Page 113 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“Then I shall read to you.”

“But you will not get rest.”

“I can rest when you are gone, Georgie.”

The words were barely whispered as he slipped out of their cabin.

Was it possible that he was no more eager to be parted than she was?

When he returned, Damian retrieved a bottle of Wynd Wine and the two cups from his valise.

“Cook had packed two and we only drank one.”

While they enjoyed a meal of ham, bread, fruit, and cheese, Damian told her how he had toured the ship and now understood how Chisholm had created passenger cabins in a merchant ship and it was something that he might consider doing in the future, especially if he did decide to sail somewhere.

Georgie wanted to ask if it would be Italy but anticipated that his response would be somewhere more interesting.

When they were finished, he set the tray aside and refilled her glass, then returned to his place on the bed beside her.

“The ship will arrive in Dublin tomorrow.”

Her heart hitched. Yes, she wanted to see her sister, but Georgie was not ready for her time with Damian to come to an end.

“I will miss you,” she said quietly. “After the way we had met, I would have never believed that I would utter those words to you.”

Damian chuckled. “I will miss you as well.”

She sipped her wine, not certain what else could be said. A heaviness filled the room, almost dread. For her, it was the parting that was to come. She wasn’t even certain if Damian noticed.

“I am a practical man.” He said after a moment. “No decision is ever made without thinking the matter through and weighing the good and the bad and potential outcomes.”

“Yet, you decided to accompany me to London.”

“Extenuating circumstances and one that I will never regret.”

“I also plan carefully and never rush because mistakes and poor decisions could be made,” Georgie said.

“It is better to think with one’s mind and never the heart,” Damian proclaimed without conviction.

“I agree completely,” she responded weakly.

Damian set his cup aside and turned more fully toward her. “I believe that I may have fallen in love with you, Georgie, but the practical side of me insists that it is impossible.”

“We have not known each other long enough to know if it is truly love.”

“That is what I keep telling myself,” Damian admitted.

“I, as well, Damian. My heart tells me that I love you and I hate that we are going to part, but my head is telling me to be sensible.”

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

“Neither one of us is a fool.”

“Which is why I will not pursue or court you. When we reach your sister, we will part. You will return to Italy and I to England.”

“If only there had been more time to know for certain what is true: our heads or our hearts.”

“Unfortunately, we do not since we will likely reach your sister in two days and I will no longer be needed.”