by Dayna Quince
“Likewise, Miss Georgette.” This time Lady Henrietta’s smile did seem genuine, so Georgie returned it and turned away. Her heart leapt to see Gavin striding across the lawn.
“Oh,” Lady Elain said, “there is your soon-to-be husband now.”
Georgie froze, her hearing heightened as her knees locked.
“I told you he couldn’t stay away,” Lady Henrietta replied.
Georgie’s knees unlocked and she almost stumbled if Jeanie hadn’t caught her.
“Georgie?” Jeanie asked in concern.
“I’m sorry,” Georgie said. “I need to sit. My knee is hurting.”
Gavin walked right to them and her heart stopped. His expression revealed a whole mix of trouble. “Our party is departing.”
“So soon?” Jeanie asked.
“Return to the castle immediately,” he whispered and then his entire façade changed as he addressed the guests behind them, a smile so charming and devilish slipping into place effortlessly.
Georgie went numb. Jeanine tugged her across the lawn and around the side of the house where her other sisters had gathered. The barouche the dowager duchess had driven in was already half way back to Selbourne. The sisters marched down the drive, Georgie’s heart pounding and her cheeks burning.
“What is going on?” Josie asked. “Did something happen?”
“We don’t know,” Jeanie replied. She shot a glance at Georgie.
Georgie clenched her teeth, but she had a burning question that needed an answer. “Did either of you catch the meaning behind Lady Henrietta’s remarks and Mr. Cage’s arrival?”
“I did,” Josie said.
Jeanie didn’t reply but stared at Georgie as they walked.
Georgie pressed her lips together. “Does it sound like they have an understanding?”
“As far as I understand what an understanding is, yes. Why?” Josie asked.
“Nothing, just something I was thinking about.”
“None of these gentlemen came to this party knowing they would be courting us,” Jeanie said. “We have no claim to any of them.”
Georgie clenched her teeth. No. She had no claim on a man who swore he would not marry. But what he’d actually meant was that he would not marry her. He had a beautiful, rich heiress in London all along and now here.
She felt sick. If she stopped moving, she might very well lose her lunch on the side of the road.
Had he used her? Fooled her into thinking there was more to this affair than lust and pure animal need? No. She’d said it too. She was not going to marry. It was only an affair of passion between them.
He was not hers to claim.
She sucked in a breath and a squeak of a sob slipped out. She bit her cheek, willing herself not to cry. Crying was not one of her weaknesses. She never faulted a woman for crying. Tears were a natural way to release one’s emotions, but it simply wasn’t her style. She could take a kick from a sheep or a chomp from an angry ewe without shedding a tear. She usually liked to work her emotions out, throwing hay bales around or shoveling stalls, but in this situation, she didn’t know how to express all that she was feeling.
She walked faster, afraid her sisters would see the tears pooling in her eyes.
“Wait!” Josie called.
“I have to use the facilities. I cannot wait,” Georgie said. And though she knew it was not dignified, she started to run. She left the road and cut across the field to the stables, her lungs protesting with spears of pain as she sprinted up the hill to the back of the castle. Once inside, she went straight to her room, but she didn’t have long before Jeanie arrived, and this time there would be nothing to stop her questions.
“I can only assume, by your strange behavior, that your relationship with Mr. Cage is a concern for all of us.”
Georgie paced before the hearth. Her heart still hammered at a sickening speed, but she had regained control of her tears.
“You needn’t be concerned. There is nothing between us.”
Jeanie stepped in front of her. “That is not what it looked like in the—whatever that place was. Luckfeld was not at all pleased.”
“I don’t care what pleases Lord Luckfeld. Gavin and I—Mr. Cage and I are friends. He isn’t intimidated by me, and he knew I’d be interested in the Paradise Garden.”
“You were alone.”
“We are often alone. We ride together every morning. He keeps watch while I let Kit romp around the courtyard. No one has cared until now.”
Jeanie folded her arms. “I care. I cannot explain exactly what it is that so bothers me about the both of you together, but the point is, I am not the only one who sees it. If there is something between you two, just tell me. We could celebrate it, Georgie. You might be the one to save us from our uncertain future if you marry a gentleman such as he.”
Georgie spun away, pressing her hand to her mouth as new tears threatened and her heart twisted in agony. “No.”
“What?”
“I told him I won’t ever marry and he—well, you heard Lady Henrietta. She and he have an understanding.”
“An understanding is not an engagement.”
“What do you know about it? Six days with Lord Luckfeld and now you’re an expert in London society? This is beyond anything we know in our little corner of Northumberland. We may as well speak a different language.”
“Even I know understanding and engagement are two different things. A betrothal is a serious contract between two such as them.”
Georgie shook her head. Two such as them. She’d never felt so low in her life. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. You can be assured that whatever friendship existed between Mr. Cage and I is over. It’s now clear we have little in common and we don’t suit.”
Jeanie turned her to face her. She wouldn’t let Georgie shift away.
“You like him.”
“I did,” Georgie admitted, but she feared it was much more than that. These past few days had been a dream, a lovely fantasy. And in that fantasy, she’d fallen in love with him, his teasing, his flirting, his expert touch. His kindness, his understanding.
