Page 97 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

“Likely because you were only concerned with the location of Clara and the distance from Dublin,” Damian suggested.

“Is Tullamore of importance?” Chisholm asked.

“My father was born there. I have family there. I am certain that they will assist me.” It was only then that Georgie smiled at Damian.

She would be seeing her uncles and cousins after all.

He also knew, without asking, that once Georgie was reunited with her uncles and cousins, there would no longer be a need for him to remain and protect her.

To think, only a sennight ago he had been resentful for being the one to make certain that nothing happened to her and now he wasn’t ready for her to leave.

He might not ever be ready.

“We sail to Ireland then take either a mail coach or the passenger boat to Tullamore, whichever one is departing first that has space for us. I am certain my uncle will provide transportation, more comfortable than a mail coach to Clara, where I will finally locate Grace.”

“In a four, or five, short days, your search will finally be done.” As Damian said the words, his heart squeezed with pain.

Eight days. It was impossible to fall in love in eight days.

Hadn’t Grace believed herself in love only to realize it had been an infatuation? How could he be certain that he was not experiencing the same?

Georgie did not appear to have any emotional attachment to him. She had simply wanted a lover.

“A cabin is available on the ship leaving tomorrow. I have seen that it is given to you,” Chisholm announced as he returned to the office.

Two or three more nights with Georgie in his bed. That was all he was likely to have and he was going to make every moment memorable.

*

Relief, anxiety, and perhaps a little sadness filled Georgie’s being.

Her search would soon be at an end.

There was also some excitement in visiting her family in Tullamore. Even though she had only met a few relatives’ years ago when they had visited Carrera, her father kept up regular correspondence, and she was certain that she would be welcomed the moment she arrived.

However, once she reached Tullamore, Damian would likely take his leave of her and return to Southampton and she would be left with memories. Would he remember her as fondly as she did him?

Georgie shook the thoughts from her mind as she looked out over the Firth of Clyde. They had boarded not long ago so they could sleep on the ship, as Mr. Chisholm suggested.

The day had been spent touring Greenock and Georgie smiled at the memory of Damian asking if she would mind terribly if they visited John Scott & Sons—shipbuilders.

After Damian had introduced himself, they were given a tour of the company, including the yard where ships were being built. It was clear that those in charge had wanted to impress Damian, nor could she blame them since Trade Wynd was well known for their lucrative trade practice, which could not be operated without ships.

They had then visited the recently built customhouse, necessary for a port invested in so much trade.

Greenock was a thriving port with imports of sugar, rum, and cotton and exported herring, linen, iron, and coal. There were even refineries that processed the sugar. Damian had taken it all in, listened and learned, though there was also much that he already knew, but said that it benefited Trade Wynd to visit other trade ports. There had been an intensity to him that she had not witnessed before and she had simply stood back and observed the man of business and integrity. A man who admitted that he had not known something. A man willing to consider different options for Trade Wynd. He was Trade Wynd. Wine wasn’t the only thing in his blood but shipping as well.

He was also a man that she came to deeply admire and now understood why he had not wanted to leave Southampton to escort her across England. He belonged in Southampton while she belonged in Carrera, Italy, and they could never be anything more than lovers and friends, even though her heart yearned for more.

“Are you eager to arrive in Ireland?” Damian asked as he joined her at the railing.

“Yes, I suppose.” There had been an urgency in their travels, but now that she knew, or assumed, that Grace was safe and realized her error, Georgie was no longer in such a hurry. Instead, she wanted to enjoy what little time she had left with Damian.

“What does Trade Wynd import and export?” She knew two of the imports were wine and marble.

“Besides Wynd Wine from the Cape Colony and Madeira, we also import wine from various vineyards in France, Spain, and Portugal not owned by the Wynd family. We import marble from quarries in Greece as well as Carrera. Silk from Florence, Messina, Palermo, and Naples. Timber from Canada.”

She was surprised that timber had to be brought in from so far away.