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“Yes, you’ve made everyone very happy, coming here on holiday and avoiding possible threats toyour life. And Captain Harris barely lets you out of his sight. Though that might be more than just business,” she added with a suggestive glance.
“I assure you, it is not.”
Sylvia arched a brow. “You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to, but you have never been a good liar, Georgie.”
Georgiana stared out at the turquoise sea, glittering in the late afternoon light. “It’s difficult for me to talk about.”
When she dared to look back at Sylvia, she was met with sympathy.
“It can be terrifying to voice your feelings for someone. Believe me.”
Georgiana let out a dismissive huff. “I wasn’t speaking of anything romantic. That is hardly the issue here.”
“Darling, I admit that don’t know Captain Harris very well, but I’m quite certain the man is infatuated with you.”
Georgiana stumbled and nearly fell face-first onto the ground, but Sylvia’s arm shot out to steady her. A shout went up behind them as the protection officers trailing them rushed over.
“Surely it can’t bethatsurprising to you,” Sylvia said before letting out a nervous laugh.
“I’m fine,” Georgiana snapped and waved everyone away. “I just missed a step.”
Sylvia eyed her with concern before she glanced back. “Perhaps we should return. I’m feeling a bit lightheaded myself.”
She suddenly looked so dreadfully pale under the golden sunlight that guilt tore through Georgiana. She shouldn’t have upset her. But before Georgiana could agree, Sylvia turned around and walked toward the hotel. A cold pit of dread struck low in her belly. Georgiana hadn’t noticed it earlier, but from this angle she could see that Sylvia, who had always been petite, was slimmer. And she hadn’t eaten much earlier. Georgiana would have assumed she was with child if not for Sylvia’s expressed disinterest in motherhood. And as far as she knew, that hadn’t changed.
But something was clearly wrong with her friend. Something more than mere travel fatigue. Georgiana forced herself to move, willing her thoughts to remain positive. Sylvia was young and healthy. Even if she was ill, it was nothing serious. Because it couldn’t be. Because Georgiana simply could not bear it.
***
To Henry’s annoyance, dinner was absolutely sublime. He had been prepared to make his excuses and leave after the first course, but the food was simply too good to resist. As each course was presented, he promised himself this would be the last until a new plate was placed before him. It was incredibly disconcerting to learn just how weak his will had become. For a man who had long prided himself on his control, this little trip was proving to be his undoing. And it had all begun with her.
His gaze met Lady Arlington’s across the table, and he took a generous sip of wine. She looked delectable as usual, in a low-cut evening gown nearly the color of the Bordeaux. Matching blood-red garnets shimmered along her décolletage and at her ears. No doubt gifts from the viscount. Gifts she could never expect from a man like Henry. But that was unfair. Though it would be far easier to continue to paint her with a shallow brush, he could not. Not after all he had learned about her. Henry would just have to accept that she was a multifaceted person. And, dammit if he didn’t want to uncover them all. That was the real problem.
Her sapphire eyes looked a shade darker in the gaslight. Mysterious. Like rare jewels Henry ached to possess. What would it take to have her always look upon him like this?
A time machine, for one. Like in that story by Mr. Wells.
And what would that have mattered?
He would still be the same poor lieutenant looking for a wealthy wife, and she still hunting for a title. But perhaps…perhaps they both could have been a little more honest with each other. It wouldn’t have changed the outcome, but it might have made these last years easier. Just as Henry began to taste the bitterness of regret, someone loudly cleared their throat, shattering the moment. He turned to the head of the table, where Rafe was raising an eyebrow at him. They had been quite obviously staring at each other. And based on Rafe’s annoyed expression, Henry guessed for some time. He cut a glance back at Lady Arlington, but she was now looking down at her place setting.
This was becoming ridiculous.
“As I was trying to say,” Rafe said with a pointed glance in Henry’s direction, “shall we return to our suite for some after-dinner entertainment?
“Will you play for us, Georgiana?” Sylvia asked.
“Oh yes,” Rafe added. “Surely you’ve seen my mother’s Bösendorfer. I daresay it’s never been touched.”
“It certainlyhas,” the countess protested. “Why Mahmood even arranged for me to have lessons, didn’t you?”
The man gave a very diplomatic nod before taking a generous sip of wine.
“WellI’venever heard you play,” Rafe said, fighting to hold back a smile.
The countess lifted her chin. “It’s very hard to learn as an adult.” Then she addressed Georgiana. “I’ve heard you are quite talented.”
She paused before answering. “I’m a bit out of practice playing for an audience.”
