Page 18 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“What?”

“Do you never pay attention to the debutantes or any female on the marriage mart when you attend the Season?”

“You know that I do not.”

“Clearly, because I would wager that Georgie is no younger than twenty and likely one-and-twenty.”

Damian snorted. “She is a girl who should be at home with her parents. Not chasing a sister across the Atlantic.”

“Maybe if you weren’t always looking for a mistress instead of a potential wife, you would be able to tell the difference.”

“As I have no intention of marrying, there is no reason to look for a wife.” He took a drink of wine and thought over what his brother had just said. “What do you mean that I would be able to tell the difference?”

“I have seen the women you escort about. Not a curl out of place, not a wrinkle on their gowns, lips and cheeks rouged, and bodices cut to entice. Then there is the way certain women have when looking at a man when they are seeking a lover or protector. And, because Georgie was dressed as a man and wearing braids when you first met, you assume she is barely older than a child and you are wrong.”

“I am not!” Damian insisted.

Sterling just chuckled and sipped his wine

Damian ignored his brother because he knew Georgie was young, no matter what his brother believed. “What of her father? She has one. He was mentioned. Or, a mother, who was not mentioned.” Had she lost hers?

“Maybe he was not in a position to travel,” Sterling offered.

“But he would allow his daughter to go after another that had run off?” Damian hadn’t meant to raise his voice but he was incensed. “No doubt, she will leave tomorrow for London.”

“She is looking for her sister,” Sterling reminded him as if he did not care. Then again, Damian should not be surprised since Sterling at one time had always looked at each situation without emotion, deciding right or wrong, black or white, in the blink of an eye, just like their father. Damian had always tried to be as unemotional but had never achieved the ability to remain removed and cool when risks were involved. He tended to think through situations longer and often had questions. His wanting of answers was how he ended up with Georgie.

“Do you know what kind of danger she could be in if she went off on her own?” Damian demanded.

“I am quite aware, but do you think you can keep her here?” his brother countered. “Or do you think she would willingly allow you to put her on the next Trade Wynd ship sailing to Carrera?”

No. He may have only met her, but Georgie’s determination to save her sister was unflinching.

He took a drink of his wine and pushed his hair from his eyes as he wandered to a window to look out over the gardens at the back of the house. It was almost too dark to see the blooms. In the distance were the stables and to the side was a conservatory, lights still burning within and where Avery, their youngest brother, was likely to be found conducting experiments on plant growth.

Georgie was not Damian’s responsibility. She came here on her own and could search for her sister on her own. Just because she used a Trade Wynd ship to get to England did not mean he must be accountable for what happened to her after today.

“When are you going to cut your hair?”

Sterling’s voice pulled Damian from his thoughts and he turned around. “What?”

“Your hair,” he said. “Have you given up cutting it?”

Why did Sterling even care? “No time,” he dismissed.

“I only mention it because you keep pushing it out of your eyes.”

Yes, well, it was a nuisance and maybe he should have one of the footmen trim his hair. Or he could just comb it out of the way.

Bloody hell! This was not the time to be thinking about his hair when an impressionable young woman, innocent and foreign to England, was abovestairs likely planning how she was going to get to London as quickly as possible without bothering to ask anyone’s opinion.

Were all females so independent in Italy? Such would drive him to madness.

“There is nothing wrong with Damian’s hair,” Caroline said as she joined them in the library, once their father’s domain and now Sterling’s.

Sterling shrugged. “It got his mind off of our guest for a moment.” The corner of Sterling’s mouth tipped.

Damian shook his head and turned to look out the window again.