Page 50 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“As a wife, I would likely become a mother and thus I would not have the time to honor my grandfather’s legacy, and if anything, Accetta Panetteria, must survive me for future generations.”

*

“What generations, if you do not have children?” he asked, humor in his eyes.

“I have two sisters, one is betrothed and Grace, well, she will likely wed soon. Their sons, or daughters, will take over, after I have instilled in them the importance of my grandfather’s Panetteria.” She finished her cup of wine, a mournfulness filling her soul as she glanced out the window “This will likely be the only adventure I will ever have.”

She should be grateful that she had one, even though she had dreamed of many.

Maybe she should even thank Grace, but only after her sister was found, then scolded for her foolishness. Otherwise, she likely would have never left Carrera.

“You cannot know that for certain,” Damian argued quietly, more a discussion than challenge. “But you do seem to have your life already planned.”

“Yes, I do.”

It was also the only choice she had. There were other reasons why she could not and would not wed, not that she would share those with Damian, mainly because she did not want him to know her shame and that she was not much better than that blonde and brunette who had joined them on the mail coach yesterday who looked at Damian as if they couldn’t wait to…

She drew in a breath and blew it out. She would not think about what they had wanted to do since the same thoughts had crossed her mind and despite her past mistake, she would not be so foolish a second time.

Also, Damian wouldn’t even think to whisper words of love with plans to seduce her, and she was just as certain that the very idea had never crossed his mind, much to her disappointment, and what should be relief.

Chapter Eighteen

Georgie’s sadness at this being her only adventure pulled at something inside Damian’s chest.

His heart.

Yes, it ached for her.

She had decided to be a spinster, work, and then run her grandfather’s bakery for the rest of her life without knowing love, family, or another adventure.

It was a waste that someone as determined, stubborn, and pretty should hide away in Carrera, Italy.

Except, what his heart recognized was what was within himself. This was likely his only adventure, minor though it may be, but at least he got to share it with Georgie.

He nearly snorted as he shook his head. Three days ago, he would have insisted that the last thing he would be grateful for was having been sent away from Southampton to accompany a stubborn miss to London but it was turning out to be what he may have needed.

More than that.

Last night had been filled with dreams of her, and it was very difficult to look in her eyes and at her face and not glimpse at her enticing bodice.

He wanted her.

He lusted after her, and being alone in this carriage, which could last through the night, was not helping ease his desire.

Damian braced when the mail coach took a turn too quickly and he was certain that the wheels on one side of the coach had lifted from the ground since Georgie slid down the bench, toward his side. He reached out to steady her so that she didn’t fall or become injured when the coach came to a near sudden halt, which he hadn’t thought possible with horses pulling them so quickly. The momentum sent Georgie forward and Damian grasped her waist and lifted her before she landed on the floor and settled her on his lap.

She turned to face Damian, brown eyes wide with alarm. Her lips a mere inch from his.

He must ignore them.

“Are you injured?” he asked, surprised at the hoarseness in his tone.

Georgie’s tongue darted out and moistened her lower lip. “I am unharmed,” she answered, staring into his eyes.

It would be so easy to lean forward and brush his lips against hers.

Perhaps that was what she wanted.