She straightened her shoulders even as a curl of fright darted through her body. “Cousin Albert said it is unlikely the earl’s memory would return so soon. The earliest he has ever read the return of one’s memory after an accident involving the head is amonth. And Lizzie, I will tell Lord Stannis the truth long before that, I promise it, and perhaps he will even see the humor in everything.”
Oh, such rubbish, but she had to reassure herself of the possibility of such an outcome. “I will simply wait until he is more…recovered. But is it not the perfect plan? I get some much-needed help around the manor by putting him to work…and taking advantage of having a temporary husband. There are so many people in Crandell who whisper about us ladies living alone. I have even lost a few opportunities to cater to a few of our wealthy local landowners because of this, and I daresay I should now be able to convince Mr. Broomfield to hire me for his daughter’s engagement ball. That nonsense he has been saying about us being too scandalous can no longer be his reason to refuse my skills and services, and we know that Mr. Broomfield does desperately want to hire me but has been restrained by Vicar Pomeroy and his wife.”
Her sister’s skeptical gaze suggested she heard the doubt in Georgianna’s tone. She sighed, realizing she needed to admit to the last bit of the story she’d previously tried to keep from Lizzie.
“If I had not claimed him as my husband, Lizzie, we would have been run out of Crandell by tomorrow morning, since he proclaimed in front of the town’s most notorious gossip that…that he and I were lovers!” she finally admitted, hating that her palm sweat, and her stomach roiled. “And the earl was distressingly explicit!”
Lizzie gasped.“No!”
“Yes, that wretched man!”
Her sister narrowed her gaze, assessing Georgianna too intently.
“You are blushing, Georgie.”
She sniffed. “It is the heat.”
“Upon my word, something happened aboard his yacht! Why ever did you not tell me? Did the bounder seduce you?”
“Of course not,” she said, glaring at her sister, annoyed by the traitorous way her body stirred at the memory of being in his arms. “He kissed me, that is all. And it was this embrace he recalled upon seeing me and said it aloud in Mrs. Portman and Mrs. Goodley’s presence.”
Lizzie groaned. “This is a very complicated and tangled web you’ve woven, and I am petrified. What if the earl has family who are worried about him?”
“First, we must stop saying ‘the earl.’ He is Mr. Stannis. And if he has family who are worried about him, it is their duty to search for and find him. If they do, he will return home.”
Seeing how pale her sister was, she ventured closer and touched her shoulders. “I admit I also did not insist on leaving him with Cousin Albert. Mr. Stannis seemed uncertain, very different from the powerful and arrogant man I met.”
Lizzie sighed. “Will the earl not demand proof? Such as a marriage license? Once a man and a woman only needed to declare they were wedded, and it was accepted as truth. But I daresay it is not so today!”
“You overthink the matter, Lizzie—why would he ask for such proof? Is there truly any reason to doubt he is indeed wedded? Does he have anyone else presently to rely on so that he can afford to have these doubts?”
Her sister’s expression softened. “I can see that you feel guilty. You are worried for him.”
Georgianna took a deep breath, not liking she did so after the abominable and conceited way he treated her. “Do not read too much into it. I would feel anxious for any creature who suffered from such an inexplicable malady. And should I truly feel guilty? Does he really not owe me for what his selfish conceit caused?”
“Perhaps, but you are always kind, putting others before yourself, so I know this is also ravaging your conscience, Georgie. There is no need to pretend for my sake. I know you well, sister.”
She looked away from her sister’s probing regard. “I promise I will venture forward with good sense and know when to stop this…from becoming too tangled.”
Isn’t it already far too complicated?a small voice whispered in warning.
That vow seemed to release some of the worry from Lizzie’s gaze, and not for the first time, Georgianna wondered what madness had prompted her to say he was her husband.
Even at the threat of ruination, I shouldn’t have been so reckless.Closing her eyes, she ruthlessly pushed aside all doubts.ButI have already stepped forward; there is no turning back or time for regrets.
Recalling his haughty assurances that a lady like her could never be his wife, and the prick to her vanity, she took a deep breath, firmed her resolve, then smiled at the thought of exacting her revenge on the far too arrogant earl.
She’d show him what a “plain” woman could do.
Chapter Seven
Daniel had been staring at the ceiling of his bedroom for the last hour, wondering at the hellish trampling that had jerked him awake at the unholy hour of five in the morning. He had listened to the boots and laughter through the door, wondering exactly who the hell he was and how he had come to wash upon the shore with no memory.
How is it damn possible a man can have no notion of who he is?He silently snarled, resenting the sense of helplessness creeping through his veins.
How old am I?
Who are my parents? Are they even alive?
