Page 20 of Watching the Earl

Berry handed her mother a cup of tea before replying. “Perhaps when they were in leading strings, but my brother’s actions when Father was dying are hard to defend.”

“Ursula.” Lady Durham’s tone was so stern that Georgina started.

Berry shrugged. “Georgie, how do you take your tea?”

Her curiosity roused, Georgina had a difficult time refocusing. “Extra sweet and no cream, thank you.” She turned to Lady Durham. “Was your husband’s death a prolonged one, then?”

“Indeed it was. But that gave us time to say everything that we needed to say to each other.”

Berry gave an unladylike snort before handing a teacup to Georgina. Accepting the cup, she opened her mouth to ask further questions, but Lady Durham spoke again. “We need not talk about such a sad subject. Tell me, Georgie, how did you meet my son?”

“Yes, Georgie. Last we heard he was too busy attending events and making ridiculous bets to have any time to court a woman. How did you captivate him?”

Georgina wasn’t sure if she was simply nervous or if Berry did have a challenge in her voice, but, determined to protect Philip, she launched into the story her friends and she had created, including the truth about Philip’s bet with Lord Tamworth and the loss of the townhouse. Seeing his mother’s eyebrows rise in surprise had her quickly continuing on about the courtship. When she finished, Berry didn’t seem quite as doubtful.

“I admit, that sounds like my brother. He is fairly adept at accomplishing two things at once. I’m just thankful that he didn’t lose everything before finding you. Maybe you can curb his need to gamble. I hope he just does it for excitement.”

Georgina was about to tell Berry that Philip had said he wouldn’t gamble anymore, but something in his mother’s face kept her quiet on that account.

“I do wish he hadn’t lost the townhouse here in London. I’d very much like to be able to visit with you during the Season. Now he will need to rent one, but I don’t believe there are any available.”

That Lady Durham hadn’t known about the townhouse had Georgina worried. Would Philip be mad she’d told his mother? Then again, when she had explained that part of their story in the coach just days earlier, he hadn’t said to keep it a secret—not that she probably could.

“You two can always stay with us, but I doubt my brother would be open to such an arrangement. He’s quite stubborn.”

At the prospect of being able to come back to Town after her wedding, Georgina quickly responded, “That’s a lovely invitation. Do you really think he would be stubborn about something so small?”

Berry rolled her eyes. “He’s stubborn about everything.”

Georgina frowned, having not encountered that, except perhaps in his refusal to take her through the gardens of Vaux Hall, but then, he’d only had her reputation in mind. It was she who had hoped he would steal a kiss, and who had not been thinking clearly. In fact, he had still not kissed her, despite multiple opportunities. That worried her, but now knowing what it led to, she was content to leave things as they were.

The more she thought upon it, whenever they were alone, he seemed to withdraw from her company. Oh, he was with her physically, but his mind was somewhere else. How could he be so attentive one moment and completely oblivious to her presence the next? Did that mean he was not interested in kissing her unless they were at a dinner party or while—

She froze as she sucked in her breath, his behavior suddenly making sense. Lord Durham only paid attention to her while around others! She forced herself to take a sip of tea to hide her hurt from his relatives.

“Mother, Philip was always doing two things at once. Do you remember the time when he was barely half a score and he decided he could ride his horse while doing his lesson?”

Lady Durham smiled fondly. “I do. Then there was the time he insisted on eating his breakfast while playing pall-mall. I thought for sure the prim Lady Alice would say something.”

“I would.” Georgina pasted a smile on her face despite the icy pit in her belly. “I would ask him straight away what he thought he was doing. Wouldn’t you?”

Both ladies stared at her a moment before they shared a look. Lady Durham nodded. “Of course. It was a quite rude.”

“Georgie, I do think you’re the best woman to come into my brother’s life. Don’t let him get away with anything. He’s been free to do as he wishes for far too long.”

Even as she heard Berry’s words, Georgina resolved to ask Philip about his actions of ignoring her when they were alone, if it continued once they were married. If she was to face another situation where she wasn’t wanted, she wished to do so fully aware. Unlike her friends, she’d had no choice in whom she would marry, but she could have a choice in how she would manage her marriage. She needed to not be so easily swayed by his attentions and begin watching him like she did her birds.

Even as the thought entered her mind, she felt exhilaration flow through her, much like it did when she waited for baby birds to hatch, knowing the day was soon. “I assure you, I will do my best to make sure Lord Durham fulfills his duties to the best of his abilities. I may even be able to help, as I have studied estate management at school.”

Lady Durham’s eyes widened in surprise, but Lady Granberry’s lit with excitement. “Oh, you must share what you learned with me. Lord Granberry is forever telling me not to worry about certain events on our estate. I’d love to surprise him with my knowledge. Do you think you might find time once you’re married to tutor me?”

Not a little surprised by the request, Georgina nodded uncertainly. “I admit it wasn’t my favorite class, as I was much more interested in ornithology, but I’d be happy to share what I’ve remembered.”

Berry clapped her hands together. “Oh, I cannot wait. Of course, we mustn’t tell the men.”

Georgina groaned silently. How was she to avoid telling? Knowing it was impossible, she’d opened her mouth to persuade Berry to tell her husband when that very man and Philip walked into the parlor.

“I hope you ladies weren’t discussing anything political. I’ve had about enough of political talk for one evening.” Lord Granberry winked at Philip before taking a seat across from his wife.