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“Yes. As it’s a far sight easier than being a parent,” he said, then turned sheepish. “I’m sorry. That was an insensitive thing to say.”
“No, it’s fine. Really,” she insisted in response to his skeptical look. “I think I was just shocked to realize Sylvia was pregnant. Though it sounds silly saying it aloud. She’s been married for over a year now. And given the way she and Rafe can barely keep their hands off one another,” she said as she rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “It was bound to happen.”
Henry chuckled. “You noticed that too, eh?”
“Impossible not to.” Georgiana returned his smile. “But I’m happy for them,” she said truthfully before taking a moment to gather her courage. “The viscount was very disappointed not to have a child. And it made things between us difficult,” she added softly.
Captain Harris was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
This time she welcomed the sympathy in his gaze. The viscount had only ever made her feel like a failure. He had never once considered that she might have needed his support, not his contempt. “I admit that Sylvia’s news brought back some unpleasant memories, but I’m feeling better now.”
“I’m glad,” he said and the warmth of his words flowed through Georgiana. It felt surprisingly good to talk with him like this. For them to each understand a little more about the other.
Just then the waiter returned with their order. Georgiana focused all her attention on fixing her coffee with cream before she ripped open her steaming croissant and spread it with a thin layer of butter, then jam. When she finally dared to look up, Captain Harris was giving her a fond smile.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head, still smiling. “You know exactly what you like and how you like it,” he added at her questioning look.
“Hard not to when it’s just a coffee and a pastry.”
“It’s with other things as well, I’ve noticed.”
Why did such a benign admission cause heat to flare inside her? The man was beingpaidto watch her, for goodness’ sake. Georgiana didn’t know how to respond, so she tucked into her breakfast, unable to suppress the delighted moan that escaped her lips when she bit into the croissant.
“That good?”
She glanced up at his deep tone and her gaze locked with his. The fond look had been replaced with his usual grim expression. The one that she found impossible to read.
“Yes,” she said, then licked at a spot of jam from the corner of her mouth.
The captain’s eyes noticeably darkened, and he shifted in his seat.
Well, then. Perhaps it wasn’t so impossible to read him after all. Just as the tension began to coil between them, the waiter came over to ask if they wanted more coffee.
“Please,” Georgiana said without waiting for the captain. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” she said in answer to his smirk. “I’m sure you can deducewhy,” she added wryly, narrowing her eyes.
Captain Harris chuckled and glanced down bashfully. Georgiana’s heart clenched. Goodness, he was a terribly attractive man, especially when he wasn’t glowering.
“Are you ready to return to the hotel?” he asked after the waiter brought their check.
“Yes.” Georgiana let out a little sigh. “I’m sorry for earlier. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”
“You needn’t be sorry, my lady,” he said after a moment. “You should be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.”
Georgiana had to look away from his too perceptive gaze. “Have you heard anything from the inspector in London?”
“Not yet. I sent him a message this morning.”
“Then let’s hope for good news upon our return.”
As they walked back to the casino, where they could board a carriage bound for the hotel, Captain Harris was quiet. Georgiana didn’t mind. She had grown used to his silences now and had even come to enjoy them. For unlike the viscount’s, they did not signal his displeasure, but his contemplation.
They didn’t have to wait long for a carriage to take them back to the Hotel Luna. Mr. Previn had an arrangement with the casino that ensured his guests never had to wait longer than fifteen minutes. But just as Georgiana moved to board the carriage, Captain Harris gently gripped her elbow and held her back for a moment.
“I will get to the bottom of these threats, Georgiana,” he murmured deeply by her ear, while his inviting scent and heat curled around her body. “I promise you that.”
Strange how only two weeks ago the very thought of this man being involved in her life in any way had filled her with outrage. Now, though…she heard the conviction in his words. Hispromise. And it filled her to the very brim with warmth. But there was only one thing she could allow herself to accept from him. And it was not his pity, nor his understanding.