But it was only a dream. The reality was that he was a master manipulator. He saw her for the fool she was and used her.
She bit her knuckle as she met her sister’s stare, the bite of her teeth in her skin doing nothing to stop the rush of tears that came forth, spilling over.
“I was so stupid to think he would like me in return.”
“No. I’m sure he likes you. I even think he cares for you. But unless he has been clear that he intends to marry you, then he…is just doing as rakes do. Violet did warn us to be careful. I… I understand, Georgie.”
Georgie covered her face and Jeanie held her while she sobbed her heart out. After a while, she could breathe again and accepted the handkerchief Jeanie offered. Her thoughts were clear now, and there was one thing she couldn’t ignore. From the beginning, she’d never expected a marriage. She’d wanted a kiss and then she’d wanted more. He’d obliged her. She couldn’t fault him for giving her what she wanted. He’d tried valiantly to protect her from this, from scandal. Whether they’d failed in that regard was still uncertain. She wanted to speak to him. She deserved to know the truth, if what he said about not marrying was for her benefit or an outright lie. She was determined to face him again and clear the air. She wanted no regrets at the end of this party, nothing to tarnish the memories of what she experienced with him. But it was time to tell someone, to be honest with herself and her sister.
“I may have fallen in love with him, but it was not intentional. I allowed liberties because I knew my chances for marriage were so slim. I wanted the experience for myself. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. I couldn’t resist the chance. We set guidelines, we were careful. And he…made sure that I wouldn’t lose my virtue, that we would both be protected from a marriage neither of us wanted.”
“What reason did he give for not marrying?”
“He told me about his fam
ily and how his father devoted himself to his business, which hurt he and his mother very much. So much so, that Gavin is determined not to marry so he won’t do the same. He is as equally devoted to his manufactories as his father was.”
“So he claims,” Jeanie returned bitterly. “What of Lady Henrietta?”
“I didn’t know anything about that. Don’t tell anyone, please. This must stay between us.”
“But…our sisters should know what you’ve endured. Violet should know how her own guest has behaved. She may ask him to leave or…marry you.”
“No.”
“But if he cares for you?”
“No. I won’t marry a man because he’s been told he has to. Caring for me does not mean he loves me. What kind of marriage would that be? If he cared for me… He would have told me the complete truth.”
“This is all so confusing,” Jeanie said.
Georgie agreed but there was nothing else to do but ask for the utter truth, no matter how it badly it hurt. All the greatest lessons she’d learned in her life had all come at some cost and with a fair amount of pain. This would only be one more.
Chapter 17
When Gavin returned to Selbourne, he expected the ax to fall, but instead there was a strange tension among the guests, as if everyone was afraid to break the calm and instead chose to pretend nothing was wrong. Georgie wasn’t present for most of the remaining afternoon and when she was, her sisters surrounded her. They were like an impenetrable wall guarding her, and he had no choice but to keep his distance. After a quiet dinner, the dowager duchess retired and Violet suggested they all recoup their energy after the trying day. Gavin didn’t know what that meant. Weirick did not stay for port, leaving the gentlemen to amuse themselves in the billiard room.
“What do you suppose happened?” Lord Selhorst asked as he took the first shot and opened the door to the conversation everyone had been avoiding.
“Something they don’t want us to know,” Lord Densmore replied. “One of the sisters must have made a gaff.”
“But which one?”
“Chester stayed behind, my guess is Miss Bernadette,” Seyburn interjected. “She’s trouble.”
Gavin met Luckfeld’s gaze across the table.
“The last I saw of her she was in the maze with the twins,” Selhorst said. “I cannot account for everyone at all times, but nothing seemed off about their behavior even when we all left.”
“Who knows,” Densmore said. “We all know what kind of opportunities a garden party provides.”
Chuckles filled the billiard room except for Luckfeld and Gavin.
Luckfeld cleared his throat. “Must we speculate?”
The other men sobered.
“I don’t want to see them hurt,” Selhorst said. “Whatever it is, we must help mitigate any rumor.”
“We can’t help the situation if we don’t know who is involved,” Lord Densmore said. “I know for a fact it wasn’t Miss Lunette. She was lawn bowling with Seyburn, my brother, and me.”
“The twins returned shortly after the maze, but they were quiet,” Mr. Seyburn said.
“Are they involved or did they see something?” Selhorst asked.
Gavin’s hands tightened around his billiard stick. “See what exactly?”
Selhorst shrugged. “If I was to lead a woman somewhere private, I’d use Lord Kirkland’s Pleasure Garden. It was closed to guests. The maze next to it is separated only by a wall of bamboo. The privacy is only an illusion. One only has to look intently to see inside from all sides.”
Gavin began to sweat.
“You sound very familiar with it,” Luckfeld said.
“I am. Lord Kirkland gave me a tour himself. I’ve a mind to build my own,” Selhorst said.
Gavin nodded. He set the billiard stick down and picked up his drink, tossing it back while the others continued to speculate and list the whereabouts of guests.
“Careful,” Luckfeld whispered. “You’re acting suspicious.”
Gavin shook his head. “I need to speak with her. I need to know she’s all right.”
