AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, well, when someone is practically being forced to go, it is quite easy to access their anger.”
“Oh, come on, Georgie. It will befun.Lord knows you need a bit of that in your life. And I can think of much worse places to be banished to than Monte Carlo. David is terribly jealous, you know. He fancies himself something of an expert at roulette.” She let out a fond chuckle. “Don’t even try to tell him it requires absolutely no skill. You’ll never hear the end of it.”
Georgiana grunted her reply, something she seemed to have picked up from Captain Harris.
“You must be excited to see Sylvia,” Louisa continued, not at all put off. “And isn’t her husband friends with the captain?”
“Yes.” Georgiana raised an eyebrow. “But how do you know that?”
“Gossip. You wouldn’tbelievethe things people say about Rafe Davies. If even half of it is true, Sylvia is a lucky woman.”
Georgiana smiled to herself. “They’re very happy and utterly devoted to each other. I knowthatis true.” She had been there when the pair first met at Castle Blackwood and had watched them fall in love before either of them really knew what was happening. All in all, it was a very satisfying experience. And about as close to falling in love as she planned to come herself.
“What does she think of Captain Harris?”
Georgiana’s shoulders tensed. “The same as everyone else.”
That he was an exceptionally brave and honorable man.
Louisa tapped a finger against her chin in mock consideration. “And yet you seem to dislike him. In fact,” she added slowly. “I’d say the sentiment is mutual.”
Georgiana sighed and sat back on her heels. As much as she agreed with her sister, it still hurt to hear. And Georgianahatedthat. She shouldn’t be affected at all. Shouldn’t care what Captain Harris thought of her. Why, she had just told Lord Pettigrew yesterday that she was coming around to the idea of being courted properly once she returned. Georgiana didn’t like deceiving the man, but it seemed to put Reggie at ease. And she wasn’t opposed to taking a few drives around Hyde Park or attending an exhibition or two with Tommy, after which she would make it perfectly clear to him that they simply didn’t suit. No harm would be done.
“I’m sure he would much rather spend his time working on something more important.”
Louisa snorted. “As I understand it, he spends most of his time trailing after straying partners. No, my dear sister. I believe Captain Harris’s particular brand of dislike is the remnants of a broken heart.”
Now it was Georgiana’s turn to snort, which she did quite loudly. “Thatis absurd.”
“Is it? I can’t imagine he spent all that time at Aunt Paloma’s enjoying her company.”
Georgiana huffed. “He was friends with Tobias. That was why he came to the house,” she mumbled and looked down at her hands to avoid Louisa’s too perceptive gaze. She had balled up a pair of stockings so terribly that Bea would have a fit.
“You know you can talk to me, Georgie. About anything,” Louisa said quietly. “Sometimes I think you forget I’m not your annoying little sister anymore. I’m a properly married woman now.”
Georgiana managed to give her a wry smile. “I certainly haven’t forgotten. I spent enough time at the dressmaker’s putting your trousseau together.”
Louisa chuckled. “Yes. And thank you for having such excellent taste.” Then she turned serious. “But I mean it. I’ve suffered my share of heartache, and I know marriage isn’t all wine and roses. Goodness, David and I fight like cats and dogs sometimes.”
“Do you?” That was surprising to hear.
Louisa lifted a shoulder. “Of course. But then we have an even better time making up.”
Georgiana watched a dreamy smile take over her sister’s face. She didn’t know a thing about that. The viscount had never raised his voice to her, preferring instead to deliver subtle cutting remarks or demonstrate his control. He told her what to wear and where to go and who to talk to once she got there. And for years Georgiana endured it all with that serene smile of hers, dressed in the most fashionable gowns without a hair out of place, pretending like she wasn’t at all bothered by his constant demands. Instead, she controlled the only thing she had left: her demeanor. Georgiana refused to become an object of pity, so she did her best to make sure no one suspected how unhappy she was.
“Well, I hardly think any ofthatapplies to Captain Harris and myself.”
Louisa turned thoughtful. “Perhaps not. But sometimes irritation can mask attraction. That’s all.”
Georgiana opened her mouth to violently deny this when Bea appeared with her train case, packed and ready. She gasped and nearly dropped it when she saw the state of Georgiana’s stockings. By the time that was all sorted out, Louisa had to leave.
She rose and pressed a kiss to Georgiana’s cheek. “Try to enjoy yourself. And remember, if the captain gets you riled up, just remind him he’s supposed to keep yourelaxed.” Then she gave her a wink and slipped out of the room before Georgiana managed to respond.
***
Early the next morning Georgiana hid a most unladylike yawn behind her hand as she paced the platform of Victoria Station. Bea was waiting for her in the first-class lounge, but Georgiana couldn’t sit still and decided to stretch her legs before they had to board the train for the ride down to Dover. Since yesterday afternoon her mind had been consumed with the same swirling thoughts. Could Louisa be right? Did the captain’s disdain really stem from heartache—and wasthatwhy he had never married? Her stomach had begun to prickle with guilt, but Georgiana was quick to dismiss it. After all, if he truly had been in love with her all those years ago, why did he say those vile things she had overheard? And why did he say nothing now?
Perhaps he was hurt when you chose the viscount. Because he reallyhadfallen for you.
