During those mornings together, Georgiana had confided that she had received replies to her initial letters to her two friends, Lily, the Duchess of St.Albans, and Chloe, the Duchess of Hellsmere.She had shared the relevant contents of those letters with Julian.
Both those young ladies had informed her they had made extensive enquiries regarding the whereabouts of Annabel’s maid, one Mary Jones, and discovered that the young lady was not currently working in the household of any in Society.Indeed, they had not been able to find any evidence of the young maid ever having resided in London at all.
Puzzling news, to be sure, when that young lady had supposedly been employed by Annabel.
Julian also recalled the maid informing him that London was her intended destination when she left Norfolk.
St.Albans and Hellsmere, on Julian’s behalf, had also looked into the whereabouts of Annabel’s aunt.What they had discovered had left Julian more disturbed than ever.
The house in Bloomsbury had only been rented for a month before Julian and Annabel met.
They had also confirmed that the aunt, despite Annabel telling Julian she was going to visit her only relative at her home on those afternoons she disappeared when they had resided in London during the Season, had ceased living in the rented accommodation very shortly after Annabel and Julian were married.
He was still uncertain as to the purpose of this complicated game of seduction, but he was now certain that it had all been a ruse from the very beginning.
St.Albans and Hellsmere had written that they would continue to make what inquiries they could into the matter, on his behalf, in London.
All of which left Julian not knowing what to believe about Annabel or their marriage.
Those uncertainties were not helping to foment his relationship with Georgiana.
She was so beautiful.So passionate.So steadfast.Soloyal.
She had been all those things from their very first meeting.She remained that way still, despite Julian’s stubborn refusal to repeat their intimacy.
A refusal which caused him so much inner turmoil that he could sometimes barely breathe from the heaviness of it in his chest.
One way of escaping the rising sexual tension was for Julian to ride Shadow wildly across the sand and dunes for an hour or more each day.He did so come rain or shine, usually early in the mornings, when Georgiana was still in her bedchamber asleep or preparing for the day.
Today, Julian had decided to accompany Eames on his visits to the many Moreland estate tenants.Only to have Georgiana now state she wished to accompany them.
“We will be on horseback,” he warned her.
“All the better.I love riding Rosebud and I am in need of fresh air.It will also be interesting to meet new people,” she added brightly.
The latter comment wounded Julian.More deeply than he wished to reveal.It implied he was not enough company for her.Which, considering he refused to kiss or touch her again, was probably the case.
“Surely you acquire both those things when you go to the beach in the afternoons and meet up with Meggie?”
Georgiana sighed.“Meggie has failed to join me these past two afternoons, and I find I no longer enjoy my own company.To be truthful,” she continued as Julian winced, “I am a little concerned by Meggie’s absence and wish to see for myself that she is well.I do not believe I have done anything to offend her…” she worried.“But I can sometimes be a little…too abrasive in my speech for some people,” she allowed.
Yes, she could, but it was a trait that Julian valued rather than criticized.“I doubt Meggie would think that.Besides, I met with Eames yesterday morning to discuss today’s visits, and he did not mention there being anything wrong with Meggie.”
Georgiana’s brow cleared.“I am gratified to hear that.But I should still like to accompany the two of you.Primarily so that I might be of help in making any necessary notes, but also so that I might speak to Meggie myself.If that is agreeable with you?”
“Of course,” he readily agreed.
She blinked long lashes.“Much as I do not wish to bring up the subject I believe I must ask if you have considered—what you have decided must be done, now that my two-week trial has come to an end?”
Yes, of course Julian had considered it!
Indeed, he had thought of little else.
As for a decision on the subject?
If he told Georgiana the situation had not worked out, as had been his intention all along, then she must leave Moreland Park.
Her absence would instantly throw him into an even darker torment than being with her and desiring her every minute of every day and night.
