“Yes, ma’am.” Gavin dutifully sat on the other side of her ladyship, and accepted a cup of tea from the younger Lady Littleton. “Thank you, my lady.” From the corner of his eye, he saw a small grin on Georgie’s lips.
“Oh dear.” Adeline Littleton’s lips formed a moue. “You should probably call me Adeline. I imagine you will always think of Mama-in-law as Lady Littleton.”
“It has been getting a bit jumbled in my head.” Although why that should be, he didn’t know. He knew more than enough dowagers.
“I should have thought of it when you visited before.” She reached for a lemon biscuit then sighed. “I should not.”
“Of course you should,” Lady Littleton said. “If one cannot indulge a bit when one is in a delicate condition, then I do not know when one may.”
Adeline bit into the sweet and sighed. “They are delicious.”
“I would not wish to deprive Frits and Adeline of their cook,” Gavin said. “But I do wish she had gone with you.”
“Bite your tongue.” Littleton glowered at Gavin. “That sort of poaching would have caused a family rift.”
Everyone laughed, but it seemed a little forced. Had he made a mistake coming here? Clearly, Georgie was no longer comfortable in his company. The problem was that he had no idea what to do.
She covered her mouth and yawned. “If you will excuse me, I am going to rest for a bit.”
“Yes, of course,” Adeline said, and he and Littleton got to their feet. “We shall see you at dinner.”
They took their seats when she disappeared through the door. Once Gavin was certain she was gone, he glanced at Littleton. “Perhaps this was a bad idea.”
“No!” Lady Littleton and Adeline pronounced at the same time.
“She was merely not expecting you,” Adeline said. “In fact, she had convinced herself you no longer cared. If you did in the first place.” This last bit was said in a harder tone.
“Of course I care about her.” For some reason, he sat up a little straighter. It had been a long time since he’d had to answer to anyone. Yet convincing Adeline that he truly wanted Georgie was essential to getting her to marry him. “She is the only lady with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life.” He wondered how far he should go . . . Well, she was a married lady. “She is the only one I can imagine waking up to. To having my children with.”
She tilted her head as if she could see him better from a different angle. “But you do not love her.”
“If there was any woman I could love, it would be her.” Gavin had to make her understand. “I can’t put my—”
She held up her hand, silencing him. “Frits told me about your father.” She rose, causing Littleton and Gavin to stand. “I cannot say that I understand you. On the other hand, I shall not stand in your way . . . Yet.” Adeline narrowed her eyes. “If I see you harm her in any way, you will no longer be welcome at Littlewood.”
“That is more than fair.” And a good deal more than he expected from a friend of Georgie’s.
As Adeline left the terrace, Lady Littleton waved her hand toward the tray. “Finish your sandwich. I have a great deal to do before tomorrow.”
He’d taken a rather large bite and had to swallow it before asking, “What is going on tomorrow?”
She gave him a wide, innocent look. That usually meant she was scheming. “Did I not tell you?”
He shook his head as she expected him to. “The dowager Viscountess Featherton and the dowager Duchess of Bridgewater are joining us.”
Littleton barked a laugh and slapped Gavin on his back when he choked. “Georgie’s grandmother?”
“Indeed. My daughter-in-law is not the only one who is concerned about Georgie’s future.”
Gavin ran his finger between his collar and his neck. He didn’t even want to think about what the three older ladies would get up to while he was trying to court Georgie. Maybe he should prostrate himself at their feet and ask for their help. Then again, that might not be a bad idea. He obviously needed all the assistance he could get.
* * *
Georgie had been pacing the parlor in the rooms she had been given since she’d reached their sanctuary. Although the sun was sinking, light still filtered through the mullioned lacework that decorated the top of the long casement windows, making patterns on the large Turkish rug. If only she’d had some notice that Turley was arriving, she could have been more prepared. As it was, she’d made a fool of herself, exhibiting no conversation and acting like a frightened child. She could absolutely not continue in this manner. If only she knew how to respond to his presence. Perhaps she would have to be blunt and explain that she could not marry a man who did not love her?
A light tap sounded on the door to Georgie’s parlor. Smith opened it and stood aside as Adeline swept into the room.
“I did not think you would be resting.” She sounded pleased to have been right. “How are you doing?”
