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“Yes, but as you very well know, it isn’t.” The countess’s gaze narrowed. “My mother was an East End laundry woman.”
Georgiana stared at the elegant, bejeweled woman before her. “I had no idea.”
She knew the countess had been an actress in her youth, and that her marriage to Rafe’s father had sparked a scandal, but nothing beyond that.
“She worked herself into an early grave, like her mother before her and so on and so on,” she said matter-of-factly, with an idle wave of her hand. But though she spoke of this generational suffering in a clinical manner, there was a flash of anger in her gaze that could only come from someone who had experienced extreme loss firsthand. “It still takes courage to challenge the status quo. Do not discount yourself. You are making your mark on the world the best way you can. And don’t forget that there are many others with far more power than you who do much less,” she said before patting Georgiana’s hand. “Now then, who is hungry?”
The countess began making idle chatter about the weather as she poured everyone’s tea, while Georgiana sat there dumbfounded. She had become so used to hearing people disapprove of her that listening to the countess’s spirited defense had rendered her speechless.
As she accepted her teacup, her gaze landed on Captain Harris. She held her breath, bracing herself in anticipation of his familiar glower, but when their eyes met she saw none of the usual contempt. Only thoughtfulness. He slowly brought the teacup to his lips, still watching her with that penetrating amber gaze. Georgiana was the first to look away as she felt a flush crawling up her neck.
“Are we off to the casino tonight?” Rafe asked, breaking the charged silence. “I know you must be itching to hit the tables, Captain.”
His lips twitched, as if he was holding back a smile. “Perhaps.”
Georgiana leaned forward. The captain was agambler? She could hardly picture it.
Rafe took notice of her reaction and chuckled. “Don’t let his monkish ways fool you, Lady Arlington. This man is an absolute shark at cards. He takes no prisoners.”
“You’re mixing metaphors,” the captain replied.
“So I am,” Rafe said happily.
“I was thinking we could go to the casino tomorrow, my dear,” the countess said. “Since you’ve both traveled so far today. Why don’t I arrange for all of us to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening, say around eight? The new chef Mahmood hired is said to be one of the best in Europe.”
Rafe flashed his mother a smile. “I can hardly say no to that. Is that all right with you, darling?” he asked Sylvia.
“Yes,” she replied. “I don’t feel much up for the casino tonight anyway.”
Georgiana noticed that Sylvia looked a bit pale herself. Perhaps she had trouble sleeping last night too on the train over.
“Then it’s settled,” Rafe announced. “Dinner at eight. All of us together.”
Georgiana didn’t miss the glance he gave Captain Harris, who continued sipping his tea as if he hadn’t heard a word. Then she caught Sylvia’s eye, who gave her a knowing look. They would speak about this later. And she would finally know at least one of the captain’s secrets.
Chapter Twelve
After nearly an hour of enduring the most excruciating luncheon Henry had ever attended, it finally came to an end. The ladies planned to take a late afternoon walk around the hotel grounds, but the guards would keep watch over Lady Arlington, so Henry planned to bury himself in work until dinner and avoid Rafe as much as possible. Otherwise, he would insist ontalking, and that was the last thing Henry wanted to do right now. She had made it very clear that last night was a mistake not to be repeated. Now he just needed to figure out how to be in her presence without picturing how enticing she looked when she came.
It was proving to be damned difficult.
He made his goodbyes and headed for the doorway as briskly as his leg would allow. Henry had just stepped into the hall when Rafe called after him. He briefly considered trying to make a run for it, but that would just be embarrassing for both of them. Instead, he made sure his expression was perfectly blank before turning around.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Rafe let out a huff. “In Scotland you could barely say Lady Arlington’s name. Now you’re sharing a suite with her in Monte Carlo. How did this even happen?”
“Her brother hired me to investigate the threats against her. That’s all.”
Rafe merely raised one dark brow in response.
“It’s just business. She’s aclient,” Henry ground out.
He hated being under inspection, especially by someone like Rafe. Before joining the ambassador’s staff, he had been one of the Crown’s most dedicated spies. And one of Henry’s oldest friends. One of hisonlyfriends, actually. That meant he knew all his weaknesses, including Lady Arlington.
