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“No. The duke is a master of diplomacy. He assured Harold, confidentially of course, that it is best for Clarissa to have me gone for some time so she can firmly establish herself as Lady Masterson. Harold plans to invite Averell to a dinner party.”
“The duke is very wise, my lady. I’ve taken to speaking quite freely down below. How terrible it was for you to nurse your husband. How gruesome his death. You just need to put all of it from your mind.” Stella bit her lip. “Are yousurewe can’t return home, my lady? I’ve heard Charleston is lovely. No one knows you there.”
Georgina shook her head. “The way to ensure my child’s future is to make sure Harold never knows a child exists. If I run off to America and don’t return, Harold might seek me out.” Not for her own sake, but for Beechwood Court and the sum Masterson had left her. It would be disastrous if he found her alone with an infant. “The only reason he hasn’t questioned my leaving London is because he wants to further his connection with a duke.”
Once her child was safely in New York with her sister, Lilian, Georgina would return to London. Not forever. Six months at most. Only long enough to put any lingering suspicions Harold had to rest. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder, waiting for him to appear.
Just the other night, Harold had sat by the fire, brandy in his hand, staring at Georgina, the dark, flat gaze moving to her mid-section, then her breasts. Calculating her worth. He’d become even more dangerous if Masterson’s debts were called due by Elysium. The existence of the markers was just the sort of information her husband would have kept from his detested nephew and heir.
“Will you write to Mr. Cooke again when we’re settled?”
“Yes.” She’d only written to Ben and Lilian once, entrusting the letters to the Duke of Averell. Another service he’d done Georgina because she didn’t trust that Harold wouldn’t read her correspondence. Once settled at the duke’s estate, she would write both her cousin and sister with detailed instructions. At least one of them would come to her aid. Hopefully both. Ben had been her best friend since she was a child, and she trusted him completely.
“Your plan is a good one, my lady.” Stella gave her an encouraging smile. “A tad complicated, mind you, but sound, for all of that. But are you certain you must go to such great lengths?”
“I am. Haroldismad, Stella.”
“Then I’m grateful we are under the duke’s protection. What abouthim, my lady?”
Georgina looked away, pretending to study the view of the maple tree outside her bedroom window. Most days, she was successful in not thinking of Leo, at least for the most part. Now that her anger had abated to a dull wounded hum, Georgina could examine their conversation in the garden in a more objective light. Stella’s question brought with it a small prick of guilt, especially when she remembered that flicker of pain in Leo’s eyes. But not enough to change her mind about what she must do.
There was someone else to consider now.
“He isn’t important, Stella.”
Stella nodded. “Why don’t you have a rest, my lady, from all this planning? All will be well. I’m sure of it. I’ll have tea brought up in a bit.”
“What would I do without you?” Georgina impulsively hugged the maid, feeling the other woman’s surprise before she returned the embrace. “I truly do not know. I would be so alone. You have been a true friend to me. Not just my maid.”
“I’ll not leave you, my lady,” Stella said in a fierce tone. “Nor let any harm come to you. Now rest.” The maid gently pushed her in the direction of one of the chairs before the fire. “I’ll be back.”
Georgina nodded as Stella shut the door firmly behind her. She slumped into a chair, curling up until her knees nearly touched her chin.
Stand your ground, Georgie.
She was trying. Honestly, she was. But she’d never felt more afraid or alone in her life.
A tear fell down her cheek before she even realized she was crying. A thin wail left her. Then a sob. She started shaking. Grabbing the pillow beneath her arm, Georgina pressed it to her mouth to quiet the sound.
