Page 36 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“You are a curiosity, Georgie,” Damian said after a moment.

She eyed him suspiciously. “Why is that?”

“Is it only you and Grace?”

“We have another sister, Glynis, who is twenty. She remained in Italy with my parents and her betrothed.”

“Are all women in Italy like you?”

“Like me in what way?” she asked wearily.

“Independent and single-minded,” he answered.

“I do not know about others but I tend to be more headstrong.”

Damian snorted at the understatement.

“At least more independent than the two women who shared the coach earlier. I can take care of myself and rarely need assistance from anyone. You are the exception because I do not know my way around the Port of London, whereas those two were clearly looking for a gentleman to take care of them.” Georgie cocked her head and smiled. “You did not seem to have any objection to those two traveling without a chaperone or a man to protect them.”

His face heated, but he couldn’t very well tell Georgie that he had made the same assessment because a gentleman did not discuss courtesans or mistresses with innocent misses. Instead, he answered, “They were not my concern, though most women must have someone to provide for them since they lack privileges only men enjoy, such as owning a home, and income of their own.”

“It is much the same in Italy,” she admitted with a sigh. “And entirely unfair.”

He did agree with her but there was little he could do.

Damian glanced out when the hackney came to a halt to see that they had arrived at Wyndham’s Mayfair home. Finally, he would be able to relax, at least until he had to leave in the morning. After assisting Georgie to the pavement and paying the driver, he approached the main door. As the knocker had been removed because nobody from the family was in residence, he pounded because he assumed that it would be locked and he had not thought to bring a key.

It was opened a moment later by James, their white-haired, staid butler who had been here since he was a child

“Mr. Wynd, we were not expecting you.” His eyes flickered to Georgie who stood beside him, but James was too practiced and proficient in his position to show emotion or curiosity.

“The decision to travel came on suddenly and we did not have time to alert you in advance,” Damian said.

James stepped back and opened the door further and Damian gestured to Georgie to enter before him.

“I hope it is not too much trouble, but could a bedchamber be prepared for myself and one for our guest and would cook be able to prepare a small meal?”

“Of course, Mr. Wynd, we will see to it right away.” He then motioned to a footman who came forward and picked up the valises. Damian pointed to the first one. “That is mine. The other belongs to our guest.” The footman nodded then started up the stairs followed by a maid. The housekeeper met them coming down and all three turned to look at the entry. “Mr. Wynd has come to London with a guest and requires two rooms,” James announced. The housekeeper nodded and returned upstairs followed by the footman and maid.

“I will inform cook.” James gave a slight bow then departed.

“Please bring a bottle of wine,” Damian said before he made his way to the library. Georgie paused just at the entrance and took in the room and the shelves of books. “I have no doubt that you will find something better here to read.”

“I am quite happy with the book I chose,” she sniffed and wandered to a settee and settled upon it.

He knew she lied but was too proud to admit such to him. He had seen her eyes close and head bob as if she’d fallen asleep before she quickly awakened, shook her head, and kept reading.

A footman entered a moment later with a bottle of Wynd Wine and Damian retrieved the corkscrew to remove the stopper from the bottle.

“Would you care for a glass of wine?”

“Yes, please.”

After he poured, he handed the glass to her then waited for her to take a drink. Even though he had no part in the production of Wynd Wine, he was still proud of what they produced and believed it to be a superior wine, which was why he waited anxiously for Georgie’s opinion.

She frowned at him, likely wondering what he was about, before she brought the crystal to her lips and took a sip.

“What is your first impression?”