Page 55 of Watching the Earl

“Yes!” There, on top of a set of embroidered pillowcases, was the book covered in brown paper. Sitting back, she untied the string, spread out the paper, and read aloud, “The Education of the Feminine Species.” That didn’t sound very exciting. Disappointed, she closed the chest lid and rose, undecided where the book should go. It wasn’t about birds, so it didn’t fit with those in her sitting room, but she’d feel guilty stuffing it in a drawer in her dressing room.

There was a pale paisley upholstered settee and table near one window, so she walked to it and set the book on the table. It looked nice there, taking up half of the small table. It didn’t appear to be special. They were all ladies and already had been educated.

Shrugging, she left it there and rang the bell for her lady’s maid. She needed to change for dinner. She was anxious to see Philip again. Was that normal?

*

In no time, she was dressed and descending the stairs for dinner. Her heart raced a little. She was excited to be in her own husband’s company once again. As she headed toward the corridor, the door to Philip’s study opened and he stepped out.

“Georgina, I was about to send for you.”

“Am I late for dinner?” She thought she was rather early.

“Not at all. In fact, I thought we could stroll in the garden and check on the mother wren before we ate.”

Her heart warmed. Here at Crestfield he was attentive all the time, not so taken with his thoughts. “I’d like that very much.” She took his arm, and he led her back into the study and out the terrace doors. “Thank you for sending the marzipan and cocoa. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“I have a feeling the cook will need to make marzipan daily.”

“Could she? I’d love that. Our cook never made it.”

He led her down the path, the evening growing cooler, but not cold yet. “Do you think you will tire of it if you have it every day?”

She grinned. “I don’t know. But I’m willing to find out.”

Philip laughed, a sound so rare that it went through her and straight down to her toes. “That’s a philosophy I can agree with.” He stopped and pointed. “I believe this is where the mother-to-be is located, correct?”

She looked at the bush and nodded, then crouched down to see the little wren still perched in her nest. Not wishing to disturb her, Georgina rose and whispered, “She’s being such a good mother. I’m so glad we didn’t bet on her children.”

Philip took her arm again and walked them down the path closer to the doors of the dining room. “You won our last bet. I think it only fitting that I choose our next.”

“Very well, what do you wish to bet on?”

“Since we’ll be out again tomorrow, I think we should bet on who sees a bird of prey first.”

“That sounds like it gives me the advantage, as I’m always watching for birds.”

“True, but I know Newnham better than you and have seen ravens, owls, and falcons here, so I know where to look. That makes us equal in our chances.”

She smiled, pleased with his thought process. “I accept. What is your wager?”

“I was thinking something simple, like whoever wins will be on top.”

She frowned. “On top of what?”

He lowered his head. “Each other in bed.”

Her cheeks heated even as she nodded her agreement. “I will take that bet. I like a wager where neither of us loses.”

“That was my thought exactly. Now that we have that settled, did you arrange your books as you wished?”

“I did. I’m happy with my collection. How was your unplanned meeting with your steward?”

“It was very good. As it happens, he brought good news about the mill. The new wheel was installed and is working well.”

“What was wrong with the old wheel?”

“It had been struck by lightning in a storm last month, and half of it fell into the river. It needed to be fished out, as it blocked the water flow, and then the rest of it needed to be removed. Once the new wheel was completed, it then needed to be installed. It’s taken over a month, but since crops won’t come in until near the end of summer, there was no true loss of productivity.” He stopped talking and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bore you with such details.”