“But…?”St.Albans now prompted.
She drew herself up straighter in the chair.“But I cannot continue to accept your generosity for myself.”
“Why not?”
She winced.“Because it makes me feel very uncomfortable to do so when I never intend to marry and would therefore remain a burden to you for the rest of my life.To that end,” she continued before the duke could interrupt and no doubt assure her it was of no bother or hardship tohimto privately financially support her and her family for as long as was necessary, “I have decided I wish to seek employment.”
His brows rose in obvious surprise.“As what?”
“Anything, as long as it is not illegal and doesn’t bring shame upon me or my mother and sisters.”Her cheeks bloomed with color.“But preferably something away from London and which would allow me to earn enough to support myself immediately and for the foreseeable future.”
“Marriage would?—”
“If Lily and Chloe have not already done so, then let me tell you of my vehement dislike of ever entering into that institution.”Her mouth twisted with the aversion she felt toward the very idea of ever giving any man that sort of power her father had had over his wife and daughters.
“Since learning of your father’s behavior, I now realize exactly why you would feel that way.But not all men are like him.”
“I never intend to marry,” she stated vehemently.
The duke bowed in acknowledgment of the passion behind that statement.“I am deeply sorry for that.But, having said that”—his expression brightened—“by a fortuitous coincidence, I have today received a letter from an old friend.”He searched through the pile of open letters on his desk.“Ah, here it is.”He pulled a thick piece of vellum from amongst them, once again perusing the words written upon it before glancing up at Georgiana.“Like you, my friend has no time for Society or London.Nor does he have the inclination to attend any of the events that occur each Season.Indeed, he resides in Norfolk year-round, which is why he has asked for my assistance in finding a new secretary.”
An image of the gentleman appeared in her thoughts.No doubt he would be gray-haired, slightly stooped, perhaps slightly overweight from a lack of exercise.An amenable gentleman, one with whom she might even be able to converse as they sat beside a fire in the evenings after dinner.It would be wonderful to be able to state her opinions on politics and social dilemmas without being toldit is not a woman’s place to discuss such subjects.
Except… “Are secretaries not usually male?”
“What if they are?”St.Albans dismissed.“I would have thought that you, of all people, would enjoy cocking a snoop at what is considered ‘usual’ in regard to male and female activities.”
Georgiana had never made any secret to her closest female friends that she disliked intensely this unwritten rule that certain occupations were meant for females and others only for males.
“What happened to his previous secretary?”
St.Albans smiled.“He quickly tired of my friend’s refusal to so much as visit London, or to attend or host even the smallest of suitable social engagements in Norfolk.”
“And if I were to accept the position, I would also be required to reside in Norfolk year-round and not attend social engagements, local or otherwise?”
The duke arched dark brows.“From what you and my Lily and Chloe have said, I had assumed you would not find it a hardship to live away from London and its entertainments for a time.”
She snorted.“I would not.In fact, it would suit me if I never had to return to living in London or attend Society events ever again!”
He eyed her curiously.“Does that mean that if you accept this position, you do not intend to tell your family the real reason for your absence?”
“Heavens, no!”She chuckled.“My mother would not allow it if she knew what I was about to do.”
“A sentiment, as a father, I can fully relate to.If Chloe had ever thought of carrying out such a hare-brained scheme, she would not be able to sit down for a?—”
“I do believe Chloe has made her own mark, within society and out of it,” she reminded pointedly.
“You are correct, of course.I apologize.”The duke gave a formal bow of his head even as he drew in a deep and controlling breath.“I stand by my offer to assist you in carrying out these arrangements, while at the same time, I urge you to reconsider your actions.”
“And I appreciate your concern but politely decline.I shall go to Norfolk to become secretary to your friend.As to what I shall tell my family, we are all currently in mourning for my father,” Georgiana reminded.“Julia and Amanda are also in mourning for their beloved grandmother.They have sent word they will not be returning to London and intend to remain in the country for the rest of the Season.”Her expression brightened.“I believe I might join them there.”
St.Albans looked perplexed.“You now intend to visit with the them in the country?”
“I intend totellmy mother and sisters that is where I am going, when in truth, I shall be traveling to and then residing in Norfolk,” she corrected.“I am sure, once I have written to Julia and Amanda, they will happily assist me in that deception.”
“Being another two members of the Spinsters Alliance,” he acknowledged.
Georgiana felt the heat in her cheeks.“Exactly.”She knew that St.Albans had overheard, quite by accident, the very first meeting of that alliance.He had done so because it had taken place within his own library, and Chloe had not realized her father was sitting at the opposite end of the room while the six young ladies formed the alliance.
