by Anna Macy
Georgiana pressed a hand against his arm, “I really must go, though. My days begin early, and I don’t want to ruffle my father’s feathers.”
Robert almost broke; he wanted to ask her to stay longer. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that this was only the beginning of their time together.
“Of course, Georgiana. I’ll walk you to the carriage.”
Robert escorted Georgiana to gather her things and then out in the night. Thick, fluffy snowflakes swirled down from the inky sky. As they stood beside the carriage, a few flakes dared to land on her hair. Robert immediately went to brush them away, fingers lingering against her face.
“Are they looking?” Georgiana whispered as his warm fingers caressed her jaw.
“What if I don’t care?” Robert let his fingers continue to her chin, where he gripped it gently.
Her soft laughter filled his chest with an unnamed emotion.
“You should care,” she murmured as she tilted her head.
“I don’t,” Robert smiled as he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle caress. His body ached to enfold her tightly, to drive his hands through those silken curls and plunder her sweet mouth.
But she was correct. He should care. Groaning, Robert pulled away with a light chuckle.
“Do you think they saw,” he murmured into the falling snow.
Georgiana pursed her lips, eyes dancing. “Some things are worth the risk.” Pivoting on the spot, Georgiana stepped into the carriage and away from him.
Robert motioned the driver away and trekked through the snow towards the mansion. With Georgiana gone, the rest of the evening seemed rather daunting to face. As he passed through the entry again, a low feminine voice stopped him in his tracks.
“She’s quite extraordinary, you know.” Mrs. Scott stood to the side, her keen green eyes offering him no hint of her motives.
Robert bowed at the waist, acknowledging her. “I believe so as well.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t let her go. If there’s anything I’ve learned in life is that love does not wait.” She smiled at him, knowingly.
Robert chuckled. “I don’t plan on waiting for much longer.”
“See that you don’t,” she finished curtly, sweeping from the foyer as Robert stared after her.
She was right, and he wasn’t even sure why he had waited this long. Meandering back into the party, Robert couldn’t keep the silly grin off his face. Not only had he fallen in love with the most spectacular woman in the world, but now she had genuinely proved that she was ready to take on whatever his world could throw at her.
***
“Miss Conning for you, my Lord.”
Robert lifted his head from the pile of ledgers he’d spend his morning pouring over. His ancient butler, Henrich, had announced Georgiana with as much pomp as he might tell the arrival of a stray dog, but to Robert, his body was electrified. It had only been a few days since the dinner at the Scott household, but Robert had missed her deeply.
Georgiana waltzed into the parlor; her plum-colored day dress stole his breath. After seeing her in her finest with the Scotts, or even this lovely gown, Robert sometimes could barely imagine that this lovely creature was the same humble girl who chopped ham for him in her family’s kitchen only a few weeks ago. She had blossomed these past weeks, and he loved her all the more for it.
On the one hand, she ran the Conning family, yet she had also thrived while discussing international business practices. Was there anything she didn’t do? He was convinced this woman was a goddess, and he was unfitted to be at her feet.
Bowing deeply, Robert tried to gather himself. But he felt her presence overwhelm him, sending tendrils of heat scattering down his body. It had been torture being so far from her, now seeing her tucked in close, his mind was reeling at her presence.
He captured her long fingers in his, tugging her a bit closer, letting the motion speak for him and his burning desire to hold her closer. Georgiana blushed prettily, her cheeks darkening as he dropped a lingering kiss across her knuckles.
A purposeful cough sounded from somewhere behind her. “My lord, will you require anything further?”
Robert blinked, a sly smile crossing his face. “Not at the moment. If my Mother is curious, we’ll be in the day room.”
“Of course, sir,” The butler, looking a bit pink himself, retreated quickly.
The moment they were alone, Robert stepped closer, missing the feel of her. Letting his hands drift to her waist, he dropped his forehead to hers.
“You are stunning,” he whispered their breath mingling hotly.
“Thank you,” Georgiana responded, her voice shaky and nervous. She bit down on her bottom lip, the edge of her teeth pressing into the lush pinkness there. His groin ached, and his breeches felt tighter than they’d been only moments before. He was jealous of those teeth, so carelessly nibbling on the lips that he fantasized about regularly.
“You seem to have found your voice today,” she murmured breathlessly. Her chest was tight as she stepped up against him. Fingers, warm and intriguing, climbed to his collar.
Throwing caution to the wind, proprietary forgotten, Robert leaned down to press his lips against hers. The thick hot slide of his tongue against her mouth sending a deep pang of desire through his body.
Her throaty groan startled him.
Feeling more out of control than he’d ever been, Robert let his hands drift upwards, tracing the perfectly smooth lines of her curves as he found his way to her face. There, his fingers settled on her jawbones, the span of his hands cupping her face to his.
