If he allowed her to stay, then this current torment would continue, but at least he would still be able to see and speak to her every day.
Days when he would also constantly curse himself for the grave mistake he had made regarding Annabel’s true nature.Because that error in judgment now meant he could not be with the woman he truly loved.
He felt a love so deep and true for Georgiana that it had left Julian reeling from the realization he could never have truly been in love with Annabel.Rather, as he had thought might be the case when he reflected back on that time, he had been a soldier returning from the blood and gore of fighting and had become enthralled by Annabel’s innocence and beauty and the return of devotion she had claimed to feel toward him.The speed with which they had married had not allowed any time for second thoughts, or even time to question his first ones.
He now knew, to the depths of his being, that he not only loved Georgiana, he adored and worshipped her.
To tell Georgiana of his feelings would be unfair to her.
At the same time as he was too selfish to give up her company completely.
“With your agreement, I believe we might continue this arrangement for now,” he answered her evenly.“But I reserve the right to change my mind,” he added quickly when a wide smile illuminated the beauty of her face.
“As do I,” she assured dryly.
He nodded stiffly.“As is your prerogative.”
“I will bring a satchel with me today in which I can keep paper and a pencil.That way, I can make any notes you might wish me to regarding the tenants or buildings,” she added briskly.
Usually, Julian and Eames relied on their memories, but Georgiana’s suggestion would be much more efficient.
“Do not look so surprised,” she teased.“I am the daughter of an earl, after all.”
Of course she was, and at least this way, Julian would be able to enjoy spending time with Georgiana this morning.Hopefully, Eames’s presence would help mitigate the burning need Julian constantly felt to hold and kiss Georgiana.
His many fantasies of doing so had included laying her down on top of his desk and making love to her.Slowly and thoroughly.
Yes, it was better by far that they leave his study this morning to go out onto the estate in the company of a third person.
* * *
One thing that became very apparent to Georgiana, within minutes of Julian beginning his first visit to one of his tenants, was the pleasure the family felt upon seeing him amongst them once again.
It was heartwarming to watch Julian as he resumed his role as the Duke of Moreland while at the same time remaining open to anything his tenants might wish to say to or ask of him.
All of them, as the morning progressed, expressed how much they were enjoying seeing him about the estate again.
Georgiana, for her part, was still reveling in the euphoria of being allowed to continue as Julian’s secretary and to remain indefinitely in Norfolk.
She had fallen in love with the county’s barrenness and the sea’s wild crashing onto the golden sand.Also, with the good humor and friendliness of the people she had met while out on her rides.
But most of all, she knew herself to be falling more in love with Julian every day.Even if he continued to be the most infuriatingly stubborn gentleman she had ever met!
He was also startlingly handsome in that toplofty way that dukes often were.Certainly, St.Albans and Hellsmere both possessed that same inherent arrogance.
Georgiana was also witnessing firsthand this morning how much the tenants of the Moreland Park estate respected and loved him, many of them having known him since he was a child.
The latter emotion seemed to have surprised Julian.“It would seem I have misjudged the feelings of my tenants,” he remarked ruefully as the three of them enjoyed luncheon at the local inn.
They had left their horses with the ostlers outside and were now sitting together in a private room enjoying a cold luncheon of fresh bread, sliced meats, and cheeses.All washed down with the home-brewed ale the innkeeper was locally famous for.
Julian’s gaze lowered.“I had thought—erroneously made the assumption—they would view me differently after my wi—the duchess’s disappearance.”
Robert Eames grimaced.“You have always been well-liked, as was your father and grandfather before you.But I am afraid the feelings of the tenants and the people living in the village toward the duchess are very similar to those of your household staff.”He hesitated.“Do I have your permission to continue?”he prompted when Julian stiffened.
“Of course.”Julian nodded.
Eames released a sigh.“Then I am sorry to say the duchess was not liked at all— Are you quite well, Lady Stapleton?”the estate manager inquired after Georgiana gave a derisive snort.
