.” Georgina wanted to reach for Norham but did not know how to ask for it. She rested her hand on the bed between them, and was pleasantly surprised when Norham took it, hope burning in his eyes. “I apologize. It is no excuse.”
“Nonsense,” Norham said immediately, rubbing a thumb over the back of Georgina’s hand. “I understand your reticence. You do not, however, have to worry about your uncle again.”
“I do not understand,” Georgina said.
“Catherine,” Norham said, his smile genuine and proud, “contacted some friends and managed to find the butler of your Uncle Rudolph. Who,” Norham continued, “is not Red.”
Georgina was confused but remained silent as Norham explained what Catherine had discovered, and that while Georgina had been recovering, had brought the butler to the house to restate his story.
“We took him to the constables, along with the letter he sent and the letter you wrote Catherine. They have collected everything, and your uncle was arrested just yesterday.”
Tears welled up in Georgina’s eyes, more relieved than she could say. Norham touched a hand to her face, and she found herself leaning into his touch, unable to form the words that conveyed everything she was feeling.
“We can go home?”
“You can,” Norham said, though his smile took on a hint of sadness. “If that is what you wish.”
Georgina looked out at the room, the window that showed the vast estate the children enjoyed playing on. She thought of Catherine, her only friend, of Mary and Isabella and the children loving their time in the house. “If it is not?”
Norham looked hopeful. “I did not think you would ever accept an invitation to dine with me,” he confessed, “and when I discovered what had happened to you, I could not see a way to help you. Now, when there is no need, I find myself still wanting to keep you in my life if I can. As a Governess,” he said, and Georgina felt a bite of disappointment. “Or,” he continued, and she raised her head to meet his eyes. “As my wife.”
“Norham,” she breathed.
“I understand if you do not wish to accept. I will, of course, take care of your family in any way that I can.”
“I do,” Georgina said, squeezing Norham’s hands tightly. “I hope we can get to know each other much more than we do now, but I will marry you. It would be a welcome end to everything that has happened to me.”
“And, I think,” Norham said, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Georgina’s lips. “To me.”
*** The End ***
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Fleeing to the Rakish Duke Page 7