Then why did it make his stomach feel so odd?
Chapter Six
Georgiana
Georgiana woke thenext day to the smell of bacon. Mrs. Honeycutt must have gone into the village already and returned with supplies. She might be a bit bawdy, but the woman knew how to get things done. No wonder James loved her so dearly.
As she lay in the narrow bed, fragments of the previous evening drifted through her mind. The warmth of the brandy, the flicker of firelight across James’s face as he spoke of his past, the way his voice had gentled when he’d made her feel safe. She touched her fingers to her lips, remembering the way he’d looked at her when he’d called her beautiful.
Cecily had already risen and dressed. Georgiana could hear her talking to Mrs. Honeycutt in the kitchen, their voices mingling with the sounds of breakfast preparation.
Her sister had left her a basin of warm water, which she used to give herself a thorough washing before putting on her dress from the day before. After pinning her hair with extra care—though she told herself it had nothing to do with a certain lord—she headed toward the wonderful smells.
Morning sunlight spilled across the long worktable, catching in the rim of chipped crockery bowls and a basket of golden scones. Mrs. Honeycutt bustled between the hearth and the table in her apron and half-pinned curls, already halfway through a monologue about theindecency of village shopkeepers who had the nerve to question whether Lord Ashford had indeed hired the likes of her to be his cook.
“How very rude,” Cecily said, buttering a scone. “I hope you explained the situation.”
“Trust me, they won’t question me again.” Mrs. Honeycutt grinned wickedly. “I might have scared the grocer with my fierce tongue. I heard him mutter something about redheads and the devil. Which I paid no mind to whatsoever.”
“How you managed to get into the village before sunrise, I’ll never know.” Cecily yawned. “You’re a wonder, Mrs. Honeycutt.”
“I can’t have my James going hungry,” Mrs. Honeycutt said with obvious affection. “Or Lord Ashford, I mean. That’s going to take some getting used to.”
James, seated at the end of the table, gave a low chuckle. He looked rested and relaxed, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, hair slightly damp from washing. When he glanced up as she entered, something passed between them—a shared memory of their conversation by the fire.
“Good morning, Lord Ashford.” Georgiana took the seat across from him, acutely aware of his presence.
“How did you sleep?” His eyes held hers for a moment longer than necessary.
“Very well, thank you.” She felt warmth creep up her neck under his gaze. There was something different about him this morning—or perhaps something different about how she saw him. The harsh lines around his eyes seemed softer, and she found herself noticing details she’d missed before. The way his hands moved as he reached for his coffee. The small scar near his left temple.
He cleared his throat and addressed both sisters. “I’ve been thinking about your arrangements here. The inn is perfectly adequate, but with the work we’re doing on the manor, it seems impractical for you to keep traveling back and forth. Especially with winter weather beingso unpredictable.”
The sisters exchanged a glance.
“What are you suggesting?” Georgiana asked carefully.
“Stay here. For as long as you’re working on the restoration. Mrs. Honeycutt has plenty of room, and frankly—”. He paused, seeming to choose his words with great care. “After last night, I realized how much I enjoy the company. This house has been too quiet for too long.”
“Oh, yes, you must stay,” Mrs. Honeycutt chimed in. “I’ll be lonesome down here by myself. Besides, it’s not proper for his lordship to be rattling around this big house with only me for company. People will talk.”
“They’re already talking,” Cecily said with a grin. “About the mysterious sisters who’ve come to restore the manor.”
“If you think we wouldn’t be in the way?” Georgiana found herself hoping he’d insist.
“Nonsense. You’re barely big enough to get in anyone’s way,” Mrs. Honeycutt declared.
James leaned forward slightly. “Mrs. Ellsworth starts today. Once she’s settled and we’ve sorted out the staff quarters, we can move you to proper guest rooms upstairs. But for now, you’re welcome to stay here with Mrs. Honeycutt.”
“That would be wonderful,” Cecily said, clearly delighted. “The inn is perfectly nice, but this feels more like…” She gestured around the warm kitchen.
“Home,” Georgiana finished softly, then caught herself. “I mean, it’s very kind of you. And it would help us manage our expenses.”
“Then it’s settled.” James’s smile was genuine, reaching his eyes. “I confess, I’m rather looking forward to more evenings like last night.”
Before Georgiana could respond to that loaded statement, the back door opened and a woman stepped inside, removing her bonnet with one gloved hand and clutching a small parcel in the other.
“Well now, look at all of you.” The newcomer delivered a wide smile. “It’s been too long since this kitchen was full of hungry people.”
