Page 78 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

If this was how he treated her, buying her these gifts, because they were having an enjoyable day, what might he gift his wife, a woman he loved, and how often?

And, for the quickest moment, she wished that she could be that woman.

Foolish indeed.

But it didn’t make her heart ache any less, which she would need to put aside. There was no future for her in England, or with Damian. He was simply seeing that she reached her sister safely, and his emotions ran no deeper, even though he was buying her gifts.

“Maybe when you return to Southampton and discover that Trade Wynd did not truly suffer in your absence, you might decide to visit Liechtenstein.” Or Carrera.

Damian chuckled. “Maybe I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

What he would like to do was visit Liechtenstein and have Georgie by his side, especially if he dared her to argue with him. She was an enjoyable companion and he truly did like spending time with her.

More than he should. And it was not just about desire, which he had not only suffered from painfully this morning, but while shopping and talking and teasing.

Oh, she would be the ideal person to have along on any adventure.

They spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon visiting different shops and he did not purchase anything else for her. He simply enjoyed spending time with Georgie. She had a bonnet, books, and a reticule and he truly hoped that these items would bring her fond memories when she was once again living in Carrera and he was back at his desk at Trade Wynd.

He would never forget Georgie. In fact, she may be the standard by which he judged all women in the future.

Mistresses were false because his pleasure depended on their security of having a temporary home, food, and clothing, and maybe that was why he tired of them so quickly. Yet, misses on the marriage mart were no different, for they fluttered eyelashes, giggled, and blushed, likely as they had been taught by their mothers to win a husband. A gentleman had no idea what a miss’s true personality was, or if the two would even truly suit living in the same household until it was too late. However, with Georgie, there was nothing but honesty and genuineness. He could not imagine that she was keeping secrets from him, or trying to hide any part of her personality, other than quickly going silent when she was about to argue with him, but that was only for today and because she intended to win the challenge.

Yes, a stubborn disposition was something that a miss would be cautioned to hide until after she had been married.

They stopped before a shop window and Georgie peered in. It carried ribbons, lace, and fans.

“Do you want to go in?” he asked.

“It is not necessary,” she answered.

“Those are items all women covet, are they not?”

“I am certain that they do, but they are impractical. I have no need for pretty ribbons, delicate fans, or lace trim while working in the heat of a bakery.”

“You cannot spend all of your time baking.”

“No. But when not in Accetta Panetteria, I have other duties, such as the herb and vegetable gardens and when I do have time to myself, I sit in the gardens and read or visit with friends. We are of a common class and have no need for adornments.”

“Are there no public assemblies in Carrera?”

“What would those be?” she asked.

“Assembly rooms, or a central location where entertainments are held such as dancing.”

“We do not have those, or none that I have been made aware.”

“There are no soirees or gatherings?”

Not that he attended such events, but there were many held and he received invitations quite often, which were ignored.

“Friends gather, and there are sometimes festivals in Piazza Alberica, which I have enjoyed, but no entertainment that would require such adornment as I viewed in the shop.”

She was raised in a different world. Not only the country, but he had wealth and privilege because his father had been an earl and she worked in a bakery even though her grandfather held the same rank. And he loved the simplicity and practicality of Georgie.

As they continued to walk, they soon found themselves in front of the Crown Inn, where they had arrived the night before. It was in one of those rooms that he had awakened in a most pleasant manner, with Georgie curled around him, her head on his chest.