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“Tell her. You shouldn’t keep all of this to yourself.”
“Might I encourage you to take a little of your own advice?”
Henry bristled. “How? I’m not married.”
Rafe looked unconvinced by this line of argument. “No, but walking around like a damned vault does you no good.”
“I’m not avault,” Henry protested. “You know there’s only so much I can say about Turkey.” And even less he wished to share.
“You can always talk to me, you know. About any of it,” Rafe added quietly.
Henry nodded. “I do.” But as he said the words, Henry realized there was someone else he would consider talking to. Even more than his old friend.
***
Georgiana spent the rest of the day with Sylvia and the countess, who was overjoyed to learn she would become a grandmother.
“You must have the baby either here or in London,” she insisted. “Not in Germany, away from your friends and family. Isn’t that right, Georgiana?”
“Yes, certainly.”
Sylvia flashed her a sympathetic look. “I’ll speak to Rafe about it.” Then she deftly changed the subject.
Eventually Georgiana retired to her room to nap before changing into eveningwear for their trip to the casino. Her gown was made of deep blue silk with a train decorated with spangles meant to mimic the night sky. She didn’t see Captain Harris until she entered the suite’s parlor, where he was already waiting by the unlit hearth.
Her heart did a somersault at the sight of him leaning with one arm against the mantel, dressed with sober elegance in a dark suit, the same one he had worn to the Pettigrew ball. It had only been a week ago now, and yet it seemed to belong to another age entirely. He glanced up at her entrance, and though he didn’t quite smile at her, the corner of his mouth lifted and his amber eyes fixed on her as she approached. That felt far more significant than if he had given her a full-on grin.
You are growing fanciful.
Yes, she was. Georgiana smiled back at him.
“Good evening, Captain. Are you planning to clean out the casino this evening?”
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, ignoring her little quip. Then, to her surprise, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Desire shivered through her. The thought of spending the evening in his room was far more appealing than going to the casino.
Georgiana gave herself a little shake. “Thank you. As do you,” she added dumbly before she caught herself.
He huffed a laugh as he ushered them toward the door. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called beautiful before.”
“Yes, well. I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”
Captain Harris met her eyes and gave her a very brief, very indulgent smile. “Indeed.”
Georgiana practically floated down to the lobby, where they met the rest of their party. She barely heard a word anyone said as they split into two groups, as no carriage could fit all of them. The captain joined Rafe, Mahmood, and another gentleman in one carriage, while Georgiana rode with Sylvia and the countess.
“You look stunning, Georgiana,” the countess said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who could wear that shade of blue so well.”
Sylvia hummed with agreement before eyeing her. “But there’s something else about you.”
The countess laughed. “She’srelaxed, my dear! The Riviera has worked its magic.”
“Is that it?” Sylvia smiled, but she didn’t look convinced.
Georgiana’s chest ached with a sudden longing to reveal everything that had transpired between her and Captain Harris.
Instead, she simply returned Sylvia’s smile. “Yes, it certainly has.”
And every word was true.