“That isn’t advisable,” Luckfeld warned.
“So be it.”
“What excellent last words of a man intent to throw caution to the wind.”
Gavin set his drink down and left them without another word. Luckfeld followed in silence until Gavin’s direction became clear.
“Are you mad?” Luckfeld whispered in the shadows of the backstairs that led to the sisters’ rooms.
“You know where her room is?” he ground out.
“I inquired, yes.”
“And you don’t intend to marry her? You fiend. Selbourne will have your manhood in a trophy case.”
Gavin didn’t answer. He didn’t have a ready answer. “Her virtue is intact and though I know where her room is—I think—I’ve not entered it.”
Luckfeld sighed. “You’re dragging me down with you.”
“I didn’t ask you to come.”
“You’re not thinking straight. I’m trying to save you from yourself.”
“You’re a good friend. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that.”
“You have implied it on several occasions.”
Gavin grinned in the darkness. He didn’t know what he would say when he knocked on Georgie’s door, if it was indeed Georgie’s door.
“Here.” Luckfeld pressed a book of paper and a pencil in his hand.
“What’s this for?”
“Slip a note under the door and when it opens, we’ll know who is in there.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“Of course, why do you think we get along so well? We are remarkably alike, you and I.”
Gavin moved into the hall where the light was slightly better, due to the lit stairs at the other end. Those sconces had not yet been snuffed.
We need to talk.
He left it unsigned, just in case it was not her room.
He tread silently to her door, slipped the paper under, and then returned to the shadows and waited.
From the corner of her eye, Georgie saw the bit of white on the rug by her door. She tucked Kit away in his basket and tiptoed to the slip of paper, picking it up to read it.
Her stomach tightened, her tortured heart taking off in a bittersweet rush of excitement. She’d been thinking of this moment all day. The tension in the house after the party had not allowed her to attempt to speak to him, not when anyone was present. She wouldn’t be able to control her emotions and everyone would see.
He must have felt the same, and he was either still protecting her or protecting himself.
Either way, she could not meet with him alone. She didn’t trust herself. She pulled on her cloak and slippers. She opened her door slowly but no one was there. She went to Jeanie’s door, next to hers, and knocked softly.
Jeanie opened the door and Georgie held up the note.
“Will you come with me?”
Jeanie took the note and read it. “Where?”
“I don’t know.”
A wad of paper landed at their feet. Jeanie jumped. Georgie swiveled toward the shadows of the back stairs where the paper had come from. Gavin stepped out, followed by Lord Luckfeld.
Jeanie squeaked and stepped out of sight of them, frantically plating her hair.
Gavin came forward and Georgie faced him.
“What do you want to talk about?” she whispered.
“Everything that needs be said. Come to the conservatory.”
Georgie looked over his shoulder. “And him?”
“We’ll come to chaperone.” Jeanie came to Georgie’s side.
Georgie nodded, though her heart was in her throat. The four slipped quietly into the dark. Georgie hugged herself as she followed Gavin to the conservatory. They stopped at the doors in the beam of bright moonlight.
“We’ll wait out here, but don’t take long. If we’re all caught like this, it will be a devil to explain,” Luckfeld warned.
&nbs
p; Gavin nodded and held the door for Georgie.
She swallowed and entered, the conservatory filled with the scent of citrus fruits and musty soil. Silvery light illuminated most of the room.
He led her to a table in the center and they sat across from each other. Georgie gripped the table, having no idea where to begin. He looked like a ghost, skin pale, hair black in this eerie atmosphere, but still beautiful in ways she couldn’t explain. Her heart thudded, full of regret, full of a longing so sharp it stole her breath.
She wanted to keep him to herself, but that simply wasn’t possible. He was above her in so many ways. Lady Henrietta, with her expensive beauty and cultured tongue, would suit him far better than a country gentlewoman who wrestled with sheep.
“Today something changed and I think we should face it head on. We’ve both been honest about what we want and—”
“You lied to me,” she blurted.
His brows went up. “Excuse me?”
Her anguish spilled forth, claiming her thoughts and her words. “You said you wouldn’t marry for reasons that made sense, but the truth was you had an understanding with someone else. Why couldn’t you just say it? I’m not good enough. I know that. I never expected a proposal. But to fool me as you did… I…” She shook her head and bit her lip. She didn’t want to cry in front of him. “I can handle the truth. You insult me by keeping your understanding with Lady Henrietta—”
His expression darkened. “I have no understanding with her. I accepted Roderick’s invitation to escape her.”
Georgie sucked in a breath. “But she said…”
“She’s been saying many things. None of which seem to consider my complete lack of regard. She and my mother are conspiring yes, but I’ve no interest or intention of falling in with their plans.”
Georgie swallowed. There was no understanding, and her heart sang. She nodded.
He reached across the table and took her hand. “I never lied about not marrying. It was my decision, but like all things in life, the course has altered. After the events of today, I think we will have to marry. I’ve compromised you. The full truth hasn’t come to light but these things never stay quiet long. There will be talk and your sisters will share the repercussions for what we’ve done. I can only surmise that we were seen today in the Paradise Garden.