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19
Georgina wandered about her lovely front parlor, picked up a book she’d been reading, and immediately set it back down. Pacing back and forth before the hearth, she finally stopped and went to the sideboard, pouring herself a glass of bourbon before proceeding to stare into the fire. The flames didn’t hold any answers.
She took a sip of the bourbon.
There was no answer there either.
It had been several weeks since she’d seen Leo at The Rutherford. Georgina filled her time traveling to Brooklyn every other day to visit Daniel, Lilian assuring her that the staff had been alerted to watch for any strangers they noticed around the property or on the road. She’d dined with her mother because Father had gone on yet another business trip. Ben had accompanied her to the booksellers and come to dinner. But Leo hadn’t appeared at her door, though he had leased a home not five blocks from Georgina.
Five measly blocks.He could walk to her house if he were so inclined.
Leo had been seen dining at Lorenzo’s, a luxurious supper club near Washington Square, in the company of Mr. Schuller and one of the De Lanceys. Which made Ben curious. So Ben being Ben, he made discreet inquiries.
It seemed that Leo Murphy, wealthy Englishman, absent of his horrid waistcoats and not bothering to inform anyone of his familial connections, was busy strolling about Manhattan negotiating for various plots of land on which to build, of all things, a hotel. One that would cater to a European clientele. The constant flow of commerce between New York and England, already brisk, would only grow. Visitors to New York would want a taste of home during their visit. Schuller and his bank were partners.
A hotel that would take months if not years to build. Leo wasn’t leaving New York anytime soon.
Other than his plans for the hotel, Leo spent his time, according to Ben’s sources, in the company of other well-heeled gentlemen. He walked in the park. Visited various points of interest. And very firmly ignored Georgina’s presence. Avoiding her as she’d once avoided him.
It hurt her more than she cared to admit.
The only other bit of news which gave Georgina any concern was that someone had broken the lock on her garden gate. The lock looked as if it had been picked. It could have been an accident. She had recently hired a new gardener she’d yet to question. Or possibly a workman mistaking her house for another had accidentally tried to gain entry.
Or it was simply a reminder that the incident on the ferry had not been an accident.
Would Leo harm her? Surely not. But he did want his child.
The thought upset her so much that while pacing before the fire, she stubbed her toe.
“You should be more careful.” The low purr came from behind the curtains at the window.
Georgina backed up further, stumbled over an ottoman, and nearly fell to the floor, spilling the bourbon in her glass. Keeping her eye on the curtain as a graceful, masculine hand appeared, she sidled over to the table flanking her sofa. A large vase sat atop. Her hand hovered over the opening.
Leo emerged, pushing back the curtain with an angry flick of one hand, brutally handsome, looking as if he’d been entertaining patrons at Elysium instead of hiding in her front parlor. “Never realized how bloody clumsy you were, Georgina.”
“How did you get in here?” Her hand started to dip into the vase.
“I’ve already taken out the little pistol you keep there, Georgina. Don’t you realize that is the first place an assailant would look for a weapon? Clearly, it’s hiding something. The bloody thing doesn’t even match the décor of your parlor. Reminds me of one of my waistcoats.”
Georgina looked at the vase. Really more of an urn. A gift from her mother. And Leo was correct. The swirling red and black pattern overlaid with gold didn’t match her parlor.
“If I meant you harm, I would have already done so. I’ve watched you pace back and forth for at least a half-hour.” His tone was nothing like the angry burn of the other night.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? That you’ve been hiding in my parlor?”
The sun was just beginning to set over Leo’s shoulder, gilding the windows facing her garden and Leo with soft, golden light.
“Did you break the garden gate? Try to force the lock?”
He raised a dark brow in offended disbelief. “Of course not. Ipickedyour locks, Georgina. It’s easy enough to do if you have the proper tools. Which I do.”
“You picked my locks?”
“Yes, I’ve just said I did. The back door, specifically. Whatever your cook is preparing for dinner smells marvelous.”
He moved closer to her, his presence pressing the air of her parlor against her body. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary, Georgina found her skin humming in a delicious way, though she felt as if she were being stalked by a large cat. One with blue eyes and endless conversation skills.
“Anyone could get in here. The rather nefarious gentleman standing across the street didn’t even notice me. He isn’t worth what you’re paying him. Perhaps he needs spectacles, like my sister.”
