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“No need to storm. It belongs to you, after all.”
His eyes widened a fraction at the knowledge she knew what he’d done. “As do you, don’t you?” Leo brushed the pad of his thumb gently over her bottom lip, the touch as light as a butterfly’s.
The sensation had her heart fluttering madly within her chest. She pressed her forehead to his chest with a little sob. Shedidbelong to him. That was why this was so hard.
“I would wager myself this time.” His lips brushed hers. “Do anything to ensure your happiness.”
Georgina forced herself to remain true to the course already set. “So you would wed me?” She looked up at him, sorrow constricting her heart at the look on his face. “Make me your wife?”
“Georgina—” His hand dropped from her skirts.
“No?” The words scraped horribly against her throat. “You’d keep me as your mistress? Unofficially, of course. As your father did to your mother.”
Leo paled. “I haven’t—”
“Will I live upstairs in your rooms? No, wait. I’ll live at Beechwood Court, won’t I? You’ll visit when you can, I’m sure. Unless another bauble catches your eye.” Every word tumbling from her lips pierced her heart.
“I would not stray from you.” The line of his jaw had grown taut. Hard.Furious.
“Unless I grew round with child. Which would happen eventually. What will you do then?”
Sadly, nothinghadchanged except now she knew Leo cared for her. But the knowledge brought her no joy, only another wash of pain.
“Stop,” he hissed.
“Will I be sent to the apothecary, Leo? Or possibly you’ll find a husband for me. I’m sure you wouldn’t wish me to be a pariah.”
Leo opened his mouth to speak, but a discreet clearing of a throat filled the hall before he could answer.
“Mr. Murphy.”
Leo turned to face Peckham, who stood a few paces away. “What is it, Peckham?”
Georgina took a step forward, but Leo’s hand reached out to take hers, lacing their fingers together, holding her in place. Her eyes moved over his profile as he waited for Peckham to speak, struck, as she often was, by how beautiful she found him. She tried to memorize the curve of his mouth, the small lines around his eyes, the way he smelled, because Georgina doubted after tonight, she would ever see Leo again.
But I will always have a part of him.
It was better Leo never knew. This discussion, brief as it was, only assured Georgina she’d done the right thing. The only thing.
“Lady Masterson.” Peckham gave her a short bow before returning his attention back to Leo. “I apologize for the interruption, sir. But there is an urgent message from Cherry Hill.”
“A moment, Peckham.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Murphy. But even now, the messenger waits for your reply. It isveryurgent. He’s waiting in your office.”
Leo released her fingers, but not without reluctance, intentionally dragging his thumb across her palm.
“Don’t you dare leave, Georgina. I need to talk to you.” Then his voice lowered to barely a whisper. “Please.”
Georgina looked away. She couldn’t wait for his return. Didn’t dare to. She pressed back against the wall and stayed silent until his broad shoulders disappeared into the crowd on the gaming floor.
“Goodbye, Leo,” she whispered to the empty hall. A tear rolled down one cheek and she hastily brushed the drop away, cursing Harold, Masterson, Leo, and even that brash girl who’d met a notorious gambling hell owner and lost her heart.
All actions have consequences.
Grandmother and Georgina’s own past foolish behavior had taught her that simple truth. She’d been forced to make decisions. Leaving England had been the easiest, but even that was colored by the fact that Leo was here. But there was someone else now. Her son. He needed her far more than Leo ever would.
Georgina took a deep breath. She glanced in the direction of the gaming floor. Harold’s bottle-green coat caught her eye near the faro table. He was looking for her. If he turned, he’d see her.
