Page 65 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“Does that mean that you have never wanted to go anywhere?”

“Unfortunately, the place I would like to visit cannot be reached by ship,” he said in hope that it would end this conversation.

He had duties and responsibilities. He simply could not be gone from Southampton for weeks or months.

“You should still go,” she insisted.

“Why?” he finally asked. Why was it so important to Georgie that he go somewhere? Why did she even care?

“Because I cannot,” she answered. “I have always wanted to venture out and explore countries that I have only read about but know that I will never visit. First, I do not have the available funds and second, as you have pointed out, I am a woman and should not travel alone, therefore my opportunities are limited unless there are extenuating circumstances such as my sister disappearing. Whereas you are free to travel anywhere you wish. Your being in a mail coach with me is proof that Trade Wynd will not suffer for your absence, so I reject your excuse that you are needed in England.”

She was scolding him. “You know nothing about my responsibilities.”

“Perhaps.” She shrugged and got up from the table and walked to the far side of the bed. “But it will not keep me from being disappointed and perhaps irritated that you do not take advantage of opportunities that others, including myself, may covet. It is a waste.”

She then pulled back the covers on the bed, fluffed the pillows, then climbed in, still wearing her dress, which was for the best. A nightrail would be too distracting.

*

While irrational, she was irritated, bordering on angry with Damian.

He could do anything he wanted. He was handsome, wealthy, sometimes pleasant, and more importantly, a man, free of restrictions forced on women, and he did not take advantage of the privileges available.

However, she was also making a judgment when she had only known Damian for four days, which was unlike her.

Then again, she had never been in this situation either, and she was on edge, worried, exhausted and frustrated—all because of her sister and the circumstances that brought Georgie to England.

She should not take out her irritation on Damian, who was being of great assistance.

Georgie drew in a deep breath through her nose then slowly blew it out between her lips, something her grandmother had taught her when aggravation seeped into her bones. She then settled into the comfortable bed.

“Where is it that you would like to visit that you cannot reach by ship?”

The corner of his mouth tipped as he leaned further back in his chair. “I am not certain I should tell you since you have chastised me since this conversation began.”

He deserved to be reprimanded because he did not appreciate the opportunities he had. “I promise not to do so.” Besides, she was rather curious about what exotic location he may choose if he allowed himself more freedom.

“Liechtenstein.”

She had expected him to say somewhere in America that he could not reach by ship, or Canada, but certainly not Liechtenstein. “Why?” she asked in disbelief.

“It would be interesting,” he answered simply.

“How?” There were so many more fascinating cities and countries. At least to her, based on the reading that she had done, and what foreign students of The Accademia delle Belle Arti shared when they came to Accetta Panetteria. She had questioned them often, especially when they were from somewhere that was not Italy.

“It is small and independent while surrounded by much larger countries.” Damian leaned back in a chair, his blue eyes warm, much like they had been when he spoke about his wine heritage. “Did you know that Liechtenstein is only sixteen miles long and sits in the middle of the Alps. A person could walk the length of the country in a single day.

“And why would you want to?”

“I would take my time,” he admitted. “But it would be possible. In fact, I could take a fortnight and likely see all there is of Liechtenstein and enjoy being in the Alps at the same time.”

“You want to be in the Alps?” she asked, surprised again that if he could go anywhere that he wanted to visit the Alps and Liechtenstein.

“I have read description of the mountains. In my mind I cannot imagine something that is so large and impossible to take in the whole even standing far away. I want to visit the mountains. I want to climb and make my way to Liechtenstein.”

“Go in the summer. It is too dangerous and cold in the winter.”

Damian chuckled and shook his head. “I take it you have been there.”