Georgie’s heart lurched at the vulnerability she saw in his eyes, and she rose from her seat. “What is keeping you there, my lord?” she asked as she came around her desk.
“I’m afraid it is my penance for what I have done.”
“What could you have done that was so horrible?”
Lord Grenton’s expression grew solemn, and his eyes filled with anguish. “I killed my sister.”
“Why do you believe you killed your sister?” Georgie asked. There had to be more to the story.
“I was infected with influenza when I traveled home from Eton for a holiday, and I gave it to Eleanor,” he said. “I should have been the one who died that day, not her.”
Georgie stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm. “That sounds more like a tragic accident to me. I do not see how you were at fault.”
“I should never have come home.” He glanced down at her hand. “If I hadn’t, my sister would still be alive, and I wouldn’t be burdened with knowing that I took my sister away from my mother.”
“Did your mother blame you for your sister’s death?”
“No, but the light dimmed in her eyes after Eleanor died. She was never quite the same.” Lord Grenton blinked back his tears that were forming in his eyes. “Pardon me. This is not why I came here today. I shouldn’t burden you with this.”
“I’m glad that you did, especially since you have been punishing yourself for far too long for something that wasn’t your fault.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” he asked, his voice rising. “I infected Eleanor. I killed her!”
“Did you know you were infected when you left Eton?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter, now does it?” he asked. “My mother sent a coach for me so we could spend Christmas together.”
“Do you not think that perhaps your mother blamed herself for Eleanor’s death since she sent for you?”
“But she did nothing wrong.”
“Neither did you,” Georgie pressed. “You were just a boy and could have just as easily died.”
“I wish I had.”
Georgie held his gaze and asked, “Then who would have carried on your mother’s work?”
Lord Grenton grew silent. “I want to believe your words, but I don’t think I am capable of it. I will always know that I was responsible for my sister’s death.”
“That is faulty logic,” Georgie said. “Influenza killed your sister, not you.” She paused. “Would your sister want you to blame yourself?”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Lord Grenton said after a moment’s reflection.
“Then it is time for you to stop blaming yourself and grieve your sister properly,” Georgie encouraged. “It is time to step out of your cage.”
Georgie watched a range of emotions race over Lord Grenton’s face, and she couldn’t even begin to know what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke.
“Do you think I am capable of such a thing?”
“I believe you can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Why do you have so much faith in me?” he asked.
“Because I believe you to be an honorable man,” Georgie said.
Lord Grenton’s eyes roamed over her face. “I do not like most people, but I do like you, Miss Holbrooke.”
Georgie felt her breath catch in her throat. What did that mean?
