Page 18 of Watching the Earl

“Monsieur Durham, I promise to try even harder next time you visit.”

“I will look forward to the challenge, Monsieur Armand. Now, please, everyone, do enjoy your dessert.”

The next half-hour went by in a whirl for Georgina as the five of them chatted and indulged their palates. She wished the afternoon could go on forever, but eventually it had to end. As she said her goodbyes, she yearned to journey to Ellie’s, like Rose was doing, but that was hardly an option.

Ellie gave her a reassuring hug as if she could sense Georgina’s doubts and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry. You two will enjoy each other’s company much once you’re married. Darius and I grew much closer once we were with each other daily, attending to everyday tasks.”

“Darius? You call him by his first name?”

“Of course. I insisted on it. To me, it makes us feel like we are in this life together, not as a marquess and marchioness.”

Georgina’s parents never used each other’s given names.

“Lady Georgina, shall we?”

She gave Lord Durham a nod and took his proffered arm. After settling into his closed coach, she didn’t wait for it to pull away from Bond Street to speak. “Ellie, Rose, and I created the story of how you and I became enamored of each other. Would you like you hear it?”

“Indeed I would.”

She quickly launched into the story they had decided upon. Though he sat opposite her, he looked out the window as she explained.

When she finished, he didn’t say anything. “Lord Durham, is that acceptable to you?”

He finally looked at her. “Yes. That will do quite well.”

He turned back to the window as if the hawkers along the streets were far more interesting than she was. It was as if he were two different people.

The feelings that bubbled up inside her were ones she’d lived with all her life. Once again, she felt as if she were of little importance, but this time it was different. She wanted her chance at being someone’s complete focus.

Without thinking, she spoke. “My friends call me Georgie. You may call me that if you wish.”

His gaze snapped back to hers. “Excuse me? I have a number of arrangements to make for our future and I’m afraid my mind was on my list. What did you say?”

With the sun streaming into the coach, she could see he truly hadn’t heard. He was only thinking about them marrying. She felt silly for her reaction to his silence. “I said you can call me Georgie if you wish. My friends call me that.”

“I prefer Lady Georgina. It’s prettier and sounds like a lady, not a boy.”

He did have a point. “What is your given name?”

He pulled his chin down and his head back. “It is Philip.”

“May I call you Philip, then?”

“No.” He turned back to look out the window.

“Why not?”

He calmly turned back to her. “My mother calls me that.”

Stunned, she stared at him as he returned to his watch of the street, even as her mind filled with questions, none of which she was brave enough to ask.

Chapter Seven

Lady Georgina smiled as the other ladies laughed. Her betrothed’s mother was a kind and warm woman who appeared genuinely pleased that her son was to marry. Except for a few wrinkles and some wisps of white hair, the lady was still pretty. She was also almost as tall as Georgina, though with a bit more weight. Lady Granberry, Lord Durham’s sister, was more formal and seemed to take issue with almost everything he said, which Georgina didn’t find odd, since her siblings didn’t think much of her either. His sister was a large, robust woman with a substantial bosom, gray eyes, a prominent nose, and warm brown hair like Philip’s. Though he didn’t wish to be called by his given name, Georgina still thought of him so.

He leaned in just then, his scent reminding her of a forest. “Don’t mind them, Lady Georgina. They simply wish to look better in your eyes by making me appear to be a poor choice.”

“Absolutely not, Philip. Lady Georgina, don’t believe it. We are thrilled that you have formed an attachment to my son.” Lady Durham, who sat across from them at the dinner table, fairly beamed with pleasure.