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It was his composure that rankled most, she realized. As if he hadn’t had his hand up her skirts last night. As if he hadn’t kissed her with such bruising force, she could still feel the phantom pressure on her lips.
Georgiana’s cheeks flushed as Captain Harris continued to stare at her. “Are you all right?”
“Of course,” she lied and lifted her chin as chaos whirled inside her. “Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked before her eyes widened. Why, why,whyhad she said that?
The man then actually opened his mouth. As if he intended toanswerher asinine question. But Georgiana quickly turned away and found Sylvia standing at the entrance to the terrace, watching their exchange with avid interest. Georgiana had been so distracted by Captain Harris that she hadn’t even noticed her dearest friend.
“Sylvia! There you are!” She opened her arms and immediately went to her. But as they exchanged a hug, Georgiana could feel the captain’s heavy gaze on her back. Sylvia said something, but as she was several inches shorter than Georgiana, it was muffled by the fabric of her sleeve. Georgiana pulled back. “Sorry, my dear. What was that?”
Sylvia gave her an amused smile. “I said it is lovely to see you.” Then she looked past her. “And you as well, Captain Harris.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Davies,” he said with a short bow.
Georgiana was a bit miffed that Sylvia was accorded an actual response, rather than his usual grunt.
Sylvia grinned at him. Though she had been married for over a year, she still had the glow of a newly—and happily—wed woman. “Please come outside,” she said to them both as she linked her arm through Georgiana’s. “The food has just arrived.”
Georgiana wished they had a moment to speak privately. There was so much she needed to tell Sylvia, as she hadn’t been able to bring herself to mention anything about Captain Harris in her latest letter.
“I’m so glad this worked out,” Sylvia said as they stepped out onto the sun-soaked terrace. “I’ve missed you terribly.” Rafe and his mother were up ahead in the seating area where they had tea yesterday. “What do you think of the countess?” Sylvia murmured.
Georgiana swallowed her feelings with a smile. “She is delightful. Thank you very much for arranging all this.”
“Of course! I only wish I could have done more. I’d have invited you to Berlin, but Monte Carlo is much nicer, isn’t it?”
Georgiana laughed. “I suspect it is.”
Ever the gentleman, Rafe rose as they approached, but he had eyes only for his wife. One would never know that he was once considered a rather notorious rake. Sylvia returned his coy smile. They were one of those rare couples who seemed able to communicate without words.
A hollow spot in Georgiana’s chest began to ache. Sylvia had undergone quite an ordeal before finding happiness with Rafe Davies, and while Georgiana was happy for both of them, she was also incredibly aware of what she lacked in comparison. For when had a man ever looked at her that way and meant it?
“Lady Arlington,” Rafe said warmly as he kissed her hand.
“Please, I think we can refer to each other by first names now, don’t you?”
He smiled. “Of course. Georgiana, always a pleasure to see you.”
“I’m so glad you were able to make the trip. I understand the ambassador keeps you busy.”
Though the smile never left Rafe’s face, his jaw tightened slightly. “Quite so.” Then his gaze shifted behind her to Captain Harris, and he broke into a wide grin. “You are looking well, Captain. I’d say the Riviera agrees with you.”
“Hard for it not to with this weather,” Captain Harris replied as they shook hands.
“And the company,” Rafe added in a low voice, giving Georgiana a subtle glance. Captain Harris shot him a frown, and she immediately turned away so he could not see her shock. Had they discussed her? But when? Andwhy?
Georgiana sat down by the countess and tried to compose herself.
“Did you have an enjoyable evening, my dear? I observed Mr. Talbot talking your ear off about business matters. Luckily, he’s pleasant enough to look at,” the countess said with a laugh.
Georgiana returned her smile. “Yes,” she said absently as her traitorous eyes drifted toward Captain Harris, who sat down diagonally across from her. “He was trying to convince me to open a factory in America.”
Then she turned back to the countess. The woman eyed her with great interest. She must have noticed the object of her distraction. “And? Was he successful?”
Georgiana shook her head. “I’d have to cut wages significantly to make it profitable, and I have no interest in doing that.”
The countess nodded her approval. “Sylvia told me what you’ve done for your employees. It’s quite admirable.”
“I don’t know that it should be considered admirable simply to pay people a living wage. It should be the norm,” Georgiana said with a shrug. She found it difficult to accept praise for doing something that was so clearly right.
