Page 80 of Watching the Earl

“Oh, no. Not really. It’s just that I don’t expect to be married to your brother much longer.”

Berry put her hand to her chest and let out a breath. “As long as you’re in good health, that’s all that’s important. As for my brother, I’m sure he did something terrible. It’s a bit of a pattern with him.” She turned back to the sideboard, chose more toast, and walked to the table to sit next to Georgina. “What did he do now?”

Without thinking, Georgina responded, “He married me.”

Berry grinned as she poured her tea. “I, for one, think that was the best decision he ever made.”

“Even if he did it to save your family’s reputation?”

Berry laughed. “I doubt that very much. My brother is too selfish for that. Whatever he said, ignore it. Make him regret it for a few days, then forgive him. All will be well. Lord Granberry and I ran into a few squabbles as we adjusted to being married. Young men aren’t groomed to be husbands like we are groomed to be wives. The change in their life can be a bit sudden.”

Georgina wished it were that simple. After taking another sip of cocoa, she set down her cup. “This isn’t something I can forgive.”

Berry finished chewing a bite of toast with orange marmalade then reached for her tea. “It can’t be that horrible, surely.”

“Can you forgive Philip for not coming home when your father was ill?”

Berry’s demeanor changed in an instant. Her movements became stiff and her brow furrowed. “That’s different. That was inexcusable.”

Georgina hesitated for a moment, knowing Philip would not want his self-inflicted torture to be known to his sister, but the only way to make Berry understand what he’d done was to tell her. Did she need to understand? No. Georgina didn’t have to explain, but she wanted to, and right now it was about what she wanted.

“Did you know your brother thought it was inexcusable as well?”

“I doubt it. He was too busy gambling away our family’s fortune.”

“It’s true. He thought if he’d come when your father wrote to him that your father would have lived longer.”

“Well, he’s right about that.”

Georgina shook her head. “No. Your father wouldn’t have lived longer. He had consumption. He would have passed at that time anyway.”

“Consumption? My father died from wasting away after contracting the grippe. Why would you think it consumption?”

“I talked to someone knowledgeable in illnesses and then I visited your mother, who admitted your father had been coughing up blood. He lied to the physician. Your mother said as much. One only coughs blood when in the final stages of consumption. Whether Philip had come home or not would have made no difference, and your father knew that. It’s why he didn’t ask him to come home.”

“He didn’t? But I know Father sent letters.”

“Your mother saw the letters. She said your father was simply staying in contact. He never asked Philip to come home.”

Berry stared at her. “Then he didn’t know.” The words came out in a whisper.

Georgina sat quietly, trying to imagine what it would be like to have a father that one loved, only to lose him too soon. She couldn’t understand exactly, but knew if she lost one of her classmates, she’d be devastated.

“Then I suppose I need to forgive my brother.” Berry placed her hand on Georgina’s. “Thank you for telling me this. You didn’t have to, especially since you’re so unhappy with him.”

“It’s the truth. Unfortunately, the truth is also why I have asked him for an annulment.”

Berry’s hand gripped hers. “What? No. Please. Surely marrying you cannot be the problem. You two are happy. Whatever it is, just punish him a bit, then forgive him.”

“That’s the problem.” Georgina took a deep breath, having yet to say it out loud. “That’s exactly why he married me, to punish himself.”

Berry looked stunned, then shook her head. “My brother is beef-witted.”

“Perhaps, but since I don’t wish to be the object of someone’s suffering, I asked for an annulment.” Georgina paused, the hurt starting all over again. “I just wanted one person to want me, maybe even love me. I thought he did, but as soon as your family’s reputation was put at risk, he blamed me, then told me why he’d married me. I thought we were a partnership. I never expected him to turn on me. If I can’t have someone who will be loyal to me always, I’d rather have no one at all. It’s less painful.”

“I think I understand now. What will you do if he grants you an annulment?”

That was the question she’d been thinking about ever since she’d left her friends. The only time she’d ever felt wanted had been at school. “I think I’d like to teach at the Belinda School for Curious Ladies. I believe the duchess would have me.”