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“You know I’m glad you’re here but why did you really come down early? It’s not like you, you know.” Neville’s words started to slur with his third brandy. “And damn you for getting me foxed. I haven’t been this into my cups in years.”
Jack laughed as he drained his third snifter. “Good, it helps take your mind off things. And I always come down early to keep you from going mad while Georgie delivers.”
“And exactly what are you trying to take your mind off? I’d wager it’s a woman.” Neville held up his glass for a refill.
“Are you certain you can handle another?” Jack waited for a nod then against his better judgment refilled both glasses. “You will regret this in the morning.”
“Yes, I will and you still haven’t answered my question. Who is she?”
There seemed no point in delaying this conversation. As drunk as Neville appeared, he wouldn’t give up until he either had an answer or stumbled off to bed. “Lady Stanhope,” Jack said before taking a gulp of brandy.
“The Cursed Countess? What the devil were you doing with her? She might have killed you.”
“She’s not cursed.” Jack explained what transpired in town before he’d left.
“Worthington is dead? Poor Langport.” Neville took another sip as he shook his head.
“She won’t see me now, Nev. I need to apologize and account for what I did and why.”
“I can’t exactly say I blame her, Jack. Imprisoning her for murder whether you softened the blow with private guards and meals won’t make a difference. She loved you and you betrayed her.”
“She didn’t love me. We only knew each other for a fortnight.”
Neville tilted his head back and laughed. “I knew within a week of meeting Georgiana that I loved her, Jack. There is no schedule for falling in love. It’s different with everyone, but a fortnight is more than enough.”
She couldn’t have fallen in love with him. If she had, she would have let him explain his actions. He wondered if Tessa felt anywhere near the heartache that plagued him. If she truly had fallen in love with him, then she would have spoken with him. No one would ever want to feel this miserable.
“Enough about this. There is nothing I can do now. How are the girls?” Jack arrived too late to see them tonight.
“They are a handful. Whoever said having girls was easy never met Winnie. At four, she is already climbing trees and acting like a tomboy.” Neville’s face softened whenever he spoke of his wife and children.
Jack laughed. “If I remember, Mother always said she hope
d you had a child as wild as yourself. I believe she was thinking of a boy, not a girl.”
Neville chuckled. “Well I believe my little Winnie is me incarnate.”
“Poor Georgiana.” Jack finished his drink and rose. “I believe I shall retire now.”
“Goodnight, Jack.” Neville said as he rose and followed his brother upstairs.
~*~
Wake up, Uncle Jack!” two little shrill voices shouted as they climbed upon the bed.
“Bloody hell, who let you in my room,” Jack grumbled as Sadie and Winnie bounced on his bed.
“Uncle Jack cursed,” Sadie said with a laugh. “Mamma is going to be angry that you cursed in front of us.”
“Girls, stop bouncing my bed or you will be forced to see me sick.”
Both girls stopped bouncing but giggled in a high-pitched tone that made his head ache.
“Thank you, girls, now quieter.”
“Did Papa get you foxed last night?” Winnie asked.
Jack cracked his eyes open to see Winnie staring down at him. “What does a four-year-old know about being foxed?”
