Page 68 of Scandal’s Daughter

She thanked goodness that Alex had been called away early this morning and Céleste was still abed. She didn’t think she could face anyone for a while. How she was going to attend any of the dozens of formal functions she was committed to over the coming weeks was beyond her.

The constant stares and whispers had been grating enough before, but now this! She screwed the revolting sheet up and flung it across the table before putting her head in her hands.

A scratch at the door indicated the presence of the butler before he opened it and stepped into the room.

“His grace, the Duke of Sindalton, is here to see you.”

She nodded, smiling at the anxious look in the old man’s eyes. The earl was away from home and all the staff knew his feelings about the duke. Yet they all knew the gossip, just as well as the ton, and she had a feeling the old man didn’t want to stand in the way of a love affair, if that was what this was.

“It’s quite all right,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile. “Please show him in.”

“Should I send Miss Sarah to accompany you?”

“No, thank you. His grace is quite the gentleman I assure you.”

The butler looked totally unconvinced by this statement, and she knew he was quite right. She should not allow Sebastian to be alone with her in the circumstances, but he went away and did as he’d been instructed.

Georgiana took a breath and smoothed down the silk of her Mexican blue morning dress. It was trimmed with white Peruvian lace and she had been more than pleased with the effect when Sarah had arranged her hair and added her favourite slim row of pearls around her neck.

She had dressed with care, bubbling with excitement at the expectation of his call upon her. But now she was not certain whether to be furious or disappointed, or every bit as anxious and happy as she had been on waking.

She stood and dipped a curtsey as he entered and on looking up was arrested by the look in his eyes.

He gave a little surprised huff of laughter and shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said, smiling. “I am just struck every time I see you. I think each time we part that I have committed every particular of your beautiful face to my mind, and every time I see you, I find you far lovelier than I remember.”

“Perhaps you just have a poor memory,” she replied a little sharply, though in truth she was charmed by his words. But his behaviour as reported in the scandal sheets could not be forgiven without comment. How could he have been so thoughtless?

His smile fell away, and he stepped a little closer to her.

“I cannot be surprised that you’re angry with me,” he said, his voice quiet. “In truth you cannot be more furious than I am at myself. I ... I’m afraid I was very drunk, not that it is any defence, but Beau and I argued and ... I’m afraid I was extremely jealous. The idea of you with him ...” His voice became harsh and he shook his head, turning away from her. “I’ve made everything worse I know. But I am here and if you think you can forgive me for my terrible behaviour, there ... there is a question I would ask you.”

Her breathing hitched and she watched as he turned around to face her again.

“Ask it,” she whispered.

He smiled and crossed the room, his hands finding her waist and pulling her closer to him, their bodies almost touching.

“Georgiana,” he whispered. “I have loved you since the day you scolded me so soundly in that cave. I love you to distraction, to the point where I wanted to murder my best friend for daring to consider he could make you his. You’re mine, darling. We belong together.”

His grip on her waist tightened as she stared up into his eyes, which were grave and more serious than she had ever seen them.

“It won’t be easy, my love, my ... my mother is going to make life hard for us I’m afraid but ...” He took a deep breath and sank to one knee, and he took her hands in his. “Please, Georgiana, tell me you’re brave enough to face it all. Tell me we can laugh in the faces of our parents’ scandal and bring something good and right out of the chaos they threw us into. I love you with all my heart. Please, love, marry me and make me the happiest of men.”

He looked up at her, anxiety and expectation in his dark eyes as she gave a little choked laugh and nodded as her eyes blurred.

“Yes,” she said, her voice thick. “Yes, yes, of course yes!”

He laughed and got to his feet, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her. His lips were tender, and she felt the smile against her mouth as she heard him laughing again.

“Thank God,” he whispered. “I was so afraid I’d ruined everything.”

She clung to him, her head on his shoulder as the enormity of what they faced filtered through to her.

“Will your mother be very angry?”

He was silent for a moment and she knew then that Beau had been right. He was afraid of what the news would do to her.

“Yes,” he said, his voice full of regret. “Though I’m not sure anger is the right word.” He looked down at her, his handsome face troubled. “She’s not a strong woman, Georgiana, and ... I’m afraid to tell her.”