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Henry growled so loudly at the unwelcome thought that Georgiana actually stumbled over a few notes. He winced and apologized again, but she only smiled, eyes still fixed to the music.
“You’re a terrible assistant,” she whispered. “I thought you would have improved over the years.”
Henry was struck dumb for a moment. How awkward he had felt during those afternoons back then, sitting next to such a lovely creature, wondering why she was paying him any attention. Not so very different from now.
“I’m afraid I’m out of practice,” he whispered back, actuallyflirtingwith the woman who had rejected him. Twice now. Surely the lack of sleep must be interfering with his reason.
“Excuses, excuses,” she teased, and even Henry could not explain away the warmth that pumped through his heart at her words.
Her hands continued to move deftly across the keyboard. Henry imagined them stroking down his chest in smooth, unhurried movements. Then taking hold of his cock with the same surety and purpose. Damn. That was a mistake. He subtly shifted his body away from her.
Only a few more pages of music and this self-inflicted torture could end. Then he could retreat to the safety of his bedroom and find sweet relief.
It won’t be enough.
Henry gritted his teeth. No, it certainly would not. But he had long ago grown used to making do with far, far less than he desired.
Chapter Thirteen
Georgiana allowed herself to be cajoled into playing another piece by Mahmood, who was positively delighted by her performance. When she opened the thick book of sheet music, Captain Harris had made a noise that sounded almost like a whimper, but dutifully attended to the pages. When the last note rang out in the room, he immediately rose to his feet and began to applaud. The others joined, but Georgiana would have sworn he was motivated by a desire to move away from her. This was particularly vexing given thathehad chosen to sit beside her in the first place. But rather than show her irritation, Georgiana simply smiled and curtsied. While chatting with Mahmood, the countess, and Sylvia, she caught a glimpse of Rafe approaching the captain. They exchanged a few words, but Georgiana couldn’t quite make them out––
“Pardon?” The countess had asked her a question. “Oh, yes. I started taking lessons when I was five.”
“Sylvia says you once considered a career in music.”
Georgiana cut her friend a glance. “Verybriefly. While I was at school.” When she still had the luxury of fantasizing about her future. “It was only a silly dream,” she added with a shrug.
Mahmood frowned. “I wouldn’t say that. There’s still time, you know.”
Though the man was absolutely serious, Georgiana couldn’t help laughing at the outrageous idea.
“I hardly have the time to play for my own enjoyment these days. Surely you can understand that.”
But he would not relent. “Being a business owner is all well and good, but I can’t help but think you are wasting your talent. Unless your passion for fabrics matches your passion for music.”
That unexpectedly stung. She was proud of the improvements she had made to her factories. And there was so much more she could do to make a real difference.
“Oh, don’t listen to him, my dear,” the countess put in. “Mahmood may appear to be a proper businessman, but he is a romantic at heart.”
Mahmood looked poised to respond to this, until they were all distracted by the sound of Rafe and Henry’s voices rising in a corner of the room. They both immediately stopped once they drew everyone’s notice.
Henry stalked out of the room without another word. Rafe called after him, but the captain did not stop. Then he let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. Sylvia immediately went to him and ran a soothing hand along his shoulder. As Rafe stared down at his wife, he grew calmer. “I’m so sorry to have spoiled the evening,” he said to everyone before addressing Georgiana specifically. “Please, don’t leave because I acted like an idiot.”
“No, no. It’s late anyway, and I didn’t sleep very well last night,” she said, ignoring Sylvia’s suspicious glance. “Thank you again for your hospitality.”
“Come tomorrow morning, for breakfast,” Sylvia said, squeezing her hand. “We still have so much to discuss.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Then she said her goodbyes to the rest of the party, but before she left, Rafe pulled her aside. “May I have a word?”
Georgiana followed him out into the hallway. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “This is horribly awkward. And if Henry knew I was talking to you, he’d have my hide—well, more than he already wants to, anyway.” He let out a short laugh then gave her a solemn look. “It’s just that…I need to know you aren’t going to hurt him.”
Georgiana’s eyes went wide. How couldshehurt the captain? She shook her head at the very idea.
“He may put on an act,” Rafe continued in the wake of her silence. “But the last two years have been incredibly difficult for him. More than he’ll ever say. Even to me.”
She couldn’t help bristling at receiving this caution from a man Captain Harris was obviously upset with. “What were you fighting about?”