With a soft gasp, Georgiana broke the kiss. Robert couldn’t help but look down at the creamy breasts on the verge of tumbling out of that incredible dress. While she had broken the kiss, Georgiana didn’t move away; her curves teased him just barely out of his reach.
“We have to stop,” her voice made him narrow his eyes, confused at where she would be going with this.
“Stop what exactly,” he asked innocently.
“Kissing like that. In the middle of your family’s parlor.” Georgiana attempted to sound indignant. Each of them dutifully stepping back as if putting space between them might dampen the flames that sparked between them.
Robert chuckled, offering a slight bow. “I’m sorry, my Lady, my deepest apologies. I have briefly swept away.”
“Well, I must admit that I wasn’t exactly resisting,” Georgiana admitted, her head tilting as she observed him with her warm doe-like eyes.
Robert took a step back, his heart already lightened by her presence rose again. “How about we sit, and you can tell me all about the Conning family excitements.”
“That’s why you invited me here today? To hear about the Conning family excitements,” Georgiana said skeptically.
“Not at all. But it will give me an excuse to stare at you while you speak.” Robert flirted easily, loving the pretty blush that bloomed on her cheeks.
Georgiana laughed hard this time, her hand covering her mouth as she let him lead her from the room. Once seated, Robert primped and played with the edges of his clothing. He had chosen this dark blue jacket and his favorite pair of dark brown breeches.
They fit him like a second skin, and he didn’t need to adjust anything, but he needed to buy a few minutes until he could handle being that close to her and not being able to touch her.
But Georgiana was right. While at the Conning home, he was an honored guest, an oddity, and they mostly ignored him. This visit at the Devonshire townhouse would be different, especially after the dinner at the Scott house. All eyes, including his mothers’, could be upon them at any moment.
Georgiana was looking around the room, her gaze wide and curious. Robert felt a strange sense of embarrassment. After all the times he had called on her at her home, he had never considered the difference in atmosphere. He was used to the full staff, the luxuriously decorated rooms, and the comfortable quiet, but Georgiana wouldn’t be.
And now he had gone even farther, by halfway ravishing her in the front parlor, where anybody, including his relations, could stride in and witness them. Cursing internally, Robert promised himself he would be better from here on.
He wanted her to be comfortable here. While as a bachelor, many men of his status, the heir to the family, most of them would’ve moved out a few years ago. But he had stayed.
First, it was because his father had requested him to stay closer to learn the business. Then after the chaos and pain that Marian went through, Robert couldn’t imagine abandoning his mother and sister in such a stressful time.
So here he was, almost six and twenty, living quite happily in his family’s townhouse. As he surveyed Georgiana from the corner of his eye, he couldn’t stop thinking about how perfect she looked in his home. Her beauty and quiet intelligence shone out of her like the rays from the sun.
Settling on the plush chaise, he quickly rang for tea and rejoined her. They chatted for a few minutes about what, he had no idea. He doubted she did either. Mostly they just sat and devoured each other with their eyes. A few brushes of their hands and secret smiles were all they could risk here at the front of the house. Marian or his mother could happen upon them at any moment. Which was precisely the point., even if it disappointed him.
Soon it was time for her to go, propriety demanded certain restrictions on their time, and Robert resented it greatly. After sending a meaningful look at the footman closest by, Robert pulled her closer, planting a slow kiss on her warm, welcoming lips. It left him aching for more. If her face was any clue, she felt the same way.
He had to find a way to make her his. Forever. No more of this courtship dance, no more hiding from prying eyes. He was in love with her, and he wanted the world to know.
“Georgiana, I don’t want to keep doing this,” Robert said quietly, his fingers caressing the backs of her hands.
“You don’t?” Her face had gone stark white and anxious. Tears filled her honey brown eyes.
Robert ran his fingers down her cheek. His brow was worried and dark. “Oh no, darling, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that I want to be done courting you.”
Shame filled his body as a single hot tear ran down the fair skin of her cheek. She pulled away, her hands flying to her face as he tried to explain.
“Georgiana, wait! Geor-,” Robert's words were cut off as a single angry digit jabbed his chest. Standing on her toes, Georgiana leaned into her finger.
“Robert Wains, I don’t care what you are Lord of, but if you don’t stop playing with my heart, you’ve got a whole other thing coming. I may not be a fancy lady, but I deserve to be treated better than this,” She admonished him, her beautiful face only inches from his own.
“Georgiana,” Robert said softly, a smile tugging at his lips. He couldn’t help it; he loved the way she looked so full of passion and vigor. Her eyes took in his smile, and obviously thought differently.
“I never would’ve expected this from you. Good day my Lord.” Georgiana yanked back, brushing his hands from her body.
