Page 33 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

For a moment Georgie considered just taking a seat at the opposite side so that woman could charm Damian during the next leg of the journey. This could be the very thing that would rid Georgie of her reluctant protector if Damian decided that he would rather accompany and protect the beautiful blonde.

Except, she did not want to do that either. Damian was the only person who could help her find her sister at the Port of London, or at least quicker than she could on her own. And, as much as she hated to admit that she needed anyone, she did need Damian in London. He may not be hers permanently, but he belonged to her until they found Grace.

Damian glanced back at Georgie after the woman entered and just as the driver was picking up the reins of the coach. She launched herself forward, stepped into the carriage to note the woman had taken a place in the middle of the bench and likely because she knew that Damian would be seated on either side of her since the bench across was occupied.

“You are in my seat.” Georgie smiled but knew it didn’t reach her eyes because she had already decided to dislike the woman.

That woman first studied Georgie from head to toe and nearly smirked before she smiled back at Damian.

She knew that her appearance was inadequate next to the beautiful woman but did not appreciate the reminder and nearly held her breath waiting to see what Damian would say. If he suggested that Georgie take the other seat then she would be done with him. She could find Grace on her own.

“I would like to sit with my wife,” he told the blonde, whose smile slipped before she slid away, leaving the seat unoccupied for Georgie. She couldn’t help the triumph that rose within as she smiled at the woman.

As before, there was no conversation inside the mail coach as it rumbled down the road, which made for tedious travel that soon had her tense. Georgie was used to being busy. If not baking, then in the herb and vegetable gardens at home, or cleaning, or doing laundry. Her days were full, and when she had free time in the afternoon, she read. She did not like this sitting with nothing to occupy her time. It was nearly as bad as the dreary weeks hiding in the hull of the ship.

Of course, she continued to worry about Grace but as there was nothing else that she could do while she traveled, Georgie was left with her own thoughts. She tried not to imagine what her sister may be enduring and then prayed that Fisher had loved Grace as much as she loved him and that Georgie had worried for no reason.

But there were still hours of travel ahead, hours before she knew if her sister was safe and happy. Therefore, if she did not find something else to occupy her mind, she might very well go mad.

The opportunity came at the next stop, which was halfway through their journey, and the driver announced that they had thirty minutes because he was going to eat a meal before they traveled again and suggested the others do as well.

Georgie pulled her pocket watch from her satchel, noted the time, then exited the mail coach then glanced around.

This was Basingstoke, a town she had never heard of because she had never been to England, but there appeared to be a market, which might have just what she needed. If not, there were shops that she could visit and started off in the direction of where goods were being sold.

“Where are you going?” Damian asked as he caught up to her.

“I am off to find a bookshop.”

“Bookshop?”

“Yes. I am growing quite bored.”

“Then a bookshop it shall be,” Damian said as he offered his arm to Georgie, who stared at it for a moment because it was not something he had done before.

“Take it. You are supposed to be my wife,” he whispered.

“I seem to have forgotten,” she blew out as she slipped her hand on his sleeve.

While there was a haberdashery, modiste, butcher, jeweler, and confectioner, she did not see a bookshop so they entered the greengrocer because she thought to purchase fruit to take with her. It was Damian who asked if there was a bookshop and they were directed to just around the corner, much to her relief.

Normally when she was searching for a book, she spent time reviewing the available options. Too much time, which she did not have today. Therefore, she chose the first one that seemed mildly interesting and purchased it.

Damian took it from her and smirked.

She grabbed it back, not at all appreciative of his judgment. “I would now like to find something to eat, and drink, and return before the mail coach leaves.”

“Do you love Shakespeare so much that you want to read beyond his plays?”

She did not, but so long as it kept her mind off Grace, then she would not regret the purchase. “It will do,” she finally answered as she checked the time on her pocket watch. This had not taken so very long. “We have twenty minutes.”

Damian offered his arm. “Then we shall dine on meat pies and enjoy some ale,” he said as he led her to a tavern. “I overheard someone say that they were sold inside, delicious and served quickly.”

Women were not supposed to go into taverns, but it was located next to the coaching inn, and served quick meals for weary travelers, thus women often crossed the threshold, usually with a husband, brother, or father.

Damian first purchased two ales, for which she was grateful because she’d grown quite parched throughout the day. They then took their ale and the sliced meat pies and returned to a bench situated not far from the mail coach, settled on the seat, and enjoyed their meal.

Georgie’s mouth watered when she realized how hungry she truly was. She barely held back a moan of delight after the first bite into the flaky crust filled with delicious meat.