For a moment, the three of them stood in shared understanding, not bound by rank or expectation, but by purpose. No longer solitary figures, but a line drawn firm against whatever forces meant to divide them.
As they moved to prepare, the clouds beyond the window shifted, casting pale light through the parlor once more. Georgina caught Alex’s glance across the room. She felt the unspoken vow there and let it steady her.
It was not a vow made in words or touch, but it bound them all the same. She would not face this storm alone.
She was not a widow resigned to fear, nor a lady confined to the drawing room. She was a partner stepping fully into her role.
Into her future. And into the reckoning they would face together.
Chapter Eight
“They mean tomake a show of it,” Alex said. He stood at the parlor window at Ravenstock Manor, his gaze fixed on the hills as dusk deepened.
Behind him, Georgina and Mrs. Bainbridge sat at a table. A tray of tea had gone cold between them, untouched. A list of wedding details lay forgotten at Mrs. Bainbridge’s elbow, though she still held her gloves in one hand as if uncertain whether to stay or go.
“I expect that they will move under the cover of darkness,” Alex continued. “Quicker. Quieter. Easier to claim it was always permitted.”
Before Georgina could respond, brisk footsteps sounded in the corridor. Mrs. Hemsley opened the door to admit Jeremy Lock, Alex’s mine foreman, his coat dusty from the road. He bowed with respect but without hesitation.
“My lord, my lady.” He faced Alex. “I thought you’d want this information at once.”
“Have a seat, Lock. Let me introduce you to Lady Ravenstock and Mrs. Bainbridge. You can speak freely here.”
“You were right to suspect trouble at the Ravenstock side,” Lock began, a flush creeping up his neck. He turned to Georgina. “I am sorry, my lady.”
“That’s quite all right, Mr. Lock.” Georgina gestured. “Please go on.”
He nodded and faced Alex. “I was in the stable yard getting the cartponies ready for the day. Behind me, two men from the Ravenstock side were checking their harnesses. That’s when I heard them…make sure the Ravenstock load is cleared before sundown, else it’ll be too late. The second man tried to hush him.Keep your voice down, fool. He said. You want Lock or Archer to catch wind?I kept my head down and my hands busy.”
Mrs. Hemsley moved closer to the table.
“So, they plan to have the mine cleared before we arrive.” Alex glanced at Georgina. “Was there anything else?”
“I deliberately stopped at the tavern. Two miners, thick with ale, were a bit free with their speech. They’ll come tonight and find nothing but dust, one said. We’ll have the last of it out by then. The other cautioned,and mind you, don’t leave tracks. If the owners find out, they’ll bury us deeper than the seam.
Georgina glanced at her housekeeper. “Mrs. Hemsley?”
“I went to the market after you left this morning. I overheard two women speaking. At the time, I didn’t understand their meaning, but now, I think it fits.” Mrs. Hemsley paused. Her brows furrowed.
Georgina gently placed her hand on her housekeeper’s arm. “Please, tell me what you heard. It may be nothing, or it may be exactly what we need.”
Mrs. Hemsley nodded. “I was gathering some vegetables for the midday meal when I heard one say,He’s at it again, carting loads at all hours, like the devil’s chasing him.The other woman was just as piqued.And what’s so urgent, I ask you? It’s just rubble, he says, but I know the glint of good coal when I see it on his sleeves.I had no idea what they were talking about, but now it sounds suspicious.”
“Well,” Mrs. Bainbridge tapped the tabletop, her eyes bright with calculation. “Three reliable sources.” She turned to Alex. “What do you intend to do?”
Alex didn’t need long to consider his response. He had already made up his mind. “They want us to confront them, loudly andpublicly, with accusations so they can claim they have nothing to hide.”
“Are you going to try to catch them another day?” Mrs. Bainbridge asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Alex chuckled. “And disappoint them? Why would I ever do that?” He looked at Georgina. “We’ll go to the mine as planned. But this time, we’ll be watching.” He let a grin touch his lips. “If they want a performance…”
Georgina smiled back, catching his meaning. “Then they are in for a show they never anticipated.”
“I remember that look,” Mrs. Bainbridge said.
“What look?”
“That innocent look that had your governess doing whatever you wanted.”