“Georgiana, please stop.” Robert fought the urge to laugh uncontrollably. He was making a mess of this, to be sure, but Georgiana wasn’t helping either.
“I’ll be going now.” Head up proudly, cheeks flushed from her declaration of his poor social skills.
“I’d like to marry you,” Robert said calmly.
“Goodbye, Robert.” Georgiana whirled in the door, shock, and surprise, coloring her angry cheeks. “Wait. What did you just say?” She was frozen there, every one of her muscles entirely still as she waited for his response.
“I’d like to marry you, Georgiana.” She gasped, a hand automatically going to cover her mouth. His belly flipped over. Would she deny him? Perhaps he had pushed her too quickly.
“Are you sure?” Georgiana swallowed hard. “Even after everything with our families?”
Robert shrugged his broad shoulders, face glowing with love for her. “Even after that.” Stepping forward, he gripped her hand, dropping down to one knee in a grand show of reverence.
“Georgiana Conning, I find myself quite in love with you.” Robert was so full of happiness; he felt like his chest might split open. Holding his breath, he waited for her response.
Georgiana’s head fell back and exposing the slim column of her neck as she filled the entryway with her joyful laugh. “I love you too, Robert.”
He bounded up, wrapping his arms tight around her waist. Letting her slide down, he kissed her hard, passionately, like he’d been dying to since the moment he’d seen her today.
Her mouth was sweet, hot and eager against his. He almost drowned in her, his body painfully aware of how easy it would, how delightful it would be to drag her back into the parlor and ravish her properly.
He pulled away, dropping a few chaste kisses against her now swollen lips as he set her away from him.
“You know my father is going to rage,” Georgiana whispered, still breathless from their kisses.
“That’s part of the fun,” Robert replied cheerily.
Georgiana raised an eyebrow, her lips pursed.
Nothing could tear Robert down, though. He ran his fingers gently over her knuckles. “If I get nervous, I’ll bring my mother. There isn’t a soul in England who can stand up to her.”
“At least none who live to tell the tale,” Georgiana replied, laughter filling her voice. Robert chuckled, his entire body vibrating with a combination of desire and desperation to get the formalities over with. She would be his. And soon.
“When can I come to speak to him? Edwin, too if I can manage it?”
“I would suggest soon.” Georgiana pinned him with a coy look, her eyes sparkling in the soft light.
“Any specific reason?”
“Less time to wait until you are mine.” Georgiana bit her plush bottom lip, staring up at him.
“And you mine,” Robert replied, pressing one last quick kiss to her forehead. He let out a small laugh. “If anybody had told me only a few months ago that I would end up in a love match, I would’ve thought them completely insane.”
Georgiana laughed softly, her fingers still tight against his arms. “I’m glad that you were proven wrong.”
Robert hummed his agreement, lightly swaying as they held each other.
Unfortunately for them, they couldn't just stay in the hallway of Devonshire Townhouse kissing until he spoke with her father. He knew she needed to leave.
The look on her face confirmed what he was thinking.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Robert assured her, a grin stealing across his features. Georgiana returned it with her own as she dropped into a smooth, practiced curtsy.
“Goodbye, Robert.” In a flash, she turned to their butler, who appeared out of thin air with her wrap and gloves. Georgiana blushed prettily up at the older man, making Robert grin again. He was used to his servant’s ability to read the room and keep things discrete, but it must be an odd feeling for Georgiana. Especially since moments ago, she’d been in his arms, making those sweet little noises in the back of her mouth.
Robert cleared his throat, desperate to keep his body under control. She had only made it as far as the door, and already his mind and heart were racing with thoughts of holding her again. This had to be real love; nothing else could compare.
“Goodbye Georgiana,” he whispered after her as she swept outside, elegance in every line of her body.
When he was alone again, Robert thrust his fists to the ceiling in a silent shout of celebration. She loved him, and now he was going to be able to have her. Robert had never felt better.
“Congratulations, brother,” the familiar tone came from behind him. He turned, slowly taking in Marian’s face as he did. Her pretty face was pale, the light dusting of freckles on her nose standing out, even from where he stood.
“Marian…” Robert let the word hang in the air, unsure how to proceed.
“I’m happy for you,
brother. Truly I am.” Marian sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
“I love her.” Robert offered a small, pleading smile.
“I know you do. You’d have to be blind to see otherwise. Especially after that night with the Scotts. She was the perfect addition to our family.” Marian dropped her eyes to the floor. “Robert, I have to ask. It’s not because she’s a Conning, is it?”
“Marian, I never thought of it that way.” Robert’s fists clenched by his side. “It’s almost despite the Conning name.”
Marian didn’t look confident.
“Georgiana and me, our story is different than yours. I hope you offer her the same chance to prove to herself that she offered me,” Robert said.