“I have been asking myself that same question. He never really showed any interest in me unless he found some reason to discipline me.”
“You must be worth something to him.”
Georgie shook her head. “When I was younger, I idolized my brother. I thought he could do no wrong until I realized that he didn’t care for me.”
“That is a sad lesson to learn.”
“When I was thirteen, I received my first commissioned dress from the dressmaker in town. I adored that dress and felt like I was a princess,” Georgie shared. “My brother thought it would be amusing to trip me, and I fell into a mud puddle. No matter how hard my lady’s maid tried, she couldn’t get the stains out.”
“Perhaps he didn’t do it on purpose.”
Georgie gave him a sad smile. “It wasn’t the only time he did it. My brother has never shown me any consideration.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Lord Grenton said. “I was most fortunate that my sister and I were close.”
“How I envy you.”
Lord Grenton grew visibly tense. “She was many years younger than me, but I doted on her. She always wore a bright smile on her face. I didn’t know a happier child.”
“She sounds like a wonderful person.”
Lord Grenton cleared his throat. “She was,” he said as he appeared to be blinking back tears. “She passed away many years ago.”
“My condolences.”
Rising, Lord Grenton walked over to the window and announced, “I will send men over to put more secure locks on the doors and windows.”
“That isn’t necessary—”
“It is the least I can do, at least until you trust me enough to tell me your real name.”
How had he known she was going by a false one? “Why would that make a difference?”
“I could go to your brother and demand that he leave you alone,” Lord Grenton said. “I could even bring in the magistrate.”
“I’m afraid that will do little good, since my brother is my guardian,” Georgie explained. “I haven’t reached my majority, which is why we can’t involve the magistrate. They will just force me to return home to him.”
“So what is your plan? I assume you have one.”
Georgie bobbed her head. “I reach my majority in a few months, and then I receive my inheritance.”
“May I ask how much your inheritance is?”
“Thirty thousand pounds.”
He stared at her for a moment. “You are an heiress.”
“I am,” she replied, seeing no reason to deny it.
Lord Grenton frowned. “I tire of this game. Why won’t you just tell me the truth, all of it, rather than piece by piece?”
“Because this is no game; this is my life.”
Her words seemed to appease Lord Grenton somewhat. “I will let your charade continue, for now,” he said, “but I will discover the truth eventually.”
Lord Grenton walked over to the door but stopped. She waited for a further rebuke, but when he spun back around, she noticed the unusual softening in his face. “I am relieved beyond words that you were not taken last night.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
