It is you.Foolishly, impossibly, her heart was leaning only toward him even though she knew wanting this man was like reaching for the moon in the sky: it was untouchable.
“I…I want to know the world through food,” she murmured, instead of laying her reckless heart open.
He lifted a brow. “You want to travel?”
She turned around, leaning back against him to peer up at the emerging stars in the evening sky. “I have only ever been fortunate to leave Crandell once.”
“Blasphemy.”
Another laugh escaped her at the incredulity in his tone.
“I once spent two years touring the continent, the east, and the West Indies,” he said.
She felt the thump of his heart against her shoulder and waited silently for him to try and capture the memory.
“Where do you wish to go, wife?” he murmured after several moments.
“I could not truly leave Crandell,” she said with a wistful sigh.
“Whyever not?”
“My sisters are here. Should I be so privileged to see a bit of the world, even for a brief moment, I would wish for them to come with me. That I daresay might never be possible. I am content with experiencing life and travels through food and my cooking. That would be most incredible.”
“I have never seen you this animated.”
“I…” She wrinkled her nose. “I can get passionate about cooking.”
“I see.” His gaze searched hers, as if he wanted to discover all of her hidden depths. She almost looked away but forced herself to hold still under his probing regard.
“How do you travel through food?”
“My mama would make the rich and decadentTiremesù, and I would experience and delight in Italian cuisine, then another time she prepared a dish known only to the east and suddenly I am in Shanghai. We can travel the world through food, enjoy the other side of the world and other cultures through taste.”
“It is a whimsical and beautiful notion.”
“One day, I shall be able to prepare all the delicious delicacies I have ever dreamed about.”
“I will ensure it.”
Georgianna gasped. “No, I will not—”
He kissed away her protest, and she moaned softly against his mouth, hating the hunger that crested through her with such eagerness.
“Georgie!”
She pulled away from him, laughing shakily. Looking over his shoulder in the distance, she saw a few hands waving. Daniel wheeled the horse and trotted back to her family. Upon arriving, she saw they had laid out a large blanket on the lawns, and a small picnic basket with plates and a jar of large lemonade was waiting. She dismounted with Daniel’s aid, and Georgianna introduced Montgomery to the girls.
Their excitement brought a lump to her throat, and she met Lizzie’s gaze over their heads. Georgianna saw a similar unspoken wish in her sister’s eyes that the earl could always stay in their lives. She sat on the blanket, laughing when Anna barreled into her arms. The earl allowed the horse to graze and lowered himself on the edge of the blanket, resting his shoulders against the large tree trunk.
“How is it that we were not at your wedding, Georgie?” Sarah asked, reposing on her stomach, and propping her palm on her chin.
Drat. She stared at her sister wordlessly. “I…it was hasty,” Georgianna murmured, blushing.
“The girls witnessed Mr. Johnson and Miss Bevins wed in church Sunday,” Lizzie said, looking almost guilty between her and the earl.
“We caught some of the rice,” Anna chirped, her cheeks dimpling.
“I have an idea,” Sarah cried, scrambling to her knees. She reached for the earl’s hand and placed it on Georgie’s.
